+372 880 4126 Winter ATV Riding Gear Revealed: Top ATV Winter Gloves, Helmets, and Clothing for Every Rider
When winter comes, ATV riding changes. To stay safe and comfy, you’ll want good winter ATV gloves, helmets, and gear. This article points out key winter essentials like riding gear, layers and suits for winter, and top add-ons. No matter your skill, this guide has what you need to hit winter trails without worry and looking good.
Choosing the Right ATV Winter Suit and Clothing
Winch and Tow Strap
Seriously, a winch can save your bacon. Wind, snow, ice – doesn't matter. You get stuck, and you'll be thankful you have it. Make sure the winch is stronger than your ATV. Also, get a tree saver strap. It's like a hug for the tree when you use it as an anchor. Also, a tow strap is great when your ATV gets stuck in the winter and you need a friend to pull it home. Get a strap that can handle more weight than your ATV, just to be safe.
Waterproof and Insulated Gloves and Boots
Cold, wet hands and feet? No fun at all. It's a recipe for frostbite and losing feeling in your fingers, which makes riding a lot harder. Get yourself some proper gloves and boots. For gloves, look for waterproof stuff – like HIPORA®. Make sure they have a warm lining and go up past your wrist, so snow doesn’t get in. Boots should be tough, like leather or nylon, and comfy enough to wear all day. If you are riding in snow, fully waterproof boots are the way to go. If it's drier, regular riding boots with thick socks might work. Don't let your feet get cold and mess up the trip.
Face and Head Protection
You lose a ton of heat from your head and face, so cover up! If it's not too cold, a beanie and some safety goggles might do the trick. But if it's really freezing, keep your face and neck warm with a ski mask, balaclava, neck gaiter, or snood. They'll seal up the gap between your helmet and jacket. Make sure it's a fabric that pulls sweat away from your skin and fits under your helmet without being too tight. Skip scarves — they flap around and can block your view.
Helmets are nice for keeping heat from escaping your head. Just know that not all helmets are equal when the temperatures drop.
A breath box is important to stop fog from clouding up your view. They go by multiple names. Buy one for your current helmet if you need to. You can add helmet liners for additional warmth. The colder it is, the more you will need it.
Goggles are also important! Go for goggles with two lenses and anti-fog. Fog is annoying any time of year, and it gets way worse in the cold. Some goggles even have heaters. If you ride in super-cold places, they might be for you.
Heated Grips and Seat
These are a luxury, but if you ride in the cold a lot, they're worth it. Heated grips keep your hands from going numb, and a heated seat makes things a lot more pleasant. Most of them are pretty easy to install, even if you're not a mechanic.
Handlebar Mitts
A great addition to keep your hands from getting numb They slip over your handlebars, and you slide your hands inside. They block the wind and trap heat, letting you wear thinner gloves so you can still work the controls. You can also put hand warmers in them for extra warmth. They're pretty cheap, too.
Track Kit
If you are serious about riding in snow, these are game-changers. They turn your winter ATV into a mini snowcat. But, they're not cheap, and putting them on can be a pain. Plus, most ATVs weren't built to use tracks, so you need to find a kit that fits right. Tracks are heavier than tires, so keep that in mind. If you only ride in the snow once in a while, it might not be worth it. But if you're always in deep snow, tracks are awesome.
Hard Cargo Case
Who wants wet gear? A hard case keeps your stuff dry and safe. They attach to the back of your winter ATV and are waterproof. The new ones are light, made of plastic, and come in all sizes. You can get one big enough for camping gear or just a small one for tools and snacks.
Snow Plow
Shoveling snow is the worst. Putting a plow on your ATV is much more fun. There are different kinds – some use your winch to lift the blade, others use a hand lever. See if your winter ATV is ready for a plow, like if it has the right mounting parts. Your ATV company probably has a plow they recommend.
First Aid Kit
Let’s be honest, things don't always go right. It's really smart to have a simple first aid kit. You can get small ones that are ready-made and easy to take with you. Check to be sure it has bandages, cleaning wipes, painkillers. If it’s cold where you’re going, throw in some hand warmers and a little emergency blanket. Seriously, you'll be glad you did. Cold weather can make things harder, and being ready to treat little wounds can be extremely important.
Flashlight
Even if you think you'll only be out when it's light, bring a flashlight. Things can happen. You could get lost, make a bad turn, or have to fix something. A small LED flashlight is a great idea. They don’t cost much, are really bright, and the batteries last. Keep it where you can get to it fast, so you don't have to search when you need it the most. A headlamp helps if you need both hands free.
Snacks and Drinks
Riding an ATV uses up a lot of energy. Take plenty of food and water. Water bottles or sports drinks work. For snacks, go with protein and carbs: dried meat, trail mix, nuts, granola bars, or a sandwich. Don’t drink booze or too much coffee. Keeping yourself hydrated and eating enough is super important to staying alert and okay.
Winter ATV Cover or Tarp
If you keep your ATV outside, keep it safe from the weather. A cover keeps snow, ice, rain, and dirt off of it. Winter ATV covers aren’t that expensive and are worth the cost. You could use a tarp instead. Tarps are strong and work well, and you can use them for other things, like putting them on the ground when you're doing repairs. Either way, keeping your ATV safe can save you time cleaning and keep bad things from happening. Also, you can use the cover to stop the seat from getting too hot from the sun when it's warm.
Snow Tires
If you're riding on snow all winter, snow tires are a good idea. Regular mud tires aren't the best. Sand paddle tires are better on snow because they don't spin as much. Some companies make tires just for snow and ice. If you don't ride in the snow often, you might be okay with the tires you already have.
Wireless Communication Systems
Riding with friends is more fun, so you need a way to talk to each other. A headsets clip to your helmet and let you talk without using your hands. Some can connect to many riders, so everyone can chat. If you ride alone, a Bluetooth headset lets you make calls, use GPS, and listen to music.
Staying Warm and Comfortable
So, what's the key to staying comfy on your ATV or UTV when winter hits? A lot of folks figure they can just throw on the thickest coat they can find and call it good. It’s not quite that simple, though. Sure, staying warm is super important, but you also need to be able to move around without feeling all stuffed up. And you don't want to overheat and start sweating under all those clothes.
The secret is wearing layers. You want stuff that keeps you warm, lets your skin breathe, and can stop wind and water from getting in. Riders usually go with three layers. The first one sits right next to your skin, the second keeps you warm, and the third protects you from the elements.
For that first layer, grab some thermal underwear made from polyester or something similar. Stay away from cotton! Cotton soaks up sweat and turns you into a human ice cube. The middle layer will be doing most of the insulation. Things like fleece or down work great because they trap heat but still let your skin breathe. Then, for the outer layer, you have a few options. A winter monosuit is one option. You could also use waterproof pants and a jacket.
There are good things about both. If you use pants and a jacket, you can replace one without replacing everything if something happens. A one-piece does a better job of sealing you in and keeping the cold and moisture out. If you spend a lot of time bending over to ice fish, those one-piece suits are primo. Whichever way you go, make sure that the outer layer can breathe. You don't want to trap sweat inside all those layers. Look for fabrics that let moisture out instead of going with something like neoprene that won't breathe. Using the right gear helps you stay out on the trails longer.
So, there you have it! With the right gear, you can have a blast riding your ATV in the winter. Be smart, be safe, and have fun!
