Buying protection gear? What to look for?

[danpluso]

I am getting my new bike soon and I would like to get Knee pads, shin pads, and maybe a full face helmet.

Is it better to buy knee and shin pads seperate or should I get the kind with knee and shin protection built into one? Are the pads that have knee and shin protection in one uncomfortable to wear when biking?

I also found some really cheap pads on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/DYNO-BMX-GEL-KNEE-ELBOW-PADS_W0QQitemZ280083763790QQihZ018QQcategoryZ2622Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Not sure if those would be good or not..

Also found these:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Knee-guards-protective-pads-motocross-BMX-slalom_W0QQitemZ110101018711QQihZ001QQcategoryZ343 53QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

When buying pads should I just buy whatever or should I be looking for name brand stuff?? Do Wall Mart pads hold up or should I get my pads from a bike store?

When buying a Full Face helmet are there different things to look for or should I just get what feels comfortable?

Also found this full face helmet on Ebay for only $13:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Brand-New-X-Factor-BMX-Full-Face-Helmet-w-Visor-Safety_W0QQitemZ140072190575QQihZ004QQcategoryZ423 25QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

What do you think of that helmet? It sure is cheap.

Would a longer knee/shin pad be better to get? Like this one?


or the smaller knee/shin one like this?

[Minitrix]

That helmet looks like a sweet deal. I say go for it.

As for knee pads, I would suggest a set of combo pads, Fox usually work well, but those 661 pads would work too. You want them to be long depending on how long your cranks are, because shins are usually the most injured part of your body when you ride. I would suggest longer pads, but just because I have a history of hitting my ankles with my pedals. Which hurts quite a bit.

[sixdegrees]

Helmet - get a good one with a Safety standard, ie BS Kite Mark in the UK

As for shin pads / knee pads even the cheap ones are better than nothing.

I wear football/scoccer shin pads as they cost £10 and are very light weight, don't notice them on, don't sweat like some pads, etc

Knee pads; for me its Salamon Skate pads - hard cap, very small, light weight and cost £12

I've been running the same pads for 4 years now, signs of wear but still holding out. I tried 661 gaskets and some slip on shin types (Federal) but they're we just not as comfy and easy to ride in.

Admitedly I have no protection from hit to the back of the legs but its worth it as 90% of hits I take are on the front!

:)

[elijah]

i have fox elbow pads which work very well, and ive ridden these 661 veggie shin pads and they dont slip at all.

what type of riding are you going to be using them for?

[danpluso]

I will mainly be doing Dirt Jumping.

I don't think I will get the helmet off ebay just because I want to make sure I have a good helmet and a good snug fit.

My bike store didn't have the bike I wanted (Free Agent Hellcat) so it is being shipped to them. When I go to buy it I am going to try and get a deal on a helmet and some pads.

EDIT:
Went to a bike store today and saw this sweet looking helmet
THH T-39 Downhill helmet:


I want to get that helmet but in black. It looks really cool! It has a metal type grill covering over the air vents to stop dirt and it looks cool. I wish it had bigger vents on the front chin part.

This one is also sweet and it has better ventalation
Mace Method:


Mace Hammer: