[Jeff Higgins]

I'm with Tim on this. Boots, helmet, gloves are the minimum. Beyond that, I just wear some form of "adventure touring" gear, jacket and pants. These have shin guards, knee pads, hip pads, forearm guards, elbow pads, and shoulder pads along with some for of back protector. Essentially the same stuff I wear on the road, just in synthetic rather than leather gear.

Like Tim says, this stuff only protects us from the "minor annoyances". The bumps and bruises from the minor get-offs, unnoticed tree branches, etc. Go big, at any sort of speed, and there is nothing you can wear that will help (except your helmet). This realization, now that I'm in my 60's, has done more to temper my riding habits than any other factor.