 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
My 11 year old son is getting into dirt jumping on MTB, we are building up kit as we go along. He has just started using Nitro Gusset pedals on his jump bike, I have got him wearing some 661 veggie shin pads to protect his legs from the pins if he misses a pedal. But I want to get him sorted with some top quality pads that protect the front and back of his legs.
Should I get:
combined knee/shin pads
or
seperate knee/shin pads
The hard bit is that he is at the size between kids and adults protective gear.
any advice would be very welcome
Thanks
Steve
IME shin pads are a waste. I used them, but once I got used to flat pedals I've not hit my shins since. The only time they hurt me is when pushing uphill. I've not slipped a pedal and hit my shin in six or seven years.
I'd use knee pads though as I've buggered a knee up in a crah before and been barely able to walk let alone ride for 2 years! Despite that I still don't wear them personaly!
From watching others crash on dirtjumps it seems more important to learn to land feet first then fall onto your arse rather than go head/face down which tends to result in broken arms/collarbones or face.
Spoke to some propper downhillers on an uplift day about padding (I was fully suited up in knee/shin, shorts, pressure suit, they were in knee pads). Their thoughs were armour doesn't stop bones breaking, just 'cosmetic' injuries whilst att he same time increacing weight, restricting movement and giving a false sense of security, which increaced the likelyhood of a crash.
They agreed that some sort of spine and neck brace was a good idea though as those are designed to stop breaks rather than cuts and bruises.
Shin pads are a good call, wish I'd worn some when I was a lad as my shins are covered in pedal induced scars. As for the back of the legs, I can't see there being much need tbh.