Pads

Nattynoodle

Hi, my son (16yr) is just starting out in the the mtb world and I'd like to buy him some elbow and knee pads. Can anyone recommend some good brands please, and also advise on whether to get normal pads or clothes with built in padding? Any advice welcome, thank you 😀

oxoman

Depends on what type of mtbing he's going to do. If soft pootling about then I wouldn't bother. However if doing downhill / bike park Wales sort of riding then worth getting some. TBH pads are an item that ideally need trying on before buying as sizes and fit differs a lot. I've got fox elbow pads and bliss knee pads that do for me.

steve_sordy

I have tried both separate pads and those integrated into the clothing and I would strongly advise going for the separate ones. The integrated ones are never in the correct place, and if you don't like them you are stuck with them. Not only are they cheaper, but you can wear them under anything. I wear the same ones under a variety of different clothing.

One of the mistakes I made when I first started mtb was to believe that I didn't need any elbow or knee guards because I wasn't good enough to be riding "in harm's way" as it were. Wearing guards felt like a type of bragging, of the "hey look at me, aren't I cool" type of bragging. But because I was a beginner, I actually needed elbow and knee guards. I still have the scars from those early outings where I was learning how to ride an mtb. I agree with @Oxoman that if he's just pootling about then they are an unnecessary expense. Not a helmet though, he MUST wear a helmet!

If he is just starting out then he will not need hard-faced armour (the sort that will protect against high-speed impact with pointed rocks). I have been riding mtbs of varying types, steadily getting faster and riding more and more exacting trails. Apart from those early confused years when I picked up all my scars, ever since I have worn flexible knee & shin guards and elbow guards of the slip-on type. I went for a combined knee & shin to protect mostly against pedal strikes, but they also protect against nettles and brambles if he will be riding in the woods much.

Slip-ons are of a slimmer profile and can easily be worn under long trousers or long-sleeved shirts. They are less obtrusive, cooler and don't get as sweaty. I like them. They do however require the removal of footwear to get the knee guards on. Convenience is the benefit of the strap on type of guard, but it is a convenience that I have decided does not overcome the benefits of the slip-on type. In my opinion, others will disagree.

@Oxoman is also correct that you need to try them on to see how they look and feel, how they fit you and whether you can get your riding kit on top of them. They must fit onto your skin, not on top of your clothing or they will slide about. Don't just buy blind off the internet, unless you are buying a pair that you have already tried and know will suit your needs.

I wear the Shock Doctor range by Troy Lee Designs. But sadly, they don't make that particular design anymore. When I saw signs that they were about to stop making them I bought a spare set. After several years, I have just started to wear the knee & shin guards. There are many designs on the market, read the reviews on-line. Here is one I picked at random; I haven't read it.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-6-best-light-mtb-elbow-pads-ridden-rated.html

PS: I hope that your son does not need to be persuaded to wear a helmet! Every helmet I have ever owned except my current two have been broken or too badly damaged to be safely used. Head injuries are easy to get on an mtb. Tell him that he does not want to end up spending the rest of your life having his bum cleaned by you and the rest of his life having it cleaned by an ever-changing bunch of strangers! Spend some time, as long as it takes, to find a helmet that he likes and believes that he looks good in. Then he will wear it and not take it off as soon as he is out of sight.