If there's a question, the answer is always yes: wear your pads. Sweet Protection Elbow Guards are lightweight and unobtrusive, easily forgotten after you slide your jersey over them. They're breathable enough to keep on while you're pedaling, giving you all day protection from scrapes, bumps, and bruises. Don't let an unhealing hamburger-swell-bow be the prodding you need to get with the program--wear your pads!