Lower leg protection

[Supratad]

Is there owt on market that would protect my lower legs, front and back from pedal gouging and general abuse?
I know there are shin and knee guards that are more DH orientated, but I'm thinking something lightweight for XC. Short of using the plastic Specialised pedals that came with my bike, I need something to stop my legs looking like a drug addict's forearms.

Would also be good for nettles, and I seem to swell up in hives at any point that contacts any form of plantlife.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have used Troy Lee Design's "Shock Doctor" range for years and years. They are lightweight, breathable, water resistant, washable, and tumble drier friendly. They are comfy for all day riding. They will do the job you want because that is what I have been using them for. They are not hard-faced so no good for pointy rocks. I have taken them to the Alps and other pointy-rock places and so far escaped without too much damage. That they are slip-ons not strap ons, is the only downside I can think of.

So much for the build up, now for the let down. TLD have just stopped making them! You may be able to get a pair somewhere, here for example: (Sadly only in XS, but at least you know what they look like).

Edit: Hmm, that was a link to an Amazon web page, which for some reason just displays a white space. You will have to find it yourself, sorry.

I'm pretty sure that TLD will have a replacement in their line up, I just don't know what it is yet. Fortunately for me, I have my third pair of knee&shin guards in my bike cupboard just waiting for my 2nd pair to finally give up the ghost. My elbow guards are still going strong.

TLD must have sold a lot of them because I see them regularly on the trail.

 

[Rowbos]

I bought some of these for this very reason...

SingleTrack Shin Guard Sock - Black

Buy SingleTrack Shin Guard Sock - Black online with Endura.

www.endurasport.com

 

[steve_sordy]

I bought some of these for this very reason...

SingleTrack Shin Guard Sock - Black

Buy SingleTrack Shin Guard Sock - Black online with Endura.

www.endurasport.com

Ooh they look good! What are they like at staying up?
The last thing I want to be doing is constantly pulling them up, or having to buy some suspenders!!!

 

[Rowbos]

Ooh they look good! What are they like at staying up?
The last thing I want to be doing is constantly pulling them up, or having to buy some suspenders!!!

They fit quite snugly, I've only worn them a few times but so far they stay up and don't move.

Not a massive amount of padding, two pads on the front of the shin and and one on your ankle - but it just feels like you are wearing socks so that's the compromise I guess. After bashing my legs and ankles a couple of times and also all the nettle and thorn cuts I've had I thought they were worth a try and so far so good...

 

[Supratad]

They look good but I don't think it's anything other than sock material on the back, or calf. I seem to gash my legs there when standing over the bike to open gates etc.

 

[Rowbos]

They look good but I don't think it's anything other than sock material on the back, or calf. I seem to gash my legs there when standing over the bike to open gates etc.

That is true... but they are certainly better than the trainer socks I was wearing before

 

[Supratad]

If only I'd kept my old shin guards from 1978. I could have slipped them down the back of the socks.

 

[Tobers]

I bought a set of these:

Cleaver knee-shin guard black

The Cleaver knee and shin protector are based on the super light "Mallet" series, however they are more thickly padded and protected for improved protection and are ideal mainly for racing. Manufactured from two components, the hard...

ixs.com

They are rather more robust than I think you are looking for, with no padding at the back of the legs, but i always smash my shins and not my calves. Combining the knee and shin protection is good for me, and you forget you are wearing them.

I tend to be pretty inept with my pedals so I’m very happy to have these on.

 

[thbo]

I was thinking of getting a pair of these Race Face Flank Leg protectors for the same reason. They are the same as the Race Face Ambush Knee protectors only longer. Although it mostly protects the front of the shins. But they are very easy to take on and off.

Flank Leg | MTB Protection | Raceface

Full coverage pad with certified D3O™ impact protection and a protective extension to cover the shin from damage. The Flank leg features an open back construction for easy trailside install after the long climb up.

www.raceface.com

The Endura socks above were interesting going forward in the autumn season though.

 

[Andrie]

TSG SAMIR. I found that out from watching Sam Pilgrim. He and Amir Kabani creates it, thus the name Samir. It has a hard shell removable shin guard.

TSG shinguard samir shinguard samir black

Short-style shinguard for use in combination with longer knee guards like our Tahoe. Created and developed by Sam Pilgrim and Amir Kabbani. With foam padding, a removable PE guard and lateral splint in a flexible neoprene body.

www.ridetsg.com

 

[Supratad]

TSG SAMIR. I found that out from watching Sam Pilgrim. He and Amir Kabani creates it, thus the name Samir. It has a hard shell removable shin guard.

TSG shinguard samir shinguard samir black

Short-style shinguard for use in combination with longer knee guards like our Tahoe. Created and developed by Sam Pilgrim and Amir Kabbani. With foam padding, a removable PE guard and lateral splint in a flexible neoprene body.

www.ridetsg.com

Oof, pricy. They are open back though, even though the picture shows them closed, I wonder if thats just because they are not on an actual leg.
That sort of thing with a close back would be ideal though.,


Looks like it might be OK though.

 

[JetSedgwick]

how about using soccer shin guards under your socks? cheap and light.

 

[Supratad]

If only I'd kept my old shin guards from 1978. I could have slipped them down the back of the socks.

Ahem.

 

[Supratad]

My wife’s solution. “Ride better?”

Right, How do I restrict the power on her Cube?

 

[Andrie]

Oof, pricy. They are open back though, even though the picture shows them closed, I wonder if thats just because they are not on an actual leg.
That sort of thing with a close back would be ideal though.,


Looks like it might be OK though. View attachment 39661

They are not open back. They are closed back. I have them. Amazon is cheaper than direct

 

[p3eps]

I was thinking of getting a pair of these Race Face Flank Leg protectors for the same reason. They are the same as the Race Face Ambush Knee protectors only longer. Although it mostly protects the front of the shins. But they are very easy to take on and off.

Flank Leg | MTB Protection | Raceface

Full coverage pad with certified D3O™ impact protection and a protective extension to cover the shin from damage. The Flank leg features an open back construction for easy trailside install after the long climb up.

www.raceface.com

The Endura socks above were interesting going forward in the autumn season though.

I’ve got a pair of these. Yep, easy to get on and off - and cover about 1/2 hour shin... but they are pretty bulky.
move ditched them in favour of some Fox Enduro D30’s - which are much slimmer and more comfortable. No shin protection however!

Prior to the Raceface ones, I had some 661 D30 pads that covered shin and knee. Less bulky than the Raceface... but they slid on over your foot, and were a proper pain to get off when sweaty!!

 

[Sherman]

I’ve been toying with idea of trying cut proof ice hockey socks. Not sure how much protection they have for shins. But most of my scars are on my calves, so maybe they would work.

 

[thbo]

I’ve got a pair of these. Yep, easy to get on and off - and cover about 1/2 hour shin... but they are pretty bulky.
move ditched them in favour of some Fox Enduro D30’s - which are much slimmer and more comfortable. No shin protection however!

Prior to the Raceface ones, I had some 661 D30 pads that covered shin and knee. Less bulky than the Raceface... but they slid on over your foot, and were a proper pain to get off when sweaty!!

Don’t the Fox Enduro D30s also slide on over your foot?

I was wondering about that; are the Race Face Flanks too much for trail usage ? Technical with some drops.

 

[Supratad]

I’ve been toying with idea of trying cut proof ice hockey socks. Not sure how much protection they have for shins. But most of my scars are on my calves, so maybe they would work.

Just looked at those. Ideal for the calves but ... no effing shin protection. Arghhhh, does no one actually make something that protects the whole leg, and isn't £60+

 

[04fuxake]

I've wondered about something like these: Comas Shinguards

 

[Supratad]

Warrior Cut-Proof Pro Socks

Highest cut resistance fabric in all of hockey - ANSI Cut Level 4 – Save yourself from stitches Developed with the a new X13 yarn design that washes and wears with stretch for comfort Padded zones in the ankle stabilize fit and increase comfort ideal for on ice and dry land training Long lasting...

puckstop.com

These might be OK. The whole sock seems to be made of the same fabric. Surely if its ANSI 4 cut protection, it can take pedal studs.

 

[p3eps]

Don’t the Fox Enduro D30s also slide on over your foot?

I was wondering about that; are the Race Face Flanks too much for trail usage ? Technical with some drops.

yes, they slide over the foot too - however they’re small and neat and really easy to get on and off. Best of all, you can remove the padding and machine wash. My 661 ones are honking ?

I’ll save my Flank’s for winter for putting over tights - as the wrap around Velcro is much better for this than pull on.

 

[driftmonkey]

Is there owt on market that would protect my lower legs, front and back from pedal gouging and general abuse?
I know there are shin and knee guards that are more DH orientated, but I'm thinking something lightweight for XC. Short of using the plastic Specialised pedals that came with my bike, I need something to stop my legs looking like a drug addict's forearms.

Would also be good for nettles, and I seem to swell up in hives at any point that contacts any form of plantlife.

Race Face Flanks - excellent all round protection and a good price here: Race Face Flank Leg D30 Guard
They can get warm - but all pads do and I think these are great for protecting against pedal bite. They can be taken on and off without removing your shoes too which is a VERY handy feature.

 

[urastus]

I've been wearing compression socks. I was wearing knee pads, but my shins and the inside of my ankles have copped a beating. The socks don't stop it of course, but the damage seems to be less, and it's as though a compression bandage is already applied . I also have big veins which freak me out. I tend to ride in eco and pedal a lot, so I want freedom of movement and not something that sweats and doesn't breathe. It's something that is better than nothing.

 

[thbo]

Race Face Flanks - excellent all round protection and a good price here: Race Face Flank Leg D30 Guard
They can get warm - but all pads do and I think these are great for protecting against pedal bite. They can be taken on and off without removing your shoes too which is a VERY handy feature.

I really want these. But are they flexible and not a hinderance when pedalling hard?

I guess these with a zip is an alternative but no side protection ... FLEXI KNEE PADS TRAIL ZIP

 

[driftmonkey]

I really want these. But are they flexible and not a hinderance when pedalling hard?

I guess these with a zip is an alternative but no side protection ... FLEXI KNEE PADS TRAIL ZIP

Yes they are flexible as the D30 material is flexible. No problem when pedalling hard in my experience

 

[urastus]

This got me thinking again - and I came up with something that is relatively cheap too. These particular ones have some vents - other soccer guards don't seem to. Because these go around the ankle as well, I thought it would help hold them up meaning that the top strap would not need to be tight. AU $20. Even when I used to ride clipless, it was my shins that suffered the most.

 

[Supratad]

I bought ice hockey socks in the end, for all round protection plus it seems tall socks are no longer unfashionable in cycling.
No marks to legs after ride today, though I’m now wondering if they do an all in one bodysuit.

 

[Supratad]

Another ride today and no new leg damage due to socks...

...until I got home, lifted bike up onto repair stand and caught my knee with one of the pedal studs.
I mean seriously, wtf?? there's like 3" of bare flesh between sock and shorts hem.