+1000 on the gloves. I've had 3 unexpected slideouts, including a front tire flat on a fast descent, and in all 3 cases, my glove palms were shredded, but I had no hand injury/road rash. Without gloves, those would have been work-limiting injuries.

I don't ride particularly aggressively, but I'm seriously considering wearing light pads on elbows/knees on wet days where sliding out may happen.