[Closed] Enduro/DH knee pads

After trying loads of different pads, I ended up spending the money on TLD Raid and I have no regrets - https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/troy-lee-designs-raid-knee-guard/rp-prod142803

D30 is awesome and the pads are super comfy, you don't notice you are wearing them but of course they are one of the most expensive pairs on the market.

Ion K-pact sleeve?

Lots of protection but not too bulky. Good to ride in all day/multiple days

I've found fit is so bloody personal on knee pads, you almost just have to keep trying until something works. Then all of a sudden one day they start to rub, and you get on the merry go round again.

The new Dainese trail skins are super comfy, I race enduros in them over here, but protection is minimal. The 7idp projects are great also, but are a bit warm. For something bigger I like the Raids but I have to be careful, if I wear them too much in the heat, they rub like hell.

You need to try on pairs until you find some to fit. I wanted to try the fox launch pros that had the hard plastic outer shell but I ruled them out on cost.

I’ve tried the really lightweight route (661 recon) and they ripped and moved in a crash and I needed up with a huge bash across my knee anyway.

I decided to buy some much bigger ones so try the Ion K-pact zips but I was between sizes. The medium was to tight to do up round the top of the calf but the large was too baggy on the thigh. Shame as they seemed really well made.

I then tried the Scott Grenade Evo and that’s what I bought. I’ve had them quite a while - and done a couple of 50k days without them chafing. But they are reasonably warm - but not ludicrously so.

They are reassuringly bulky - no hard shell but a big chunk of d30 on it. Round the back of the knee they’ve a thin mesh to try and stay cool.

I haven’t had a big stack in them yet (just a couple of small offs), but I think they are tight enough fitting that they’ll survive and do the job. Not too bad on price either - I got mine from Tredz with a £5 off code.

I like Race Face Ambush D30. Not as chunky as a full plastic pad but offer plenty of protection, don't move and are comfy. They've also lasted really well.

My personal favourites are the Scott grenade for full on, and the POC vpd air for more trail use. I've had loads but those two stand out for me.

+1 POC

I got Leatt 3DF 5.0's, they are sweaty as they are made of neoprene or something similar. Never had them chafe or pinch, which is lucky since they were the only locally available ones that would fit my thighs.

Also available with plastic caps, I think the model name was Fusion or something like that.

The TLD Raid's are great. I was gutted when I had to buy them because they were expensive and I'd lost one half of a different pair just before a Morzine trip.

They're by far the most comfortable knee pads I've ever had. They're now all I use because you can pedal in them all day and they feel tough enough for uplift days and DH stuff.

These knee warmers I see people in are just ridiculous - whats the point!?

I used Launch Pro's for years - rubbed a bit but offered good protection. Started to eventually fall apart so ended up with some TLD Raids. The Raids looked the part and were relatively comfy but I found protection lacking...

Now on ION KPACT Sleeve - the best I've used, heavy protection, stay in place, don't rub, all day riding comfort!

I think they are like helmets in that you need to try lots of pairs on to find out which fit you best.

+ 1 on Scott’s version of Grenade with D30 although if going all balls out I would personally be optimg for hardshell versions in Titanium of course 😜

Carlos (hi BTW :)) and yoshimi

Whats the sizing like on these? Chart suggests I'm medium/large I'm usually a small on all other knee pads I've had bar raceface

So they rub at all? And what sort of length is the whole pad?

I have both RacefFace Ambush and Fox Enduro Pro. Both are excellent. The RF ones are a little bit burlier and offer a little bit more protection on the sides of your knees, the Fox are lighter and cooler. The fox also come down your shin a little bit and the pad is removable for washing.

I've had a tiny bit of rubbing in the RF ones, but only on very hot and very long days when in all fairness I should have taken them off for the climbs but was too lazy.

Oscillate Wildly. Carlos (hi BTW :)) and yoshimi

Whats the sizing like on these? Chart suggests I’m medium/large I’m usually a small on all other knee pads I’ve had bar raceface

So they rub at all? And what sort of length is the whole pad?

Hi Mate,
Hope things are good?

I'm on XL and Garry the L. The chart is pretty bob on, but they're a bit snug to start with, although they do give a little with time. Don't tend to rub me and stay nice and secure on the legs. Only on the hottest days do I put some chamois cream on the inside (Garry uses it all the time). Rode in them for 6 days in Madeira with no rubbing, okay to walk in if your hike a biking, Look bulky but don't feel it, dead comfy and offer quite a lot of protection. Length wise - approx. 100mm above and below the knee, so over all maybe about 240mm give or take.

I think Carlos nailed it there - I'd say on the sizing is snug, but the chart is pretty accurate - my wife struggled getting some pads small enough for her tiny legs (but too big for youth), the small IONS are perfect for her. I'm chunky on XL and again, whilst snug (compared to my Fox/TLD) they're not restrictive in any way and I think the snugness is more because they're so form fitting, hence no rubbing to speak of (and they don't slip down). Carlos mentions they look bulky but don't feel it, I completely agree. I'd go off the size chart for your M/L and doubt you'd go far wrong.

carlos

Member
Oscillate Wildly. Carlos (hi BTW :)) and yoshimi
Whats the sizing like on these? Chart suggests I’m medium/large I’m usually a small on all other knee pads I’ve had bar raceface
So they rub at all? And what sort of length is the whole pad?
Hi Mate,
Hope things are good?
I’m on XL and Garry the L. The chart is pretty bob on, but they’re a bit snug to start with, although they do give a little with time. Don’t tend to rub me and stay nice and secure on the legs. Only on the hottest days do I put some chamois cream on the inside (Garry uses it all the time). Rode in them for 6 days in Madeira with no rubbing, okay to walk in if your hike a biking, Look bulky but don’t feel it, dead comfy and offer quite a lot of protection. Length wise – approx. 100mm above and below the knee, so over all maybe about 240mm give or take.

hey mate - yeh all good cheers! hope you are too 🙂

nice one - sound spot on, ive been wanting try these for a while but couldn't find many reviews of them, sound exactly like what im after - snug is good, tends to stop them slipping from my experience

im bang on the cusp on the large but ive risked a medium as im at the end of that too, always done small before, no man muscles here lol but does look a little on the smaller side from guide

nice one for the info, can always send them back if they are too tight, but hoping not, seem like they will be great for summer months then if you've ridden them out there in that heat

yoshimi - cheers sounds as above so both on the same hymn sheet, cheers for help, im after protection more so but pedalling comfort too, and I just don't want to be pulling them back up every 5 mins, so sounds like they should be good

thanks fella's 🙂

I use 7idp control pads, they are comfortable and use a strap over the top of your calf for a solid fit. Works well for me.

Hob Nob

Member

I’ve found fit is so bloody personal on knee pads, you almost just have to keep trying until something works.

+ 1 million. And then as soon as you find one and you decide to get another set it turns out they're discontinued.

I’ve had a tiny bit of rubbing in the RF ones,

Do you put chamois cream on your knees? If not, it'll probably solve this for you.

Got some large RF Ambush to sell. PM me if anyone fancies trying them, slightly too big for me (and I do have chunky legs).

Carlos/yoshimi

Well... I bought the large and medium ion k sleeve

Large seemed to be too big for me just around the house a big gap under the calf when bent over, mediums seemed better fit all round

But when out yesterday I put a fair bit of chamois cream around knee/legs just incase they crippled me and they kept slipping down... When pedalling the top of my knee was exposed with no protection as they'd slipped down... Was annoying have to keep pulling them up...

Now I'm gonna give them another go as they were mega comfy to ride in and breathable.. Is it likely I put to much chamois cream on and this made them slip down? They didn't slip from the calf down more so just form the thighs but then it felt loose and baggy..

Nightmare finding some that actually stay in place and don't rub.. It seems I've got a medium sized calf but skinnier thighs so if one end fits the other doesn't lol

Hi Mate,

Not had/heard of any issues with slipping down off the thigh. Mine, if anything are a little tight and I tend not to pull the fastener over anymore than to just make contact and hold it in place on the velcro. Cahmois wise -I just put a little bit on the knee cap and round the back of the knee. The grippy rubbery strips on the pads tend to secure the pad to the thigh and calf even if pish wet or sweaty. Maybe you have a leg size that is two different sizes?

Not much help now you've bought and tried them but maybe a Small would be the compromise? Bit tight on the calf but better fitting on the thigh?

yo mate -

hmmm mine don't have any straps or Velcro on? are you sure yours are the sleeve version?

bummed on these as they are super super comfy when not falling down lol, I think I may well be inbetween sizes for sure, which is a pain in the arse

if these did have a strap and Velcro up top theyd be perfect

these are the ones ive got

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ion-k-sleeve-knee-pad-2019/rp-prod186461

Oh no...I think I gave you duff info - when I said the sleeve type, I meant not the zip ones - I didn't realize they did a lightweight knee warmer type called a sleeve

THese are what I have and I'd guess what Carlos has

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ion-K-Pact-Knee-Guard_122939.htm?sku=478205&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Zyv54yU4wIVykPTCh2Rkgw8EAkYASABEgLv_vD_BwE

This feels awkward:(

Oh no…I think I gave you duff info – when I said the sleeve type, I meant not the zip one

Me too, sorry mate. Its defo the ion K Pact. Then either sleeve or zip
Just had a quick look up there^^^ and in my defence I did include the pact bit, but too much info with sleeve. In hindsight I should've popped up a link

IXS Flow pads. I find them superb.

Haha no worries Carlos / yoshimi I guess the same principle should have applied for sizing to these too

I should have put a link up to the ones I wanted... Which in all fairness these ones I've linked are the ones I wanted

I may have a look at the bigger ones but quite like the slimline fit of these... But not much use if they slide down... Will try them once more and if not will get something different 🤣🤣

Cheers guys and nee worries at all

You both rate the others so I'll look at them too after

Cool👍 If you do really like the ones you have maybe look.at getting an elasticated tab and velcro fastener sewn in?
Could be what you have but with tabs top and bottom would be perfect

Go smaller if you can, or you'll be replacing them in 6 months.
Sudocream stops chafing.
If getting d30 look for a design that allows you to remove the pad, as the manufacturer's of d30 recommend, for washing.

carlos

Member
Cool👍 If you do really like the ones you have maybe look.at getting an elasticated tab and velcro fastener sewn in?
Could be what you have but with tabs top and bottom would be perfect

yeh a Velcro fastener or tab would make these perfect me thinks, they stayed in place perfectly on the calf, just the top slid down

they do one called a k pact 'lite' so a bit burlier than these, but not as big as yours, and those ones do have a Velcro top fastener on them

chickenthighsforthelose LOL

del - I should be on a size large by all accounts, already down to a medium, cant see me being able get my calf in a small, but who knows