[Old Dude]

Re boots,
I bought a pair of Alpinestar Tech 6 boots that were just too stiff. They fit well, had good protection; but felt like a ski boot. They were like $265.00. Tried a pair of Fly 805s. They were more flexible, less protection and wide but I was between sizes and they did not stretch enough to fit well in the length. They were like $130.00. I finally tried a pair of Alpinestar Tech 4s. They fit absolutely perfectly right out of the box, offered good protection and were vey flexible. I could feel the brake pedal and shifter well with them and they felt fully broken in on the first ride. I was so impressed that I went out and bought my son a pair. He was likewise impressed. They were $168.00 MSRP. I sold the other three pair of boots and recooped most of the money spent on the Tech 6s and the Flys. BTW my son described the Tech 6s the same way I did.
For what its worth, the guys that bought the Tech 6s and the Flys love them. Go figure. The suggestion to go to your local shop and try several different brands and models then shopping for a better price elswhere is an excellent suggestion. I saved $20.00 a pair on the Tech 4s this way ($149.00) Just keep in mind what your useage is going to be. Not everybody needs a pair of Tech 10s as badly as the salesman may need the commission.

[Clodhopper]

All The Gear Al The Time (ATGATT). Boots and helmet, elbow guards, knee guards, (all it takes is a slow speed getoff to smash a kneecap or elbow) gloves. Cover anything that you don't want to get hurt. Motorcyclecloseouts.com is a good place for inexpensive gear. May not be this years latest fashion but they sell good gear. IMHO

[SSG_TOM]

I wear all of my gear on trails. I am glad I do too. I hit a tree, glanced it with my helmet and hit it with my shoulder. Broke my chest protector at the shoulder. I didn't hurt myself because of the protection. I won't ride with anything less than full gear.

[cheezeburger]

Trail riding manditory:
Moto boots
Helmet
Gloves
Chest protector
Knee pads

I rectently went to test out a new mod (rekluse). While I was out, I decided to test the "challenging" hill. Big mistake. My knee/hip pads were at home. So was my riding pants. Had my gloves/boots/helmet/chest protector on. The hill won. It was rocky and rooty. I rolled 4 times. I feel like I've been beaten on the legs - baseball size bruises in lots of places. Knees are killing me. Reminds me of the time I tore my rotator cuff, the chest protector was in the bed of the truck. D'oh!

I would recommend the Rocky Mountain boots. I've heard lots of good things about them and Bieffe is a good company. Plus that is about 1/2 the price of comparable boot. I have Astar T6s - great protection but NO "feel".

[redrider911]

seems I always crash the hardest when I don't have all my gear on. Now, I never leave home without it.

[wakebuddy]

One thing that I can't ride trails without that I did not see mentioned is a Quick-Strap goggle system. Makes it super easy and convenient to stop and go on the trail to take in the views or chat with your buddy without messing with your goggles, dropping them in the mud or worse being the last guy to get started because you were fighting with your goggles. I guess I should say that regular goggles aren't that bad, but the Quick-Strap IMO is so much better. Others may disagree, but that's the beauty of opinion! My every ride gear includes: Klim pants, assorted jerserys, knee pads, gloves, boots, helmet, camelbak, goggles, fannypack with essential tools, and a buddy! One other thing I don't like to ride without is good padded riding shorts. Keeps everything in place and delays the dreaded monkey butt on those long rides. Happy Trails!

[zrxjake]

I had a 23 year layoff from dirt riding but kept riding my street bikes. I started again on an rm250 so i got all the gear jersey pants with knee protection elbow and forearm protection chest and back protector and of course helmet goggles boots and goves. no one should laugh at you for wearing gear if they do they are morons.I for one cannot afford to get hurt badly so I have to use a little self control and wear good protection my employer has no sytmpathy for motorcyclists. I have been hurt plenty in the past and need to do my best to have fun but also avoid injury.
like eveyone else i have bills to pay.

[texas929]

[quote="Clodhopper"]All The Gear Al The Time (ATGATT). [quote]

That is better than SLAPAHO. I have ridden bikes for quite a while now, but never knew what that meant for the longest time. Just thought people were being rude. Now I point it out to people..

(Save Lives And Put A Helmet On)

[pploco]

I cannot say enough about my armor. I came flying around a corner on a tight trail and caught a broken tree sticking out like a spear right above the knee. It tore completely through my pants and left a huge gouge in my thigh pad. Had I not had my pads on, I'm sure I would have been impailed.

Gear is a hell of a lot cheaper than an emergency room visit.