For athletes, equipment is everything. And having the wrong equipment can take your ride from 100 to 0 in the blink of an eye. For downhill mountain bikers, protecting yourself with pads is one of the most important ways you can make sure you never miss a ride. Keep reading to find out which pads can help protect you the best next time you hit the trail. 

What Type Of Pads Should I Get For Downhill Mountain Biking — Ride BHM

When you’re flying down a mountain at high speeds, the last thing you want to think about is crashing. But hey, sometimes it happens. When it does, you want to make sure you have as much protection as possible so that you can get back on the bike and fly down the trail again. This means having the right gear is everything. 

Although you probably already know that you need a helmet anytime you’re on a bike, you also need to protect other vulnerable areas. Knees, elbows, and hands can be especially vulnerable when you take a spill. Protecting them can be the difference in getting back on the bike after a fall and taking a trip to urgent care. That’s why we have put together a list of some of our favorite pads to keep you protected and confident every time you hit the trail. 

Helmet

When it comes to protecting yourself while mountain biking, the most important area of your body to protect is your head. Choosing the right helmet can determine if you ever ride again in the event of a big spill. There are two main types of helmets, those without facemasks like your traditional bike helmet, and those helmets closer to BMX helmets with face and chin protection. No matter which you choose to use, quality is everything. 

The Smith Optics Engage MIPS Mountain Cycling Helmet is a traditional-style bike helmet with no face protection. Its low-profile design means that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it. This helmet is lightweight, adjustable, and built to allow you to move freely and be comfortable, even in those hot summer months. The rigid design means that you’re well-protected on the trail. The patented design allows for maximum airflow and keeps your lenses fog-free so that you always see what’s coming when you’re bombing down the trail. 

For a more high-profile design that offers protection for the face and chin, check out the Demon United Podium Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet. The EPS foam liner in the Demon conforms to your head for a customized fit that suits your individual needs. And ample padding means that you’re safe when you’re wearing a demon helmet. Although it weighs in at only 2.2 lbs, the Demon United helmet does not sacrifice durability. The design is meant to keep you as safe as possible every time you’re on the trail. 

Knee Pads

Protecting your knees while mountain biking is vital to keeping you heading out to tackle the next path. Falls on the trails don’t always result in your typical neighborhood biking accident skinned knee and adequately protecting yourself is the best way to guarantee longevity in the sport. The pads we like are designed with descent in mind and can help keep cuts, scrapes, and bruises to a minimum next time you take a spill. 

The Scott Grenade EVO Hybrid is one of the best knee pads money can buy. They are lightweight so you can keep pedaling, but the rigid design of the pad over your knee wards off cuts and scrapes if you happen to take a spill. These pads are adjustable and they sit just off the knee to provide for maximum airflow to keep your legs cool on hot days. 

The next knee pads on our list are the Fox Launch Pro D30. These iconic pads are everywhere in biking sports, and for good reason. Their lightweight design and patented foam technology mean that these pads are durable and protect your legs from cuts and bruises as well as any other pads out there. The hard covering over the kneecaps protects against impacts and the material is designed to maximize shock absorption and distribute it away from your kneecap. In short, these pads rock.

Making sure your knees are protected is one of the most vital parts of downhill biking. A bum knee can ruin a day on the trail so don’t wait; protect yourself and your knees now so that you never miss a day on the trail. 

Gloves

Although it may not seem like it right away, protecting your hands can mean the difference between a great day of biking, and an early exit to the trailhead. When you take a spill, the first thing that hits is usually your hands trying to catch yourself, so protecting them is key to staying out there and being able to ride. 

The Fox Racing Ranger Fire is your quintessential biking glove. Its sleek design fits snugly on your hands and stretches to conform to larger hands while also being breathable. These gloves are also water-resistant and lightly insulated which keeps your hands relatively warm on those cooler rides. This glove is great for those looking for a low-profile glove for cooler riding. 

For a little more protection, check out the 100% Incognito D30 gloves. These gloves feature padded knuckles and tough 4-way stretch fabric. These gloves are insanely durable and provide you with tons of protection if you happen to fall on the trail. The palm is reinforced and able to stand up to even the nastiest falls meaning this glove has you covered if you take a fall on a rocky or treacherous trail. 

Choosing the right gloves is vital to enjoying your time on the trail. When your hands are banged up, your ride is not as enjoyable as it could be. So, don’t wait, get protected today and make sure you can get back on the trial after a fall. 

Body Armor 

Although you may have seen others on the trail with pads on their extremities, you may not have seen what they had on underneath their clothing to protect them from falls on the trail. Body armor or “flak jackets” are a popular option for those looking to protect their torso and abdomen from crashes on the biking trail. The gear can come in a few different forms, but our favorites are below. 

The Ion Protection Amp vest is everything you can want in biking body armor. Its lightweight design means that it is almost unnoticeable during your ride, but you can rest assured that it will protect you if you happen to fall. The stretch fabric can conform to any body type, and the ample padding protects you from even the gnarliest crashes. 

For a more rigid option, check out the Leatt 3.5 Chest Protector Pro. This design features hard plastic designed to absorb and evenly distribute shock when you fall. The hard shell design will give you more protection than fabric padding, but it may be less breathable. However, the adjustable straps on the Leatt mean that you can adjust these pads to suit you and your riding style all while being super protected from any crashes that may occur on the trail. 

Protecting your torso and abdomen may not seem important at first, but you’ll be glad you had pads the next time you take a hard fall on the trail. Get torso protection today so you never have sore ribs from a fall again. 

Get Protected

No matter which brands or styles of protection you choose to wear, the most important thing is that you wear something! Our sport is fast-paced and can lead to some bad injuries if you don’t take the necessary steps to protect yourself. Don’t let the expense, time, or effort of searching deter you from buying adequate padding today. Your next ride depends on it! Get out there and have some fun! Get your pass at RideBHM today.