Mountain Biking - Knee/shin pad combo-which one?

I'm really diggin' the sixsixone stuff I've seen and I definitely need some better protection than what I've got(Bike brand foam kneepads-about 3/4" thick soft foam). Most of the trails around here are 30-50% rock. Not flat, beneficent rocks, but jagged, sharp, nasty, evil rocks. My question is: Do I need the hard shell guards or will the softer nylon pads work for me? I've checked around a bit, but haven't been able to find any recommendations one way or the other. I'm really tired of having perpetually bruised knees/shins. Please advise....

My question is: Do I need the hard shell guards or will the softer nylon pads work for me?

I guess it all depends on your tolerance for pain. I still wear my old Hammer Combos (neoprene knee/shin) for dirt jumping, but if I'm in a rocky area (e.g. Snowshoe), I wear my hardshell Roaches. The soft guards protect against pedal pins and scrapes and abrasions, but don't help much for direct hard hits.

I have Dianese Leg and elbow pads and have never worn anything better, very breathable and light, but amazingly strong!

My brother has the 661 leg guards and im dont like them, very hot, look huge on your legs and the protection offeresd isnt the same as the dianese!

I have Dianese Leg and elbow pads and have never worn anything better, very breathable and light, but amazingly strong!

Those Dainese are phatastic! They're pretty damn pricey, tho--$99US for the Plus, which inlcudes malleolus protection(Maybe I can find it cheaper). My wife would probably say it's worth it if it saves me from another broken ankle.;) I think their stuff makes you look a little like a stormtrooper out of Star Wars, too-not that it's a bad thing.:D

I bought a pair of the SIXSIXONE 4x4 (or 2x4's) whichever where the knee/shin combo and I really liked them except that the middle strap doesn't fit around my calve muscle (really big calves). So, I ended up buying a set of Roach FR in XL and they're too long and rub the top of my feet.

I like the feel of both (haven't ever used the Roach's, just trying them on) but neither fit me very well.

Right now I'm keeping the 661's and trying to get rid of the Roach's.

The fox 911 leg guards are excellent. They've got the hard shell on the knee and shin and are very comfortable. The only thing is on warmer days it gets a little hot in them but so do most types of pads/guards. They're tight enough so the dont move around but they dont cut off circulation either. Cant say i know much about elbow guards, i dont wear them but thats just me. The Definatley check out the 911's. The only problem i had, and this doesnt go for eveyone, was the velcro on the straps would rub against my leg. I just trimmed it off and everything was fine. Other then that they're excellent, definatley look at the 911 stuff.

Those Dainese are phatastic! They're pretty damn pricey, tho--$99US for the Plus, which inlcudes malleolus protection(Maybe I can find it cheaper). My wife would probably say it's worth it if it saves me from another broken ankle.;) I think their stuff makes you look a little like a stormtrooper out of Star Wars, too-not that it's a bad thing.:D


Well, dont watch Star Wars so i wouldnt know :P

But IMo the Dianese are well worth paying the extra money, they are amazing, and pretty hard wearing aswell.

The ankle protectors are pretty good, if they're the ones im thinking of that i have, i dont see how theycould stop a broken ankle however, they have plastic cups where your ankle is, which stops with nasty bumps and scrapes, and in a way, they do provide a bit more support i suppose...

pads are one of those things that, if you never use (never fall/hit your leg) they don't seem to do much. so if you never fall or wack your legs, light pads seem nice. but when you do fall, you wish you had the best pads on your legs.

I think some of the thicker, non-plastic pads are great. I don't care about my shins so I just wear knee pads. my pads are pretty thick and work pretty well.

for XC type riding, lighter pads would seem to be better. until you fall on a sharp rock or pointy stick.

I bought a pair of the SIXSIXONE 4x4 (or 2x4's) whichever where the knee/shin combo and I really liked them except that the middle strap doesn't fit around my calve muscle (really big calves). So, I ended up buying a set of Roach FR in XL and they're too long and rub the top of my feet.

The XL Roaches are the proper length for me, but they didn't fit around my calves, either...I had to modify them with some extra velcro.

I would have preferred the Dainese, but I'm afraid they're sized quite small. :mad:

I'm thinking next set I get I'm going the Troy Lee knee pads. They are really big pads that go about 15cm up and down from your knee and never move. I have used both Fox 911 and Dainese knee/shin combo pads and yes they protect your shin, but never your knee. I find they always move and yes they are the best fitting ones I could find any where. My reasoning is, my shins will prob get hacked up but hey chicks dig scars :p but knee damage is the worse. Oh and if you wan a knee shin combo that won't move I guarantee the Dainese gladiator bib won't budge.

Also I have four stitches on my left knee because some Fox shinnies (which at the time were sitting properly) slipped during a crash at 50km/h., Sure I was going fast, but seriously they should be able to protect you from something like that. It's what they are designed for. Also with the TLD knee pads I can look real hardcore in my Troy Leed gear :p

I really like my Roach shin/knees.....they fit me really well. The shell is very hard, and covers a lot of surface area compared to the 661race pads, and they are really comfortable once you break them in. The dont shift around on you, and arent very expensive. Dianese are nice, but ive heard issues regarding long term wear....****us the price.

Well, dont watch Star Wars so i wouldnt know :P

But IMo the Dianese are well worth paying the extra money, they are amazing, and pretty hard wearing aswell.

The ankle protectors are pretty good, if they're the ones im thinking of that i have, i dont see how theycould stop a broken ankle however, they have plastic cups where your ankle is, which stops with nasty bumps and scrapes, and in a way, they do provide a bit more support i suppose...

C'mon! You haven't seen the original 3 movies at all? I'm shocked!;)

I know that the ankle protection wouldn't have prevented my break--that was a simple matter of leverage. But, Tuesday morning, my foot slipped out of my pedal on a hairy curve and I banged my ankle into it pretty damn hard(luckily, not the side with the steel plate in it). Probably take a lot of force to break a bone that way, but some protection would be better than what I got now.

The XL Roaches are the proper length for me, but they didn't fit around my calves, either...I had to modify them with some extra velcro.

I would have preferred the Dainese, but I'm afraid they're sized quite small. :mad:


That would definitely be an issue. My legs are, and always have been, big. Need to hit the local MX shop and try some on to get an idea of brand sizes. My LBS only carries knee pads for skating which would work for biking, but I'd rather have the combo.

Dainese are made for kids. I use an xxxxl I think in their uppr armour. I use 661 now, they make stuff for adults.

I use fox and I like them pretty well,not too pricey.

Dainese are made for kids. I use an xxxxl I think in their uppr armour. I use 661 now, they make stuff for adults.

I agree that the Dainese are pretty small, although i use Large leg pads and large Arm pads and im 5'8 and they feel fine... My calf muscles are also pretty big, do you mean the full on body Armor Mael?

I agree that the Dainese are pretty small, although i use Large leg pads and large Arm pads and im 5'8 and they feel fine... My calf muscles are also pretty big, do you mean the full on body Armor Mael?

I meant overall. I never tried their dedicated leg armour. It is never my calves that cause a problem (with the 661 stuff) but my thighs are huge from powerlifting. Most of the upper straps aren't made big enough for me. Also, they tend not to be long enough.

I LOVE the ROACH armor, but the XL straps do not fit around my legs either, I will have to mod them soon, maybe during break.

I have the 661's, but I am not too happy with their quality. The stitching on the fasteners started to come apart pretty early on.

The protection has been great though! My riding ability (aka confidence) went up immediately.

I really like the look of the ones sold at MEC - I think they were made by KENDO.

i haven seen anyone say anything about mace, how bout the tectonics(shinpads)... i think im gunna buy a pair of thoes. anyone tried these?

I bought a pair of the SIXSIXONE 4x4 (or 2x4's) whichever where the knee/shin combo and I really liked them except that the middle strap doesn't fit around my calve muscle (really big calves). So, I ended up buying a set of Roach FR in XL and they're too long and rub the top of my feet.

I like the feel of both (haven't ever used the Roach's, just trying them on) but neither fit me very well.

Right now I'm keeping the 661's and trying to get rid of the Roach's.
Too long you say? We may need to talk.......

I have dainese and haven't tried anything else but i like them. Also, as Hopper said, you'll be hard pressed to find a shinnie that stays over your knee when you crash.