Pads by far. When I first started when I was about 13, I only used to wear pants/jersey/gloves. I'd throw myself around like a mad man but never seemed to get beat up. Started playing again this summer after a few years off, played 1 half day session in the woods and when I got home the skin on my knees litterally peeled off in the shower haha =/ First time I understood that whole 'Age catching up with you' crap and I'm only 22!