Enduro budget: Is it possible to equip yourself from head to toe for less than €500?

Some time ago, one of Freenduro’s readers told us that it was now impossible to equip ourselves for enduro for less than €500. This remark therefore prompted us to decide whether or not in 2024 it was possible to equip a driver from head to toe with a maximum budget of €500. Practicing enduro is certainly a hobby that gives a lot of pleasure, but it is also a leisure that requires a certain financial investment. Expenses which are roughly divided into 2 items, the purchase of the motorcycle and the equipment (and protections) of the rider. However, for those looking to get started without breaking the piggy bank, one question persists: Is it possible to equip yourself from head to toe without breaking the bank?Enduro enthusiasts know that equipment is essential for safety and comfort. Equipping yourself with quality helmets, durable boots, approved protections and clothing suitable for off-road practice is a certain cost. So equipping yourself at an affordable price may seem like a big challenge. But with a little research and patience, it is quite possible to find quality equipment at affordable prices.

The challenge: equip yourself for enduro or cross-country, from head to toe, with a budget of €500

When it comes to brands, some manufacturers offer entry-level products that sometimes offer a good trade-off between quality and price. It is also possible to opt for less well-known brands, but which offer quality products at competitive prices. We, for this exercise, have tried to prioritise quality by sticking to well-known off-road marks and recognised (Airoh, O’neal, 100%, Shot, Fly Racing, FIVE). This sometimes avoids unpleasant surprises with more or less exotic brands that have not been proven or whose quality of products is sometimes random. You will therefore discover below the list of 8 pilot equipment that we have selected:

• Headphones (Airoh)
• boots (O’neal)
• protective vest (Fly Racing)
• knee pads (Shot)
• Pants (Shot)
• jersey (Shot)
• Gloves (Five)
• mask (100%)

All for a final total of .... 490,07 € !  You even have to pay 1/2 full of gas to go and turn on your new equipment.

The helmet

For this essential element of the biker, we retained the brand Airoh with the model Wraaap reloaded 2024 which has an excellent quality/price ratio. At less than €130, you will have a helmet that is safe and CE 22-06 approved (the latest protection standard for helmets, which is more demanding in terms of impact resistance than the 22-05).

The boots

Metal protection at the end of the toes, notched sole, sewn sole (not glued), well-placed protections, this O’eanl boot does not lack an asset. Despite a rather “affordable” price, we find that this O’Neal Rider pro model competes in terms of quality/price ratio with these much more expensive boots.

The protective vest

Here is a light and comfortable vest with soft protections. These flexible protective plates are made of EVA perforated foam (for ventilation) at the chest and kidneys and E3T memory foams (CE EN1621-2 level 1 certified) for back protection. It should also be noted that the feedback from users of this protective vest is very positive.

Knee pads

There are quite basic knee protectors, but they do the job correctly.  Be careful these are good knee protections (against shocks) but do not confuse them with knee orthotics that will protect your knees against joint damage (ligaments in particular). To start and if you do not already have knee injuries, it is more than enough

Holding: trousers, jersey and gloves

For the trousers is jersey, we opted for the cheapest basic possible (but with a nice look and a good quality).  Getting started in enduro or going for a walk on Sundays is more than enough.  And sincerely, it is more useful to put the budget in a helmet, boots, protections and gloves of quality rather than in a super expensive outfit.Probably one of the best enduro gloves on the market off-road, that this model E3 EVO of the French brand FIVE.  A CE approved glove with metacarpo-phalangian protective shell. Admittedly, you will be able to find cheaper in other brands, but we prefer to spend a few more euros on this item, because having tested them, we know that with FIVE gloves, you would benefit from exceptional comfort and that the risk of buying bulbs will be very reduced (this is the strong point of FIVE gloves).

The Mask

Another well-known and recognized brand with this mask model Strata 2 of 100%. As much for version 1 of the Strata the headband left something to be desired, because it was irreversibly relaxed after a few outings. Both for this version 2, the problem has been corrected and there is not much to complain about this mask admittedly entry-level, but very correct in terms of quality.In conclusion, although it may seem difficult to equip yourself from head to toe for less than €500, it is not impossible!   With a little research and patience, it is quite possible to find quality equipment at affordable prices, thus allowing enduro motorcycling enthusiasts to practice this sport without breaking the bank.