ATV Safety Gear Checklist: What Every Rider Needs in 2025

21 August 2025

Planning an ATV trip? No matter your skill level, having the right gear is super important for a safe and fun ride. This guide covers all the must-have stuff, like helmets, gloves, jackets, and communication devices, so you can ride safely and get the most out of every trip. We’ll also point out reliable brands and share tips on keeping your gear in good shape. Ready to get geared up for your next off-road ride? Keep reading!

Beginner Gear for ATV Riding: What You Need Before You Ride

Riding an ATV is nothing like riding a bike. These things are basically powerful machines on wheels, and they can really fly – you can hit almost 100 miles per hour tearing through some pretty wild places. When you're out there, you're definitely going to be dealing with all sorts of weather and terrain. So, if you're into ATVs, getting the right safety stuff is super important. Think long sleeves, pants that cover everything, and a fantastic way to talk to people when you're out riding.

If you're just getting started with ATVs, there's some must-have equipment you need to grab before you hit the trails. Seriously, the gear you wear can make a huge difference. Good safety equipment can cut your risk of serious injury or even worse by a lot – like, maybe half! It's worth doing your homework and spending a little extra on stuff that's going to last.

Besides keeping you safe, good riding gear makes you feel way more comfortable and can even help you ride better. You can see the difference more and more as gear gets better. For example, a good ATV jacket isn't just for show. It will save you if you crash. It blocks wind and rain. And it lets your skin breathe so you don't get all sweaty, and the jacket doesn't hold you back when you're trying to move.

Here’s a rundown of what you really need:

Helmet: This is number one for a reason – it's the most important thing you can wear. Lots of places even require them by law. A helmet can keep you from getting a major head injury or even save your life. Get one that's made for ATVs or motocross. It needs to fit well. It should have good air flow. Not only that, but it needs a strong chin strap. And it needs to be big enough to work with goggles.
Goggles: Some helmets have visors built in, but a lot of ATV helmets are more open, so you need goggles. Look for ones that won't shatter easily and have foam around the edges to keep dirt and dust out. Make sure they don't fog up. Also, be sure your goggles work with your helmet.
Communication System: When you're riding in new places, it's easy to get turned around. Trying to use your phone while you're riding isn't safe at all. And sometimes you can't just stop in the middle of the trail. You need a hands-free way to talk. Systems with Bluetooth will hook up to your phone or GPS. That way, you can keep the conversation going and check where you're going without taking your eyes off the trail. The great systems keep everyone connected, even if someone falls behind or loses signal.
Skin Protection: When you're riding, you want to keep as much skin covered as possible. ATVs don't have doors or windows, so you're out in the open and exposed to bugs, rocks flying up, the sun, and all kinds of stuff that can give you rashes or worse. Even when it's really hot, it's a good idea to stay covered up. Get riding clothes that work in different kinds of weather. When you're on an ATV, you're right there in nature, with insects, plants, mud, and everything else. If you're not wearing the right clothes, all that stuff can end up on your skin. Long sleeves and pants will protect you from scratches, bites, sunburn, and other things. Long pants are great for keeping your legs safe. Jeans are not okay, but pants made for ATV riding have extra padding and make things more comfortable. Some even have knee pads built in. Get stuff that dries fast and is water-resistant so you'll be okay if you get wet. If you're hunting, you might want to look at camouflage stuff. Under layers that wick away sweat will also help keep you comfy.
ATV Boots: Boots that cover your ankles will protect your shins and ankles if something goes wrong. They'll also help you keep your feet on the pedals. Good boots will have some kind of plate on the front to protect your shins. Look for boots that feel good, are strong, and keep water out. Depending on where you live, you might want a pair for summer and a pair for winter.
ATV Gloves: So, you're going to want some decent ATV gloves. The good ones have padding over the knuckles to keep your hands safe if you bump into stuff. Some even have extra lining to keep your hands warm when it's cold out, that way you can ride longer without your hands getting all stiff. But the main thing is, ATV gloves really help you grip the handlebars better, so you have way more control over your ATV. A lot of the newer gloves are made to let your hands breathe, and often they have special tips on the fingers, so you can still use your phone without taking them off.
ATV Jacket Or Full Suit: Don't go out riding with bare skin showing. Seriously, get an ATV jacket or, even better, a full riding suit. This is a must to keep from getting scrapes and burns if you fall. Plus, it'll keep you warm in the cold and protect you from getting sunburned.
Pads and Guards: Since ATVs don't have seatbelts, you need extra protection. Get yourself some pads for your chin, knees, and elbows, plus a chest protector. If you crash, these things will absorb a lot of the impact and help keep you from getting seriously hurt.
Other Important Stuff: After you get your safety stuff together, think about what else you need for the ride. Bring maps or a GPS to help you get around. A satellite radio and cell phone are important if there's an emergency. It's also a good idea to pack a small first aid kit if someone gets a small cut, and a winch set could really help if your ATV becomes stuck.

Take care of ATV gear

ATVs don't have much room to store things. If you need to bring a lot, use a backpack or a small tow trailer for longer trips.

ATV riding can be rough on your stuff. You'll probably get rips, stains, and mud all over. Make sure you wash your gear carefully, read the tag first. Also, before you go, give everything a quick look. If anything's broken, swap it out.

Your helmet is super important, but it's easy to forget to clean it. Most people just hose it off after a ride, but you need to clean the inside too. Sweat builds up in the liner, which can get stinky and break down if you don't wash it. First, take the liner out. Wash it by hand in the sink with gentle soap, then let it air dry. Also, wash the inside and outside the helmet with soapy water. You can even wax it, like you would a car, to protect it and keep it looking good. If you need a new helmet, check out RedFox Power Sports.

For your jersey and pants, start by spraying off any mud. Riding clothes are usually made of cotton and stuff like polyester, and sometimes even vinyl to help with moving easier. Check the label before washing them. Usually, you can just throw them in the wash with your regular clothes. The labels tell you how to dry them, too. Some stuff can go in the dryer, but other things should be hung up. Air-drying helps keep the colors from fading and the material from shrinking.

Cleaning other stuff like goggles and knee pads is simple. Just rinse them off, or soak them in water. You can add a little soap, soak it, then clean it until it is nice. Socks and stuff can usually go in the washing machine, but still check the labels.

Your riding gear costs real money, so taking care of it is really important. Cleaning your gear is easier than getting ready to ride, but it is easy to put it off when you're tired. Try to clean things up quickly if you don't forget. Regular cleaning helps your stuff last, so you won't have to buy new gear.

Staying safe while riding ATVs and UTVs means you need to be smart and careful. Watch out for anything dangerous when you're off-roading. Having the right safety gear can really change things. For tough and reliable gear, look at brands like Thor or Alpinestars. And remember, you need a lot of protective equipment for mountain biking too. Having good gear makes your riding better.