Rapha Trail Knee Pads review: genuinely great

This equates to Level 2, Type B protection

it would be useful to have some comparison with other pads and an explanation of what this actually translates to. more protection than the poc vpd air, but not as much as the vpd 2, for instance.

also, what about care? bung ’em in the wash with your other riding kit or brush lightly and never get them wet, let alone put them through the wash?

and an explanation of what this actually translates to.

Well that’s easy
EN1621-1:2012 and EN1621-1:2014 apply. Level 2 is the higher of the two ratings. The difficulty is (as comes up time after time in frame and helmet threads) beyond a pass mark you’ve no real idea how they perform. A pad which is perfect and transmits 0kN will still pass as a level 2, one which transmits 9kN may also be a level 2 despite being significantly inferior.

Not surprisingly no-one publishes the actual results so more protection than the poc vpd air, but not as much as the vpd 2, for instance. isn’t really assessable unless the others only got level 1.

Given they’re going to put the details on the pads if it passes though* it shouldn’t be difficult to check the ones you’re interested in as a comparison though but it’s pointless picking a couple of pads from hundreds or more at random for the review because the next reader will want to know how they compare to something else. (an actual database would be good but beyond STW’s scope I’d think).

And if so, how does that work with different leg lengths?

Well the reviewer does mention they’re bang on the medium size according to the charts, difficult to test for a different leg length than those they have you’d think?

Do you place it on the widest point and accept if you have short legs it will be a bit bunched up and vice versa?

Well what do you do with every other sleeve type pad ever? It’s not like length is some magic 4th dimension that has been recently discovered or marketeer speak invented to make your old pads somehow inadequate.

Washing of knee pads needs to be higher up in the review details.

Amen to that.

I can’t help but think the comments seem overly demanding today. Is it because they’re rapha pads 🤔.

Sorry I’ve had too much coffee this morning.

*as protective stuff I’d be surprised if they’re not required to put it on. If it doesn’t say it doesn’t pass would be the usual way to read it. (eg vpd air, no rating, no pass, “no” protection, vpd 2, is level 2 certified)

Order two sizes, send one back. Done.

I can’t help but think the comments seem overly demanding today. Is it because they’re rapha pads

I have the same kind of questions and it’s not because they are Rapha it’s because they cost a premium over apparently similar pads but this is the third review I’ve read that has praised their comfort and ability to stay put so I’m perilously close to buying some.

I have some of these. Very comfortable, thigh gripper works really well. main pad seems effective. No coverage of the side of the knee like some others.

really easy to take the pad out and wash them.

I’ve got a pair, I downsized as my fox endura pads in med started to slip so went for small, the outer material is like rapha bib shorts material and fits really well, they stay up all ride, thankfully haven’t crashed yet…the only downside for me is they obv stick out more than my fox ones and as I tend to grip the frame with my knees when biking I’ve rubbed the frame on my bike. Other than that they are wear and forget, very comfy, now to find something to protect the frame arm on my stumpy..

@dangeourbrain

Well the reviewer does mention they’re bang on the medium size according to the charts, difficult to test for a different leg length than those they have you’d think?

I am not 100% on this but I think the S/M/L sizing relates to the circumference of the leg not the length. Normally they instruct you to measure x distance from top of knee and measure circumference to determine size. My question about length related to the comment about it fitting perfectly on the large part of the calf, this is different for every person and I was wondering if the point was that they have a different fitting process to hit that perfection for Ross. Turns out from Ross’s answer it was a bit of luck, and because I have short legs these will be bunched up like the others.

Dangeourbrain, That’s not a bad shout actually, especially if they have a decent free returns process. Being blessed with short but tree trunk legs is truly a wonderful thing in all things clothing and protection 🙂

Damn you normal sized people and your ability to buy things that fit 🙂 Cheers for the additional info Ross

Worth noting I normally ride in trousers, don’t know how well the ‘sleeve’ would hold up to brambles/pedal pins etc if you really abused them.

I’ve snagged mine in a couple of spots. Small hole/tear in the sleeve but it’s not spreading. Rapha do free repairs don’t they?

i looked it up and while they aren’t specifically excluded but kneewarmers are, so given they are just bulky kneewarmers, i guess they are probably excluded.

I ordered both sizes. They’ve arrived. Both seem to fit fine in the house. Need to pick one before I ride…

Thanks, I’ll take that advice onboard… now… which pair, if both feel okay? Are these likely to get looser or tighter on the bike?

Are people buying direct from Rapha, or are there any local stores with a supply?