Racing on two wheels over unpredictable natural terrain with man-made obstacles takes special skill and equipment. As one of the most physically demanding outdoor sports, motocross enjoys a reputation for being thrilling but also dangerous. That’s why MX athletes need the right equipment to stay well-protected through the rigours of the off-road.
Just like you shouldn’t go hiking without the essential gear, you shouldn’t hit the motocross trail without a purpose-designed MX kit. Helmets, jerseys, pants, gloves, boots, protectors, and guards—there’s a long list of items you can take on your dirt bike to enhance both your safety and performance.
But let’s talk about that one piece of gear that’s the main point of contact between you and the bike—the pants, or women’s MX pants, to be precise. In the past, the sport was greatly dominated by male athletes, but with the increasing number of ladies in the MX world, finding female-specific motocross pants isn’t so challenging anymore. Be that as it may, you still need to know what to look for in a pair.
Choosing Women’s Motocross Pants
What is the point of motocross pants? Can’t you just ride in your favourite pair of blue jeans? No. Unlike motorcycle pants that can range from casual to technical, motocross pants are strictly technical and specifically designed to meet the demands of the sport. Their main job is to provide protection against hot parts of the bike and cushion the impact in case of a fall whilst keeping you comfortable.
Does that mean you’re doomed to wear a boring pair of pants? Quite the opposite, actually. When shopping for women’s motocross pants you’ll come across a variety of trendy designs and fresh colourways that meld performance and style together.
One can argue that style is the last thing you should worry about when facing the dangers of the trail, but many riders beg to differ. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you’re more likely to ride your full potential.
To ensure that you’re both on-trend and on top of your game, you need a pant that brings the best of the two worlds to your MX kit. Without further ado, here’s what you should look for in ladies’ dirt bike pants.
Comfort
Your ladies MX pants should feel like second skin. That means you need to look for form-fitting yet stretchy models that won’t get in the way of your manoeuvres but will still allow for complete freedom of movement.
Since things can get heated pretty quickly during laps, it’s also wise to consider the breathability and moisture control technology. In terms of the materials, spandex/polyester blends offer good airflow, flexibility, and wicking action.
Another key thing to consider regarding comfort is the internal lining that can improve the feel and add protection against chaffing. Full lining or strategically placed panels can make all the difference, especially if the primary material is stiff and rugged to the touch.
Performance
Weight and mobility are everything in MX, meaning you need to look for ultra-lightweight trousers designed to move with you at every turn. RAP™ (rider attack position) and TruMotion® (zonal all-way stretch panels) are two race-proven technologies that guarantee an ergonomic fit on the bike and improved mobility.
Protection
In terms of protection, your pants should safeguard you from the elements, bike parts and falls. That’s why it’s wise to look for trousers that incorporate heat and abrasion-resistant panels in the most critical areas. You should also ensure that the pant is compatible with your MX boots and additional safety gear you might wear in the future such as knee braces or hip guards.
Durability
Since MX pants are subjected to aggressive wear, durability should also be on top of your list of priorities. Some of the most hard-wearing materials employed by leading MX brands are polyester, leather, kevlar and Cordura.
The quality of construction is equally important as the material itself, so look for double or triple-seam stitches to ensure your outfit can sustain the inevitable wear without tearing.
Adjustability
No two riders are alike, so choosing trousers with an adjustable waist system is paramount for that custom fit. Here you can choose between elastic waistbands and three-point Velcro systems, with both options designed to keep your pants safe and secure lap after lap.
Fit and Feel
Speaking of fit, it’s worth mentioning that the pants play an important role in your MX ensemble and buying your first pair isn’t something you should do in a hurry. It’s easy to get carried away by all the technical features and vibrant colourways and forget about the two basic factors of how your pants fit and feel.
When your safety and performance are at stake, there’s no room for compromise, so you should keep trying different models until you find the one that ticks all the boxes.
Style
Staying on-trend when off the road is possible thanks to brands that understand MX isn’t just a sport, but a lifestyle as well. Even if this isn’t the deciding factor when buying your women’s motocross pants a little bit of colour and personality never hurt nobody. As previously mentioned, feeling good about yourself is essential for your self-confidence, and that’s critical in demanding individual sports like this one.
From eye-catching colourways that make your presence be felt to bold logos that show where your allegiance lies—when it comes to the designs, you’ll be spoiled for choice. For the ultimate style statement, choose pants that match your bike or the rest of your gear.
Closing Thoughts
Finding the perfect fit may take some trial and error, but since we’re talking about an integral piece of your MX kit, all that window shopping online and in-store is worth it. With that being said, there’s nothing left to do but explore some of the latest arrivals Australia-wide and complete your outfit with a quality, all-round pair of motocross pants.
