>Most falls usually end up with your palm hitting the ground first.

Oh! Didn't think of that. Strangely, the fall I had earlier this year, I whacked the ground really hard with my hands and expected bruising and grazing. They were fine, it was my legs and arms that were ripped up. My dad (GP) said that's typical: your hands tend to hit the ground and grip it (no grazing), while your legs slide along it and get shredded.

I can see how they would reduce bruising, but I guess for me the risk isn't such a big deal...

Steve