Check out the basics: The Helmets
The helmets are styled with eye-grabbing up-to-the-minute graphics and color combinations.The padding inside is quite generous and the visor just about the right proportions for reducing glare without impairing vision.
Our biggest (and only, so far) complaint on the helmets is
the difficulty in determining proper sizing. We are very strong
proponents of trying gear on BEFORE you buy; if available only
through mail order, you really have to rely on the sizing
guidelines they provide. However, we seem to be fitting some very
odd heads in our house. Using the sizing guidelines they recommend,
measuring just above the brow, we came up with one rider needing an
adult small (turned out he needs a large), one a large (an XL fits
almost too snugly), and one a medium (mama bear's helmet fits just
right, thank you.) Confuse that with a couple mix ups in shipping
where a youth medium was shipped instead of an adult medium (the
tag in the helmet does not differentiate - you have to hope they
get put in the correct box) and then a youth large shipped to
replace the youth medium when it was supposed to be changed to an
adult large. But being patient and not waiting until the last
minute to order things is a good attitude whenever you are ordering
mail order, and we're confident you'll end up with a great fit to
go with the good value. (Gloves also tended to run about one size
smaller than other mfg's - order a larger size than usual,
especially if you wear Blister-Resistors or other liner.)
Helmet Retail price - $89.99, Adult sizes XSmall
to XXLarge, $69.99 Youth sizes Small to Large. (Personal soapbox - At under $70 for youth sizes, there is
no excuse for any kid out there to be riding without a properly
fitting full-face helmet. They WILL at some point kiss the
handlebars - how much are new teeth worth to you as a
parent?) The
Jerseys
Our favorite thing about the jersey has to be the fit of the collar. What seems a little snug going on, turns out to be a slightly higher V-neck. This means a LOT less cold air blowing down the front of your shirt as you tear up those dunes. The sleeves are slightly longer than some jerseys also, which means less gap at the wrist, but not so long that when you arm is straight, it still hangs correctly and not too. The fabric is a good mid-weather weight - wear another shirt under it during cool weather riding. And we always give polyester a big thumbs up for wash-ability - trust us, you'll never get Georgia red dust out of a cotton jersey. Price - at only $19.99, pick up a couple and let the kids wear them to school! The Pants
The styling of the pants has some unique features.
The zipper fly is topped with a velcro closure, which rates great
thumbs up for ease of on and off. However, make sure you close the
velcro before laundring the pants (cold water, hang dry!) because
the velcro easily grabs and snags the surrounding fabric. One thing we noticed right off and greatly appreciated is the exact placement of the rubber A.R.C. logo itself. We've found that some manufacturers go so overboard in developing a prominant logo on the upper thigh (partially to also serve as padding) that it can interfere with fit when you sit down. Specifically, it can poke you right in the hip. The A.R.C. logo is just slighly below that point, and is a just slightly-softer rubber, so it bends instead of gouges. The pants also adjust slightly in the back, with a velco tab that gives you about a 2" leeway on the sizing. You can tighten it slighly more than that, but you end up with a big gathered bunch of fabric that just funnels cold air down your butt - if you pants are too big, tuck your shirt in! We'd recommend ordering a little on the large size if you are between sizes. They run pretty true to size (hurrah!) but that way you will always have room for the pads. Suggested retail on the pants is $64.99 and they come in waist sizes 22" to 38".
A.R.C. also offers two styles of riding boots - MX
heel and ATV heel - and we'll be taking an up-close look at the fit
and function of those next month. Makes the A.R.C. gear an even better deal - sorry we missed the Christmas rush, but I'm pretty sure the riders in your house have a birthday coming up? Tell them Off-Road.com sent you!
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