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I've been using Fox Enduro kneepads for a while. On longer rides I do occasionally get a little bit of a rub just above the knee cap but nothing too terrible. However yesterday, on a fairly mixed ride they caused me real problems. I was nearly home when they started to feel uncomfortable, when I whipped them off it looked like I had acute sunbunn over an area of about 8x12cm above both kneecaps. This was really sore and was quite unpleasant for the evening. This morning the vivid redness has subsided and I have what look like a couple of nasty grazes.
The pads are reasonably new, and fit well. Anything smaller wouldn't get over my calves, and anything larger wouldn't stay up.
Do I buy some sort of roadie lycra knee warmer to go under them, or should I look around for something else? WWSTWD? I ride mainly local woodland trails, some trail centre stuff with occasional forays off piste. I'm pretty much a wheels on the ground rider so don't need anything too overkill really.
When did you last wash them? Mine can rub if sweat/grim has built up in them.
They're usually washed at least every other ride. If it's been mucky and/or sweaty then they go in whether they need it or not!
Ah ok! You are better than me. Sorry, not helpful then.
I have several sets of highly reviewed pads and by far the most comfortable are the IXS Flow. Definitely not heavy duty, so I don’t wear them for uplift / bike park days, for everything else they are spot on, I don’t really notice them 🙂
I was about to suggest Fox Enduros but...
Chamois cream in the area they rub. My old fox enduro’s that I still have and use started to rub on the backs of my knees, bit of cream rubbed in there lasts all ride no issues
IXS Flow seconded. I've never been tempted to ride without them. I have the zip version.
Sizing is for kids though. I'm a skinny office worker and I wear XL.
They've likely just become a little tired. Though, I'd heal that patch and then try them again, it might have just been a one-off.
Knee pad fashion is weird, it's still all about the "minimal" pads which are, imo, completely ****ing stupid unless you want to wear them under trousers. They're less protective, but also they tend to be less comfortable not more, because to protect and be thin they have to be denser and stiffer, and they tend not to have as good straps or venting. And quite often they're not as easy to live with- not machine washable frinstance. Meanwhile a big comfy cushion like an old Kyle Strait just works better most of the time.
I just got a set of Bliss Teams which seem in a lot of ways to be like those older, better pads.
IXS Flow thirded. Wear them for everything other than alps days where I use their heavy duty pads.
TLD Speed sleeves - have had a few over the years and never found anything better
I loved my IXS Flow also, but after about a year they started to rub. I now use Sweet Protection Knee Guards which have been super comfy even on rides of 6hours+.
Endura singletrack lite are perfect for me as a less bulky option. But I have weird nobbly knees.
I bought these after my previous 'everyday' ones (emmm, can't remember what they were) made my knee caps look like I'd been walking on a gravel drive on my knees for 2hrs.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/leatt-knee-guard-airflex-pro/rp-prod190795
No amount of sudocreme or chamois cream would help, even resorted to bandages by the end of a long weekend in Peebles to try to offset the pain, but of course they all just bunched up.
The Leatts work for me as they fit great, but there is an inside layer with grippy silicon that sticks and does not move on your leg, whilst the rest of the pad slides around on that.
Job jobbed. I'm sure there re other pads that do that, but the Leatts really work for me. (and also fit over my gigantic calfs/thighs)
I run these:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/7-idp-project-lite-knee-pads/rp-prod184375
only have the odd rub issue when under trousers, but chamois cream solves that.
Otherwise they provide all day comfort. The long sleeve avoids getting any pad to shorts 'dork gap'.
But they are a lightweight pad, so more likely to help stop abrasion, rather than protect from blunt force trauma.
IXS Flow here too.
But seriously, try the chamois cream tip posted above. I do it every single ride and it was/is a game changer. I'm always mentioning it on here too.
🙂
I've just retired my Troy Lee Speed Sleeves. They were good but a bit warm & thick.
I went for some Alpinestar Paragon Pluses. Nice & breathable & comfortable for peddling. A lot more overlap with your shorts as well, so no gap.
Cheap too.
Dakine Slayer. Good protection and a comfy pedal.
Chamois cream in the area they rub +1
I have some Raceface Ambush kneepads, that are brilliant & thoroughly recommended, couple of rides in they rubbed part of my knee raw. I actually used sudacreme but chamosis cream will do the same. Totally sorted for the next ride.
I run Dianese Trailskins for my XC/easy stuff as I'd prefer to have some protection, rather than none at all (RF Ambush are a little bulky for easy/pottering rides)
Thanks everyone, lots of options there to consider. I have bought some chamois cream today, so might see how that goes with existing pads. Might have a look at the IXS pads, or try the Dakine Slayers again (I had a problem with the pad bit shifting inside the "sleeve" but they were a good pad prior to that.
I use G Form knee elbow and occasionally vest. Comfy enough for all day and in the couple of crashes I managed to have they have kept my sticky out bits safe.
Bliss ARG you forget after a couple of minutes you are wearing them
anyone tried the rapha ones? They get good reviews..