The MXstore Sizing Guide | Motocross Gear

Buying Guides  |  1 April 2014

The MXstore Sizing Guide | Motocross Gear main image

The single most commonly asked question we are asked here every day is 'how do I work out the sizing for…', which is why we've put together this complete guide on motocross gear sizing. Read on to find out how to avoid wearing a helmet so loose it slips down and covers your vision every time you go over a bump, and how to avoid wearing riding pants which split in half when you try to swing your leg over your bike!

Step 1: Find your measurements for motocross gear

All sizing charts for motocross gear for men, women and children are based on either centimetre (CM) or inch measurements. We get a lot of questions from parents asking what will fit a 7-year-old, but the fact is in most cases you will need to take the rider's measurements to then associate the right size gear for them.

At the end of the day, motocross gear is safety gear so you really want to make sure it fits correctly to ensure maximum safety, and every item made for a rider needs to fit a particular way. The rules on fitment remain the same for any rider aside from kids, as it is a good idea to allow a little more room for them to grow into unless you want to replace everything every six months!

MXstore is here to make life easier, so we have added keywords into the title of every product to help you identify what gear you are searching for. Keep an eye out for these keywords for a faster way of working out what gear is going to suit you.

  • Kids = Youth gear sizing, typically for a male rider from four years through to early teens at most.
  • Girls = Female youth gear sizing, typically for a female rider from four years through to early teens at most.
  • Women’s = Female adult sizing, women’s gear tends to be a smaller fit suiting women from early teens through to adults.
  • Toddler = Riders between 2-5 years old.
  • If you can’t see any of the above keywords in the title, you are more than likely looking at adult male sized gear.

The motocross gear sizing increment breakdown:

Below is the breakdown of measurements and how they stack up against each other:

  • 1” (inch) = 2.54cm (centimetres)
  • 1cm = 10mm (millimetres
  • 1” = 25.4mm

How to measure your head for motocross helmet sizing:

The single most important piece of safety gear is your helmet, yet so many riders still do not know how they are supposed to fit. The easiest way to explain this is that you want your helmet to feel snug - a helmet which fits you correctly will be tight around your cheeks, if your teeth are catching some of your cheeks while you talk with a helmet on that is about perfect. Also, check the back of the helmet where the base of the helmet meets the back of your head, this should also be a snug fit so if you can fit your fingers in between here the helmet is too big.

When ordering online, knowing your measurements is going to be your biggest advantage - all helmets are sized in S (small), M (medium), L (large) increments. There is a range of CM measurements associated with each size too.

To accurately measure your head, use a cloth tape measure wrapped around your head horizontally about one inch above your eyebrows and ears, take the CM measurement of the circumference of your head.

Using a tape measure to find your head size
Every helmet size will cover a range of 1cm. See below a size chart to make this clearer:

Adult motocross helmet sizing:

  1. XS (extra small) 53-54cm
  2. SM (small) 55-56cm
  3. MD (medium) 57-58cm
  4. LG (large) 59-60cm
  5. XL (extra large) 61-62cm
  6. 2XL (2 extra large) 63-64cm

Kids motocross helmet sizing:

  1. Small 47-48cm
  2. Medium 49-50cm
  3. Large 51-52cm

Please note:

Always aim to get a tight fitting helmet, if you fall between sizes round the size down, not up. The exception to the rule being kids as they are growing, so you would be safe to round up to the nearest CM to allow for room to grow. Everyone has a slightly different shaped head, and most helmets are a slightly different fit from brand to brand. Try as many on as you can until you find a brand which is the right shape for your head as the better the fit, the better the ride!

The motocross boot fitment guide:

We have a comprehensive boot buyers’ guide on MXstore which can be found HERE - this answers every possible question you may have regarding motocross boots, but read on to get the easy guide on selecting the right size boot for you.

All of our boots at MXstore are in US sizing unless otherwise specified, please do not mistake US for UK sizing as they are different - European sizing is easy to see as they are up in the 44-48 digits.

Different boot brands are labelled with different sizing. Either US, UK or EUR. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules and as every foot differs in size and shape there is no definitive sizing chart. If you are close to the MXstore retail outlet, nothing beats trying them on. We have motocross socks available and helpful staff to find that perfect fit. If you are buying online follow this simple guide to find the closest match:

Check your shoe sizing: The inside of most shoe tongues are labelled with one or more sizes. It may even be printed on the inner sole or the underside of the shoe. Be sure to take note of the sizing scale (US, UK or EUR).

Convert if necessary: All boots listed on MXstore are listed with the sizing scale. If the listed boot uses a different sizing scale to the size on your shoe you can use this motocross boot sizing chart to make the conversion.

Choose your size: We have consistently found it to be more comfortable to buy a pair of boots one size larger than your shoe sizing. Having said that, if you are on the smaller side of your sizing, or even swing between shoe sizes dependant on the shoe brand, then always buy a boot that is the size of the largest shoe you wear. For example – If you swing between 9US and 10US, then a 10US boot should fit nicely. If you are always a 10US then an 11US boot might be a more comfortable fit.

Larger is safer: Remember there is next to nothing you can do for a boot that is too small. Your feet will also swell when you are riding so remember those small boots are only going to get smaller. If your boots are a little large, you at least have buckles for adjustment.

Boots should fit as tight as possible/comfortable: Large boots should be filled with some thick socks and the buckles should be tightened accordingly. Motocross boot buckles play an extremely important role in providing stability to the ankle joint by helping to prevent excessive lateral movement - to keep your ankle protected they need to be tight. A loose boot is not serving its purpose so please keep those buckles tight.

New motocross boots will stretch, so bear that in mind when choosing your size but please note they will only stretch width-wise. They cannot get longer toe-wise. Please don’t think that a slightly short boot will be more comfortable over time - it won’t.

As your boots age and the leather stretches your boots will get looser so your boot buckles need to be tightened regularly. If you can easily snap your buckles closed they are not tight enough. The buckles should at least require some force to fold closed and you should feel your boot squeeze your ankle (comfortably of-course). Remember to replace busted buckles ASAP. They are cheap to buy and easily replaced.

Tip: People talk of a ‘break in period' when talking about new motocross boots. This is period of time immediately after purchasing new boots which can be days or weeks in which boots can feel slightly tight and even difficult to ride in until they are ‘worn in.’ Part of the break-in period is simply a matter of your body becoming used to the new boots. The other part is boot stretch as explained above.

For a comprehensive boot sizing chart at MXstore, click HERE

Motocross gear sets sizing guide:

Motocross gear sets are another grey area when it comes to sizing as there are two body parts which need covering and two different size types to take into consideration. The first being the pants, as these are associated with inch measurements, and the jerseys are Small, Medium, Large and so on.

A good place to start when working out your sizing is to keep in mind that motocross jersey and pants are manufactured to be paired up from the factory, meaning each size of pant has a jersey size to match. The only variations of this is usually when a rider wants to run a pressure suit or body armour under their jersey, in this case we suggest going up in the jersey at least one to two sizes from what the rider would normally wear.

The standard size match is shown below which is particularly helpful if you already know your pant size - please note most kids clothing is assigned to an age, whereas motocross gear is based off measurements, so you're better off measuring your child to make a more accurate decision on the riding gear size, but we have also added a basic guide to help make your decision easier. We cannot stress enough how much better the gear will fit if you take the rider’s measurements though!

Kids motocross gear set size chart:

  • 18” Pant = XXS Jersey = Kids 2/3
  • 20” Pant = XS Jersey = Kids 3/4
  • 22” Pant = S Jersey = Kids 5/6
  • 24” Pant = M Jersey = Kids 7/9
  • 26” Pant = L Jersey = Kids 10/12
  • 28” Pant = XL jersey = Kids 12/14

Adult motocross gear size chart:

  1. 28” Pant = XS Jersey
  2. 30” Pant = S Jersey
  3. 32” Pant = M Jersey
  4. 34” Pant = L Jersey
  5. 36” Pant = XL Jersey
  6. 38” Pant = 2XL Jersey
  7. 40” Pant = 3XL Jersey
  8. 42” Pant = 3XL Jersey
  9. 44” Pant = 3XL Jersey
  10. 46” Pant = 3XL Jersey
  11. 48” Pant = 4XL Jersey
  12. 50” Pant = 4XL Jersey
  13. 52” Pant = 4XL Jersey

Motocross gear should be slightly loose fitting as riders get quite hot on the track, and having a little extra room will improve airflow and keep the rider cooler. Take into consideration that all riders should be wearing knee braces or at least knee guards which take up extra room inside the pant leg.

You may wonder why motocross pants are quite baggy from the knee to the waist, but think about how many times a rider stands and sits down every single lap and you will be thankful for that extra bit of room to move in those pants!

Women's motocross gear set sizing:

All women will agree it is much harder to find the correct fit for women compared to men when it comes to motocross gear.

For women's motocross gear in Australia, the added level of complexity when working out sizing is the added step of converting from US to Australian sizes, which is difficult at the best of times!

Tip: Motocross gear is made to be worn slightly loose, most protective gear is worn under the pants or jersey so manufacturers allow for this by adding extra space in the legs for knee protection, and make jerseys slightly larger for roost protectors and elbow protection.

We have found most women tend to choose gear which is tighter fitting as most women’s casual clothing is a tight fit, but for motocross gear all that is going to achieve is irritate your skin from excessive rubbing and make you uncomfortable.

Women's motocross gear set size chart:

  1. US Size 1-2 Pant = XS Jersey (AU size 6 pant, 27” waist) - XS Glove
  2. US Size 3-4 Pant = XS Jersey (AU size 7 pant, 28” waist) - S Glove
  3. US Size 5-6 Pant = S Jersey (AU size 8 pant, 30” waist) - M Glove
  4. US Size 7-8 Pant = M Jersey (AU size 9 pant, 32” waist) - M Glove
  5. US Size 9-10 Pant = L Jersey (AU size 10 pant, 34” waist) - L Glove
  6. US Size 11-12 Pant = XL Jersey (AU size 12 pant, 36” waist) - L Glove
  7. US Size 13-14 Pant = XL Jersey (AU size 14 pant, 38” waist) - XL Glove

Take your measurements for motocross gear sizing:

Jerseys: To measure the sleeve length, use a cloth tape measure and start at the centre back (CB) of the neck, run down over the point of the shoulder, over the elbow (arm slightly bent) down to the wrist.

Chest: Measure the circumference of the chest approximately 1” below the arm pits across your breast bone, be sure to keep the tape measure parallel to the ground for accuracy.

Pants: For an accurate waist measurement use a cloth tape measure to find the circumference of the point where you prefer to wear your pants, making sure the tape is parallel to the ground and relax your stomach when you take the measurement. Measure this in Inches and you will be able to work the jersey out from this one measurement!

Inseam: Is the total measurement from your crotch to your ankle, stand up straight when taking the measurement. Please note, not all motocross pants will run all the way to your ankle, many will end at your calves as there is no need to have excess material down inside your boots.

Motocross gloves sizing guide:

To find the proper glove size, measure the circumference around your dominant hand while holding all of your fingers apart and stretched. Do not include your thumb in this measurement and measure lower than all of your knuckles (be careful not to measure too far forward on your pinky finger side as this knuckle is further back). Remember if your gloves are too loose they will bunch and give you blisters so aim for a tight fit!

How to take your hand measurement

Kids motocross glove size chart:

  1. XXS = 18.5 – 19cm
  2. XS = 19 – 19.5cm
  3. S = 19.5 – 20cm
  4. M = 20 – 20.5cm
  5. L = 20.5 – 21cm
  6. XL = 21 – 21.5cm

Adult motocross gloves size chart::

  • XS = 21 – 21.5cm
  • S = 21.5 - 22cm
  • M = 22 – 22.5cm
  • L = 22.5 – 23.5cm
  • XL = 23.5 – 24.5cm
  • XXL = 24.5 – 25cm
  • 3XL = 25 – 26cm

Motocross protective gear sizing:

With the goal of protective gear being to keep you as safe as possible, we have decided to split some of these items up and give them their own dedicated guide.

Handy motocross protective gear guides:

If you have any further questions or concerns about fitment of motocross gear or there is anything we haven’t covered here please don’t hesitate to contact the friendly team at MXstore


Comments (1)

Thank You

I've been searching for a great sizing descriptor for some time now and you guys have nailed it. Thank you so much for your help keep up the good work.

steph on 1 October 2018
Hi Steph, we are stoked to hear our sizing guide was helpful to find the right sizes! If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with our customer service legends :)
MXstore Response

Leave a comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up