What type of gear do you guys recommend. Need some boots, helmet and apparel. I don;t necessarily need Tech 10 boots or anything but want good quality safe products. What else are you guys riding with, chest protector, knee braces, neck?

Going to be riding dunes, trials, and some track

A good helmet. at least a chest protector. Some boots are very expensive. I cant afford the best either, I have hand me down SIDI's but they are still super nice after someone else has abused them. My Oneal boots got weak after a couple yrs but they were 100 bucks. But I would invest in a good pair of boots. A chest protector and some type of knee/shin protection. EVS makes some very nice stuff.

What helmet would you recommend in the $300 range

What helmet would you recommend in the $300 range

I dont know where you live but I would go out to Chaparrel (they carry a ton of helmets) try all of them on, then go online and purchase it cheaper.

I'm over in San Luis Obispo so I can't make it over there.

You really need to try on helmets. I would never buy on online without trying it on first. sizes are different from brands even though they say the size is the same.

As mentioned...You need to try stuff on and see what feels good to you. Don't focus or worry about price. I have found that FOX helmets fit my head like a glove. They are fairly cheap and do a good job protecting my gourd. Some will say they are too cheap...I say it works great for me.

#1 is a snell/dot approved helmet. Even the cheap helmets can be made to meet this standard so more expensive doesn't necessarily mean safer. I like the fox helmets and I really like the shoei helmets. I use a bell right now.
#2 I would say would be a neck brace. I use the leatt brace but there are several cheaper alternatives out there now. EVS makes a good one. At the very least, buy a neck roll/race collar. These will work with your helmet to protect your neck from breaking. I wish these things were out when I broke my back.
#3 Boots: I could have bought any of the high end boots but I went with the alpinestar tech 6 so I didn't have to use that stupid bootey in the higher models. Buy a good reputable brand that doesn't have any tight spots.
#4 gloves. Brand doesn't matter so much as fit. I've had $40 fox gloves that lasted less than a season and my current thor gloves were on the bargain rack. Price seems to get you a flashier glove but not necessarily one that lasts longer or is more comfortable. The fingers should fit snug and not have much if any space at the ends. The palm should be flexible and not bunch up when you grip a handlebar. The fastener (Velcro/zipper) should make it impossible to get the glove off unless it is undone.
I don't think riding pants and jerseys are necessary so pick whatever you like. I've also never liked wearing elbow, knee, or shin guards. Others here do so that would be your choice. I never wear a chest protector as I am afraid that if I slide backwards, feet first, the chest protector will scoop into the sand and try to pull over my neck, messing it up. Again, its a personal preference.

Thanks for all the help guys

I wear alot of protetion. I crashed twice in the first round of WORCS last month. I know If I wasnt wearing my protective gear, my knees would have been busted up and so would have my elbows and ankles. It made the difference of getting back up and riding just as hard or calling an ambulance.

I would say would be a neck brace. I use the leatt brace you can get alot of this stuff off e bay i payed 240 for my leatt brace shipped to the house

Thank God...we don't want you procreating.

First and foremost is a helmet. It cost's alot of $ to have somebody wipe your but for the rest of your life. Get one that fits stay away from the ones that just feel cheap.
Next would be boots hard to walk into work with a broken foot or ankle, Gloves would be next on my list speacily if your riding anywhere but sand. Once you get to the track I would suggest a Chest protector rocks and nipples don't mix. The Leatt Brace is a great idea and if you can afford one I would say that goes hand in hand with the Helmet. It is also the next item on my list of Resonal Protection along with Knee pads...... Rocks and kneecaps also do not mix.

Maybe you need to ride faster instead of hanging in the back all of the time?

I am not riding in the back I am catching the field and lapping them..............

But wait till they move up from 50s to 80s!

And then they will be passing YOU

If I knew you better I'd reply back, but I really like living.

Smart man....

come on now it's all good

All good advice. Remember that once you buy all the protection equipment, make sure you wear it. Also a quick word about chest protectors. They not only help from getting roosted but if you ride in the desert they help protect you from any rocks you land on if you crash. I have a Fox helmet, Tech 6 boots, fox chest proptector and Fox riding gear. So far so good.

I wear the EVS chest protector - it works awesome with my leatt and fits snugly (not the turtleshell look). That thing isn't going anywhere fast, they fit snug enough you could put it under your jersey too which would also help. I love it because it holds my neck brace more securely and I was tired of the occasional rock thrown my way

I saw some guy with little protective gear eat it hard this last weekend. Here's the thing - dress to ride another day! Sure I spent some $, certainly none of my gear is top of the line but when I wreck I'm much more likely to brush the sand off and get back on the bike again.

Have you had knee injuries? Braces are pretty expensive man.

For boots i would try on Tech 8's....300 bucks but in my opinion the best boot ever. Will seem stiff at first but they loosen up.

HJC Helmet
FOX Performa Boots ( working on 7 years old and still going strong )
Shift gloves i think (like ben they were in the discount bin)
Jersy = T-shirt or whatever longsleeve i grab if my regular jersey is dirty
Pants = Fly great pants and great cost
Socks = Moose racing socks best fit for guys with big calves (20" ham hocks on my legs)
Goggles = ProGrip. Loved my oakleys hated buying expensive lenses Progrips are the best i have found since.