An implantable lead comprising: a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body; a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body; a plurality of conductors disposed in the lead body, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; and a conductor-carrying element extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the lead body, the conductor-carrying element having an outer diameter and defining a plurality of conductor lumens, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the lead body within one of the conductor lumens; an isodiametric outer layer of the lead body disposed over the conductor-carrying element; and having an outer diameter; wherein at least one of the electrodes or at least one of the terminals comprises a multi-element contact assembly, the multi-element contact assembly comprising at least one conductive inner element, wherein the at least one inner element has a diameter, and at least one conductive outer element having an outer diameter and disposed over the inner element; wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors is electrically coupled to one of the multi-element contact assemblies such that the conductor is positioned against the at least one inner element, and wherein the at least one outer element comprises a region that is in contact with the at least one inner element; wherein the diameter of the at least one inner element is equal to the outer diameter of the conductor-carrying element, and wherein the outer diameter of the at least one outer element is equal to the outer diameter of the isodiametric outer layer of the lead body. a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body; a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body; a plurality of conductors disposed in the lead body, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; and a conductor-carrying element extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the lead body, the conductor-carrying element having an outer diameter and defining a plurality of conductor lumens, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the lead body within one of the conductor lumens; an isodiametric outer layer of the lead body disposed over the conductor-carrying element; and having an outer diameter; wherein at least one of the electrodes or at least one of the terminals comprises a multi-element contact assembly, the multi-element contact assembly comprising at least one conductive inner element, wherein the at least one inner element has a diameter, and at least one conductive outer element having an outer diameter and disposed over the inner element; wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors is electrically coupled to one of the multi-element contact assemblies such that the conductor is positioned against the at least one inner element, and wherein the at least one outer element comprises a region that is in contact with the at least one inner element; wherein the diameter of the at least one inner element is equal to the outer diameter of the conductor-carrying element, and wherein the outer diameter of the at least one outer element is equal to the outer diameter of the isodiametric outer layer of the lead body.