Safety: Motocross pants are designed of rip resistant materials that will protect a rider in the event that an accident should occur. Most trails possess many hazards such as hard soil, rocks, trees and more that could seriously injury a rider’s legs and mid section if not protected. Although motocross pants cannot protect a rider from the most serious of injuries, they are able to reduce the cuts and scrapes that would most likely occur if alternative articles of clothing were used in place of MX pants.
Motocross pants have additional layers of protection built into the area surrounding the rider’s knees. This additional layer of safety is designed to protect the area of the rider’s leg that most likely will endure the initial impact of an accident. Although most MX pants contain this additional layer of protection, it is a good idea to seriously consider adding knee pads to your leg apparel. Knee pads can protect the bones and muscles surrounding your knee from the most serious of wrecks. Having this extra layer of protection could add safety and piece of mind to all motocross riders. Knee pads may slightly decrease the rider’s level of comfort, but the alternative of potentially risking injury, surgery and/or rehab should cause consideration of this additional layer of protection at the very least.
Comfort: Motocross pants, if fitted and maintained correctly, can be rather comfortable to the rider. These pants are designed to tuck into the riders boots to help keep them in place and to reduce debris from entering into the rider’s MX boots. It is advised that a rider bring a change of pants to wear rather than remaining in MX pants for a long period of time after riding. MX pants are often too dirty to be worn in the rider’s automobile after riding and can be sweaty, muddy and all around gross after a fun day of hitting the trails. Changing out of these pants into something clean will increase the rider’s level of enjoyment.
Although most pants do not come with extra padding in the rear, they are designed in such a way as to endure the strains placed on the rear and crotch section of the pants.
Alternatives: Many MX riders consider jeans to be a suitable alternative to motocross pants. While jeans do provide some layer of protection, they will not last as long or protect as well as motocross pants will. In addition, most rider’s will wear an entire outfit consisting of a motocross jersey, gloves, helmet, boots, chest protector, exedra that will coordinate with MX pants and make the entire outfit complete. By wearing motocross pants as part of an entire motocross rider’s safety gear, the rider significantly increases his/her level of safety, comfort and enjoyment.
Shorts may also be considered, but have no place on a motocross dirt trail whether the rider is a professional or recreational rider. The only exception to this rule might come if a rider was out on sand dunes. If the riding area is just sand and the rider is attempting to escape the heat, it may be acceptable to replace MX pants with shorts. However, scrapes and cuts can occur on sand just as they can on dirt, mud or any other surface so rider be-ware.
Riding without any form of pants or shorts is not recommended under any circumstances. Despite the potential for injury to the rider, innocent by-standers should not be forced to endure such an activity.
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