Sizing MX pants over knee braces.

Knee braces are the most common reason riders email us about sizing. MORSA RACEWEAR is a Dutch motocross gear brand that makes jersey and pants sets to order, with the rider's name and number sublimated into the fabric. Because a set is made for you, the size you type at checkout is the size you get. This is how to get it right the first time.

Do MX pants fit over knee braces?

Yes. MORSA pants are designed to go over knee braces, and most riders who wear braces order their usual waist size. A brace adds bulk at the knee and the lower thigh, not at the waist, so the waist measurement that picks your size does not change when you put a brace on. What changes is how much room the leg needs to close around the hinge and the straps.

How does a brace change the fit?

Two ways. First, the knee of the pant has to open wide enough to go over a hinged frame, and then sit comfortably when you bend. Second, the brace straps sit on the thigh and calf, so a pant that is tight through the thigh pulls against the top strap every time you stand on the pegs. A correctly fitted brace is snug on its own: EVS, a brace manufacturer, says a properly sized brace "should stay in place without restricting circulation or causing discomfort", with the brace "centered directly over your kneecap when your leg is slightly bent" (EVS fitting guide). Fit the brace to the manufacturer's chart first. Then fit the pant over it, never the other way round.

Should I size up for a brace?

Only in two cases. If you sit between two waist sizes, take the larger one. If your usual pants are slim fit, or you ride with a bulky brace and already find your current pants tight through the thigh, go one size up. A slightly roomy waist is fixed with the ratchet closure; a tight thigh is not fixed by anything.

If you ride a slim brace and your usual size fits with room through the thigh, stay with your usual size. Sizing up when you do not need to gives you a baggy knee that bunches behind the hinge.

What about youth sizes?

Youth pants run Y22 to Y28 and youth jerseys YS to YXL, with their own tables in the size guide. The same rule applies: pick by waist, size up when between sizes or when a brace fills the thigh. Young riders grow between ordering and the next season, so if the measurement is on the border, the larger size is the safer buy. A youth set is €210 with the Rider ID included, exactly like the adult set.

How do I measure?

Use a soft tape measure. Measure your waist where the pants will sit, snug against the skin or a base layer, not pulled tight and not over a belt. Measure your chest at the widest point for the jersey. Read both numbers off the size guide: jersey S to 3XL, pants 30 to 40, each piece picked separately. If you already own pants that work over your brace, measure their waistband flat and double it; that number is the one to match.

Then do the brace test in your current pants: put the brace on, pull the pants over it, and squat. If the fabric locks against the hinge or the top strap, you are a size up at MORSA.

What if I get it wrong?

You can change the size free of charge until your run closes on Friday at 12:00 Amsterdam time. After that the order is final, so measure on Thursday. If you are still unsure, send us your waist, chest, height and the brace you ride; we answer with one size, not a range. The FAQ covers the rest of the sizing questions.