Get Your Kids Into MX: Best junior off-road bike kit

If your young'uns want to get into actual competition (or just look the part at the practice track) then yet another offering from Wulf will tidy them up. This jersey and trousers combination looks every part the MX racer, with a free-flowing polyester construction, a loose fit on the top and pre-shaped knees in the trousers and stretch panels for fit and comfort.

Without doubt, the first thing you should do is get your kids along to a try-out day to see if they like the idea of riding off-road and if they have any aptitude for it. These two are in east Anglia but there are schools around the country.

Choosing their first bike depends on their age and how they take to a try-out event. For example, for younger riders who want to build experience and confidence, something like Yamahas PW-50 is ideal.

It should go without saying that a helmet should be top of the kit-list for any motorcyclists, let alone a youngster getting into the past-time. This one from renowned extreme sports brand O'Neal is specifically designed for kids, so it uses an appropriately-sized shell with the right amount of padding, rather than an adult shell with lots of lining and padding to make it fit a smaller head.

Any MX-style helmet will need a pair of goggles to go with it, to protect the eyes. Normally, MX helmets do not feature a visor as goggles are the preferred choice for riders, for maximum ventilation to the face and ease of use.

The demands on boots for MX use are very different for on the road but these from Thor are perfect for kids. Not only are the great value, they are proper MX boots but in sizes to suit a range of kids ages.

Another offering from Wulf, this time gloves for children and youths. These Stratos gloves are formed with mesh panels to prevent the hands getting too hot and sweaty and have Amara panels across the palms for grip.

Protecting the chest and back is the next most important area after the head and this chest protector from Thor helps to disperse impacts as well as protect from stone or debris injuries. It features a series of moulded panels linked together to offer protection, including a Level-1 back protector.

Find the elbow version here (£16.68) Just like in adult road and off-road kit, kids need protection on their knees and elbows too, though arguably, this is less likely to cause similar injuries to those on road or on circuit, for example, where speeds are higher.

With all the bouncing around and a relatively heavy helmet on, a neck brace can help to stabilise a riders head, particularly a young one and reduce strain and over-extension of the beck.