MTB Protection Guide

Regardless of whether you are a beginner or going pro on the mountain bike - all of us need a certain level of protection, which usually does not stop with a helmet or gloves. Depending on your skill & individual preference, you may require more pads or decide to focus on the essentials. To find the right knee and elbow protectors for you, you should consider various aspects such as protection level, fit and area of use. We show your perfect protection set up can look like so you can continue to have fun on the bike even in dicey situations.

The choice of the right mountain bike protection is mostly related to where you are riding. In the bike park, on jumps or fast downhills, most people go for comprehensive protection on the body, knees and elbows using pads with high-impact protection level certification. These protect you against impacts and bruises when things go south on rocky sections, steep lines, or mid-air. If you're more into trails, mellow runs, and enduro touring, you'll probably be fine with medium-level protection. One big advantage is that these pads are still comfortable when you need to pedal some sections or uphill as they come with better breathability. Still, our medium impact protection fulfills Level-1 certification and offers reliable protection. Touring and bike trips with uphills in between may require only basic protection and provide a functional fit while maintaining breathability, comfort, and light protection.

In the end, it’s up to your personal and individual preferences. Some riders feel safe with the minimum, others only feel comfortable with heavy impact protection. Please always try on your pads before using them to ensure a good & reliable fit.

Whether you need extra protection to learn that new trick or want to focus completely on what's in front of you. Sometimes you'll want to rely on extra protection for your torso, hips, and shins.

Our protector vests come with a SAS-Tec backplate that absorbs shock. Optionally, the Scrub Amp Longsleeve offers you additional light protection in the shoulder area and on the elbows.

The protection shorts also provide light impact protection and guard against abrasions on the side of the thigh, hips, and tailbone. ION protection shorts and vests are also suitable for wearing underneath outside the bike park thanks to their lightweight and breathable construction. The Protection Short Plus Scrub Amp even combines protection with comfort thanks to integrated SQLab Chamois and is therefore well suited for tours.

Depending on the model, it is important that you find the correct measurement points. Since each protector is cut to different lengths, the point at which you measure the circumference changes. So it can also happen that you need different sizes for different models. If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one for a tight and reliable fit.

Visit our fit guide to find precise measurements & instructions.

OPEN FIT GUIDE

Say No to smelly pads! To ensure a pleasant wearing experience as well as an extended lifetime of your MTB pads you’ll need to apply some care from time to time:

• After each use, allow your body armor to air out and dry well. Avoid direct sun as UV-rays can damage the material

• There are specific cleaning instructions with each product. Please read them before washing. Often simple hand washing with mild soap is already enough.

• Before washing, check if the pads can be removed. If so, do not machine wash them.

• Allow your protectors to dry in the air and under no circumstances in the dryer.

• Zippers tend to be particularly affected by sweat and dirt. If they no longer close and open properly, wash your protectors according to the instructions.

DOWNLOAD CARE INSTRUCTIONS