For really rocky/unfamiliar trails I ride with hard Fox knee-shin guards; they make me look like the AM/downhill type but I am more confident in those conditions knowing I have them on. I also use 661 EVO elbow pads. Yea I've crashed in this combo and came away with only bruised ribs. Ok, the combo works (at least on the knees and elbows) but it's a bit much for the typical local trails.

For local trails (not too rocky but could wash out in sand) I ordered some G-Form knee and elbow pads last year and really like them. They have a wide range of sizes; I suggest anyone who orders them really measure your legs and arms. I fell between sizes and ordered the larger and boy am I glad I did as they run tight. The material is stretchy, but not very, so measuring accurately is very important. The G-Forms are really light weight and once on, I hardly feel them as they don't restrict motion at all. They pull on, so you have to remember to put the knee guards on before you put on your shoes. I don't think local stores will get G-Forms as they sell direct online. So I took a chance with them and am very pleased. I only wish they had a knee-shin pad as the material on the knee pads goes half way down my legs and I know their shin guards will overlap and that will make them too hot. So I did not order the shin guards but probably will anyway at some point; I just might attempt to attach them to the knee guards and remove the overlapping material...

They come in day glow yellow and black, but the black seems to never be in stock. As for the screaming yellow, it's really not bad; I actually warmed up to them.

So if you are looking for elbow and knee pads but don't want to look like a world cup downhiller the G-Forms are a viable alternative to hard pads.