I have used Oneal for my go-to dirt bike helmet for many years. The Oneal 3 Series helmets are probably the best looking, most comfortable, and highest quality helmets that i have seen under the $150 price point. I currently use this helmet, and love it. The paint has proven durable, as I have bashed through many tree branches and put the graphics durability to the ultimate test. I have many hours on my 3 Series, and I am officially a fan. The cheek cushions are plush, moisture wicking, and easily removed. On top of that, I have seen the 3 Series in action during many crashes. In short, I highly recommend the Oneal 3 Series for many reasons. 

The cheek pads are removable(shown left), and you can easily take them out and wash them if you aren't like me and you actually wash yours.

​Fitment is maybe just a tad snug. I bought a large which fits me great, and I can some times wear mediums. Something to note is that the Oneal 5 Series seems to fit larger. I would prefer a medium if I upgraded to the Oneal 5 Series (I have both helmets, but my 5 Series doesn't quite have all of my equipment mounted yet, so i don't wear it often). The vents work well, and like all dirt bike helmets I have worn the vents are always open (not adjustable). 

In conclusion, I would absolutely trust the Oneal 3 Series to protect my head. My brother went down hard on the Moab, Utah slick rock and the Oneal 3 Series he was wearing saved his life. The helmet broke, but did exactly as it was designed to do. Price point is important to most riders, and you simply can't go wrong with Oneal in this regard. At $120 the 3 Series is an absolute steal. It proves to be a great option in the area's of protection, cost effectiveness, durability, comfort, design, weight, and ventilation; What more could you ask for in a helmet!?

Dirt bike gloves are a very essential part of your gear. It cuts down on vibration, saves your hands, and protects against crashes. Every motorcycle enthusiast can tell you that riding without gloves on feels just like riding naked. It almost feels like the piece of gear that integrates you directly to the bike. Comfortable, and durable gloves are everything. 

I have gone through endless name brands, in all shapes and styles when it comes to gloves. A pair of 100% RideFit gloves went on sale about two years ago, so I tried them out. I didn't stop wearing the first pair for over a year and a half of riding every weekend. They fit perfectly, and just keep getting better with time. They fit true to size, but stretch a little bit as well. If you are between sizes I would recommend purchasing one size down because they will break in. They offer a lot of airflow on top, and provide great protection on the palm with a little added reinforcement on the thumb area to prevent blisters. They advertise this glove for cold weather riding because of added insulation, but I would feel comfortable riding with it all year. Some perforation on the palms add breathability and it does feel like these gloves provide plenty of airflow during those hot days. 

Slip them on, and you feel like you put on a $2,000 custom fitted suit. They wear amazingly well, and instantly become a part of your ride, not a barrier. Durability is also unmatched. I usually go through a few pairs of gloves each year, but since I have switched to the 100% RideFit gloves, I have used the same couple of pairs. The retail cost is $27.50 which is a steal considering the longevity and comfort that comes with them.

I have ridden my whole life without any type of knee protection and I have had very few knee related injuries. This was purely by dumb luck. Most riders are landing knee first during crashes, and as most of us know, dirt is not as forgiving as some people say it is.

When I went out on a search for the best knee protection my priorities were a little different than most. Comfort came first; Why would I buy knee guards if I won't wear them?

The TP199 knee guards are flexible, and move with your leg. The bio foam outer shell is flexible, yet it hardens upon impact. When I put them on under my riding pants I quickly found that they fit under my gear very easily. The only adjustment I had to make was to my boots. I had to adjust the top two boot straps to be a little looser so that I could fit them around the built in shin guards.

​Two velcro straps hold the knee guards in place, and I experienced absolutely no slippage. I don't see anyone having issues with them floating around on the knee. As far as heat goes, there is nothing out there that you can wear under your gear that isn't going to cause a swamp of sweat and gym odor. These are no exception. 

These knee guards have added padding on the side of your knee as well. One of the things I am really impressed with is how much area is protected with these knee guards. You are ready for impact all the way up to your thighs! With an inner compression brace it gives you the feeling of a dramatic reduction in the likelihood of twisting your knee.
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In the link below you can find TP199 knee guards with, or without the shin guard.

As most people realize, the helmet is the most important part of protecting yourself from injuries during an accident. However, in my opinion, manufacturers take advantage of the fact that most people are willing to spend any amount of money to justify the added protection. Does it actually add protection, though? In most cases the only additions you get from purchasing an expensive name brand helmet are comfort, and style. 

​ILM is a Chinese brand of helmet. That doesn't mean that it's a bad brand. The helmets provide many of the same safety features as a helmet that costs $400, but you pay $70-$200 depending on if you want bluetooth capability. I took the time to ride with the bluetooth enabled helmet, and here is what I thought.

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​I was very impressed by the ease of use and sound quality out of the bluetooth. I did a few impact tests on the lower priced models and was shocked at how durable they are. The helmets took direct hammer strikes to the face shield, and dome at full swing. In fact, my only concern with wearing the entry level model helmets was how light weight they were; It felt like some dampening material was sacrificed and that a hard blow would be slightly less protected compared to the larger bluetooth enabled helmets. A helmet is not going to save you from a head on collision regardless of the brand. Helmets are mainly designed to protect against falling to the ground, and during the slide. A head on collision will not be protected against no matter what you decide to wear.

​Most of their designs come with a flip down sunglasses visor. ILM makes several modular helmets which is very nice for the moments that you want to flip the helmet up and feel like its not there.  The chin strap is an easy to use ratchet system that easily secures into place without having to feel around for those metal rings. They are slightly heavier than most helmets, but that is to be expected for a bluetooth enabled helmet. Comfort was not an issue for me, although I would recommend ordering one size larger than normal as they tend to fit a bit tight. 

The world of helmets is a saturated market, and has become one that is very fad prone. What I mean by that is that helmets have become all about style, and much less about safety. After all, you can now buy a helmet that makes you look like Predator, or Iron Man. However, there are still traditional designs out there that provide superior protection at low cost, and that's pretty much what I would stick with. ILM is really just what I need in a helmet; safety, and savings.