Bike Park Essentials: These bits and pieces will make your time in the park even more fun

There are places that need no great explanation. A bike park is one such place. You ride up. You ride down. You ride back up. For hours on end. And at some point, you find yourself wondering why you ever did anything else.

The beginner carefully makes their way down the blue run, whilst the expert races through the forest on the black run – and both are grinning just as broadly.

Bike parks are noisy, dusty, sometimes brutal – and yet, time and again, magical. You reach the bottom with wobbly legs, your helmet askew, your jersey soaked in sweat. So: the gondola. In. Up. Out. Off you go.

6 items for a trip to the park

These parts need Park-Rats.

​Chin guard: Abus HiDrop

The bike park is a full-face-only zone. No, open-face helmets don’t count, as they don’t protect the sensitive jaw in the event of a fall. We recommend a classic full-face helmet with a sturdy chin guard. For example, the Hidrop by Abus, which weighs just over a kilo. Price: 219 euros >> at XXL Bicycle* or Deporvillage Available at a reduced price.

​Energy suppliers: stainless steel water bottle and gummy bears

Days spent in the park take their toll. Only those who keep their energy and fluid levels up can keep going all day. A stainless-steel bottle keeps the water cool and free from plasticisers – for example, the Bivo Trio (620 ml). Add some sugar for a quick energy boost. Our test team swears by Haribo gummy bears – the sour ones. Price: €49.99 / €1.79 >> available here

​Knee brace: Evoc Flex Enduro

“Knees never heal,” as they say in orthopaedic circles. That’s why it’s important to protect them particularly well. Park knee pads should at least have the safer Level 2 certification and fit snugly around the knee. In our day-to-day testing, the Flex Enduro knee pads from the Munich-based brand Evoc have proven their worth. Price: 120 euros >> Available here at a reduced price.

​Slippers: Conti Kryptotal

It’s the number one link between the bike and the ground. A sturdy downhill tyre needs grip, shock absorption and should last as long as possible – that’s where the Conti Kryptotal comes in. For use in the park, we recommend the DH Casing in the ‘Soft’ version for both the front and rear. Price: 79.95 euros >> available here.

​Footrests: One Up Composite

Racers should go for clipless pedals! Park riders prefer flat pedals – for more freedom on the pedals. But you still need grip. We therefore recommend grippy pedals with a large contact area. The Composite plastic pedals from OneUp offer great value for money. Weight: 364 grams (pair), price: 55 euros. Available in seven colours >> Available here at a reduced price.

​Impact vest: Scott Softcon Air

Protective vests protect the chest and back from rocks, sharp edges and tree roots in the event of a fall. The Scott Softcon Air impressed in our latest test with its high level of comfort and very good laboratory results. Officially, the vest is only rated at protection level 1, but in our lab test it also met level 2 standards. Fair price: 170 euros.