All Arround MTB

These lightweight, side-specific pads are great if you’re looking for a little extra protection when hooning about on your trail bike. While the elasticated openings feel tight when you first slip the Missions on, their position means they never feel uncomfortable or restrictive when riding. The stretchy mesh sleeve doesn’t get too hot either, and hugs your arm tightly to ensure the EVA foam padding stays put. While the padding itself looks a little flat and shapeless, well-positioned creases cut into the foam ensure the pad articulates with your arm. Coverage is decent too, with the padding starting just above the elbow and running to halfway down the forearm. As the Missions are thin, we’ve had no issues slipping them under jerseys or baselayers. They’re also light enough to stow in your pack. A more subtle black version would be nice, though. Price $75

These Troy Lee ‘elbow sleeves’ use a thin (4mm) section of flexible D3O padding to protect your elbow and most of your forearm from scuffs and scrapes. This is attached to a full-length sleeve, which stretches from your armpit to close to your wrist and has a breathable mesh panel at the back to stop things getting too clammy. In terms of comfort, there are few, if any, other pads that can touch the Speeds’ fit and feel. With no straps to worry about, security comes from the tight fit of the sleeve and the silicone gripper print on the inside of the upper opening. For the most part, this works. Only on particularly long, rough runs did we notice the top of the pads sliding down, though the sleeve kept the padding where it was needed. A good fit is critical with these pads, so try before buying – we ended up going a size smaller than usual. Price $75

SixSixOne’s Recon pads have a comfy fit and articulate incredibly well, but they’re not cheap. The stretchy sleeve incorporates a mesh panel at the rear that runs the length of the pad, which helps prevent you getting too hot. Silicone print at the upper and lower openings does its best to create traction with your skin, in the absence of any Velcro straps. For the most part it stops the pads sliding about, although if you hit a particularly long, rough descent you may find yourself needing to readjust them every once in a while, especially if it’s sweaty out. If you have a SixSixOne Evo armour jacket, the pads will popper onto it, helping them to stay put. Thanks to their lightweight, slimline nature, the Recons will fit under most jersey sleeves comfortably. That lack of bulk means they’re only good for ‘scuffs and scrapes’ prevention, though. Because they rely on the stretchy sleeve to keep them secure, with no additional strapping, we had no comfort issues even when wearing t...

FORCEFIELD’S EX-K PADS are CE level 2 certified, making them some of the toughest arm defenders you can buy. They’re pre-curved, have two robust retaining straps and a mesh sock over the lower arm to hold them in place. Protection is provided by Forcefield’s heat-activated Evo Nitrex armour (think a stiffer version of D3O) and the foam backing is perforated for improved breathability.