Track Tested | O’Neal 2020 Hardware Reflexx Gear

Track Tested | O’Neal 2020 Hardware Reflexx Gear

Price: $54.99 (jersey); $174.99 (pant) 

O’Neal is celebrating its 50-year-anniversary this year and the brand just dropped its complete line of 2020 riding apparel. At the top of the selection is the Hardware line, which has earned a reputation as the most bulletproof, long-lasting gear O’Neal makes. That being said, the Hardware pant has been the choice of vet and trail riders for years, as its heavy duty construction with plentiful sewn-in padding, generous stretch panels, and TPR logos has proven to stand the test of time. Conversely, elite motocross racers like Dean Wilson and Justin Hill have chosen to wear the brand’s mid-level Mayhem line due to its simpler construction, more athletic fit, and lighter weight. 

For 2020, the Hardware line was completely redesigned and lightened up. Simply put, the new O’Neal Hardware pant maintains the same appeal it’s always had, but has been refined enough to appeal to hard-core racers.

One of the trademark features of the Hardware pant has been its nylon belt waist fastener. In the past, the belt has looped all around the waist and was free-floating inside multiple belt loops. The new pant still maintains the infinitely adjustable Velco belt, but it is sewn into the pant on each side of the waist, which obviously saves some weight.

While the belt might seem simplistic in comparison to the rachet buckles, snaps, hooks, and buckles that some high-end pants from other manufacturers, we’ve decided that it is ingenious. Though no one on our staff has raced Supercross, we’re well aware of the problem that Supercross racers can have popping their pants open when seat bouncing jumps. There is no way that the Hardware belt will come undone during a seat bounce. Hell, it holds up to Dommer’s girth just fine!

The cut of the new Hardware pant is more athletic for 2020, and generous stretch panels allow the pant to have zero restriction while riding. The cut of the pant is designed in the riding position rather than straight, which makes it especially comfortable Vented panels allow air to enter and exit the pant while riding.

The cut of the knees is slim enough to fit well for knee cup users but has enough stretch built in them to work well with all knee braces. The stretch panel above the knee especially provides plenty of comfort and mobility. A TPR air intake in the thigh area is lined with vented mesh fabric and really does channel air into the pant.

Genuine leather panels on the insides of the knees offer both burn protection from the exhaust header, as well as great traction against the side of your bike. There really is a difference in the way leather knee panels grip the bike, and better control over the bike and conservation of energy is the byproduct. 

The Hardware jersey also has a more athletic cut than it used to, but is far from the slim cut of some top-line jerseys that cause less athletic riders to shy away. SImply put, the Hardware jersey now has a standard cut instead of the billowy relaxed cut of the past. 

Photo by Simon Cudby/Upshiftonline.com

All in all, the 2020 O’Neal Hardware pant and jersey are our favorite set of gear ever offered by O’Neal. We’ve ridden in our first kit over a half dozen times already, and it still looks brand new! If you haven’t checked out O’Neal gear before, now is the time.

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