Guide · Riding

What To Wear Under Motocross Gear

By Nested · Updated 20 October 2026

Wear snug, long-leg performance boxer briefs against your skin, knee braces with knee-brace socks over them, then pants and jersey. Skip cotton anywhere you sweat.

Layer By Layer

  1. Underwear. Long-leg boxer briefs in a moisture-wicking stretch fabric. The leg should reach far enough down the thigh to sit under the edge of your knee braces and stop the seat rubbing bare skin.
  2. Knee braces and socks. Knee-brace or over-the-knee moto socks go on first, then the braces, so the straps never touch skin.
  3. Pants. Riding pants over the braces. Check the fit with braces on - tight pants over braces add pressure points.
  4. Upper body. A light base layer or straight into your jersey, with chest protection or a neck brace over or under depending on the design.
  5. Boots last, over the socks and inside or outside the pant leg as your boots and pants are designed.

Why Underwear Is The Layer That Matters Most

It's the only layer touching your skin for the whole day. Every other piece of kit moves a little; if your underwear bunches, holds sweat or has a seam in the wrong place, you feel it on every landing and every time you sit down in a corner.

Look for three things: a fabric that moves sweat away, 4-way stretch so it moves with you on the pegs, and flat, shaped seams away from the inner thigh.

What Not To Wear

Quick Answers

Can I wear normal boxers for motocross?

You can, but loose cotton boxers bunch and hold sweat, which is what causes chafing. Snug, long-leg performance boxer briefs are far more comfortable over a full riding day.

Should underwear go under or over knee braces?

Under. Your underwear and knee-brace socks go on first, then the braces, then your pants.

Nested makes long-leg performance boxer briefs, raced at MXGP level. Shop motocross underwear or see the full range.

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