How to Stay Warm While Riding Your UTV in the Winter

During the winter months, many people prefer to keep their utility vehicles in storage. Riding a UTV in the cold months isn’t an activity that everyone is going to be interested in. However, plenty of powersports enthusiasts head over to the trails for a late-season adventure and families still enjoy off-roading when the weather takes a dip. As a matter of fact, the cold weather does bring a dilemma—how do you stay warm so that you can comfortably ride your UTV?

It’s important that you stave off hypothermia and frostbite by making smart choices about what you wear and how you outfit your vehicle for the cold. We have rounded up our top strategies for staying cozy in the cold weather below. 

For all your side-by-side needs, visit Maxey's Motorsports. We are conveniently located in Oklahoma City, OK, so stop by today!

Equip Your UTV with an Enclosed Cab

An enclosed cab is your best bet to stay warm while riding your UTV during the winter. Many manufacturers offer full cab enclosures as accessories. You can also find aftermarket options that work very well. There are two types of cab enclosures to consider. The first option is a hard panel enclosure with a solid door. If you get the entire enclosure as a kit, it’s likely to cost in excess of $2,500 and can go all the way up to $4,000.

These kits usually include a roof, windshield, solid rear panel, and full doors. In some cases, you may have to purchase everything piece by piece to enclose the cab. When looking at full enclosures like this, it’s important to look at the fit to get the best seal possible to keep out as much cold air as you can.

Install Heaters

Speaking of keeping away the cold, installing a heater can increase the enclosed cab’s temperature a few degrees so escaping from the cold is particularly effective. Side-by-side heaters also help keep the windshield from fogging up, which can otherwise create visibility and safety issues.

Of course, you’ll need to be careful about the type of heater you install as there are several options available. You can place one vent under the center of the dashboard or place multiple vents throughout the side-by-side. If you have the technical know-how about installing a heater, you can do it yourself, or you can always get in touch with the experts here at Maxey’s Motorsports.

Gear Up for the Cold

One of the easiest things you can do to stay warm is to dress for the weather. Instead of simply tossing a jacket on top of your street clothes, strategically layer what you wear to better insulate your body and trap more heat. Start with a wicking thermal underwear layer, then add fleece, wool, or polyester layers on top. Your final layer should be waterproof and wind-resistant without being too bulky or difficult to move around in. The advantage of this method is that you can add or remove layers to suit your comfort level if the weather changes.

A good cold-weather helmet can also go a long way in keeping you warm. Most have a full-face visor to keep the wind off your face, but it’s the added insulation that makes the most difference. They also have breath deflectors to prevent the face-shield from fogging up.

You may also consider a snowmobile helmet if you do a significant amount of cold weather UTV riding. Those can be had with heated face shields and built-in breath boxes to maintain perfect visibility in the worst conditions. If you don’t want to buy a new helmet, a good balaclava can be helpful. These are easily available and are not that expensive either.

You don’t have to stop riding your UTV, just because the temperature outside starts to drop. With the right amount of preparation, you can keep yourself warm. Plus, there’s nothing like a cup of hot coffee after a thrilling off-road adventure in the cold. If you’re looking for UTVs for sale in Oklahoma, stop by Maxey’s Motorsports. You’ll find us in Oklahoma City, where we proudly serve all those in Tulsa and Edmond, so get in touch with us today!