MXA TEAM TESTED: 2022 O’NEAL HARDWEAR GEAR

WHAT IS IT? With roots that go back to 1970, O’Neal has continued to be a staple brand in the motocross industry. The Hardwear lineup is O’Neal’s premier motocross kit, known best over the years for its durability and style.

WHAT’S IT COST? $54.99 (jersey), $189.99 (pant). 

CONTACT? www.oneal.com or (800) 426-3300. 

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the 2022 O’Neal Hardwear gear.

(1) Jersey. New for 2022, the Hardwear jersey is lighter than any other O’Neal jersey in history at only 6 ounces for an adult large. It has an athletic fit with Pro-Lite performance four-way stretch fabric used throughout the body and two-way stretch fabric used in the sleeves. The tail extends 2-1/2 inches in the rear to keep the jersey tucked in, and it features a vented and tagless neck collar. The material throughout the jersey is composed of 100-percent polyester, and it is breathable and moisture-wicking to keep you cool on the track.

(2) Pant. The 2022 O’Neal Hardwear pant has a new chassis with durable and lightweight fabrics that are integrated with stretch panels to improve rider comfort and mobility on the track. The ergonomic pre-curved leg design conforms to the ideal riding position, and the four-way stretch knees and calves fit great with big knee braces. There are laser-cut perforations for airflow and lightweight rubber patches at the knees that offer protection, increased air flow and a surface for cleaning gloves after they get muddy. The Hardwear pant has a 360-degree Velcro belt that’s sewn into the waistband to ensure a snug fit. There is also a hidden zippered pocket, great for carrying a smartphone. The inner knee panels have premium leather patches, and the pant is triple stitched in the critical areas. 

(3) Performance. The new 2022 O’Neal Hardwear gear is the most comfortable Hardwear gear we’ve worn. These new pants were inspired by the Limited-Edition O’Neal Prodigy gear. The jersey is lightweight and breathable. We love the all-black look of the Classic gear, and even though it’s primarily black, it breathes well enough to wear on a warm day. For hot summer days, try O’Neal’s Hardwear Air gear, which features vented mesh fabric. The wraparound Velcro belt ensures that your pants stay up, even when using a gripper seat cover. Plus, the mesh inner liner stops at the knee, not hindering flexibility. 

(4) Durability. For years O’Neal Hardwear gear had a reputation as the most durable motocross gear on the market, but it wasn’t as lightweight or flexible as test riders would have liked. The 2022 Hardwear gear has a great balance of performance and durability. 

(5) Options. The O’Neal Hardwear gear comes in the Haze design, which is available in three different colors and in the black and white Classic design that we really like. The jersey sizing ranges from small to double extra large, while the pants range from 28- to 42-inch sizes.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? The new Hardware gear is almost perfect, but it did sacrifice durability in one spot. The nylon material behind the knees, next to the inner leather panels, ripped quickly. Thankfully, this area is almost always hidden and isn’t noticeable. 

MXA RATING: The O’Neal Hardwear gear took a big step forward in 2022. It’s now lighter and more flexible than before while still maintaining the strong and durable chassis that it has been known for. 

 

You might also like

Comments are closed.