How to choose the best Motocross gear for Winter
Stay warm, dry and comfortable riding MX through the UK winter with the right setup
Winter riding can be some of the most rewarding time you'll spend on the bike. Tracks are more technical with less grip, so it's a great time to improve your riding skills. If you put the work in during the winter, you should feel more prepared with better bike-fitness when it comes to summer motos. It's also great for mental resilience, if you can endure riding in the winter weather, you're proving to yourself that you can do hard things. That said, choosing the right motocross gear can make the difference between a great session and a miserable one!
After more than a decade of riding in UK conditions myself, and alongside plenty of other riders, one thing is clear: there’s no single "perfect" winter setup. It all depends on:
- Whether you run hot or cold
- If conditions are wet, windy, or just cold
- How hard you ride
- How much time you spend in the pits vs riding
The key is layering and adapting.
Start with a Base Layer: Compression Tops
A solid base layer is the foundation of winter riding comfort.
For milder days, a normal compression top helps regulate body temperature while keeping sweat away from your skin. It adds some warmth without the bulk.
On colder days, switching to a winter compression top makes a huge difference. These are designed to help maintain your body temperature while still allowing movement and breathability under your kit.
Layering is the Secret to Staying Comfortable
If you tend to run cold, a good setup might be:
Here's Franky layering up in our Merge Logo Sweatshirt. It's available in Youth and Adult sizes.
If you run hot, you might prefer:
This gives you flexibility without overheating once you start pushing hard.
Here's James layering up in a winter compression top and a thermal gilet. Our winter compression tops are available in all 11 colours in Adult and Youth sizes. Our Thermal Moto Gilets are available in sizes Youth Extra Small to Adult XXL.
Wet vs Cold: Dress for the Conditions
UK winters aren't just cold – they're wet, windy and unpredictable!
If the main issues are rain and mud, focus on an outer layer like a waterproof jacket to keep you dry and protected from wind chill.
If it's just cold and dry, layering with a sweatshirt, hoodie or gilet may be all you need. Staying dry is often more important than staying warm.
Here's Ollie wearing our Black Proof Jacket, available in Youth and Adult sizes and also available in Grey in limited sizes.
Don't Forget Your Gloves
Hands are usually the first thing to suffer in winter. On milder days, standard motocross gloves are often enough once you get moving.
But when temperatures drop, switching to winter motocross gloves can make a huge difference by:
- Retaining warmth
- Reducing wind chill
- Maintaining grip
- Improving control
Winter Riding is Personal
There's no single perfect setup. Some riders wear multiple layers and still feel the cold. Others ride in a compression top and gilet all winter.
The best approach is to build a setup that works for you and adjust as the weather changes.
Winter riding doesn't have to slow you down. With the right combination of base layers, mid layers, outerwear, and gloves, you can stay comfortable and focused no matter what the UK weather throws at you.
Once you get the layering right, winter can become one of the best times of year to ride.