Trail riding offers some serious fun that can be both exhilarating and physically challenging. It varies greatly from the MX track in its unpredictability and risk further adding to the excitement.

Like motocross riding however, preparation is the first rule of thumb. Unlike motocross riding, everything you need goes with you rather than in the bed of the truck.

Since you can’t take a 50 pound tool box along for the ride you need to be judicious in deciding what goes and what stays. As you’ll see, it’s not all about tools either. Your bike can’t ride without proper fuel and maintenance and neither can you. The next time you plan a day on the trail with riding buddies consider the following as a checklist to bring all you need for a great day of fun.

• Water
• Socket and Allen Wrench Sets
• Screwdrivers
• Food
• Flat Tire Repair Kit
• Tire Irons
• Spare Spark Plug
• Gas
• First Aid Kit

Water

The last thing you want is for dehydration to set in 50 miles from nowhere. Thanks to some cool innovations, you won’t need a fanny pack with water bottles attached to the side nor will you need an overstuffed backpack weight you down with a bulky water bottle inside sticking in your spine. Grab a hydration pack. The ride like a backpack but you’ll never know it’s there. And you can take a sip whenever you want.

Good Hydration Pack	Better Hydration Pack	Best Hydration Pack
Thor Hydrobag – Vapor	KTM PowerWear Baja Hydration Pack	Leatt Hydration GPX Cargo 3.0
Price: $59.95	Price: $94.99	Price: $169.99
Features: Additional accessory pocket Two liter bladder Slim profile is designed to be unobtrusive Self-sealing bite valve	Features: Drink system capacity: 0.5 gallons Concealed zips protect it from dirt and foreign bodies 100% polyester Drop-in compartment for electronic devices or personal effects	Features: Three liter flat CleanTech bladder CE tested and certified as impact protection Integration with or without a Leatt neck brace Internal storage compartments and organizer

Socket and Allen Wrench Sets

Dirt bikes have a lot of removable parts. Just the very act of riding can loosen screws, nuts and bolts over time. If something breaks you’ll need the correct tools to remove it. It’s easy to do this when you’re a five minute walk from your truck or trailer. If you run into trouble on the trail the last thing you want to be doing is walking home or using your fingers as metal tools.

The following sets are compact and ready-made for trail riding. The Tool Kits are more expensive but offer everything needed in a compact and secure pack.

Socket Wrench Set

Good Socket Wrench Set	Better Socket Wrench Set	Best Socket Wrench Set
CruzTOOLS 3 Way Pack Wrench	Fly Racing T-Handle Trail Tool	BikeMaster 1/4″ Drive T-Handle Set
Price: $14.99	Price: $13.99	Price: $11.66
Features: Compact T-style wrench 8, 10, and 12 mm Fits into a fanny pack, tank bag, or under your seat	Features: T-handle features a 1/4″ drive 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm #2 Phillips Small and lightweight	Features: Made of heat treated vanadium steel 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm #2 Phillips Fits in fanny pack

Allen Wrench Set

Good Allen Wrench Set	Better Allen Wrench Set	Best Allen Wrench Set
Motion Pro T-Handle Bit – 3/4mm Allen	Motion Pro Ball End Allen Set – 9 Piece	Applied 9 Piece Ball Point Allen Set
Price: $5.99	Price: $16.99	Price: $39.99
Features: Durable nickel-pewter finish 3mm/4mm combo bit Rubber O-ring keep bits securely in place Fits in Motion Pro 12-Point 5/16″ Deep Socket with 1/4″ Drive or 5/16″ T-handle socket	Features: Made of chrome-vanadium tool steel 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10 mm Ball end allows for better access to Allen-head bolts Convenient holder	Features: Ergonomic L-handle with a short hex on one end and a longer ball-point hex on the other end Includes storage case Each wrench size is visibly marked on each handle Sizes include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 mm

Wrench and Tool Kits

Good Wrench and Tool Kits	Better Wrench and Tool Kits	Best Wrench and Tool Kits
CruzTOOLS Econo Kit M1 Folding Tool Kit	CruzTOOLS DMX1 Fanny Pack Tool Kit	CruzTOOLS DMX2 Fender Mount Tool Kit
Price: $64.99	Price: $129.99	Price: $139.99
Features: 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm combo wrench 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm hex key set 6-in-1 screwdriver 8″ adjustable wrench	Features: 10mm, 12mm combo wrench 8″ adjustable wrench T-handle (8, 10 and 12 mm) wrench 5-in-1 screwdriver	Features: 10mm, 12mm combo wrench 8, 10, 12, and 13 mm sockets 8″ adjustable wrench Hex key set (4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm)

Screwdrivers

It’s often said the screwdriver is the most abused tool in a garage. Now we don’t expect you to use a screwdriver for anything other than its intended purpose which is many on a dirt bike. But just in case you get into a bind a screwdriver can quickly become your best friend.

Good Screwdriver	Best Screwdriver
MSR 6-In-1 Screwdriver	BikeMaster 14-In-1 Screwdriver
Price: $9.95	Price: $12.56
Features: Two Phillips & two flat blade screwdriver sizes 6 mm socket wrench (for carb jets) 8 mm socket wrench (for side panel and shroud bolts) Fits conveniently into fanny packs	Features: 12 tips on 12 shafts Driver shaft is a 4mm socket wrench Has one meter tape measure in head Great multi-purpose tool

Food

Dirt bike riding is intense exercise. Like water for dehydration you’ll need food to keep your energy levels up. Obviously you can’t pack a steak dinner but with some creative thinking you can pack a decent lunch/snack to keep you alert and fight through any fatigue which is especially important near the end of the day.

Energy and candy bars are perfect rest stop snacks. Quick and easy they offer a high amount of calories and are ready to eat. Sandwiches are also a good option but avoid refrigerated edibles. You won’t carry a refrigerator and an ice pack is just one more item to weigh you down. Trail mix is also a great way to fuel up.

Flat Tire Repair Kit

A flat tire is not inevitable but to take off down any type of trail without a back-up plan is asking for trouble. Sharp stones and needle-like sticks lurk everywhere and if you’re blazing through a leaf-covered forest you’ll have no idea what you’re riding over. A flat tire repair kit not only keeps your riding but prevents you from having to walk your dirt bike back who knows how many miles on a flat tire.

Good Tire repair Kit	Better Good Tire repair Kit	Best Good Tire repair Kit
Tire Repair And Inflation Kit	BikeMaster Tire And Tube Flat Repair Kit	Tubeless Tire Plugger With Co2
Price: $37.99	Price: $42.26	Price: $50.99
Features: Ultraflate Plus and three 16-gram non threaded CO2 cartridges Contains tire plugs, tube patches, glue, tire reamer and plug installation tool Packed in a convenient zippered nylon bag	Features: Covers tubes and tubeless repair complete with patches, plugs, plug insertion tool, hole cleaner, glue, pressure wheel with surface preparation tool and knife for plug trimming Includes four CO2 Compressed air cylinders and an air valve	Features: Seals from inside/out Repair punctures without dismounting tire from wheel Complete with CO2 to re-inflate tire Compact kit

Tire Irons

That flat tire repair kit won’t do you much good if you can’t remove the tire. Yes, you’ll need a tire iron or spoon. Changing a flat is no cake-walk in the comfort of your garage with all the correct tools so don’t expect to be up and riding within five minutes if you do encounter a flat. It’ll take some time and patience but consider the alternative.

Good Compact Tire Iron	Better Good Compact Tire Iron	Best Good Compact Tire Iron
Motion Pro Tire Iron	MSR Fanny Pack Tire Iron	Motion Pro Enduro Tire Iron Set
Price: $3.99 – $13.99	Price: $17.95	Price: $17.99
Features: 8.5-inch size One end is flat and other end is curved Easy to carry Cold-forged steel	Features: Compact tire iron Weights only 1 lb. Easy to carry	Features: 8 1/2 inches long Hot-forged chrome-vanadium tool steel Sold as pair with a custom vinyl carrying pouch Slender curve

Spare Spark Plug

Need we say more?

Gas

Carrying extra fuel not only extends your ride allowing you to explore more but eliminates the worry of running out of gas miles from camp. Two schools of thought exist when it comes to carrying extra fuel. Strap an extra gas tank to your bike and fill when needed or simply install a bigger fuel tank. The safer option is to install a bigger fuel tank.

First Aid Kit

This is a no-brainer here. Sooner or later you’re going to crash. Usually, you’ll be able to get up, brush yourself off and jump right back on. But sometimes you’ll need some patch work before either continuing your ride or calling it a day and getting back to better tend to your injuries.

First Aid Kit
Klim Ultralight Watertight First Aid Kit
Price: $27.99
Features: Four 3×3 and 2×2 sterile dressings Three knuckle bandages Three antibiotic ointment Motrine and diphenhydramine plus much more

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One final note about trail riding. Always go with at least one other person. First off, it’s never fun to ride alone! But most importantly, if you do get seriously hurt a second or third person can help tend to your injuries and get you safely back to camp.