MTB Safety Gear for Kids: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Young Riders Beyond the Helmet

So, your child has caught the mountain biking bug. Amazing! Welcome to the world of true fear as your child utters sentences like “Mum, can I try that drop?” Before panic sets in, take a deep breath – because you’ve got this. And with the right safety gear, so do they.

Sure, we all know helmets are essential (and if you’re not sure which one for your child to go for, check out our full guide to kids’ bike helmets here). But once your little one starts hitting trails, pump tracks, or anything with even a whiff of a jump, you’ll want more than just head protection.

Here’s your no-fuss, no-jargon guide to mountain biking safety gear for children – written by one slightly tired but very enthusiastic mum who’s been there, patched that.

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Why Safety Gear Beyond the Helmet Really Matters

Mountain biking is brilliant for building confidence, resilience, and coordination – but it does come with a few bumps and bruises (especially if your rider is more “send it” than “steady”).

Proper gear helps:

• Prevent scrapes, knocks and sprains
• Reduce post-fall fear (they’re more likely to get back on)
• Keep YOU calmer, knowing they’re protected

And let’s be honest, if they can bounce back up after a fall, they won’t think twice about jumping back on their bike!

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1. Knee & Elbow Pads

Essential? Yes. These are the first line of defence when things go sideways (literally).

What to look for:

• Lightweight but durable (too bulky = complaints)
• Slip-on or Velcro closure for quick changes
• Flexible design that doesn’t restrict pedalling or turning the handlebars

⚡ Pro tip: Some brands offer combo packs with matching knee and elbow pads – easier on the wallet and more likely to match their bike.

✅ Mums Tips: In my research I’ve seen other parents recommend TiGo and LittlePro due to their quality and little sizes. I purchased the LittlePro Elbow Pads and LittlePro Knee Pads, a sleeve style pad, with sizes from toddler to 12 years and fun colours. The sleeve style was preferred by our lads (they didn’t like the itchy velcro ones they’d tried before). These stay up, are comfy, don’t get sweaty (like the plastic ones), and apparently work too (as attested by our youngest when he took a tumble!). Top Tip: We were recommended to shop by age and not the size (due to variations with how and where people measure – this turned out to be perfect for us!
I’ve also seen some comments by Mums and Dads who say their children with sensory issues don’t like the sleeve style pads – our eldest can be fussy sometimes but has been happy with these – for the price point it’s affordable to try both styles and see what your child prefers.

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2. Full-Finger Gloves

Not just for warmth – gloves protect little hands from gravel rash, brambles, and the occasional braced landing.

What to look for:

• Grippy palms
• Breathable fabric
• Velcro or elastic cuffs that stay put

Bonus: they make your child feel like a real mountain biker. And that’s half the battle, right?

✅ Mums Tips: We started off with fingerless gloves, but soon came to realise that full finger gloves are the way forward, whatever the season – this is due to coming into unavoidable close contact with brambles, holly leaves and lots of other spiky singletrack foliage. Not to mention offering additional protection should the inevitable happen and someone takes a tumble!

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3. Eye Protection or Goggles

Yes, even on cloudy days. Dust, dirt, bugs, and low-hanging branches don’t care about the weather.

Choose:

• Wraparound sunglasses for casual trails
• MTB-specific goggles for full-face helmet use

They’re also great for preventing tears… from wind, I mean. Not from frustration about having to get up another hill 😅.

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4. Body Armour (Optional but Reassuring)

This one’s for the brave children tackling the BIG jumps!

Options include:

• Chest protectors (like a mini motocross vest)
• Back protectors
• All-in-one jackets with integrated padding

Not essential for mellow trail rides, but a confidence-booster for more advanced little rippers. We’ve not tried any specific brands or styles yet, so if you have one you recommend, let us know!

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5. Hydration Pack

They’ll feel like a proper adventurer with one of these on – plus, you’ll avoid the whole “I’m thirsty!” chorus every 10 minutes. It’s not a safety requirement per-se, but a well hydrated child is less likely to make a silly mistake resulting in a fall…

Choose one with:

• Small bladder size (1–1.5L is plenty)
• Chest strap to stop it swinging
• A bit of room for snacks and a mini first aid kit (grown ups bag)

✅ Mums Tips: I wouldn’t worry about a bladder pack from too early an age, let them get used to riding before throwing additional weight on them. We used bottle cages first, but the boys were keen to progress to hydration packs “like Dad.” We found some cheap bags on Amazon which offered chest and hip straps to reduce movement, and although aimed at adults, they fasten pretty small and fit our small 8 year old pretty well. We got bladders from Aldi for a good price, but these are readily available from all outdoor stores for pretty cheap. You can even get them from Amazon, just be sure the check they are BPA free.

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6. Mini First Aid Kit

This one’s for you, fellow grown-up. Always carry a mini kit with:

• Plasters
• Antiseptic wipes
• Steri-strips
• Tweezers (for the inevitable bramble moments)

✅ Mums Tips: I carry a very mini version of my walking first aid kit. I don’t have room in my hydration bag for my extensive one, nor do I want to be carrying too much weight, so I carry a few essentials to help if the worst should happen.

👉 Coming Soon: A Parents Mini Mtb Essentials First Aid Kit

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7. Confidence is Safety Too

This isn’t gear you can buy – but it’s maybe the most important thing they need.

A confident rider is a safer rider.

Try:

• Starting small and building up gradually
• Practising on pump tracks or at the park
• Celebrating every little win (even the first proper use of gears without drama!)
• If you have the budget, get some lessons – experts will show your child how to handle their bike and position themselves in different scenarios – and even how to fall safely!

✅ Mums Tips: We found spending time at Pump Tracks and practicing little manoeuvres on our drive really helped build the boys skill levels.

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Top Brands Worth Checking Out

Here are a few family favourites when it comes to children’s safety gear. Everything we recommend here has been purchased by ourselves, used by either us or the boys, and is an honest review:

• LittlePro – affordable elbow and knee pads for little limbs
• Cratoni – super lightweight and well ventilated helmets for hill climbers
• Seven iDP – solid full-face, affordable, helmets for children
• Madison – for teens and parents, D30 elbow and knee pad protection
• Muc Off – Super cute designed children’s sized mtb gloves

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Final Thought: Better Gear, Happier Riders

Here’s the thing: mountain biking with your child isn’t just about staying safe. It’s about letting them feel brave, push their limits, and have adventures you’ll both remember forever.

The right gear won’t stop every fall – but it will make them easier to bounce back from. Literally. 😅

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