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Hi all, new to the forum and trail riding so sorry if this is a tired subject.

I've been up Danbury a few times recently and loving it but after a minor off in the wet and noticing that most of the people there had some sort of protection on, I went to a bike store to buy some. The guy in the shop recommended Fox Launch Pro knee and elbow pads and said that I wouldnt need more than this just for trail riding so I brought these and headed back to Danbury. Got talking to a guy who said I should definately get full body armour as there are serious injuries to be had and knee and elbow pads wont be much kop if I come off over a jump or hit a tree. He was kind enough to let me try on his Fox Racing Titan jacket, I felt like Robocop but was impressed, as easy to put on and off and seemed to have protection everywhere, including a removable back plate. But I've seen people on motorbikes wearing less protection than this.

Just wondering what the views are on this and what sort of protection is common place (no condom jokes please!), as I want to start riding more frequently and am bound to come off again. Also, what gear can anyone recommend.

Thanks all.
Keith

Try on as many as you can, its very inportant to get a good fit.
I dont do all that jumpy stuff, but when i go to CYB or Chicksands etc, i look like robocop, even when just doing normal riding in new places i'd still use knee pads.

I use a 661 pressure suit when i ride at danbury.

i have stacked loads of times down there and it has saved me from bigger injuries loads of times

chain reaction sell them nice and cheap

the 2012 edition has a longer skirt to it so is one i'd love to pick up as my 2008-9 one ends up like a crop top.

Oh yeah i forgot to add mine is a alpine stars body suit one.

To pad or not to pad.

Surely this is personal preference and depends on the terrain.

When I pop out locally for a XC ride I normally just wear my 661 padded knee pads, easy to ride in and lightweight flexible, didnt used to bother with a helmet but now have a nice Fox Flux one so wear that.

I also have the full 'kit', 661 hard knee/shin and elbow/forearm pads and Spesh Deviant full face, the only time I really wear all of it has been on holiday in Morzine/Les Gets, where the full kit is pretty much the standard so much so that people with minimal protection anmd trail/Xc helmets really stand out..i find it gives you a level of confidence that helps, plus the dry/hard surface on the Les Gets runs would cause some damage even if you fell off at slow speed.

Danbury is the only place locally where Ive worn my full face and knee/shin pads.

Ive got some Alpine Stars MX trousers too which are nicely padded all over.

Personally I think compression suits and neck braces are a bit overkill but all depends what and how you are riding. If you look at most pro riders they normally only have knee pads of the soft variety (perhaps the newish ones that harden on impact), and a full face helmet.

Not forgetting gloves..I cant see how anyone can ride without them, not just for protection but I feel naked without them, plus in Les Gets this year I managed to get a blister even whilst wearing them.

Andy

Ive never understood why people only wear knee pads. You have a million times more chance of slicing your shins than banging your knee.


Anyway, pressure suits do restrict you. Id never wear one riding anything other than DH.
It all depends on what you ride really. When I ride DH I wear the lot. Shin supports, knee pads, shins, gloves, alpinestar armour and full face. But then Ive broken enough bones to scare myself into wearing it all.
My ankle supports get worn whatever I ride. When going wonky, you always put a foot down, and these have saved me from popping an ankle many times.
I wear my big chunky knee pads more often that not, but then with the metal in my knee, Ill be fucked if I bang it hard again.

I always wear my knee/shin pads and full forearm/elbow pads, plus gloves and full face.

Even at sandy soft chicksands or gnarly ol' Danbury.

I've lost count the amount of times that my shins have been saved and I just cannot imagine how much worse my broken arm would've been without my arm pads. i seriously reckon I would have pins and metal stuff in my elbow.

The full face has saved my face properly at least four times where I probably would've had a broken jaw or similar.

I couldve done with a chest protector when I broke a couple of ribs going large once though.

It all depends on your riding. If you like to get flat out/pretty fast and get air then you'll come off soon and need good full on garb, but if you're just out for a fun ride and relatively skilled then you probably just need the basic stuff.

For info, I go balls out, and as such, I wear some full face lid, I wear DH fox knee/shin and RaceFace arm/elbow guards and very decent gloves- although my latest spill has me thinking I need to tone it down a bit now I have bills to pay and a professional image to maintain....lol

+1

Only ever worn knee pads unless on an uplift day - until a few months ago. Smashed my shins 2 weeks running and hurt like hell, so ditched the knee pads for proper knee/shin protection.

Body armor doesn't save you from breaking your bones, but protects you from cuts and bruises!
Just find a pressure suit that you find comfy, POC do some nice ones

Thanks for your replies all, going to go with the Fox Racing Titan, better to be safe than sorry i suppose, and i like the back plate as knackered this before. also ordered some RaceFace Rally Knee/Shin pads.

At the end of the day, Id suggest not spending a fortune on your first lot of pads, yoy may try a few different brands/sizes untill you find ones that are comfy and offer good protection.

Andy

My advice is definitely get a pressure suit with a moulded back protector the stiff ones are annoying

this is my current one, back plate is too stiff



this is a 2012 much better design

+1

I've got the 2011 one on my Christmas list only £100 from chainreaction [url][/url]http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Original/57601.jpg

Is that one as long as the 2012 one r14n ?