Each has its own favorite manufacturers, but still we will dwell in more detail on the equipment itself and its modifications. Cross-man outfit.
I think we will not dwell on the manufacturing firms in this article, but rather a matter of personal preference, pricing and color solutions. Each of us has our favorite manufacturers, sometimes even our views intersect, but still we will dwell in more detail on the equipment itself and its modifications.
Let's start with what is wearing under the clothes that are visible.
Thermal underwear. Moreover, it should be especially noted that he is worn both in summer and in winter. For example, I don't distinguish between winter and summer models, because they do their job perfectly without seasonal separation. Any manufacturer of linen. What should you pay attention to so that the material is not very thin and slippery, because elements such as knee pads can slip.
Thermal pants - here, I think, there is little to say. Just long and snug.
Thermocoft (the sleeves must be long, otherwise the elbow pads will rub the skin and it will be painfully insulting …)
High thermal socks (they almost reach the knees).
Compression belt with back support - you need it solely so that you do not get upset during active riding (in the case when a protection with a belt is worn, then this element can be safely sacrificed).
Knee pads - here the question is rather delicate for several reasons. The choice is very large and it is very difficult to navigate what suits best. The main thing to pay attention to is that the knee pads are with good internal protection, they are attached not only to the shins, but also to the thigh, otherwise the knee pads will turn and slide down the leg, that is, they will not work at all for their intended purpose.
Elbow pads - we consider it only if we are wearing a classic crossover protection, and not a universal one. With elbow pads, everything is also not so simple. It is necessary to watch that they sit tightly on the elbows, do not turn and do not slide. It is better that they are attached by analogy with knee pads on both sides, above and below the joint. Sometimes they dress like socks and have just built-in protection.
Pants - usually any pants have all the necessary adjustments. For example, waist adjustment. Internal thigh protectors (if not available, you can use compression shorts if you wish). What you should pay attention to when buying pants, they should have tight inserts in the knee area (better leather) - this is due to the fact that at the time of the fall (and you can be sure that you will fall), a hot muffler pants very cute and burns quickly. That is, there is a chance that in a couple of months you will put on your pants without even lifting your legs and fasten them with tape? From a safety point of view, this is not such an important factor, since your feet are reliably protected by knee pads and boots at the point where the pipe touches. That is, you are unlikely to get a burn, but your pants will burn out …
Raglan - protects against dirt. Can be worn over the protection, or under the bottom. It also removes moisture from the body and works on the principle of thermal underwear. In hot weather, you can simply wear it on your naked body, and then put on protection upstairs. When driving in mud or in the rain, you can dress safely over the protection and simply wash the shirt instead of washing and scrubbing the dirt from the slots of the protection. It is better to have several pieces, as the size on the top of the protection may be slightly larger than yours. Although, usually such T-shirts are quite loose and have a good stock in size. Also, the color of the jersey is your identifier on the track and is sometimes matched to the color of the motorcycle, or to the mood?
Jacket - exclusively for winter. Running jackets are very expensive, but they work very well at keeping out moisture and keeping you warm. I highly recommend buying, since it is super convenient not only to eat but also to walk around the city? Very well thought out pockets, protection, insulation and inserts. And also the materials used cause great respect for clothing designers!
Alternatively, a regular ski jacket will work. In terms of dirt and moisture protection, they are similar, so you just need to look so that the length of the jacket is as short as possible, that is, raincoat jackets (which cover the back very much) are not suitable in principle. It is better to stop at those that end at the belt or slightly below.
Breast protection - we use the classic cross protection. When choosing, you need to look so that it covers the heart area well, that is, it has a sufficiently wide chest plate. And of course, it fit in size. That is, it should not press or dangle freely. Of course, there are adjustments on all protections, but nevertheless, they should work, and not be just an element of decor.
Versatile protection - advantages: immediately works as a compression belt with back protection, has all built-in protection (elbows, chest, back, shoulders), sits more tightly on the body and, accordingly, there is less chance that, for example, an elbow piece will turn over. Disadvantages - it has less protection for the collarbone and shoulder compared to the classic cross. That is, in principle, it is more convenient and practical to ride in it, but the classic cross-country protection gives a little more freedom of movement. This choice is more likely based on subjective preferences than on an objective assessment of better / worse.
Neck protection (optional) - this is a collar-collar that is worn around the neck (possibly fastened to the chest protection, but perhaps not). It makes more sense in those cases when the speeds increase and the falls become more noticeable, or when the jumping technique is being developed. To begin with, during the first workouts, this element can be safely sacrificed.
Balaclava. It is desirable to have several of them in order to be able to change them after each race. I use a comforter in summer and winter for purely hygienic and economic reasons. Is it difficult, long and sometimes expensive to wash a helmet? That is, the comforter rather performs the function of socks, only on the head?
Helmet. Let's dwell on this element in more detail. To begin with, you can take an inexpensive helmet, that is, a plastic one is quite suitable as an economically viable solution, but later you still have to buy something better. At low speeds, any, even the cheapest helmet, normally fulfills all the shocks and jolts, but when the speeds increase and the falls become more painful, it is better to replace the plastic helmet with a composite one. Possible budget solutions in the form of good manufacturers, but from the Asian region (for example, HJC), or expensive eminent manufacturers. But in any case, even budget helmets from non-eminent companies cannot be cheap, you should also pay attention to this.
Boots - you need to decide for yourself in which price space you want to navigate. I must say right away that in boots there is a direct dependence on the price: cheaper - worse, more expensive - better! Therefore, if you are on a budget, you can look at boots that cost about $ 200, but if you can afford more expensive models, then you will need to stop at the figure of 600 euros. That is, in this range all the eminent and unnamed brands of manufacturers of motor-boots are located. It is worth paying attention to how the boots fit on the foot. They should have good bracing, fit snugly around the leg and not press on either side. Remember, they practically do not wear out, and if your fingers press down on you, then after the first workout you will think about who to sell them to. I had an example when I bought shoes and within 3-4 months after each workout I had bruises under my thumbnails. After such training, I could not even get on my feet. We select the right sizes, this is very important!
Glasses - this is a sore point for all cross-riders who ride in the cold season. You definitely need to buy glasses with antifog. That is, the glass must be double and must be well ventilated. But! All ventilation holes should be well closed with foam inserts, as an incredible amount of dirt will try to fly under your glasses from under your own wheels, or from under the wheels of the riders in front of you.
Gloves. We immediately celebrate the season in which we plan to travel.
Regular summer - well ventilated textile gloves. Protection from the outside is not so much a matter of principle. It is desirable that there are simply some kind of rubber inserts that will damp small shocks. It is not essential to have any carbon or metal inserts on the gloves. These are more likely gloves for supermoto, where rubbing on the asphalt is possible. In the cross, the ground is rather soft and therefore friction is rather not possible. It is important that the protection on the inside is not slippery, since in wet weather, when your hands and handlebars are in the mud, you have the opportunity to hold onto the steering wheel and not slide to the sides!
Neoprene gloves - an extremely wise decision for those who are going to ride in winter or in cold weather. In winter, fingers freeze very quickly, so we recommend using neoprene gloves, they are moisture and wind resistant. That is, even at very low temperatures, you will be able to control the motorcycle, and not just hold on to it with numb fingers.
This completes the selection of equipment. One has only to pay attention to the fact that in good equipment you will get more pleasure from the ride, since you will eliminate many annoying factors. So it is better to look for a healthy compromise in price and manufacturer than to rejoice in purchasing the cheapest crew in a short period of time. You can also add that for convenience it all folds into a special bag for sneakers. But this is for those who do not want to carry it all in plastic bags?
P. S. Do not try to fly on vacation with such a bag. I was unpleasantly surprised when at the airport they charged me an additional fee for exceeding the weight limit … Later I found out that an empty bag can carry almost 10 kg? But moving with her, not like others, is convenient!
Well, for a complete picture, the approximate prices for equipment
Thermal pants - $ 60
Thermokofta - 60 $
High socks - $ 50
Compression belt with back support - $ 40-100
Knee pads - $ 50-200 ($ 700 carbon)
Elbow pads - $ 40-180 ($ 400 carbon)
Pants $ 100-300
Raglan - $ 30-100
Jacket - 400 $
Breast protection - $ 100-200
Universal protection - 200-400 $
Neck protection - $ 50-100
Comforter - $ 5-40
Helmet - $ 200-800
Boots - $ 180-800
Points - $ 40-150
Regular summer gloves - $ 40-60
Neoprene gloves - $ 80-130
Bag for sneakers - $ 120-150
As a result, we get that the cost of clothing sets will vary from the minimum (only the required minimum) $ 950 and up to the maximum configuration in the region of $ 2500-3000. On average, if you take a compromise between the price / firm / quality of the product, then the kit will cost approximately $ 1500-1800. I think a reasonable compromise is needed in this matter, and as a result, the equipment will not interfere with your ride!
