Since motocross ripped onto the North American scene in the early 70s, technology has taken the sport to new heights and faster, lighter bikes with suspension that actually travels are only the beginning. Innovations in gear from helmets and goggles to boots and body armor are keeping riders in one piece as motocross' high-speed, up-close action continues to enthral spectators and keep major events like the AMA US Motocross and Supercross Championships the nation's best-attended motosports on dirt. This exponential growth means more money in the sport and these days trail riders and weekend warriors can get geared up like the pros, but on an amateur budget.

The number of entries climbs annually for the Canadian Motosport Racing Club, and President Mark Stallybrass says having the right gear is more important than ever.

“Back in the 70s and early 80s motocross was considered a blue collar sport because it didn't cost a lot to take your bike to a race, throw some gear on and away you go,” says Stallybrass. “Now it's more sophisticated, there's more money involved and people are more aware of what they need to be better protected for safety.”

For regular competitors, the club recommends a DOT-approved helmet or better, padded jersey, pants and gloves, goggles, front and back chest protector, kidney belt and boots with ankle and toe protector, and highly recommends preventative knee braces. It's true some of these items can run a high buck, but even recreational trail riders can attest to the increasing affordability of motocross gear ... and its importance.

The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders, which is all about safety, education and land use advocacy, has had its membership triple over the past two years. Ken Hoeverman, executive director, says new and experienced recreational riders should be wearing basically the same gear as motocross riders, but that day riders can afford to lighten their loads a little.

“Trail riders can stop and rest or peel off layers,” he says. “We're not under the gun like racers are. Of course injuries to the eyes, knees and elbows can certainly ruin the day if you're not able to leave the trail as a result.”

Though safety is paramount, the invincibility factor sometimes makes it a hard sell. If customers can't wrap their heads around gearing up for protection, there's always the performance angle, and it never hurts to ask the pros first hand for tips on what features to look for in top gear picks.

SnoX / Motocross champion Tucker Hibbert says the durability, fit and comfort factors have the most effect on performance. “If the gear is of bad quality it will fall apart or fall off, and if you can't keep your pants on, obviously it's going to affect performance. So you want something durable that's going to last a long time.

“Second, how well it keeps you cool is important, venting and breathablility. I have a hard time keeping hydrated and keeping my body temperature down, so that's a big thing I look for.”

Hibbert, who raced competitively for the first time at the tender age of eight, says the technology behind motocross gear has changed dramatically over the years.

“A lot of jerseys were cotton, pants were heavy and bulky, every thing a lot heavier when it got muddy. Now durability is way up and weight is way down.”

Fox Racing's five-time Canadian National champion Jean-Sebastien Roy says having the right gear means better comfort and less distraction during a ride, especially when you're talking goggles and boots.

“Boots are really technical,” he says.“If they're too soft you really feel it when you land off of big jumps. If they're too stiff and they don't flex then it's hard to use the brake and shifter because there's less give at the ankle. You want something in the middle with a better pivot and good protection in the front because there's always rocks flying up and you want to have your legs protected.”

The F3 boot from Fox Racing features a pivot lock buckle with an intuitive, aligning lever lip and pivoting buckle base for strap and buckle alignment. The one-piece, 3D biomorphic chassis offers multi-density plastics for support, protection, comfort and flex in all the right places and the Duratrack sole offers 100 percent foot peg interface in any position.

Visit <www.foxracing.com> for full details.

“When you talk about goggles, you have to have a good tear off system and they have to be able to take the heat,” says JSR. “If you have a cheesy pair that the sweat goes through and into your eyes, well, that's your vision you're talking about.”

Oakley's MX O Frame goggle allows a clear eye on the track with triple layer face foam, scratch-resistant Lexan lens, non-slip silicone treated strap and a mounting interface for the laminated seven-pack tear-offs, which the company calls “the most advanced tear-off system on the planet.”

“It's a clear tear off, so its laminated as one but the ends are frayed into seven,” says Anthony Paggio, sports marketing manager. “You can load up the goggle with three stacks of the laminated tear-offs for muddy races, which would give the athlete 21 pulls of crystal clear HDO vision.”

The “optically pure” Lexan lens, which maximizes the range of peripheral and downward view, is also offered in the Crowbar MX goggle, where it's set in an O Matter frame and meets all ANSI Z87.1 and EN 1938 standards. Visit for more information.

When 2007 AMA Motocross/Supercross Rookie of the Year Ryan Dungey took the lite class at the 2007 East/West Shootout in Las Vegas, he wasn't just debuting Answer Racing's F10 gear – he was paying tribute. The commemorative F10 Limited Edition colourway of Answer's Alpha gear was inspired by Ernesto Fonseca's short but powerful career in motocross, and Fonseca was there to see Ryan break it out to the world.

“It was the first time anyone had seen the colours and with Ryan winning and Ernesto watching it was a very special moment,” says Erick Bartoldus, marketing manager.

“Gear is an important part of our racing,” says Dungey. “It's important to have properly fitting gear that allows us to move around the bike and it must hold up to the wear and tear of a 35 minute moto.”

The Alpha pant, constructed from Tec Lock high-strength nylon and polyester, features floating rear yoke, pre-curved and sculpted knees and a 40 mm wide waistband. Bird's Eye mesh and Waffle-Tech moisture wicking fabrics and a non-restrictive collar with Lycra dirt dam, rope-style dirt gasket, elbow pads and lower back Silicone printed pant grippers are just a few things new with the the 2008 Alpha Jersey.

“We pretty much put the gear to the test on the track, give feedback to the designers and then they turn around and deliver it back to the factory and develop it for the general public,” says Dungey.

With 30 years behind it, Answer Racing is a mainstay in the motocross community, enjoying a strong reputation with sales growing sales across North America.

“Motocross gear is all we do,” says Bartoldus, “so dealers have the benefit of an exclusive company. We have the opportunity to respond faster to market demands and changes.”

Visit <www.answerracing.com> for complete product line and details.

Catching attention as the next up-and-coming name in motocross, Cody Matechuk at 13 already has ten years of racing behind him including a dominant season last year, hilighted by a 60cc Alberta Provincial Championship Title in Motocross.

“Gear is a lot lighter now than when I started,” says Matechuk. “It's more protective and able to take harsher crashes. It's important that you're able to move in it and that the flexibility is good.”

Matechuk is running Alpinestars boots, which are at the top of the company's line of motocross gear. “We listen to what the athletes have to say by way of feedback on the performance of the product and incorporate it into the technology, the Tech 10 in particular,” says sales manager, Tim Collin.

The Tech 10 features an inner ankle brace system with patented double hinged assembly that allows upper and lower protective structures to protect the ankle and heel with full flexibility and no constraint until the point of over extension. A poly fabric lining with open cell foam and a shock absorbing shin pad add comfort and precision fit, while the dual compound sole's integration with the multi-density foot base structure offers additional support.

“They are our high-performance off-road boot, so demographically it's gear toward the more accomplished or aggressive rider.” Visit for more information.

Though it hardly needs mention, a good helmet should be at the top of the list for important and easy-to-make sales, and with quality there is no compromise.

“Your helmet has to fit right too,” says Matechuk. “It shouldn't be able to move around. It's got to fit right or it just won't be safe.”

Offering a D-Ring rentention system, Advantix stabilizer and Flotec ventilation in its off-road line, M2R helmets hit top quality in safety while staying light on a ride. Curtis Lea of Trans Can Imports, exclusive Canadian distributor, says the company's unique construction method allows the helmets to strike the balance.

“When the helmets are manufactured and they're laying up the different compounds, they use just enough resin to maintain the structural integrity and bleed off any excess to achieve lightest weight helmet.” This proprietary method in construction allows for a larger precut sheet of tri-composite carbon fibre, Kelvar and fibreglass interwoven fibres.

Visit <www.made2race.com> for full details and product line.

If anything is making headlines in motocross gear, it's the availability of preventative knee braces, which in the past were cost-prohibitive, doctor prescribed or designed exclusively for post-injury use. Matechuk stresses their importance:

“One time three years ago I cased a jump and flipped sideways and crashed down a hill ... I broke a carbon fibre knee brace, but walked away.”

Derek Farthing, president of Pacesports, exclusive Canadian distributor for Asterisk braces says more non-sponsored riders are using the braces, in both genders and in all ages.

“We're starting to see more money in the sport and as the tracks get more technical, it's critical see the value in this stuff.”

Asterisk's Cell and Germ models feature a carbon fiber epoxy matrix and glass fill Nylon 5 injected composite frame, respectively. Both offer an Asymetri-glide hinge that tracks the natural “rolling-gliding” motion of the knee joint and offers an adjustable extension regulator from 0 to 40 degrees.

“Also, the adjustability is great. With our premier athletes, they might have a different leg size between pre-qualifying and the main event because of water retention. You can basically adjust our brace right before a race,” says Farthing.

The Tele-Tri Patella cup's telescoping three-piece design, made of high-impact nylon 5 material with thermo-formed EV50 shock absorbant foam padding is standard in both as is the Uni-quad fastening system, offering four adjustment zones, and linking zones 2 and 3 for optimum extension resistance. Though sold as a preventative brace, Asterisk is seeing a lot of post-injury recommendations as well. “Some doctors are beginning to see the value of it,” says Farthing. “Also, the custom braces are about $1800; these retail $699 for a pair.”

Visit <www.asterisk.com> or call Pacesports at 877.866.2275 for full information.

Matechuk is also running Utopia goggles, which feature a flexible, injection molded polyurethane frame, ensuring pliability and durability, says Aldo Thomas, vice-president, sales and marketing. “We also use a triple layer, fleece-lined foam that's great for absorbing sweat in extreme conditions.”

The anti-fog properties make Utopia goggles stand out from the rest, as the chemicals are actually impregnated into the lens rather than overlayed as a film. “You can't wipe it off over time and with cleaning,” says Thomas. “All of our lenses, coloured and clear, are 100 percent UV as well.”

Canadian sales are on the rise for Utopia, which Thomas attributes to growth in the level of sponsorship, in the technology of the products and even in the athleticism of the racers. “The sport has really grown back from when I was younger,” says Thomas, “especially at the commercial level. I see events in Canada now with 70,000 people at them and that's huge.   Visit <www.utopia.ca> for full information.

CPT