There are a wide range of opinions out there on how much protective gear you should wear, and even more options for different types of said gear on the market. As it turns out, the level of protection you need depends a lot on your experience level, where you ride, and how you ride. Read on for a breakdown of what you need to know and things you should keep in mind for your own mountain bike protective gear.
What to look for in mountain bike protective gear
Helmets
Helmets are far and away the most important piece of protective gear any mountain biker wears, and are something you should never ride without.
Certification
When considering helmets, there are a few factors to keep in mind. You will want to make sure you get a helmet that meets proper safety standards. Look for any helmet you buy to have the ASTM F1952 certification, or EN1078 if you happen to be in Europe.
Full face helmet vs half shell
You’ll also need to decide whether to go with a full face helmet or an open faced one. Full face helmets provide much better protection for your face if that turns out to be the point of contact in case you crash, but the tradeoff is that they are less breathable compared to a half shell helmet, so you’ll be more likely to overheat in one, especially on long rides and hot days.
Check out our complete breakdown of full face helmets vs. half shells here.
Related: Best Mountain Bike Helmets of the Year
MIPS
MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) is a system in many modern helmets which has been proven to reduce rotational motion by absorbing and redirecting forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the brain. Having an MIPS helmet can be a bit pricier, but the added protection is well worth it.
We recently reviewed a helmet featuring MIPS – check out our Fox Speedframe Pro review here.
Gloves
Mountain bike gloves are another piece of protective equipment that many riders refuse to go without, and after helmets, may be the most commonly worn piece of protective gear amongst mountain bikers.
This makes sense, because if you get into a crash, your natural reaction will be to throw your hands out to catch your fall. Having gloves on in case this happens can make a world of difference to your hands, and can be the difference between riding away unscathed and having having your hands all torn up, especially if you land on sharp rocks or roots.
On top of protecting your hands from falls, mountain bike gloves will also help to prevent callouses on your hands from holding your handlebars, and keep your hands feeling good after a ride.
When looking for a pair of gloves, consider how much padding and protection they provide, and how well they grip the handlebars. Also consider breathability, so your hands can keep feeling fresh all day long.
Knee pads
If you’re someone who is into riding more technical terrain, such as jumps, drops, or descending steep trails over rocks, knee pads are something you should consider wearing while mountain biking.
While they are not the most important piece of protective gear you will wear, knee pads can still be extremely valuable. A good pair of knee pads can be the difference between riding away from a crash and being unable to walk out from the trail under your own power.
You’ll want to look for knee pads that provide good coverage and protection, but that are flexible enough to allow you to still move well and be comfortable during your ride.
Elbow pads
Elbow pads are another piece of mountain bike protective gear you should consider if you’re into riding gnarly terrain and features, and even if you’re just a beginner who wants to push themselves a bit.
When you fall, if you don’t instinctively catch yourself with your hands, there’s a decent chance your elbows will take the brunt of the impact. And depending on what surface your unprotected elbow hits, you could be in for a world of hurt.
Similar to knee pads, you should look for elbow pads that strike a good balance between providing good coverage and protection, but are not so bulky or stiff that they restrict your movement in any significant way.
Mountain bike shoes
Mountain bike shoes are quite useful to keep your feet firmly locked in to your pedals, providing grip either through a specialized rubber compound for flat pedals, or by connecting to the pedals if you ride clipless.
But did you know that proper mountain bike shoes also make up a crucial piece of protective gear for you as a rider? Most purpose build mountain bike shoes are reinforced to provide protection in areas that are more common to strike objects while you ride.
When shopping for a pair of mountain bike shoes, you will want to make sure they are comfortable and provide good grip on your pedals. In terms of protection, you will want to look for things like a reinforced toe box, padding throughout the shoe, and protection for your heel.
Padded mountain bike shorts
Padded MTB shorts are a great addition to any rider’s protective gear kit. They especially come in handy for riders who like to push themselves to their limits, and try new things that risk falls.
Padded shorts are not something you absolutely need to have to ride in, but they can definitely help to cushion the blow on falls. If you ride in a way that results in lots of spills, you should definitely consider them.
Make sure any padded shorts you get are flexible enough to still move well in.
Chest and torso protection
Many riders, maybe even the majority, do not wear much in the way of protective gear for their chest, spine and shoulder areas. And this makes sense.
Most riders don’t ride the types of technical terrain and size of features that would require this level of protection, and if you don’t, you probably won’t want to be lugging around the extra weight!
There are different types of chest and torso protection available. There are vests that provide good spine, shoulder and chest padding, but these are usually relatively heavy. There are also shirts/jerseys that come with built in armor that is usually lighter than the vests.
For some riders, who just ride large jumps and features occasionally, like when they make their way to a lift access bike park, it makes sense to own this sort of protection but only wear it on an as needed basis.
If you think you should have body armor to protect you based on the riding you do, just make sure you consider the weight and restrictiveness vs. protection tradeoff.
Neck brace
For the riders who lay it all on the line, take the biggest risks and hit the biggest features, neck braces are available. They are to help reduce forces that go through your neck if you end up landing on your head.
Keep in mind that neck braces only work with full face helmets.
Cold weather gear
On top of equipment designed to protect against crashes, there is something else you might want to consider protecting yourself against, especially if you do much winter time riding. The elements.
If you ride in the cold, there are a few different things you should consider wearing.
Cold weather gloves, winter mountain bike shoes, water and windproof jackets and pants are just some of the things you should think about to stay warm and keep your ride enjoyable.
You should also consider wearing a winter hat under your helmet, or alternatively getting a warmer helmet such as a full face helmet for your cold weather riding.
Goggles are especially useful for winter riding, since the cold air and wind in your eyes can cause them to water up, making it hard to see and increasing your chances of a crash.
How and where you ride
What gear you require for your mountain biking all comes down to how you ride and where you ride.
Riding style
If you’re the type of rider who plays it safe, are good at keeping your bike under control, and you avoid pushing yourself much on the trails, you will tend to need less protective gear.
Alternatively, if you’re a rider that pushes themselves to the absolute limits, and never hesitate to try a new jump or feature, than that definitely increases the risk you might crash, meaning you are much more likely to benefit from additional mountain bike gear including elbow pads, knee pads, chest, shoulder and spine protection, and possibly even a neck brace.
Where you ride
Considering what types of trails you ride is also important in deciding on what level of protection you should wear. If all of your riding is at downhill, lift access mountain bike parks, you’re probably riding at high speeds often, and hitting more technical (and more risky) features. This would be a great reason to opt for more protection over less.
If all of your riding is cross country, on relatively flat trails, your risk level for having a bad crash will be significantly lower, meaning you should feel comfortable opting for less protection.
Frequently asked questions
By far the most important piece of protective gear any mountain biker will wear is a quality helmet. Beyond that, the other protective gear used for mountain biking includes MTB gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, padded mountain bike shorts, body armor such as a protective vest or shirt. Neck braces are also used by riders who take bigger risks on their bikes.
Yes, mountain bike body armor, which can include chest, shoulder and spine protection, does do a good job at protecting those areas against serious injury in case you get into a crash. Just keep in mind that no amount of protection will make you invincible out on the trails.
If you end up taking a fall from your bike, first, make sure you aren’t injured. If you have any cuts or abrasions, it’s useful to have a first aid kit handy to clean and bandage your wounds.
If you feel like you are seriously injured, make sure you call emergency services right away.
Conclusion
Wearing the right mountain bike protective gear can make all the difference between a fun ride and a trip to the hospital. First and foremost, make sure you have a quality helmet. Beyond that, what gear you choose to wear on the trails will depend on your own riding style and preferences. What protective equipment can you not ride without? Let us know in the comments!