captainchaos

With all the discussion lately about protective gear I wanted to mention a cheap option for an area of our bodies that I think is sorely missed/ignored by street riders-our shins and knees. Now most of us ran out and bought helmets, and if you're smart you went and got a jacket. Once you wised up a little more you got gloves and maybe even got some boots too. But I think even alot of the responsible riders still feel that a pair of jeans is protective gear for your legs (hell all the honda ads say so right?) Well when I started getting into mountain biking I tended to bleed alot, so I bought two different pairs of used fox knee/shinguards to wear. A short time later I noticed how comfortable they fit under my jeans and with my alpinestars boots riding my motorcycle. One pair has velcro straps on the back, while the others are like long tight leggings-both fit great and stay put. Years later I've field tested them personally and I can say for $30 used on ebay to be able to walk away from a lowside that would have absolutely shredded my knee apart is priceless. Check them out. Lots of companies make them in different styles and designs for mountainbiking and motocross. For anyone who rides in colder weather you'd also be amazed how well they completely block the cold air from hitting your legs. Wish I would have had them and my alpinestars on years back when I smashed my lower leg and spent a year learning to walk and run again. Tell me what you think and does anyone else do anything similar?

nativegolf

I haven't, but wear my soccer shin gaurds during paintball.

Good idea, during my lowside, my F2 fell on my knee and banged it around.
I'll have to try that, especially since some guys are talking about mountain biking more.

Randman

I bought some pants that have pads in the hips, and armor in the knees, but I really wouldn't expect them to last all that long if I went sliding across the pavement very fast...of course they should last a bit longer than jeans...

I think that anything you use other than just plain ole raw material is better than, well plain ole raw material...so good job...now how about a link to what the hell your talkin about, or at least pics.....

captainchaos

Yeah sorry for being lazy kickin...here are the two pairs I have. Hard to see but the one on the right is rashed and cracked (instead of my knee). And anyone on a budget can do what I did and just get a nice used pair off ebay. Just do a search under knee and shinguards and include the brand name if want a specific brand. Places like chaparralmotorsports.com are loaded with tons of different brands and styles too if you want new. I've seen just recently some manufacters selling "armored" pants and such. I haven't tried them to know how durable the armor is, but any of these knee & shinguards are hard plastic with a stiff padded backing and they are pretty durable. Like I said ask me how I know! I strongly recommend something similar to anyone who rides on the street.

Randman

Very good...Kind of reminds me of that body suit you see advertised in the cycle mags....of course I don't need the whole dang suit...this looks good...I will check them out...


Thanks for the info...

superhawk22

I use mesh and leather pants with knee and hip pads but Icon also sells stuff called field armor with a little more coverage, range of motion and breathability. We sell it at CG and lots of other stores have it as well, it's a bit more expensive but very comfortable. Here's a linky, lots of people love the vest with built in back protector too. http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/...-ICON05-2.html

captainchaos

Yeah I just recently started seeing Icon selling their field armor. I should have started selling this **** years ago when I first started wondering/bitching how no one sold anything for street riders who didn't want to wear a roadrace suit.

superhawk22

Hindsight is always 20/20! Just another kick yourself for not doing something time.

captainchaos

Unfortunately what concerned me most was how well they'd actually sell. I mean around here in south florida during the day you hardly ever see anyone riding with any gear on, with many/most not even wearing a helmet. At some bike nights you'll see some with gear on but I think they're probably pretty slow sellers. I was always extremely surprised how motor cops wear no protective gear of any kind besides that dumb open face helmet (I'd want to wear one with the face that flips up). I wonder if they're even allowed to!

Birdoprey