[Cycling] Shorts or Pants..what riding apparel?

first off , glad that i found an aussie forum to discuss mtb topics , reading over the posts seems like a good joint with a great bunch of people
now onto my question

Do most of you guys wear pants or shorts when you ride?

Do most people wear MORE than just a helmet for going on path gravel trails or intermidiate level trails.
When do you start wearing the full shape helmet and pads..aside from competition style of course.

Thanks

i wear shorts , more freedom for the legs to stretch i find