Whats your oppinion on FOX protection gear?

[Elitephotooc]

Im just getting into this sport of mountain biking...and knowing me I will go into it full force once I get use to this bike. Im debating weither or not to buy the fox knee/shin gaurds...does anyone use these, if so what is your oppinion about them? Are the halfway comfortable to wear while riding? Do they make you real hot and sweaty? Also...has anyone tried out their armor coat? that thing looks like it would do well in a nasty crash but it also looks very uncomfortable and hot! Not to mention costly! I would love to hear everyones oppinion about these things (preferably who actually has used this stuff)

 

[roadkillross]

i have the fox launch suit and fox launch knee shin pads and they are amazing.. super breathable and comfortable i just lost one of my launch knee shins so im gonna have to buy some new ones gonna try out roach but i definetly recommend fox

 

[Elitephotooc]

good news. thank you buddy. but yeah those were the ones i was looking at... the Launch knee/shin gaurd combo and possibly the launch suit too.

 

[i am dino]

Best thing to do is go and try on a few different brands. They all will fit differently and breathe a little different too. Many of us on this forum use some form of shin/knee protection as well as forearm/elbow protection depending on the type of rides we are doing. You want to make sure that the pads aren't too much of a burden if you plan on carrying them in your camelbak.

Personally I use pads made by ROACH and I do like them. The leg pads are a little cumbersome to carry on my camelbak but I figured out a good way to fasten them and they aren't an issue to carry anymore. They offer great protection and stay put in the event of a crash. I like the Roach because they offer wrap around protection on the leg, meaning they dont just protect the front of the shin/knee and have 5 velcro straps to keep them snug. The forearm/elbow protectors I have by them are great also. They fit securly and have two good velcro fasteners. The only downside is they don't breathe all that well, but generally if I'm wearing them I'm not wearing them for an entire ride.

 

[Elitephotooc]

Cool I will check out the Roach too then. Looks like I will have to make a trip to the bike shop after work.

 

[i am dino]

Forgot to mention, I'm only 5'8 on a good day and went with "Large" for the leg pads, again, different brands will fit different. I'd just hate for you to order some off the internet somewhere and get the size you thought would fit only to have them be too snug (or too big).

Here is a crappy shot I found of them online (legs):

 

[Elitephotooc]

thx dino. yeah something like that ill definately pay more for at a retail shop so i can try them on

 

[killa Cali Kid]

btw- i belive roach and raceface are the same for products you are looking at. I have RF freeride knee/shin and like them (dont have arm). solid protection but can get a bit sweaty on hot days. as Dino says once you figure out how to secure to camelback no issues. most def try on before buying

 

[PacMan]

I have the Fox Launch pads and love them. They breathe really well and are pretty comfortable, considering the amount of protection they provide.

 

[Elitephotooc]

I checked out the fox and the roach ones today. the roach seem to be very bulky especially above the knee. didnt like that to much. the fox seemed nice but when i flex my knee they were sliding up and down my leg a lil. i can see that giving me some friction burn. the raceface ones look really similiar if not the same as the fox. Hmmmmm

 

[roadkillross]

tha raceface and roach shoudl be exactly the same just logos are different.

ill sell you my left launch knee shin since i lost my right im going to be buying the roach's FR

 

[shagginwagon]

I checked out the fox and the roach ones today. the roach seem to be very bulky especially above the knee. didnt like that to much. the fox seemed nice but when i flex my knee they were sliding up and down my leg a lil. i can see that giving me some friction burn. the raceface ones look really similiar if not the same as the fox. Hmmmmm

I wear 661 Tom Kat DJ knee pads with Fox BMX shin guards . The seperate pads give alot more range of motion without bunching or sliding around . Lizard Skinz makes seperate DJ knee pads and shin guards also . Just another option ..........

 

[Elitephotooc]

yeah I was checking out those lizard skins but only in a catalog at performance bikes. They have the fox in stock, i think i may just kick down and buy those...they seem nice, just maybe need to get use to them. and damn how i wish I had them last night when i went down for the first time on the new bike haha. knee, forearm and elbow is a lil bloody but hey its bound to happen!

 

[i am dino]

damn how i wish I had them last night when i went down for the first time on the new bike haha. knee, forearm and elbow is a lil bloody but hey its bound to happen!

give us the details!!!

the only thing worse than not having pads when crashing is HAVING THEM IN YOUR CAMELBAK when you crash because you think you don't need them for that particular descent. (dont' ask how I know this #-o ).

 

[Elitephotooc]

hhahah Dino...yeah id feel like an idiot ( no offense) if i crashed and had pads strapped on in another place then where they were meant to be worn haha. anyway i was climbing up the twisty hill climb at peters canyon loop and i was loosing momentem so i went to shift to a better gear for climbing and got the chain crossed up so it didnt engage...i lost ALL momentem and started rolling backwards, i held it up for a few secs but then before i knew what hit me I was on my ass....still clipped into my damn pedals with my bike on top of me haha. good thing its light! but yeah my knee and elbow hit the hard pack first and did a pretty number. but hey...it coulda been worse. i shattered my knee and leg a few years ago on a MX bike...luckily i landed on the opposite knee this time.

 

[tkblazer]

ahahahaha hopefully no one saw you! unfortunately for me, the last time i did that i was on an STR ride and gave some people a laugh.

 

[Elitephotooc]

yeah i had a guy behind me...so it was seen and laughed at! haha. to be honest, after the initial shock wore off i was laughing to.

 

[SAR_boats]

I havent ridden with the launch suit on but I tried it on at my LBS and I wish I had it when I crashed last time, I might not be so f-ed up right now if I had. Anyway, as soon as I heal up and get back on a bike that is going to be my first purchase. I ride almost exclusively in fox gear and it never fails to impress, if you have the coin to drop on it

 

[mdbradigan]

Would definitely second (thirteen?) the recommendation for the Fox Launch gear. Am new to the sport, but just picked up the Launch knee/shin and elbow pads and was surprised how comfortable they are to wear all day. Wish I had been wearing them last night when I endo'd down a small section of stairs in my apartment complex. (I said I was new at this, right?)

 

[Elitephotooc]

Ouch, Indoed Down Stairs Haha. Anyway I Dropped The Money Today On The Fox Launch Shin/knee Pads As Well As Their Launch Elbow/forearm Pads. I Couldnt Drop The 200 Bucks For The Suit. Hope These Things Work