Mountain Bike Gear: Helmets, Pads, Shoes and Recovery Gear

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Friday night in the garage: pads drying on the workbench, the hydration pack refilled, a spare tube rolled into the pocket, the helmet hanging on the handlebar so it can’t be forgotten. Mountain bike gear isn’t about looking the part. Mountain bike injuries come mostly from falls, to the shoulder, wrist, hands and head, so the right mountain bike protective gear earns its place on every ride. Here’s what to buy, from the helmet to the shoes, how to choose each piece, and the recovery gear for the day after a big ride.

Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.

The quick checklist: a helmet that meets the CPSC standard (full-face for downhill and bike parks), full-finger gloves, eye protection, knee pads for trail and gravity riding, water and fuel, a pump, spare tube and multi-tool, shoes that suit your pedals, and a bell for shared trails.

Our top picks

Helmets: half-shell or full-face?

Every bike helmet made for the US since 1999 must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard (16 CFR 1203); look for the label inside. Beyond that, match the helmet to how you ride:

• Half-shell trail helmets for cross-country and most trail riding: more coverage at the back of the head than a road helmet, plus a visor. The Bell Nomad 2 MIPS (about $76) has an integrated MIPS liner, an easy-turn fit dial, an adjustable visor and two sizes (52–57 and 53–60 cm).
• Full-face helmets for downhill, bike parks and enduro. For downhill racing, the CPSC points to helmets certified to ASTM F1952, and UCI rules require a full-face helmet in downhill (racing and course training) and at all times while riding in enduro races. The Fox Proframe RS is a light full-face (710–910 g by size) certified to ASTM F1952 for downhill, ASTM F2032, CPSC 1203 and EN 1078, with a MIPS Integra Split liner, BOA fit dial, magnetic buckle and goggle-friendly visor. It lists at $399.95 and was on sale for about $252 at Fox when we checked.
• MIPS and ratings. MIPS is a slip layer the makers say is designed to reduce rotational forces in certain impacts. The CPSC notes no helmet has been proven to prevent concussions, so fit and the right style matter more. Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab publishes independent bike helmet ratings and recommends any helmet rated four or five stars.
• Fit and replacement. Snug, level, not shifting, straps buckled. Bike helmets are made for one impact: replace yours after any crash where it hits the ground, and otherwise follow the maker (the CPSC suggests 5–10 years if there’s no guidance).

Check the Fox Proframe RS price on Amazon

Knee pads and body armor

Knee pads are standard for trail, enduro and bike park riding. For downhill racing, the UCI requires long pants, or shorts with knee and shin protection, and strongly recommends rigid back, elbow, knee and shoulder protection. Look for a pad you can pedal in all day without it slipping:

• The Fox Launch D3O (about $53) uses a CE-certified D3O insert that stays flexible and hardens on impact, with a slip-on sleeve and a hook-and-loop strap. Fox says it runs small, so order one size up.
• The G-Form Pro-Rugged 2 knee-shin guards add shin coverage for pedal strikes and rocky trails, with SmartFlex padding, a tear-resistant DuraTx outer layer, silicone grippers and a ventilated mesh back (about $140).
• For bike parks, the Fox Launch Pro D3O adds a removable hard cap (about $115).

Check the Fox Launch D3O knee guard price on Amazon

Gloves and eye protection

Full-finger gloves improve grip on the bars and protect hands when you go down; the UCI recommends them for downhill racing. The Fox Ranger Gel (about $36) adds TruGel palm padding, touch-screen fingertips and a sweat wipe on the thumb. For eyes, sunglasses with clear or light lenses keep out dust, mud and branches on trail rides; with a full-face helmet, goggles fit better. The 100% Strata 2 goggles (about $30 to $65 by color and lens) have an anti-fog polycarbonate lens, double-layer face foam and a 40 mm silicone-coated strap.

Check the Fox Ranger Gel glove price on Amazon

Hydration packs

Long climbs on hot days add up, and trails can be far from a tap. NATA suggests drinking enough to limit weight loss to about 2% of body weight, without drinking so much that you gain weight. A hydration pack carries water plus IMBA’s “plan ahead” kit: pump, tube, multi-tool, a snack and a light layer. The CamelBak M.U.L.E. 12 (about $85) pairs a 100 oz (3 L) reservoir with 12 L of storage, a tool organizer, a magnetic tube clip, a helmet carry and a removable waist strap. Add an electrolyte mix on long, sweaty rides.

Check the CamelBak M.U.L.E. 12 price on Amazon

Flat vs clipless: shoes and pedals

Flat pedals with grippy shoes let you put a foot down or bail off the bike quickly, which is why many beginners, kids, jump and bike park riders prefer them; UCI pump track rules even require flat pedals. A flat-pedal shoe needs a sticky, flat sole and a protective toe. The Five Ten Freerider Pro has Five Ten’s Stealth rubber “Dotty” outsole for pedal grip, a reinforced toe box and an EVA midsole; we saw it at about $190 on Amazon, and price varies by version and seller.

Clipless pedals lock a two-bolt cleat (the SPD-style system used on most mountain bikes) into the pedal. Cross-country racers and many trail riders like them for pedaling efficiency and keeping feet in place on rough ground. The cleat is recessed in the sole so you can walk. Practice clipping out on grass before you need it on a trail, and set the release tension low to start.

Check the Five Ten Freerider Pro price on Amazon

A bell and a repair kit

IMBA’s Rules of the Trail ask riders to slow down and ring a bell or call out before passing. The Spurcycle Compact Bell (about $41) weighs 28 g, has a brass dome with a clear tone and a mount half the width of the original. IMBA also asks every rider to know how to fix a flat and make small repairs: carry a pump or CO2, a tube or plug kit and a multi-tool. More in trail rules and racing.

Recovery gear

After a day of descending, forearms, shoulders and legs feel it. The Hypervolt Go 3 is a 1.6-pound massage gun with up to 4 hours of battery (about $149) for quads, glutes and forearms. The Hyperice Normatec Go is a pair of wireless calf compression sleeves with seven pressure levels (about $379), and a TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 foam roller (about $40) does a lot for little money. For the walk back to the car, OOFOS OOahh slides (about $60) carry the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

These are comfort tools, not treatment. Pain that doesn’t settle in a few days, a shoulder or wrist that’s sore after a fall, numbness, or any head injury symptoms need a sports medicine doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer. Check with your doctor before using compression devices if you have circulation problems or other health conditions. See the mountain bike recovery page and our massage guns, compression boots and recovery shoes guides.

Back to the mountain biking hub, or see kids’ gear in the youth guide and mountain bike wearables. Road riding? See our cycling gear list for lights, road helmets and bike fit.

Mountain bike gear questions

What is ASTM F1952?

It’s the ASTM standard for downhill mountain bike racing helmets. The CPSC recommends F1952-certified helmets for downhill racing. Full-face helmets like the Fox Proframe RS list it alongside the CPSC bike standard that every US bike helmet must meet.

Do I need knee pads for mountain biking?

They’re optional on smooth cross-country trails but standard for rocky trail riding, enduro and bike parks, where crashes are more likely. Choose a pad you can pedal in comfortably, and a knee-shin guard if you often hit rocks or pedals.

Flat pedals or clipless for beginners?

Many beginners start on flat pedals with grippy shoes, since it’s easy to put a foot down and to learn good technique. Clipless pedals help with efficient pedaling once you’re comfortable; practice clipping out somewhere soft first.

How often should I replace my mountain bike helmet?

After any crash where it takes a hit, even if it looks fine, because bike helmets are designed for one impact. Otherwise follow the maker’s advice; without it, the CPSC suggests 5–10 years, or sooner if it’s cracked or worn.

Hydration pack or water bottle?

For short rides, a bottle on the frame is fine. For longer or hot rides far from water, a hydration pack carries more water plus tools, food and a layer. Many riders use both: a bottle with electrolytes and water in the pack.