XC Body Armour, anyone recommend any?

[spogxy]

After yet another high speed tumble & trip to A&E I'm getting too old (40!) for this healing lark. I am not an extreme downhill type of rider by any means but do love to push my limits when descending ;-)

Looked through the massive choices when it comes to body armour, padded shorts etc but it all seems a bit over the top for my XC riding style, wonder if it would be too hot/heavy etc.

What I'd like to protect are knees, elbows, and hips - these are the bits currently hurting!

Amazing how I never seem to bang my noggin, only just bought a new lid, only scraped the peek.

Any XC's using protection out there?

Cheers for any help & advice.

[DoubleSix]

I only bother with ribbed neoprene shin guards for XC as pedal on shin bone has to the most painful thing known to man.

Bit I understand what your saying. Pretty sure you can get shin guards that incorporate a kneepad.

[Smartboy]

I use a pair of 661 knee pads which I bought last year. Can't remember the model name, but they were around the £70 mark. I'll see if I can find the model name later.

I only use these on trails I haven't ridden lots before (don't bother with them on my local trails around Bristol).

Also have to say, that I've not had to test them too much either. A couple of offs, but nothing major, so can't say if they offer good impact protection or not.

They are very comfortable to ride in all-day, but when everything is wet and muddy, sometimes I get a slight bit of rubbing on the top-tube and this has dulled the finish on the bike a little.

Some of my mates wear shin-guards, and some have shin/knee integrated things....I just have scars on my shins!

[antspants]

I have the 661 Kyle Strait knee pads and 661 Riot elbow pads.

No experience of any others but the knee pads are comfy and work I wear the knee pads a lot after seeing one of my mates have a reasonably innocuous looking crash on a rock garden, whilst not wearing any. He was very sore for quite a while!

The elbow pads are ok but aren't as comfortable to wear. I only tend to wear them when riding something I'm unfamiliar with, but last time I came off without them I came away with bad swelling and an enormous bruise on my elbow, so that should tell me something.

[Smartboy]

Smartboy said:

I use a pair of 661 knee pads which I bought last year. Can't remember the model name, but they were around the £70 mark. I'll see if I can find the model name later.

Found the model I use: they are 661 Evo soft-shell pads. Very comfortable.

[GSP]

What you want is POC VPD2 knee and elbow pads.

They are super comfy, and mold to you. Once the Viscous Polymer has warmed up it mold to you, then when it is hit solidifies.

I have them and they have saved me from pain no end of times.

[Gren]

661 Kyle Strait knee pads and some 661 Rhythm elbow protectors. The rhythms are particularly minimal but help for those otb moments

My shins have been fine since I got decent shoes (Vans Gravels) and flats (SS Nanos)

[Vladimir]

Smartboy said:

Found the model I use: they are 661 Evo soft-shell pads. Very comfortable.

Considered these as I have a slightly dodgy knee - whacked it on the top tube once and was in agony for months!

[spogxy]

Thanks for the replies fellas; heard some good reviews of the Kyle Straits but those POC VPD2 viscous polymers sound intruiging!

Getting a little more wrist 'action' everyday now....

Hmmm that sounds a bit wrong doesn't it??? I meant it's healing nicely :-)

[Samcat]

Another vote here for the Kyle Strait 661 Knee-pads, I don't even know I'm wearing them and I'm sure they've saved me from a sore knee or two.

I also use Raceface FR Elbow pads, they take some getting used to, but again I'm sure they have helped reduce injury in the couple of 'off's' I've had whilst wearing them

[antspants]

spogxy said:

Thanks for the replies fellas; heard some good reviews of the Kyle Straits but those POC VPD2 viscous polymers sound intruiging!

They do, but almost £200 for knee and elbow pads, blimey!

The 661 Rhythm knee/shin and elbow pads are on offer on CRC, for about £28 for both. Don't know if they're any good, but that's quite a price difference.

[subsea99]

I can highly recommend these http://www.g-formuk.com/products/knee-elbow-pads-s...

i have used these from when they first came out 2 years ago and ordered them from states(only downside was the import duty),They have saved me a few times and you hardly notice you have them on.

i see they do shorts now as well so might have to get a set of these as well http://www.g-formuk.com/products/crash-shorts.html

cheers

[Vladimir]

subsea99 said:

I can highly recommend these http://www.g-formuk.com/products/knee-elbow-pads-s...

i have used these from when they first came out 2 years ago and ordered them from states(only downside was the import duty),They have saved me a few times and you hardly notice you have them on.

i see they do shorts now as well so might have to get a set of these as well http://www.g-formuk.com/products/crash-shorts.html

cheers

They look great but stocks are low!

[anonymous-user]

For minor offs, the 661 Sub gear range of lightly padded shorts and jerseys seems pretty decent. The padding in integrated in the material and is pretty comfortable. No, it ain't going to save you if you have a massive crash into a tree or rocks, but for those more frequent gentle tumbles it's pretty good. And being part of the your normal riding gear you won't forget to put it on the one time you need it!