Check out these shorts: https://www.shockdoctor.com/ultra-shockskin-5-pad-impact-short This past summer, I took a spill outside Crested Butte (Doctor's Park #424 for the locals) that could have been a REAL problem. For a few mins, I thought I could have broken my femur. I came off the bike at a low speed, but landed with full force on a sharp embedded baby-head. I had zero padding on the front, and the simple slide in foam on the side of my thigh. The area that had foam sustained minimal damage, while the front swelled to ghastly proportions and after vomiting a few times from pain - allowed me to ride out the next 40 miles under the influence of an opiate. NOT a pretty day. It ruined my ride - but ti could have been worse. My regular physician is a downhill mountain biker and a few weeks later, my body was still cleaning up the bruising when he asked what I did. He mentioned some shorts he used by Shock Doctor. I was wondering if any of you use these or similar shorts and what your thoughts are. I have been riding dirt for 35 years and this was the first time I really banked the thigh - but a broken femur could mean a helo ride in many areas. Heck, it could mean death in some... It doesnt take a ton of padding to displace the energy. Sure it will still hurt and bruise - but a break is significantly reduced. Thoughts?
I wear something similar. I've fallen in the rocks with them and they help there, but no major offs to really test them out.
i have often wondered why nobody made something to protect the front and side of the thigh i wear my knee guards upside down because theres not room in my boot for the bottom part just warmed them up an flattened them out add some elastic and velcro and instant thigh guard but i need too make the top bigger
I wear a lighter version of those shorts ... Just some small pads on the hips and tail bone ... Was your leg caught under the bike or were you clear of the bike?
Back in the 1980's, Canadian hockey giant Cooper briefly entered the motocross market. The Cooperall motocross pants were an over the boot design with no padding in the pant itself. rather a hockey-style "girdle" had pockets for foam padding for thigh, hip, tailbone. They offered much more protection than normal pants. The padding was slimmed down from the hockey version, and vented for airflow. Still a bit bulky. Couldn't find a picture with Google so snapped this picture-of-a-picture of me and my Cooperalls on 1985 KTM 350:
I was totally clear of the bike - just the force of the fall. I am not a "big" guy as my name would indicate lol - only in the 150's. I guess the takeaway is it was a one time thing...but I wear a neck brace too and that is probably for a one time thing too. Just trying to find the right balance and frankly am surprised there are not more of these at market.
It only takes one rock, ESP a sharp-edged embedded one to cause excessive damage ... All this gear is really insurance against the unknown ... Look at all the times your helmet is nothing more than a sweat catcher. But I have not rode 100 yds here in 4 yrs without it ... Same for the mx boots. -- Lots of the enduro-type pants have some padding in them ... Maybe that is why the undershorts are not overly popular ... $60 per pair is on the outer limits of my scale but I'd try a pair I think ... Notice they reenforce the breath ability of the material... For me in this place, I can't wear anything totally black on the outside as the heat draw is just too much for me and my legs cramp to the point I can't keep my feet on the pegs. But under the bottom, black might be ok... We have plenty of embedded rocks here for sure ... -- 150? That's my size ... You look like a giant beside that flag ... I was thinking that was a Garrison flag
I have a few pairs of the Klim tactical shorts. They have some very dense foam in the thigh, hip and tail bone area. They also help to fight off the dreaded monkey butt. Plus my wife says I look hot in them...
