Drift triking is one of the most fun things you can do on three wheels — and one of the easiest ways to get hurt if you skip the safety gear. The speeds involved, the proximity to the ground, and the intentional loss of traction all create real injury risk. The right gear eliminates most of that risk without killing the fun.
Here is exactly what you need before your first ride.
A full-face helmet is the single most important piece of safety gear for drift triking. Open-face helmets and bicycle helmets are not sufficient — you need chin protection because the most common drift trike impact is face-first into the ground.
What to look for: DOT or ECE 22.06 certification. Motocross helmets work well and are available at a wide range of price points.
Recommended: Search Motocross Full-Face Helmets on Amazon →
Your knees and shins are the first things to hit the ground when you slide out. Hard-shell knee and shin guards are essential — soft foam padding is not enough for the impact speeds involved in drift triking.
Recommended: Motocross Knee/Shin Guards on Amazon →
Elbows are the second most common impact point after knees. Hard-shell elbow pads with a secure strap system are the right choice.
Recommended: Hard Shell Elbow Pads on Amazon →
Motocross or mountain bike gloves protect your hands from abrasion and give you better grip on the handlebars. Your hands will instinctively go out to catch you when you fall — gloves are the difference between road rash and a clean landing.
Recommended: Motocross Gloves on Amazon →
Hip impacts are common in drift triking, especially for beginners learning to control the slide. Padded shorts with built-in hip and tailbone protection are a smart addition to your gear setup.
Recommended: Padded Protective Shorts on Amazon →
The full gear setup — helmet, knee guards, elbow pads, and gloves — costs $130–$380 depending on what you choose. That is a small price to pay compared to the cost of an ER visit or a broken wrist. Wear it every time, even on short sessions. The crashes that hurt the most are always the ones you did not expect.
Ride hard, ride safe.
