I got out for my first real dirtboard kite-session this afternoon. I am super stoked! The soccer fields were wet and I am now seriously muddy, but I had a couple of good downwind pulls. Par for the course I suspect.

I was wondering what people wear for safety gear. I know that a helmet is a must and have been looking into a couple of different ones. Should I pay the extra money for a full-face or will a pro-tec style multi-sport suit me better? How about padding? Do people use elbow and/or shin pads? And should I look for skateboarding or mountain biking pads/helmet?

Also, I found a kite bag to a kitewindsurf.com ballistic 2.2. If you happen to have lost one or know someone who did send me a pm!

Well landboarding is a tricky sport new set of rules to learn vs water and snow. I believe in the begining there is for sure a set of must haves for ground boarding. As you progress you will learn to not need them as much.

1. Helmet (always no matter what your doing with a kite)
2. kneepads of any kind more padding on the actual knee more than anywhere else.
3. I ended up buying a pressure suit from sixsixone or any mountain board with spine protection equivelent. http://www.motoworldracing.com/SIXSIXON ... -Suit.html here is an example note: shop around the suit i ended up buying was a little over 100$

4. gloves
5. snowboard boots- after breaking my leg i didn't wanna take any chances so for the first few months getting back on the board i'd adjust the bindings wide as possible to ride with them. basically anything a bit better then tenny's You may suddenly need to run fast and a rolled ankle is very quick and easy with out proper support.

6. back to helmets- full or half face. I don't know i think its up too you. If you're timid and learning maybe go extra on every thing and full face it. I started kiting with a motocross helmet. my neck hurts ouch so if you're really into it try a paragliding full face charley insider is a good inexpensive one. http://www.pegasusparagliding.com/Pages ... sories.htm Try a bmxer or biking helmet basically anything comfortable.

7. pants I'd like to find a cool pair of tuf material dark color pants that are not hot and won't stain. Don't landboard in nice clothes they WILL TURN GREEN or BROWN.

As you get the hang of land boarding less gear is needed but there is always that one time. I'd say your knees are important and i'd look at padding them other then that don't ever put an arm out to land from a fall the body as unnatural as it seems to sacrifice can take more impact then a dislocated arm.

Thanks for the advice. I spent some time looking around at different stuff and think I have a few things picked out!

I wound up buying a pair of paintball pants with padded shins (http://www.protopaintball.com/Pants/features.html). They are made of SUPER durable fabric and have mesh ventilation on the insides of the legs so you don't get too hot. Plus they are black and green so I shouldn't have to wash them too frequently. I looked at the helmets you pointed out and although I am very impressed with the woven kevlar and 24 ounce wieght I don't think I can afford them. I have been looking at the Giro Remedy (http://www.giro.com/site/#/product/cycling/dirt/remedy/). They are supposed to be the best downhill mountain biking helmets for the price. Still, I could save a bunch of $$$ if I just bought a pro-tec (http://www.protechelmet.com/) multi-sport...

As for the pressure suit; It seems to me that a full suit may be a little bit of overkill. I was looking around and a couple of companies make padded core protection. Brine makes a set of lacrosse pads called Rhino Skin (http://www.brine.com/) and McDavid makes a padded compression shirt (http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=194&DEPARTMENT_ID=735). I think what I may be looking for is more shoulder protection so if I bite it hard it won't dislocate anything.

And with the gloves, I'll probably just get a pair of cheapo mountain biking gloves with hard knuckles.

Good research Davey that looks like a great setup. Less bulk and more cleaner and better looking. I love the pants they look really tight for landboarding. Those are all great links and a totally different approach to finding some sweet gear. You're gonna be stylin can't wait for spring landboarding its very fun as you can go everyday anytime of the day.

Which "Multi-Sport" helmet are you looking at from Protech? I can't find any called "Multi-Sport"

I think several of ProTec's helmets are multisport. I know for sure the Ace is CPSC certified and can be sold in the US as a bicycle helmet, but is also ASTM 2040 certified for snow use. They are also rated for multiple impacts (skateboarding) and are suitable for kayaking. They make two models; one with lots of vents one with only a couple, but I'm pretty sure they are both rated for all of the same standards. One helmet really will do everything. You might have to be able to fit a hat between the shell and your head if you're going to use it on snow tho. The Bern helmets (http://www.bernunlimited.com/) are also multisport and they come with a fitted beanie. A buddy has one and they are WAY nice. Now that I think about it I think I'd buy a Bern over a ProTec!