Motorcycle Explorer December 2014 Issue 3 | Page 187
S
tandard road full-face helmets are bad
news for trail riding: you will get too hot and
your vision will be restricted. The brave go for
open-face helmets with eye protection, but it
only takes one bramble across the chops for
most riders to see the virtues of a motocross
helmet with a chinbar.
Convertible ‘adventure’ helmets that combine
a motocross-style (detachable) peak and
chinbar with a visor, but can also be used with
googles. Some riders who use these go ‘visor
down’ on the road and put industrial safety
glasses on for the trail.
It’s best not to spend a fortune on a trail-
riding helmet. Even without falling off, the
things are regularly bashed against low-
hanging branches and sweated into, so regular
replacement is a good idea.
Motocross or other thin gloves are best for
resisting blistering, but if the weather is cool
an extra pair of thicker/waterproof gloves will
make the ride out and home much more
pleasant.