Bill Tuthill wrote:
Hand paddles for $40 (in another thread) got me wondering
about other stuff. (Are web-fingered gloves good enough to
get down a difficult river? If not, no point carrying them;
better to walk out or wait for rescue.)

Anybody have words of wisdom about elbow pads? It seems
my elbows are the only thing I ever injure nowadays, so...

I'm using soft pads held in place by long underwear type garments, thus far
with no negative results. The company started targeting, I think, motorcycle
use, but they work under a drytop. Or a ski shell.

These are far more expensive than any of the options you mentioned.

http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/