There's no shortage of new options when it comes to keeping youself safe and sound on your mountain bike - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The recently-introduced Evo AM helmet by 661 gets new colourschemes for 2015. The Evo AM is available with and without the MIPS system - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
661 is working on a prototype soft armour body suit that uses D3O padding to absorb impacts - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
UK-based company Amplifi got its start in the snowsports industry and is quickly making inroads with soft armour for mountain biking. Shown here is the company's MKII jacket and elbow pads - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Amplifi's MKII elbow pads use a reactive material that the company calls 'Armour Gel' - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The MKII is also available as kneepads - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Apmplifi's reactive Armour Gel padding - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The US$199 Dainese Pro Pack features a two-peice design that allows the wearer to decide how much storage they need - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Dainese Pro Pack can store a CE2-certified spine protector, a water bladder along with the bare necessities in its slimmest configuration. The zip-off portion contains an additional 12 litres of storage capacity for longer rides - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Pro Pack has a waterproof smartphone case - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
There's an emergency whistle integrated into the sternum buckle of the Dainese Pro Pack - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Neck protection specialist Leatt is branching out into helmets, packs and pads. Shown here is the US$499 DBX Carbon. There will also be a US$399 version without the carbon shell - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Leatt is using Kali Protective's cone technology to dissipate impacts in its full face helmets - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Rather than using MIPS, Leatt has developed these little blue 'turbines' that are designed to twist in the event of an impact, thereby reducing friction between the wearer's skull and the helmet - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
These turbines are postioned underneath the pads in Leatt's helmets - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Airflex Knee and Elbow Guards are Leatt's lightest crash protectors - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Leatt's CE-certified Airflex line features 6mm of Armourgel padding - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Despite advances in soft, reactive body armour, Leatt continues to develop better hardshell options, such as these knee/shin pads - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
They are articulated at either end of the kneecap for excellent mobility - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Leatt's new DBX 3.0 pack features a back protector, 3-litre bladder and 10 litres of cargo capacity - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The wearer can adjust the level of spin protection in the DBX 3.0 pack by adding or removing 3DF pads - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
O'Neal has just released a full line of mountain bike goggles - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
In an attemp to eliminate the need of a hydration pack, Alpinestars has developed the Evolution Jacket, which features back protection and a hydration sleeve - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Evolution Jacket also features stash pockets for smaller items - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
G-Form has brought its manufacturing to the United States and has developed a new US$109 knee/shin combo - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Italian protection company UFO Plast is the first company to combine stiff yet highly breathable Koroyd structures with flexible reactive padding. Shown here is UFO's back protector - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
UFO Plast's knee protectors feature segments of the Koroyd material mated to flexible foam - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
There’s always room for improvements to protective gear in the rough-and-tumble world of mountain biking. More riders than ever are strapping on lightweight pads for those 'just in case' sections of trail.
Here’s a look at some of the best new gear we saw at the Eurobike and Interbike tradeshows.
Dainese Pro pack
It looks rather like a turtle shell (and it’s intended to serve much the same purpose) but unlike a turtle, you can jettison the extra baggage when you’re in a rush.
The us$199 dianese propack features a two-peice design that allows the wearer to decide how much storage they need. : the us$199 dianese propack features a two-peice design that allows the wearer to decide how much storage they need. - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Pro Pack nearly covers the wearer's entire back
As you might expect from a company with its roots in protective gear, protection comes first – and this pack has a CE2-certifed spine protector.
The dianese propack can store a ce2-certified spine protector, a water bladder along with the bare necessities in its slimmest configuration. the zip-off portion contains an additional 12 liters of storage capacity for longer rides: the dianese propack can store a ce2-certified spine protector, a water bladder along with the bare necessities in its slimmest configuration. the zip-off portion contains an additional 12 liters of storage capacity for longer rides - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Pro Pack in 'race' mode (left) and 'touring mode' (right)
The Pro Pack can be used in two modes: ‘race’ and ‘touring’. In race mode, the back can be streamlined by zipping off the exterior of the pack, which provides an addional 12 litres of storage capacity suitable for all-day rides. Even in this minimalist configuration, the pack offers a hydration bladder, helmet carrier and enough cargo capacity for a spare tube, pump and multi-tool.
The Pro Pack will retail for US$199. (UK and Australian pricing TBA.) Expect to see it in production in early 2015.
Leatt expands into helmets, body armour and packs
Neckbrace specialist Leatt has had a line of protective gear and packs for several seasons, though never as wide-ranging and polished as what the company is debuting for 2015.
Neck protection specialist leatt is branching out into helmets, packs and pads. shown here is the us$499 dbx carbon. there will also be a us$399 version without the carbon shell: neck protection specialist leatt is branching out into helmets, packs and pads. shown here is the us$499 dbx carbon. there will also be a us$399 version without the carbon shell - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The DBX Carbon is Leatt's flagship full face
Leatt’s new DBX helmet line features impact-dissipating cone technology borrowed from Kali Protectives, along with what, at first glance, appear to be tiny wind turbines positioned inside the helmet.
These turbines are postioned underneath the pads in leatt's helmets: these turbines are postioned underneath the pads in leatt's helmets - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
These tiny turbines rest under the pads and rotate under impact
These ‘turbines’ are not intended to keep the wearer cool, but rather, to twist in a crash, thereby reducing friction between the skull and the interior of the helmet in a manner that is functionally similar to the MIPS system.
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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