Do you wear elbow/knee pads?

[Rod9301]

Wearing pads will make you a better rider, you will try more things

 

[blackke17]

i usually strap my Leatt 3DF knee pads to my frame using a ski strap for the climb. they slide right over my vans to put them on so its pretty painless

 

[Slim]

@Monique said: “I figure my hydration pack will provide some protection if I fall”.

Yes, it will!
one of the German mtb magazines had a test a while back of hydration packs with built in spine protectors. They also tested a regular pack with half full water bladder and ultralight down jacket.
It easily passed the CE1 test, scoring substantially better than many of the spine protectors!