Noob question: Who needs armor?

Besides getting bumpers and sliders for aesthetic reasons, when does one know when armor is a good investment? I've seen some threads on here where guys are taking their trucks up rocky switchbacks or climbing rocks, etc and it's obvious in those cases that armor is a good idea.

For the guy who isn't going looking to conquer the toughest terrain on earth, when should armor begin to come into the equation?

I completely new to off roading, and just think it would be best to know what I could attempt without armor and probably be okay as opposed to learning the hard way.

Any thoughts or resources on the subject would be appreciated.

 

a good set of sliders can protect against soccer moms swinging their doors open into yours, and shopping carts too, contemplating sliders myself

 

Sliders should on your list if you plan to leave the road into the dirt. Also armor is not a mandatory requirement. If you want some protection but don't need a lot of armor you should consider avid light bar since it offers light protection and won't break the bank.

 

This is why I got sliders! I wanted them, and after my first little door ding I got them.

 

If your at the point where your sliders are being used as sliders and not just steps, belly armor is a probably a good idea

 

Sliders and a set of skids will protect most people.

 

Sliders are also a useful defense against door dinges. Off-roading I would say sliders protect the most expensive area to fix after a collision with a rock or what not. No easy to repair a rocker panel. Got to cut it out and weld in a patch or replacement.

When wheeling without them just be mindful of of those large obstacles.

 

If you plan on leaving the pavement on terrain harder than a dirt/gravel parking lot get armor.

 

Thanks for all the resppnses. I see what you mean about sliders. I will have to invest in a set for sure. Plus I think they look pretty badass. I like the look of a lot of the high clearance rear bumpers, but a lot of the high clearance front bumpers look like overkill to me (I only have pics from the Internet to judge). are there anyou decent looking non high clearance fronts out there?

Also, how do these aftermarket bumpers affect things like airbag deployment? I can see how they would help in lower speed collisions but what about at higher speeds?

 

better to have it an not need it than need it and not have it. installing a new oil or transmission sump out on the trail would never be fun. They increase your weight, decrease your mpg, give you zero street creds and make chaining oil a huge pain in the ass. But if your going to go anywhere near rocks that even come CLOSE to your overall clearance than I highly recommend them. But there are people who NEVER run them. Even if you don't leave the road they make running over cones etc a breeze, they slide right under.