While you are free to wear whatever you want while enjoying your skibike, here is a list of gear that we recommend you ride with.  The items on this list are worn by our most seasoned and experienced riders and beginners alike (including Devin himself).

  1.  Full face helmet.  We HIGHLY recommend you wear a full face helmet because, well, skis and handlebars will win every time.  Many riders have taken either a ski to the face while getting on the lift or during a good crash, and others have tried to see just how tasty the handlebar really is.  Needless to say, the end result was less than desired.  We suggest using a downhill mountain bike helmet; a motocross helmet can be worn as well but keep in mind they will be heavier.  If you are concerned about the size and number of vents, you can use Duct or Gaffers tape to cover them up.  As with any helmet, fit is of the utmost importance and the brand you decide to go with is entirely up to you.  What fits one persons head may not fit yours.  If possible, take your goggles with when shopping for a helmet to ensure a good seal to avoid fogging.  Not all goggles play nicely with all helmets, so take your time.  (One of the biggest advantages to a full face helmet is that your head will be warmer and when you fall you usually do not eat a lot of snow.)
  2. Knee/Shin Pads.  Face it..you have a metal frame between your lower legs.  The first time you whack your shin or knee on the frame or foot peg and you will know why we wear shin pads.  They are also helpful in situating your bike when getting on the lift if you need to rest your foot peg on your shin.  Hard plastic ones are the best, whether it be a motocross or downhill mountain bike style.  If you have to wear a knee brace, you can always opt for a soccer shin pad under your base layer.  A good place to start is looking for something like these Leatt 3.0 EXT knee/shin
  3. Boots.  There is no one type of boot that is better than another.  Some wear snowboard boots, others wear snowmobile boots, while some yet wear regular snow boots.  The most important thing is that the tread pattern is relatively close and not too far apart.  This allows you to optimize traction on our Whopper and Big Mac foot pegs by getting quick, consistent foot placement.  Because you do not have to be concerned with heel-to-toe weight distribution like you do on a snowboard, you can go with a snowboard boot that has a neutral back angle.  The best part about skibiking and boots is that because you don’t have to worry about edge control through your feet, you can wear your boots as tight or as loose as you want…that means you will have warm, cozy feet all day long.
  4. Other gear items.  Some riders are starting to put a seat pack or small frame pack  on their bike so they have quick access to their leash, tools, hand warmers, snacks, etc.  Whether or not you ride with a backpack/hydration pack, a seat pack on your frame is a great way to have quick access to those items you might need quickly.  Plus it saves a little bit of weight on your back over the course of the day if you can have your bike carry a little of the load.  (It’s not like you have to pedal up hill!)