How to know the right size for MX clothing: selection tips and most common mistakes

Tips for knowing the right size for MX clothing: the most common mistakes

Jana Wolfschlägerová

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25.02.2026

We all know it. You take your new dream jersey or pants out of the box, throw them on, stand in front of the mirror and… something is wrong. The pants are snug at the waist, but they’re like a bag over the knees. The jersey looks good in the shoulders, but the sleeves end in a weird place. You might think it’ll “slacken” or that you’ll “fly off” on the track, but let’s face it – poorly chosen MX gearcan ruin even the best day in the saddle.

Choosing the right size of motocross gear isn’t just about looking good for the photographers on the track. It’s about safety first. If your jersey is loose, it can get caught on branches or levers. If your pants are tight, it will restrict blood circulation in your legs and fatigue will set in sooner.

Let’s look at it without the rose-colored glasses, purely from the perspective of technical parameters and movement biomechanics.

Source: https://sora.chatgpt.com/g/gen_01kh168vkxfjrr7vkag3pgd1c7

Forget civilian sizes: the MX world measures differently

The first and most common mistake that even experienced riders make? Buying according to what you wear to work or school. If you usually buy L-size T-shirts, it doesn't automatically mean that motocross clothing in the same size will fit you. Manufacturers take into account the fact that you are wearing "armor" under your clothes when making cuts.

Motocross gear is designed for the so-called "attack position" - a slight squat and your hands on the handlebars. When you stand straight in front of a mirror, the jersey will seem long and the pants will be strangely pulled up in the crotch. That's okay. As soon as you sit on the bike, the material will stretch exactly where it should.

How to measure yourself correctly (ideally with assistance):

Chest: Measure at the widest point under your arms. If you plan to wear a chest protector under your jersey, measure yourself with it. The difference can be as much as 10 cm in circumference!

Waist: Be careful here – measure at the natural waistline, just above your hipbones. MX pants have a higher waist than jeans so that they don’t ride up when you sit down to turn.

Leg length: Measure from the crotch to the inside ankle. MX pants are intentionally shorter than you would expect, so that they end at the calf and don’t squeeze you in your boots.

TIP: If you’re hesitating between two jersey sizes and you’re wearing a massive body protector, always go for the larger one. Limited shoulder movement is your biggest enemy on the track.

Why a helmet and its correct fit on your head are absolutely essential

A helmet is the most important thing you wear. It has to fit like a “second skin”. It’s common for beginners to buy a helmet a size larger because it’s “more comfortable” and easier to get into. But that’s a fatal mistake.

When you hit the ground, the helmet stops, but your head continues to move inside the loose shell. The EPS liner (the hardened polystyrene inside) then doesn't have time to absorb the energy gradually, but your head hits it like a wall. This dramatically increases the risk of traumatic brain injury.

How do you know if an MX helmet really fits? Put it on, fasten the chin strap and try to move it up, down and to the sides. The skin on your cheeks should move with the shell. If the helmet rolls on your head, it's too big. You should also not feel any pressure points on your forehead (a helmet that's too small) or a gap at the temples. Remember that the inner padding will loosen by about 5-10% after the first 2-3 hours of riding. So a new helmet should be slightly uncomfortable.

Jersey and Jacket Cuts

When choosing motocross clothing, you will come across different model lines from top brands that reflect different requirements for riding dynamics, aerodynamics and thermal comfort. The choice between them is not only about appearance, but also about what type of protectors you plan to wear underneath.

Athletic / Race Fit (e.g. Acerbis X-Flex series): This cut is used by modern racing jerseys. They are sewn from highly elastic materials with a high content of spandex. They are tight, aerodynamic and minimize the risk of the jersey catching on external objects, such as branches in the forest. They are designed to be used with thinner, modern protectors (e.g. vest with D3O foam) and require an athletic build. If you are a few extra pounds, this cut can restrict you from breathing deeply during extreme loads.
Standard / Relaxed Fit: Offers more room. If you prefer all-day comfort without the feeling of compression, or if you ride a sturdy plastic shell, this Acerbis jacket or jersey will be a much better choice for you. The looser cut allows for better air circulation under the material, which you will especially appreciate during slow technical enduro in difficult terrain, where the air flow speed is low and the rider sweats extremely.

When choosing an enduro jacket, focus on an extended section in the back and elastic cuffs at the wrists. The motocross stance exposes the hips with every forward bend, and if the jacket ends too high, you risk kidney inflammation in cold weather. A quality jacket must also have enough zippered ventilation holes that can be regulated according to the intensity of the ride, and ideally removable sleeves for riding in variable conditions. Also pay attention to the length of the sleeves at the forearms - they should not roll up above the level of the gloves.

Pants: knee room is key

A quality Acerbis pants are not just a piece of cloth with graphics. They are a work of engineering that must withstand the heat from the exhaust (thanks to leather panels on the inside of the knees) and at the same time allow you to quickly switch between sitting and standing positions.

The critical point is the knee segment. If you use professional knee braces (which we definitely recommend), you need volume in the pants. Some cheaper models with knee room save. But Acerbis has thought about this and the pants have stretch zones in these places.

What to watch out for:

Waist fixation: Most MX pants have ratchet closures or Velcro fasteners on the sides. They allow for adjustment by about 5 cm. The pants must fit tightly at the waist so that gravity does not pull them down when jumping, but they must not strangle you when taking a deep breath.

Inseam length: If your pants are too long, they will bunch up uncomfortably in your shoes and push against your shins.

Boots and gloves

This is about feeling. Motocross is not only controlled by your hands, but mainly by your feet. If your Acerbis boots are too big, your heel will lift when you shift gears. This leads to inaccurate control and, above all, to brutal blisters that will put you out of action.

How to choose boots: We recommend taking one size larger than your regular walking shoes. Why? You have to count on a thick, padded MX sock. In addition, during hard landings after jumps, the foot in the boot will “smear” a little in length due to the overload. The fingers should not touch the toe, but the ankle must be fixed absolutely firmly.

Gloves - your second skin: The gloves must fit absolutely tightly. Any loose fabric in the palm of your hand will turn into a fold when you grip the handlebars. This fold then rubs against the skin and creates blisters. The fingers must be filled all the way to the tips. If you have space between the end of the finger and the glove, choose a smaller size.

MEFO.cz recommends and advises:

Instead of classic socks, knee socks or even better knee-high socks are very popular among motocross riders, which protect the legs even under knee pads or orthoses. The knee-high socks are equipped with silicone anti-slip bands at the top. Their only limitation is that they are not yet made for children.

Thin glove liners work great against blisters, which are put on directly under them and protect the palms from abrasion.

The biggest mistakes when choosing

Trying in a civilian stance: As we have already mentioned, never stand straight as a ruler in MX clothing. Always squat in it, put your hands in front of you. This is the position in which you will spend 99% of your time in the field.

Ignoring socks and protectors: Always try on shoes in the socks you will be riding in. Regular cotton is much thinner than functional MX knee socks, which also protect against abrasions from braces.

Belief in the “letting go” of the material: This is true for leather (boots, glove palms), but modern polyester motocross clothing is virtually inelastic. If it’s constricting in the shoulders in the store, it’ll be constricting on the track a year from now. Synthetics hold their shape, so they need to fit right away.

Source: https://sora.chatgpt.com/g/gen_01kh16njnte6rb26q3s3fvb4tw

The final verdict: So how do you choose your clothes?

The ultimate goal of choosing the right one is to be completely unaware of your gear while riding. When something in your motocross gear is pulling, pushing, and you have to constantly adjust something, your focus shifts from the track to dealing with the discomfort. In motocross, where milliseconds are the deciding factor between safety and seconds per lap, this distraction is critically dangerous. Quality mx clothing should be your second skin, not restricting blood circulation or natural range of motion.

Therefore, always follow the manufacturer's sizing charts and remember that proper fit is the foundation of your safety and performance. The investment in time spent with a tape measure in hand and honest testing will pay off in the form of confidence and comfort on every lap. The right size doesn't limit you - it allows you to focus only on what's in front of you.

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How to know the right size for MX clothing: selection tips and most common mistakes

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