FWIW: I wear LizzardSkinz arm shields (always) along with safety glasses (always). I also 95% of the time, wear my helmet.... My DH shorts & pants have inner thigh pads as well as outer thigh & butt pads....
Who cares what others wear... Don't be a "Follower", be a "Leader".. Do as YOU wish, not as others do.
FWI:, don't fall prey for the big name in any sport (including MtnBiking). There are several excellent brands of bikes out there, not just Santa Cruz.