You are looking for riding gear for your 3 year old and are unsure if there are any available?
Let me first say how cool it is that your kid is into MX & dirt bikes…or is it mostly dad 😉
Dirt bike gear is not only for adults. If you have a 3 year old who has expressed interest in riding dirt bikes, it’s important to get them the right gear so that they can ride safely.
This article will give you with some insights on what to get them, what to prioritize and where you can find gear to buy.
Are there MX gear made in small sizes?
Yes. Some gear companies make gear that will fit a three-year-old kid and toddler.
Buying options are obviously fewer than for adult equipment. Not all gear brands make gear in small sizes, and the number of gear lines within each brand is also reduced.
But as I said, some brands are better at kids riding gear than others.
What brands to buy?
We have 3 brands we really like and can recommend. They all make small gear that will fit a 3-year-old.
Of course, not all 3-year-olds are the same size. But these brands have a good range with different kid sizes.
Our favorite brands when it comes to MX and dirt bike gear for kids around 3 years is:
- Answer – make really small gear (especially pant and jerseys) that fits good and are of very good quality.
- Fox – have a full range of gear that will fit kids around 3 years.
- Fly – quality stuff that doesn’t brake the bank. Full range of gear for kids.
If you buy from any of these companies you’ll get gear that are meant to be used by small kids, and it will keep your kid safe.
How to prioritize what to buy first?
Riding dirt bikes is not without risks. So getting the best possible safety gear is of course crucial. We always recommend getting a complete set of gear and protection before riding.
But we know that cost of gear is a concern for many and buying stuff in bulk isn’t possible for all.
So for you, here is a list of prioritizes. What to get first and what you can buy later on:
1. MX Helmet
The number one protective gear is the helmet. You can’t let your kid ride without a proper fitting helmet.
In our research we have found that many brands sells helmets in youth Small sizes which should fit a kids head with circumference of 48 cm or 18.9″.
Our choice: Fox Racing Youth V1 Helmet
2. Boots
Riding boots is another tricky bit. Not that many brands make boots for the little ones.
We recommend: Fox Comp K Boots in size 10.
You can, if it’s totally impossible to find any riding boots, use another kind of boots for riding. But they have to be of high quality material and kind of sturdy.
3. Protection
Getting all the different pieces of protection on a little kid isn’t easy. They need to be able to move.
A safety jacket with protection for the back, shoulders and chest is a good buy. Add knee- and elbow pads, and you have all that is needed.
Look at: Fox Pee Wee series of different protection products.
4. Pants
MX pants are made to be ridden. Therefore, they are reinforced and often have heat shielding. Using just any pant can lead to being burnt from a hot exhaust or engine.
Our choice is the: Answer Youth Syncron Pants in size 16 or 18.
5. The rest
With the rest we mean:
Jersey – not that important in a safety aspect. Looking and wanting to look cool like the big boys and girls are important for many kids, and parents…
Gloves – any glove will do at the beginning.
Goggles – goggles are important but with the speeds the kids ride at they aren’t a massive priority. My kid didn’t like the feeling of the goggles and would always take them off anyway. I know others have had the same problem.
Tip: You can use a pair of safety glasses if your kid doesn’t like the feeling of goggles.
Neck brace – if you have the money, for sure buy one. But in my opinion it’s optional.
Using BMX and Bicycling helmets/gear?
We know that a lot of the gear won’t be used just for riding dirt bikes. A lot of you and your kids are also into bicycles, like BMX, MTB or Balance bikes.
There are definitely similarities between the different gear, and they can therefore be used doing both sports.
Helmets and pants are a bit different though. Dirt bike helmets are constructed for higher speeds and dirt bike pants have more padding for heat shielding.
A proper full face downhill helmet can be used when riding dirt bikes, but it’s not something we would recommend. But again, we totally understand if you choose to use it.
MX Gear for toddlers and peewees
For the 1- and 2-year-olds the best alternative is to go for some casual stuff.
A lot of brands make custom pajamas and cool onesies. It might not be proper riding gear, but it still does the trick. At least it did for me when my kids were at that age.
Note: Not meant for riding. Just hanging out in the pits or with siblings 🙂 .
Frequently Asked Questions
The essential protective gear a kid must wear while riding are, in order of importance, a helmet, boots, goggles, riding gear (pants, jersey, gloves), knee and elbow pads/braces, chest protector/body armor, and a neck brace. The gear needs to be designed for motocross and must of course fit well.
If you’re looking for the best small dirt bike for a 3-year-old, the Yamaha PW50 is the way to go. It’s reliable, parts are easy to find, and there’s plenty of support available. All of these 50cc dirt bikes have a single speed transmission and a throttle adjuster, so you can limit how fast they go.
You can get a trail bike for under $2000, whereas a 50cc motocross dirt bike costs around $5000. The reason for the huge price difference is the larger suspension and racing components. However, for example, if you buy a used Honda CRF50 they actually hold their value very well.
That depends. But think of it like Youth Small/Medium. 22 is supposed to fit a 5 to 6-year-old kid.
Conclusion
You can find motocross gear for your 3-year-old. The supply might be limited comparing to older kids and adults though.
Your best choice in going for big brands like Answer, Fox or Fly Racing. Make sure you choose the right size, but some trial and error isn’t unusual. If you buy online you can always return and change sizes.
Let’s hope your little one will be happy and that you will enjoy many wonderful moments together out there on the tracks!
