How Much Protection Should You Wear For Mountain Biking? | MTB Body Armour Explained

Body armour can come in many different guises these days, and as riding and racing has evolved over the years so has the protection we wear but do you really need it? What's best to wear? Here is Rich, with the help of two time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel, to help explain.
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Leave us a comment below!

[@middleagedmtber2164]

I'm 53 and wear body armor . I get some strange looks but when I fall off the bike I can get back up ,thanks to body armour from leatt .

[@garrythehamster]

I'm 45, and I'm experiencing same strange looks... 🤣 I don't care, it gives me confidence and my crashes are comfy 😅

[@kyleslater5245]

Yep being able to get back up is important. I’m not quite that age but I’m probably the second most geared out of my riding group (haven’t got a comfortable neck brace/back protection set yet)

[@rogerh6702]

I'm 39 and just getting into mountain biking. But it takes me so long to recover from injeries in other sports at my age. So I'm currently gearing up with knee pads and body armour as I'm going faster and hitting bigger obsticles.

[@Nineteenstarsabove]

I dont whar other people say! I wanna ride longer so i wear full body armor, best knee an elbow pads there is.

[@mikerbwind]

Body armour on every ride. Roost tee and knee pads open face and gloves on Forest type trails but full short sleeve jacket and full face on more gnarly and rocky terrain. For jump practise I also wear shin pads

[@andyjonathan2486]

I always ride my XC bike in medieval chainmail. Whilst shredding the gnar I recite Shakespearean sonnets.

[@ctallball3308]

To protect or not to protect, is the question?

[@InsufficientSleep]

Wearing armour have saved me from a lot of hospital trips. On my DH bike I wear a back, front and flank protector, full face helmet, elbow and knee pads, gloves and ankle braces. Not that long ago I sent a drop too far and the landing didn't stick very well. I ended up going backwards off the next ledge that came straight after the first one and on to my back. Big scratch marks and torn off pieces from my back protector, helmet and elbow pads. The armour paid for it self in that crash alone.

[@kats7218]

Thanks for the testimonial! Which brands do you favor? What ankle braces provide good maneuverability with protection ? I’ve broken both ankles+

[@InsufficientSleep]

@@kats7218 it's a mix between brands. Leatt, Race Face, Oneal and TSG. I'm using the TSG ankle braces.

[@Leroy115]

Wow! Good to hear. Full sends!!!

[@nicoleilechie3789]

As a beginner rider who doesn’t do jumps or anything of the like lol do you think simple full face, elbow and knee pads and gloves will suffice ? Just green circle/line downhill

[@badaruuuu]

@@nicoleilechie3789 eight months late but in my opinion, if you are staying off of jumps/tech and staying at a relatively low speed the only absolutely necessary pads are a half shell helmet and knee pads. although I always wear gloves to prevent blisters

[@MortenProm]

Back protector saved me from a broken back. After a fall I had 6 broken ribs and a broken shoulder blade just outside the protected area! Wish I had some shoulder protectors too, could have kept my ligament from tearing. It looks so strange when my clavicle sticks out of my shoulder an inch :)

[@jacob.rausch]

thank god. my dad broke his back and he was on couch or floor for about 7 months. Then built his strength back up over 4 more months (about) to where he was able to go to work but had to stand only at work for another 2 years. And really only sat while in the car. And still cant sit straight or run. edit: and now hes getting back into mtb at 52

[@pawellarisch5376]

i feel u with the clavicle sticking out.. got both

[@boxednerd]

Yeah, bro. That sucks... I feel you. My clavicle broke and never set right. Now, I get chaffing when I wear a backpack too long.

[@frankmilkovics7598]

I had a pretty sick wreck a few weeks back and landed on my back on a 4x8 piece piece of wood, i had a padded TLD vest with the padded back, a few friends made jokes about my protection and that it was an overkill. , i did bust a couple of ribs and i'm great full i had it on, things can happen in an instant. I've learned that it doesn't matter what people think, i'm going to do what makes me feel safe.

[@mmoesby]

Bodyprotection comes just as natural for Me as wearing a helmet. I´m 55 and accept My balance and agility is not the same as it used to be. Riding My MTB is a great way for Me to get out and have fun, but I never compromise My safety.

[@Roadnuts86]

As I get older (44), I’m realizing the importance of wearing protective gear. I used to think it was only for downhill or pro guys and girls, but wearing gear has given my the extra confidence I need to explore more with my bike, like drops and jumps that I never thought I’d tackle. Well, that and the great advice that I’ve gotten from GMBN!

[@fpainchaud350]

Body armour all the way! I wear the Race Face T-shirt style armour with D30 material as back plate and shoulders. I'm 58, and I need to be able to be "at the office" on Mondays.

[@Mububban23]

Same here, I'm the breadwinner and quite simply can't afford to be off work, I've had some crashes but my hardshell knee/shin and elbow protectors kept me intact. I would have shattered my shin bones on some rocks if not for them.

[@Mestizolo]

I'm 37 and started riding XC in 2019. Now I'm more into DH and have had some injuries since I started (both wrists, collar bone and have hit my head several times). Now I wear everything, Knee and shin protection, impact shorts, elbow gards, gloves with knuckle protection, chest and back protection, wrist brace, neck brace and a full face helmet. I wear everything under the jersey and under the pants so I really don't get strange looks. Additionally, my skill level has not stop improving. Body armour gives me so much confidence.

[@loisbeigli]

i am 58, freeride and enduro and crash often. depending on the trail i wear full knee/shin hardshell(foxaunch pro) elbows and either a camelback with back protection or short sleeve jacket with shoulder pads. i am lucky i can keep riding the black trails and survive to keep riding another day! cheers from Tucson , arizona

[@jaefrmbk2k]

💪🏾

[@SkinnyNinny]

I recently fell over my bars, I landed quite lucky and didn't break anything but all the scratches hurt so much I couldn't move properly for days. since then I never went on a Trail without protection again.

[@SkinnyNinny]

@MTB for Life I was at a hill, my rear brake didn't work, my front tire blocked and then i yeeted myself 2 meters over my bars.

[@dreadsanddirt5966]

Local singletrack=helmet and gloves. Jumps lines and more aggressive trails=knee and elbow pads. Bike park=full face and the crash tee. All crashes suck, but they don't all have to hurt or end in injury. Let the guy who's busted up and benched for three months worry about how I look fully geared up.

[@dfct9494]

I mean I go for just knee pads and a full face for bike parks, I find that like 95% of the time elbow pads don't really cover where you crash and feel awkward all the time.

[@petesahad3028]

@@dfct9494 It's the 5% that costs you your season. Trust me🙄

[@Mububban23]

No matter how gnarly or mild the terrain is, if anyone makes fun of what someone else is wearing, they are being a dickhead. Riders should wear what they're comfortable in. If you want to wear full armour and a full face helmet to ride XC, and lug the weight around and get hot, but it makes you feel safe and more confident, good for you. If someone wants to hit a downhill park in shorts and a t shirt, good for them. Don't make fun of people for armouring up, and don't feel like you should NOT wear protection in case someone makes fun of you. Because it's your skin and bones that'll need to heal after a crash, and someone's opinion of you won't help you then.

[@andymoss4285]

You only wear protection when you’re doing something cool 😎

[@jrc0004]

I took a serious OTB at North Star downhill park about 4 weeks ago. Broke my radius and now have plates, screws and pins. Wearing full face bell MIPS, and it saved my head and face. I had FOX padded vest on that has protection 360 that absorbed a lot of impact. Knee pads also. If not for vest, I would have occurred many more injuries, no doubt. They had to cut the FOX vest off in ER. Need to replace at $200 and contact Bell for discount on crash replacement helmet that probably saved my life. $500 well spent, and will spend again. Come, our bike cost 5k plus...

[@jeremiaschajtur2624]

I came back to mtb from off road Big Trail motorcycles just so I can master the wheelie and manual before doing that on a 250 kilos two wheeler. Grown so accustomed to full body armor (Enduro boots, CE level 2 knees, hips, elbows, shoulders and back plus a full face helmet), this changed my perspective on PPE around, I used to ride mtb with only a helmet back in the day but now I feel naked going down the trails like that. Just this weekend I bought knee + elbow pads and shinguards... I just couldn't push myself to go fast or even jump whithout them now that I have taken some dives on my big trail and have the PPE save my skin more than once... it just unnatural (and kinda dumb) to do it

[@McSchwabl]

For skiing a backprotector is almost as normal as a helmet. And I think it will also be a part of biking in the near future. I just got a bluegrass backprotector and I dont even feel it

[@SimonBauer7]

true might invest in one sooner or later though i dont really go fast or push it i am more about relaxed skiing

[@ivarnilsen6849]

I use the same full Demon D30 Vest for both biking and snowboarding. It stinks up twice as fast but it means I'm very used to wearing it since it's on all year.

[@musicluva2023]

I'm glad I wantched this as I assumed they were all thick bulky heavy plastic cases but actually it looks quite comfortable so I'm going to have to look at investing

[@MtbDan85]

Immediately after watching this with you I bought a back protector

[@computerbob06]

Years ago, I bought a SixSixOne full armour jacket from an MTB store because they were cheaper from there over the specialist winter sports shops, as I was getting serious with my snowboarding! I was glad I did, because when I hit a tabletop doing a 360 while going for a grab, I rotated landing on my bent back! I pulled every tendon in my lower back but the doctor said that without the armour I would have likely broken my back! Nowadays, I'm trying to get back into MTB riding and feel that as well as the protection it provides, the armour will give me the confidence to hit the jumps, just as it gave me the confidence to get back onto the board! Don't care what anybody thinks - and if they ask, I'll tell them about my friend who spent a month 'in traction' laying on his back not being to move an inch!

[@ze_pilot]

I only got full body armor after breaking a rib. I was terrified afterwards, but now that I’m a little better protected, I think the additional confidence is contributing to my progression

[@Joshleslie871]

Yo I know this is a late ass response, but I just broke a rib in a crash and I’m hoping to pad up my ribs when I finally get back out. What did you find that you felt gave good rib protection?

[@ze_pilot]

@@Joshleslie871 I won’t tell you exactly what to get because the feel is different for everyone. The comfort/protection or risk/reward varies as well. When I first got body armor, I got a full moto chest and shoulder protector. It was hard plastic and when I fell, I didn’t feel a thing. However, for it to fit right, it was snug. It was difficult to take deep breaths, hindered my movement, and was hot as hell. The next one I tried which is the one I’m using now is an alpine star chest and shoulder protector. It’s a lot lighter, easier to move in, breaths well and I can actually wear it under my jersey. It leaves a lot to be desired in the way of protection though. I’ve even broken two more ribs wearing this one. When I find something more in the middle, I’ll likely give it a try. Another thing to keep in mind, as I said in my original comment, I’ve made a lot of progress in skills that would’ve been difficult to achieve had I not padded up. I still wear my full gear at big downhill parks, but I recently found myself at a park where just a couple years ago, I had kitted up to the gills, but this time was more than comfortable in just a half shell and kneepads. Hope it helps and I wish you a speedy recovery!

[@jeffv.akaonsjeffke9865]

I would spend more on gear if it was not so abusively expensive. Protective gear should be held at a reasonable price so more people would have access to it.

[@Chris-de2qc]

It's worth the investment. buy that vs upgrading your bike

[@stevehaigh8260]

Thinking outside the box can help, a rugby tackle shirt is so similar to the lightweight mtb ones..... But a fraction of the cost. £20 versus £80

[@ww2736]

Everything in mtb is crazy overpriced, almost puts me off the sport tbh.

[@stevencole7331]

@@stevehaigh8260 Yep you can get Moto gear also and it's fairly cheap

[@Chris-de2qc]

@@ww2736 bike helmet kneepads. That's all you need!

[@theknights1512]

I know it’s not body armour, but I had brain surgery and the point where they went through my skull was around the temple - exactly where most open face helmets end their protection. I didn’t want to go full face, but the Giro Tyrant is just perfect to cover that area and give me a bit more confidence.

[@sandy_knight]

I've broken my back before (not MTB related) and have a load of Mechano holding a couple of my vertebrae apart so I have an extra reason to wear back protection. I'm also one of those weirdos who (almost) always rides with a rucksack, Depending on the ride I carry tools, a hydration bladder, lunch, extra layers etc. For those reasons I ride with an Evoc Protector bag. It spreads the weight really well so you almost forget you're carrying anything in it. I recently looped out pulling a manual roll while I had my D lock in the bag, I bruised the sh*t out of my arse but my back was absolutely fine :-) One piece of body armour I wouldn't wear is elbow protection, partly because I've only ever injured my elbow once in 25 years of MTB and also because if I'd been wearing elbow pads at the time it would have made things worse! My buddy stopped in front of me and I collided with him, went OTB with arms out stretched and he landed on my arm, hyper-extending/dislocating it at elbow. Elbow protection would have over extended my arm even more!

[@stevencole7331]

I have broke ribs and collar bone and those injuries seem to be common so a full jacket is probably best . If speed is your game or technical downhills more protection is better . We as humans don't like to be restricted and take comfort over protection and I am included in that mindset .

[@TheButlerNZ]

On trail motorbikes I used to ride with a full leather jacket... As I upgraded to a YZ250, I downgraded to long sleeve MX shirts but added MX body armour... the downside, very little forearm protection. I found Kids hockey shin pads (with ankle protection) fitted perfectly in my sleeves and gave excellent outside lower forearm protection. I used to ride skateboards back in the 70-80's (back when tic-tac-toe was about the only trick) so was used to face planting in a press-up muscleman type posture (or shoulder tuck n roll). With these pads I damaged them quite badly but never had any damage to my arms... (Not that I didn't try, with bouncing off trees or supermaning off the track into the undergrowth). Chest armour was a definate plus.. impaled on a branch a couple of times with no damage... Now I ride MTB and I'm back to near naked... Bare arms, helmet and gloves, often fingerless but always leather palm. Maybe at 53 I should go the forearms again...

[@lanista78]

An area that is often overlooked is the abdominal, source of the worst accidents around liver area with massive internal bleeding risk coming from hits with handlebars. Doesn't happen often, but when it happens, it is very very bad, with long intensive care stay, potential loss of life etc.

[@djgenadeloos5893]

I just bought the poc vdp torso for this reason... Not super bulky but protective in this area 👌hope I won't be needing it 🤣

[@steveharper4017]

Bust a rib last month so just got first upper body armour from TLD. At 52 I can't be taking time off work to recover from injuries, mouths to feed and bills to pay. Bikes and trails are faster these days for sure, been mountain biking since 93.

[@BikeDrFrankenstein]

I'm 42 and I wear a full armored jacket and shorts to take out the trash and get the mail😁! You just never no when a MTB accident can happen lol! We all really should be wearing personal protection no matter how good/bad we ride. Not because something is going to happen, but if it does we should want our bodies protected as much as possible. This is the older wiser me though, the younger, not as wise, thought I was unbreakable me never wore protection.

[@vemvdotnet]

I'm super happy with my Evoc Trail Pro backpack, it has level 2 protection and yet I barely notice I have it on, so I make a point of using it on every ride no matter how safe. It's smaller than dedicated back protector though, which I'd wear instead on bike parks.

[@JuanPalomoM]

Wear as much protection as you can while still remaining agile and comfortable . It varies depending on rider and condition. I barely wear protection since i tend to ride alone, and i do not want anything giving me extra confidence and chancing a crash. When i go for a harder downhill run (only accompanied, a lone crash is a horrible ordeal), its the full set for me!

[@snbsmtb]

Great video Rich. This video really helped me!!

[@phantoxs1375]

Currently I'm XR rider. But after having problems with the knees, I feel afraid riding my bike with out them. Some people have laughed about it. But I didn't care because its my health. Have crashed few times. But those knee pads were a savior.

[@johnnylong2049]

Just riding home after dark on regular road going 20mph fractured my left elbow and right wrist. I was on an ebike. Full protection is necessary even on normal rides. I learn my lesson.

[@stephenkeller174]

4 weeks ago had a pretty big crash on a big table on Freight Train at Whistler. While I did break 2 ribs my crash shorts protected my hip and thigh (still hurt but impact distributed) and my neck brace protected my neck while wearing a full face DH helmet (even when I did have a concussion). Armor makes a difference (I have Leatt full jacket, crash shorts, both w/ D30, and neck brace). Already back riding thanks to great protection. Like the patrol who helped me said…it’s not if you fall but when and how hard. Might as well minimize it to get back on the bike sooner.

[@anteroprazeres2831]

I am a fan of full face helmets and I use knee and elbow protection when on bike parks and big gnarly trails. I always use a poc backpack with back protection but the last badly planned jump that ended up in a crash made me think again on what to wear. Fortunately i didn't broke anything but got some scratches on back and forearms. As i am 45 and still progressing on the sport i am planning to buy a body armour as well. Not full but mainly with chest and back. From my point of view head and back are 2 parts of my body that i cannot live without 😂😂

[@mitchw7378]

I bought the Scott Airflex vest as it was one of the few sleek level 2 back protectors I could get in a soft material. The local downhill and jump line where I live are quiet aggressive and rocky, and I can't put a price on my spine.

[@guitarrepair86]

I crashed last year hard, broke ribs etc. now I use body protection on every ride. Having a spot for a Hydration bladder is a plus as well, no need for a back pack.

[@garioch_gravel_rider7376]

I always wear knee pads, gloves and protective t-shirt with back, chest and shoulder protection. Thankfully not needed it yet but guarantee the day I don't wear it i'll wish I had!

[@chrislim1043]

Hi what tee shirt protector you're using. I bought the leatt arfit lite but it is too hot for me but i like where the pads are placed i feel so protected but i was riding at 60f and it is to hot for me still.

[@garioch_gravel_rider7376]

@@chrislim1043 Hi Chris - I have an O'Neil one - mine is quite hot in the summer too but living in Scotland we don't get too many hot days!

[@mtbville]

Light weight body armor shirts or jackets are quality stuff 👍 always wear them in bike parks. Back protector on trails 🤙

[@D3xt3r_MTB]

Body Armour Jacket/crash shorts for bike parks. Always wear knee and lighter elbow pads regardless on any off road ride and normally wear a rucksack with back protector on longer rides. Just invested in the vest style back protector for my local trails where I tend to travel a bit lighter. Love MTB but @46 I don't bounce so well any more and sometimes sh!t happens :-) Always better to use it and not need it.....

[@Paul-oe9sy]

for park i use a fox titan jacket along with knee and hip pads and it's worked well in a few spills so far. I think some riders aren't wearing enough gear because of the cost. I hope prices start coming down soon so everyone can afford the right stuff.

[@jimmyhopkins9497]

Cost is my issue. I started riding a few months before covid19 hit and lockdowns started. That crap ruined me financially. The last two years have been a struggle just maintaining the bike much less upgrades or gear. God forbid I trash my helmet.

[@andrec.136]

I have had quite a few falls but two bad crashes and I am tired of the pain and recovery. The last crash bruised a kidney. I have since then ordered an armour shirt and I am not doing any black trails or anything too gnarly until it arrives. I usually ride with proper shoes, knee and elbow pads, shin guards and full finger gloves. Sometimes a full face helmet.

[@senorcharrleh5146]

I have health issues with my spine, mainly chronic degenerative disc disease and i also have spinal stenosis C3-C6... so i wear a back protector & a neck brace on every ride no matter if it's a xc bimble or at the bike park. I don't care if anyone else thinks i look silly i'm doing what i need to do to protect myself.

[@Acceleronics]

My most recent crash resulted in "several" (according to the hospital report) broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung. I was not going particularly fast. It was an OTB somersault that dumped me on my back on top of a domed rock. Now I wear my Troy Lee Shock Doctor unless I'm 100% sure there's no chance for a repeat.

[@frustratedalien666]

I have suffered a concussion while riding a fully rigid 1990s style mountain bike on a straight road back in the early 2000s. I have had many serious accidents, like when a stray dog decided to jump in front of my bike out of the bushes while I was going 20 km/h, but it is always the concussion that keeps popping up in my head. I was minding my own business, going relatively slowly when the chain snapped, got stuck in my back wheel and sent me to the ground. Of course, this was early 2000s in Asia and I don't think I'd ever seen anyone wearing helmets. It taught me a lesson and now I ride with a full face helmet, knee and elbow protection, and back and chest protection while I am out on my trail bike. Despite the weird looks I've received, I still wear the full face helmet while on my gravel bike. Once bitten twice shy, yeah?

[@richardpeet6829]

First area of body armor is the helmet. Never ride without this armor. Some hydration packs with lite frames work fine as back plates but are not certified. This is what I use for recreational trail use. Knee protection I feel should be the second area for mtb'ers because simple common road rash to the knees from a crash can take a year before the full skin thickness will be restored. Soft protection such as pants are better than no protection, aka shorts. A t-shirt or long sleeve spandex actually offers a lot of protection compared to just skin.

[@never2late_mtb349]

A couple of nasty offs caused me to injure my ribs in the same place. Nothing broken, but really painful and took a long time to heal. As well as ending my day there and then. I hunted around and plumped for a Troy Lee vest. I liked that I could remove some pads where I didn't need them. But it covered the area that I'd damaged, which many didn't. it's a pretty warm bit of kit, but overall it's comfortable and I can, and have, worn it all day. I think knee and elbow pads go without saying. What should have just been a dented ego turns into something a lot nastier. Again, day brought to an abrupt end. XC or pump track, just elbow and knee pads for me. Hit the woods for some DH, then on with the padded vest. It won't save you from a really bad crash, I saw one guy go down on the South Downs and break a collar bone. But to add insult to injury, his unprotected knees and elbows were badly gashed from going down on the chalk and flint.

[@rangertommy]

I'm 65, and I like to go fast. But the worst crashes I've had over the years have been slower speed crashes doing XC riding. I just recently bought a LEATT AirFit Lite Body Tee, and plan to use it on most rides (in addition to elbows and knees). You could say it's a bit of overkill, but hey...I've had so many close calls between mtb and rock climbing through the years, that upping the odds in my favor isn't a bad idea.

[@oliverpernillo9834]

I see that most riders don’t wear elbow pads, even pro riders don’t, I don’t get it why not!!! I feel naked without all my gear on, I rather to be safe and that makes me feel more comfortable on rock gardens, jumps and drops.

[@_TheDeanMachine]

While practicing some manuals around the neighborhood I fell on my tailbone and couldn't walk for almost a month. from now on I always wear tailbone and hip protection wherever I ride. That's in addition to my knee pads and elbow pads

[@ridvan61usa]

I am resting in my bed after collorbone surgery last week. I love the support and not being too aggressive but I am now afraid to go back. I cannot afford another surgery, so I do not care how I will look, I want to get the protection so I can go back to trails when I fully recovered

[@rockbore]

Dude! Practicing my daily trackstand skills yesterday. Wobbled, fell, still don't know why. Anyway, fell and reached out a gloved hand, while wearing my helmet, and the only 2 stalks of hogweed almost took out my eye. Skinned my face pretty good. Both stalks were around knee high. What is the lesson here? I do not know. Just to say that the cosmos can hurt you at any time, not just on the gnarly sketch, sometimes the flat tarmac free from traffic and standing still a moment before.

[@SimonBauer7]

wear goggles or glasses i guess? to minimize the risk of something poking your eye out. me wearing glasses due short sightedness has saved me a couple of times from a branch poking my eyes out

[@rockbore]

@@SimonBauer7 I will dane to done the goggles for track persuits, occasionally. Only a full face would've saved me. The angle of attack came from below, up my face. Beware the hogweed, it's like rebar.

[@iljafirmovas2654]

I'm wearing Leat Chest Protector 4.5 kinda moto style, and its really feels great on climbs and descents :)

[@mrshinypant]

Is the "CE" a global standards? I live in CA so was curious. Just started this sport, I'm 29 y/o, and I like protection lol.

[@jenniferdanbury8419]

Really useful footage, back protection is new to me in Mtb. Just started bike parking. I would like to see some advice for women's body armor. we are different shapes in vest. I can't see a lot of evidence online of many options. Wondering what women should buy?? Also as I am moving from motorbike to mountain biker. I have useful kept well armor (D30) spine protection that I would love to continue using in a new Mtb vest. Can we buy vest seperate to armor? I want to reuse this as otherwise it will end up in my loft! Many thanks for your footage, jen :)

[@danjohnson9705]

My riding shorts have thigh and tailbone pads and my quench pack has a built in back protector, so I'm always covered there. I'm also *always* wearing a full-face helmet unless road riding (cringe). When I'm riding downhill I go to long pants with integrated knee pads and usually lose the pack in favor of a padded full-shirt/jacket since i can get water at the bottom.

[@InfusedMaltesers]

Great video, I literally came off on the forest of dean jump line last weekend, just going to get a decent full jacket 🤣

[@markstorer7204]

I used to wear a back protector on my motorcycle, but don't bother on my mtb as I don't feel I ride aggressive trails........that,said I wear knee protection and at times a full face helmet.....so maybe I need to dig out my motorcycle back protector and wear it too, as.its the vest type it probably wouldn't be too much of a problem 👍

[@peter572]

I am 58 (former MTB amateur athlete) and I am wearing a Leatt full body armour, Ossur carbon knee braces and a full face helmet (Bell or TLD carbon) plus a Leatt neck brace on rough terrain. Recently, I was hit by a car as I was getting out of a bicycle park. I was lucky to escape injury. Now I plan to wear on every ride the neck brace despite the strange looks from fellow cyclists, plus extra knee pads and additional back protection. I am about to buy the Evoc Neo 16. All gear should add to extra 6-8 kg. Any comments?

[@prawnis]

I always wear a lightweight vest, as long as im on a actual mtb trail. It has saved me from broken ribs multiple times over. Couldent recommend enough

[@jakobholm1847]

Getting older and healing slower. Some injuries seem to not heal at all now. But I don't want it to keep me off the bike. I wear gloves plus back, elbow, and knee protection (and helmet of course) even going on shorter low key trips on my home trails. Do I sweat? Of course. Bringing extra hydration too.

[@elrictdb]

But, but, but, but - I spent all my money on my bike...it'll be 3 years before I can the protection too! (Thank goodness for 2nd hand gear!)

[@kyleslater5245]

I decide what I wear based on what bike I’m riding. I did recently break my elbow by not wearing quite a high enough level of gear so definitely think skid plates are ideal for dh the enduro pads don’t quite cut it.

[@nickz.9744]

I was doing downhill in rocks and didn't fell at all but in a corner road I slipped and broke my elbow.now I'm gonna get full protection. The irony is that I work in a clinic and I see these incidents everyday so boys get suit up and have fun riding

[@malcolmframe7183]

I only wear a helmet and gloves as most manufactures of body armour or even cycle clothing in general think all riders are stick thin if you’re lucky you might find stuff of 3XL to fit a 30in chest that’s about the same size of my thigh either that or the cost is extortionately high, so I just have to risk the broken ribs and the rest

[@kymtaylor5433]

At 66 yrs of age having ripped my major rotator cuff tendons off the bones on left and right shoulders. I now wear a armoured light weight T shirt with shoulder, back n chest protection. Confidence is returning but should have had it from start.

[@YourBigDaddyMason]

I’m kind of new I still go on some advanced stuff that I could easily get hurt but I don’t have the money to but protection so I just have a good Bontrager helmet

[@hanslidlwagen4115]

I needed to wear shin guards because I once fell down trying to practice bunny hops and my pedals scraped my shins. Put a deep and massive wound on my shin. It needed stitches but just dressed it up tightly.

[@madmoikmadmoik6290]

wearing T-shirt style protection for 7 years. that saved my collar bone twice

[@stujm8376]

I’m looking for a new jacket, tried the Dainese full jacket and am now saving or one. You get to an age that whatever style you ride it’s worth wearing one….

[@1111stunna1111]

Thankfully modern tech is amazing, I don't wear body armored, but I do wear knee pads, back protective tee with elbow pads, full face, and light shin guard under my Sox, and most people don't even know am protected, plus am 50yo.

[@jensjensen5128]

I have a wife and to children that depends on me. Thus I wear back and shoulder pads even when ridning XCO.

[@ChrillePavlin]

My protective gear is what makes me feel comfortable not the other way around. Comfortable riding that is.

[@MrAimMDMA]

i seem to always hurt my ribs when i fall, i dont know if its to do with the way i fall but ive lately been considering something to protect my ribs but not sure what is best, im quite an amateur rider tbh and getting old

[@brianmackie9647]

The G Form tea shirt has rib protection along with shoulder and chest but no back , I wear a backpack with a back protection so it is the perfect protection tea shirt for me. The fit is tight to save the protection moving when you fall but the G Form pads are very flexible. it is a bit like wearing a compression vest. I like you tend to hurt my ribs when I fall. Worth trying one on before you buy.

[@judehall5140]

I had a nasty fall when I very very first started mountain biking and my mum forced me to buy full body armour, knee pads, neck brace, elbow pads, full face and gloves and to this day even though I’ve got so much better at riding and crashing I’m still forced to wear it

[@EPortillo5000]

I always land on my shoulder so is a bit of no brainer what I need terms of body armour! 😆

[@BroSender]

Totally Saved My Spine Bro..

[@alkyl_]

This video was helpful for me😀👍

[@brianbass4971]

I use it for everything but the most mellow XC trails. Why? 5 broken ribs and a punctured lung at Whistler.

[@dverschoor84]

For enduro, helmet, kneepads and backpack with backprotector.

[@daserik1]

Currently in the hospital with a broken wrist and collarbone. Gonna buy a protector jacket to go MTBing once I a back on the trails. I would rather look stupid or be wheezing on he cclimb than have to go through thks shit again.

[@Tzed250]

Quality content!!!

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Yes, believe the man being paid by Dainese and wearing the Dainese t-shirt. This should be tagged as a paid promotion, clearly being led by a marketing agenda. You should get a back protector, but get a better one from another company.

[@Chris-de2qc]

Like what

[@Mububban23]

True they normally put the "paid content" tag on things, but the list of channel sponsors is clearly listed in the video description

[@stuartmclaren7285]

I came off at fort bill and popped my shoulder out so I have just got my self a Troy lee t-shirt

[@RealityTrailers]

For casual to moderate riding, a 3 liter Camel hydration pack seems it could provide some spine protection, but it's not the proper type of spine protection.

[@papagotbigtoes3344]

I ride with a backpack. I place a gel seat cushion in the laptop compartment. I may be weird but I won’t look weird haha

[@RichardsWorld]

I just wanted to know about knee pads and elbow pads

[@SouthwestSasquatch]

Good info 🤘

[@DJSonicScotland]

I wear full armour & full face helmet on my XC hardtail EVERYTIME I go out on the bike - even if it's just a trip to the local shops! Coz ya never know.............

[@curtiswarren3519]

My body armor saved me a couple weekends ago I ended up with 3 broken ribs and a collapsed lung

[@charlotteice5704]

I'm a new rider and I'm looking at going with full protection even for trail riding because I just really, really hate crashing. I hate wounds and all that and I want mountain biking to be fun, so even though it may earn me some weird looks, it would probably suck the really not fun stuff out of the sport.

[@gmbn]

Sounds like a good idea Charlotte! It's good to over compensate when you're learning, and as your skills improve and you become more in control of the bike you may choose to wear less, but the choice is totally personal!

[@smorgasborgas]

Busted my knee riding park, have worn knee pads ever since!

[@kailani37]

When I rode motorbikes I never went out without full gear, just in case. Riding at 20mph I suffered 4 high impact fractures because someone decided to drive into me. Without the gear I probably would have lost my leg. On a mtb you hit a tree or land badly, a tee shirt or shorts won't protect you. I'm 52 now and although I don't ride like most of you do because, I've never really done mountain biking, I feel like I should wear this gear just being on the roads today lol

[@tetrist8953]

All the gear, all the time.

[@Blazingbatch]

You should put prices for these items would help the customer out

[@josedavalos1223]

Can I wear good groin protector cup, the same used for baseball and hokey, or Wich brand is recommended for best protection against impacts or prevent injuries?. Can I use shorter nose saddle, like specialized power for downhill or enduro?

[@briannhoy650]

I always wear full body armor now. Almost getting stabbed by the handlebars was not a fun experience. I still got the mark where it punched me in the gut and knocked out my wind.

[@36badass]

What is the name of the full body protection jacket and where can I get it?

[@khalliddo1385]

I crashed yesterday on my ribs, hopefully i didn't break something. Im going to order my first body armour. I was working what to buy, the old turtle like armour or the newer inner pads. And if anyone tried the ZigZag inner Body armor/body protector.

[@myfrequencies1912]

As much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

[@garybrown5769]

Other than knee pads and lid I’ve found pretty much all armour ruins my train of thought, makes me make mistakes

[@khelgarironfist3301]

I could say the same for helmet, but better than dying