What do you use? any recommendations? is it best to get Knee+shin guards for boarding or is that overkill?

I like 661. Great pads. I think that knee only is enough. I'd go for elbow/forearm or hip protection before shin.

The best pads I've found are the new Black Diamond knee pads. They are super light and comfortable. If you tie off the straps, they are perfect.

thanks guys, i was looking at these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30894

was thinking that the neoprene might rip on rough ground though, any thoughts?

Check out these pads!

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/gear/telekneesis.php

Sick! need to see if i can get em in the uk though.

i didnt realise you where in the uk skint. what beaches have you flown on?

I haven't!! ive been down to west wittering but i didn't have insurance (waiting for BPKA to sort that now)

really want to get onto a beach as im getting fed up of long grass bogging me down. i swear i need double the power to get rolling lol

where do you fly?

i fly at ainsdale near southport. re insurance. you should have gone with bksa. more expensive but immidiate cover. and it also covers you to a degree.

Like KiteNH, I swear by 661. I have the elbow/forearm pads and they rock. I have a set of moose knee/shin guards, but rarely wear them in the bug. I would think knee only would be the most comfortable for an ATB and tend to move around less.

I've thought about this too ...

Coming from aggressive inline skating and vert, and inline hockey, you don't need the shin protection.
Unless you're on concrete or what passes as 'parks' here (hard pack dirt with lots of little stones) then when you slide, the pads will take most of it - you'll get a few nicks below the pads maybe but shin protection will be more of a hassle than it's worth. It tends to flap around when you're running too.

What you're REALLY looking for is impact protection for the delicate kneecap and the little bones there that get hurt easily and remain painful for a long time Ask me about going into and over the handlebars of my MX bike and landing on my elbow when dumping a road bike ... ouch. They still hurt!
In that case, vert pads with a good plastic shield for sliding would be the best idea. Vert pads are designed to support around the knee in a direct impact and spread the load.

Elbow pads - same again, enough padding to protect the bone and a lump of plastic to slide. Good if you get yanked forwards for sure ...

The best gear I had - most comfortable, well made and great protection - was by a company called Harbinger but after a net search, all they seem to make is gym gloves these days :ticking:

The 661 pads look like good impact protection, the Black Diamond ones don't. Maybe snowboarding pads would be better as you do tend to fall on your knees more ...

Ooh ankle support!

http://ridetsg.com/

661 stuff is great.

I think this is relevant ... one thing I'd point out is that the top few products have velcro'd on knee plates, which means they're easy to replace. I had some on mine and they were fine for vert and street and never fell off - and no rivets meant they never got ground off ... but for mixed surfaces I don't think they'd cut it - they may hook into the grass etc and get yoinked off - which may be a good thing, now I think of it
TSG gets my vote, now to find someone who'll take a J-Visa and ship overseas ...

http://sincityskates.com/2nd/protective/knee-pads.html

I'd put the 661 DJ's near the top ...

I would honestly go with the Rector Fatboys. http://sincityskates.com/2nd/protective/knee-pads.html
They are the best. I have slammed hard many times on the vert pipe and kiteskating with my Fatboys. I even slammed so hard it cracked the plastic shell while skating. I layed there at the bottom of the pipe for a minute thinking something in me broke but I didn't hurt!! Luckily I was ok and not paralyzed. Everyone around thought I broke my leg and one guy was running to the phone to call 911 because when the plastic cracked is was super loud!

Scott

Whoa! Good info thanks ... I'm off to look at the local skate shop before I go investing any more money in USPS or Fedex ... :megan:

I bought a set of 661 knee pads and elbow/forearm pads