
I’ve amassed a lot of Instagram-worthy bruises and injuries from MTB over the years to warrant wearing good protection. Knee pads and MTB helmets are a given for gravity riding but padded protective shorts are also a lifesaver – well, skin saver. It seems cool at the time to show off the war wounds for Insta, but the next day, waking up welded to bedsheets with congealed blood isn’t fun.
There are plenty of options out there, ranging from full-on battle gear to lightweight minimal protection. The Leatt Impact 3DF Shorts aim to get the right level of protection, comfort, and breathability. With a super-comfy dual-density chamois and 3DF impact foam protection at the hip and thigh padding these look the part if you’re after more lightweight pedal-friendly protection.