If you are new to mountain cycling, you’ll probably have noticed some things. Mountain cycling is a laugh. It’s addictive. Turns are splendid. Jumps are great. The ground is tough.
While many more experienced riders tend to pare down on the protective package – you’ll be aware maximum people rocking without doubt knee pads, gloves, and a decent helmet – an upward studying curve warrants, and certainly necessitates, protecting yourself from head to toe.
We’ve decided on a few of our favorites objects of safety for each body area. These are not in any manner the fine in terms of budget, but in case you cost your fitness and might prefer to get again on that horse once it’s bucked, we recommend searching at these or equivalents from other installed brands.
Ankles
661’s Race Brace Pro ankle help is the stuff of legend amongst people with wiry pins. They’re the first-rate in case you’re carrying antique harm, and those can also be determined at the toes of many top freeriders – the excellent assist allows them to cope with nagging injuries and big jumps.
There are few other ankle guards to be had, but in case you’re after something light-weight, then G-Form’s Pro Ankle Guard will deflect stray rocks and so on.
Knees
Scott’s Grenade knee pads are truely unbeatable in terms of their protection and luxury. They manipulate most coverage and deflection whilst retaining an excessive degree of flexibility. Many tough-shelled (much less bendy) pads without a doubt push off the knee upon effect, leaving bare skin to floor.
Full-period (knee and shin) pads are a bit out of style for present-day mountain bikers, as they may be a chunk restrictive and warm for pedaling; however, if gravity is your element, look to Leatt’s Hybrid EXT for some thing all-shielding.
At the other stop of the spectrum, for those carpark talent sessions, stash a knee pad or two below your denims, which includes G-Form’s Pro-X light-weight, especially flexible pads.
Hips and top legs
There are masses of very secure shielding undershorts available on the market, and Alpinestars’ Sequence Pro Short ticks all of the packing containers, presenting wonderful insurance whilst closing slender and bendy sufficient. Thighs, hips and coccyx are blanketed and you will neglect you are sporting them – until that sudden backflip.
Full higher body armour may be pretty restrictive for all-day pedaling; however, if you’re serious about maintaining your self on the path, then a vest with properly chest, spine and shoulder padding is a no brainer. Bliss Protection’s ARG Comp is up there with the first-rate: a bendy and narrow profile meet first-rate backbone, chest and shoulder insurance. It’s a touch heavy, however you’ll get used to it and thank your self whilst shoulder-barging the floor or a tree.
For something stripped lower back, Dainese’s Trailknit Pro-Armor Tee is basically a base layer with spine and shoulder pads, which is great for summertime trail rides.
Elbows
Elbow pads are a complex region to shield. While it appears critical to cowl them up, there are few producers who have controlled to make a pad that covers the elbows nicely and in reality stays on them. Some that do stay put can be restrictive across the forearm, which can cause sore palms on longer descents.
