Thor Motocross Gear
With triple-digit temperatures the norm in much of the United States, the new Thor Phase Vented Raceware is the ideal apparel for off-road racing under the hot sun.
Not content to zip around at high-speed to test the apparel, we first took the Phase Vented gear out to our moto-trial riding area to see how well it worked under scorching conditions at walking speeds – that’s a true test of summer apparel.
The main component of any hot weather gear is the jersey. Modern jerseys already tend to be lightweight and pass a good amount of air, but the Phase Vented jersey ($30) punches things up a level. Using a polyester weave that is so wide that the jersey looks perforated, plenty air gets in and out. The micromesh construction also wicks away moisture, so your body stays comfortable.
We have tried summer jerseys that have even more ventilation, but the Phase Vented jersey retains a bit of necessary protection-there is even a welcome bit of elbow padding. It’s a good balance offered by Thor.
The raglan cut on the shoulder and sleeves is very much to our liking, as is the elasticized drop collar, which prevents any binding or irritation on the neck. Minimalist cuffs let the air flow up your arms, adding ventilation.
The Thor Phase Vented pants ($90) match the jersey nicely. A bit more substantial, due to their intended use-600D poly oxford construction with a 500D Kordura seat panel-the Phase Vented pants have the same type of air pass-through as the jersey.
Nearly perforated in appearance, there is also a pair of sewn-in mesh riding shorts integrated into the pants, which could allow you to select a lighter pair of undergarments. We stuck with what we normally use (bicycle-type shorts) and were incredibly comfortable.
At your ankles, there is no cuff and more highly vented material so you feet and lower legs can stay a bit cooler.

Just because it’s vented, it doesn’t mean the pants don’t have the high-end Phase features.
Immediately noticeable is the solidly locking ratchet-style waist closure. Beyond that, there are long expanses of Spandura stretch panels in the lower back, crotch, and knees. The pants are flexible enough for trials, which is a tough standard to meet. Large leather panels on the inside of the knees protect either side from hot parts. The cut is wide enough, of course, to accommodate knee braces.
Part of the Thor Phase family, but not the Vented series, is the Flow gloves ($27). As the name suggests, these lightweight gloves trade protection for comfort and airflow. A dimple mesh Q-Span backing and thin, single-layer Clarino palm are perfect for high temperature riding, as long as you don’t mind the minimalist impact protection (there is a bit for each finger, and here-and-there on the back of your hand).
Details on the Thor Flow gloves are amazing. All four fingers have tacky silicone, but your index and middle fingers get a few extra strips for a great feel on the levers. Not only that, but a very subtle strip of flexible material on the two aforementioned fingers make things just that much easier for your fingers and hands on long rides-excellent!
Add in Lite-Prene wrist construction that features stretch panels that extend in all directions, and you have a glove that fits exactly as it should. There’s no attachment mechanism; the Thor Flow gloves just slip on and off, and you barely notice them while they’re there.

Taken as a trio, the Thor Phase Vented jersey/pant combo and Flow gloves are the perfect apparel for the summer. You might pass on the Flow gloves for motocross for something more protective, but they are great for enduro and cross-country riding, providing you have handguards on your bars.
The Phase Vented pants and jersey come in Red Amazon and Blue Amazon color options. The jerseys run from S to XXXL, while the pants range from 28 to 44 waist sizes. The Flow gloves can be had in black, orange, purple, and red, in sizes from XS-XXL.
Thor has an impressive roster of racers in its stable, including Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto, desert ace Destry Abbott, Arenacross champion Jeff Gibson, GNCC’s Charlie Mullins, as well as motocrossers/supercrossers Blake Baggett, Mike Brown, Josh Hansen, Brett Metcalf, Jake Weimer, Broc Tickle, Dean Wilson, and Tyla Rattray. We suspect they had some important input into the design of the outstanding Thor Phase Vented apparel.