If you're a parent who wants to get their kids into cycling, then investing in good gear is essential. You need to give them a complete set that’s appropriate for their age.
Many brands offer high-quality products—from jerseys, helmets, and gloves to full suits. However, most quality biking apparel from notable brands is expensive, and putting your money on a cheap fabric won't cut it either. So how are you going to provide your child with full gear within your budget?
This article will introduce you to brands that offer complete children’s biking gear for $50 and under for each item. Check out our picks for a kids’ dirt bike jersey, helmet, and more!
Children’s sports, just like adult sports, can become dangerous. Cycling exposes the participant to the elements such as the sun, dirt, wind, and dangerous debris. If your child is an active cyclist and wants to try off-road biking, it is best to get protective clothing and gear such as an off-road jersey, helmet, and paddings for their safety.
Below we explain why each biking gear is necessary and recommend a few affordable quality models from different brands that you might want to consider.
A biking jersey is a must for your little biker to wear. It's the best way to protect their arms from injuries, scratches, and other possible wounds due to falls and harsh weather.
You should also include pants in their protective gear. Pants should extend below the knees to fully cover and protect the lower half of your child’s body.
This dirt bike jersey is one of the top-rated options in Fox Racing's kids' jersey line. It is made of mesh, so it is breathable and promotes airflow. The simple design and black monochrome make it a popular choice because it goes well with any color of pants and biking accessories. Additionally, it has a drop-tail hem for easy tucking.
The downside to this dirt biking jersey is that it doesn't come with different color and design options. Many children prefer bright colors or cute designs, which Fox Racing, unfortunately, doesn't offer in their kids’ jersey line.
However, their youth jersey lines have different designs. So if you are looking for cycling apparel from this brand for your teen, you have more options to choose from.
This set includes a cycling shirt, as well as shorts that sit just above the knee. It has the upper hand in terms of the multiple designs and colors available, which many children would want. The designs are creative and fun compared to other biking apparel on this list.
The downside to this is that the short-sleeved shirt won't give your child complete protection from the sun, dust, and debris. The pants also don't provide enough lower half coverage. It is best to use this apparel for casual to moderate off-road cycling.
The Long Ao jersey set includes a short-sleeved jersey top and shorts. The set has a variety of bright colors that allow children to be visible even when riding in the evening.
The pro of this cycling jersey set is that it has adequate paddings and rear pockets. However, you may notice the sizes are all for smaller children. They provide a size chart for reference, but this jersey may not suit fast-growing children.
When purchasing any clothing online, be sure to know your child's measurements and check the sizing chart to make sure you get a biking jersey that fits them. It also helps to check other customers’ feedback about sizing and whether they recommend getting a size up or a size down for that specific brand.
A helmet is a must-have for your little biker to wear as it's their only form of protection against life-threatening head injuries during falls or off-road crashes. It can also protect them from rocks and other debris that might hit them in the face when going over bumps.
The main features that you should look out for when choosing a helmet are breathability, fit, and comfort. They might find wearing helmets uncomfortable at first, but making them wear one can help them get used to it.
This helmet from Ouwouer is made with ABS shell and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, making the helmet impact-resistant and shock-absorbing. Kids can use it for cycling, skateboarding, or skating.
One of the popular models in the market, this helmet is sturdy and comfortable and comes in a variety of colors. The only setback is that it costs a few more dollars compared to other helmets on this list.
The reinforced ABS shell and EPS core of OutdoorMaster’s kids’ helmet are made to protect your children when engaging in skateboarding, cycling, Rollerblading, and other sports. In addition, it has two adjustment options: you can adjust the straps to be longer for chin comfort or to fit the ears properly.
We find there is not much downside to the OutdoorMaster cycling helmet. The only limitation of this model is that it only comes in small (46–52 centimeters) and medium (52–26 centimeters) sizes. So if your child's head measurement is too small or too big for the given sizes, then you best look for other helmets with more sizing options.
This biking and skateboarding helmet has an extension at the bottom of the head to protect your children if they fall. In addition, it has a detachable visor for sun glare protection. Finally, it has 15 holes around the helmet for maximum breathability and airflow.
It has minor logistic or quality issues that many customers encounter after purchasing this helmet for their children. For example, the strap clips or the plastic tabs are broken or lost or easily break over time. So, if you want to avoid the hassle of reaching out to the manufacturer, you can buy extra strap clips along with the helmet.
Affordable safety wear is a gift for parents on a budget who want to keep their children safe. Still, it is important to note that you shouldn't only pick the most affordable or colorful ones. After all, the ultimate purpose of purchasing jerseys, pants, helmets, and other dirt bike gear is to protect your little ones while they enjoy doing the activity they like—biking.
If your child prefers electric dirt bikes, the protective gears may differ from what is listed here. For example, they may need more upper and lower body padding, gloves, and boots when riding in rougher terrain.
Biking is a fun activity, especially when the parent shares the experience with their children. Making them wear protective clothing would be easier if they see you wearing it while biking as well. If you are interested in starting a safe biking journey with your child, check out more of our bike reviews and buying guides!