Shin guards do just that, guard the shins when biking - so when shopping for shin guards, consider if you need more, such as a set of pads to protect the knee, the knee and shin, or just the shins. Once you determine exactly what set of pads you'd like, next consider the level of protection you want. It is said that you can pick a mountain biker out of a crowd by taking note of the leg and arm scars of past bicycle mishaps. As a result of improvements to knee and shin protection materials and designs, such telltale scars may be a thing of the past. You can spend in a wide range for your knee/shin pads, say from $25 to $150. Starting with the $25-$60 price range, you'll find pad sets for both knee only and knee/shin protection. Materials at this price point are either hard plastic or foam to absorb impacts. Rising to the $60-$100 range, you'll find different styles such as slide-on knee and shin guards with neoprene sleeves, or even one-piece heavy-duty plastic knee and shin protectors. Reaching the higher $100-$150 price range, you can shop from a selection of shin guards that combine all of the available types discussed so far, but adding in advanced designs and material such as foam that hardens. That type of foam results in thin and comfortable leg protection while still providing superior protection from big impacts or errant pedals. There are knee and shin guards with ribbed hard shell kneecaps and asymmetrical hard shell shin plates so that there is specific left and right leg fittings. Sizing shin guards is based on the circumference of a cyclist's leg. Consult sizing charts from manufacturers to help choose the right size shin guards for you, taking note that not all bodies are shaped the same. Trail riders and freeriders may want shin guards with a bit less bulk, so a foam or hardening compound pad will suffice. But then, downhillers should consider wearing either a hard plastic or downhill specific model of knee/shin pads equipped with the appropriate special impact resistant padding. Every set of shin/knee pads uses a different strapping mechanism, along with different locations on the leg where they strap, so consider the strap designs. SixSixOne is one manufacturer that is pushing leg protection product development to new limits, while exceeding the standards specified for the motocross and mountain bike industries.