Mountain Biking - My lovely legs....

My shins constantly look like I've done 10 rounds with angry cat. I've never used shin pads before but if my legs are to keep their youthful good looks perhaps its time to buy some.

I ride XC so I want a really lightweight pair.

Any suggestions???

I can tell ya that ultimately you're not gonna bother with them. If you still want some in the mean time, you may want to look into the cheap route. Find a sports store and just buy some soccer ones.

I'll ask the obvious question: what are you doing that is causing your shins to be so heavily damaged?

most people who ride xc would use clipless... so it can't be pedals... maybe it is an angry cat...

What the... Pedal slips happen, just remember there is a reason why people use skate style shoes on bmx platforms.

There not usually HEAVILY damaged but there are times, especially in the summer, when the trails I ride get over grown with brambles. And of course there are the 'freeride' moments that end up with me picking myself out of a ditch.

I was just wondering if pads were the way forward.

Clipless rule.:D

Shin pads are annoying and make your legs sweat sooo much. Wear long, light pants if stuff is hitting your legs a lot.

Yeah sounds like a good idea - but wouldn't that be hotter than wearing pads?

The pads are huge. They take up your whole lower leg, and are like 2 inches thick. They don't breath at all either.

Oh perhaps i'll just spend my money on something else..... :)

My friend has a pair of these, says they are pretty comfortable.
These (http://www.fullcycles.com/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/40/products_id/120?osCsid=f63d9f5ee5acc73472879b8cf933496c)

You could look at soccer shinguards... not the big ass knee/whole shin crap ones... Adidas and Nike makes some great low profile shinguards, I used them for football (ok ok, thats soccer for your americans) and they never get hot or sweaty, they are very light and you'll forget they are there while mountain biking, I know this because I also use them for mountain biking and they are great, they are the best I can think of for light XC shinguards.
http://www.soccerpro.com/acatalog/SP0099_Vapor_Lite_Chrome.jpg

Or you could get a real mountain bike accessory and get 661 Race Lites.

Ten rounds??! You should be able to beat even an angry cat in less than eight.

If the brambles are encroching on a public bridleway, the local council should clear them in theory, might be worth a call. Otherwise they're just a hazard you have to put up with. Could be worse. Round here, everything's overgrown with stingers. :(

Football shin guards would probably work, or simply rub some dirt on your legs to stop the bleeding. :)

What the... Pedal slips happen, just remember there is a reason why people use skate style shoes on bmx platforms.
I constantly have slips where the pins on my platforms dig into my shins lol. I also am notorious for gouging my calves on my big chainring.

Same here. Eventually I'll whittle down my shins till there's nothing but bone.

I've tried the lizard skins pads, but they affected my circulation even when I wore them loosely. Cramping on a ride is no fun :(

i wear the lizard skins shin gaurds from the link above as well and really enjoy them. i don't think that they're too hot or cut circulation at all. Once you get used to them they are great.

Chicks dig scars :P shin pads are usualy anoying for me unless I actually pick up a good pair.

(ok ok, thats soccer for your americans)

Sorry for the offtopic, but, Chone, where are you from (just out of curiousity)?

Try some football shinguards. I wear football guards all the time and I love 'em. They're really comfortable and do give you a reasonable degree of protection. Nothing's ever got past mine enough to properly hurt me.