Slide gloves

Well if you don't already own a pair of these and you plan on getting into freeriding, even if all you want to do is bust fat standies, you're going to end up on your falling on your hands and ground up hands and nothing to balance the pressure from falling out can cause serious harm to your hands, arms, and shoulders. Although they're a bit pricy, but they're definitely cheaper than a hospital visit. And hands down slides are sooooo much fun I couldn't imagine taking my DH runs without my slide gloves to drift corners and bust out a steezy coleman every now and then.

Like I said though if you don't already own a pair, even if you're not planning on wearing a helmet, or pads. Above ALL else, at least throw on some gloves, they've saved me from more sticky situations then if I didn't have them, and learning to utilize them will save you more than any helmet or pads of any sort.