Mountain Biking - Need advice on riding gear/pads!

Since I am about a 3 minute ride away from a bunch of trails here in Glendale, AZ that has a lot rocks that dont look to inviting to fall on, I am going to buy some pads.

First off, should I buy a full face helmet or those usually set aside for the people that are huckin' huge dropoffs or racing downhill? I have an MSR System-X helmet that I use for quadding but that will be overkill and overweighted for mountain biking.

Then first and foremost I want knee/shin guards. Slipping a pedal totally sucks! I need something that breathes well since I live in arizona, and will protect me from a pedal to the shin. But I dont need some extremely expensive, thick, kneeguard. So, does anyone here have a suggestion? I was at www.beyondbikes.com reading reviews and didnt see any pads that were well ventilated/breathe ok. I know anyway you go pads are going to be hot, but since I live in pretty hot weather some ventilation is a must.

When it comes to elbow/forearm guards I am in the same boat. Need something that will protect and breathes a little bit. There were hardly any reviews for forearm guards on beyond bikes so I am going upstream in a boat with no paddle in this "category".

Then shorts wise the Azonic FreeRide Cargos looks like a good deal for $40.

So, I just need some people with 1st hand experience on what is comfortable, easy to move in, etc :) I am also going to buy The Collective so I have something to watch when its too hot to ride.

Thanks for the help!
DesertRider

Knee/shin and forearm/elbow protection - I like/use RockGarden. Reasonably priced, good ventilation, good protection and hold up well. Here is their site RockGarden (http://rockgardn.easystorecreator.com/).

Also, 661 and FOX make some good products but they do not fit my legs.

As for a full face, you can use them when ever you want and riding in your area they do come in handy(personal experience ;)). Look at Giro MadMax, Azonic T55, Bell Ballistic, 661 Full Bravo (either carbon or fiberglass). These are the FF helmets with the most ventilation and AZ in the summer you will need it. If it fits I would say the Azonic T55 would keep you the coolest.

Azonic makes a good short for riding. I use the cargos all the time and they have held up to some serious crashes with only minimal scuffs.

:beer:

check these out:

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v345/sweet.disasters/shin.jpg

just kidding...

But anyway, i was thinking of getting some shin guards cause my feet seem to slip off the pedals a lot. I've looked at some, but they're all about $50 CDN. Does the material and manufacturing cost actually come close to the price? I might have to make do with my makeshift soccer shin guards :D

Thanks for the help!

I will look into the rockgarden pads and Azonic/661 helmets.