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I have never ridden with knee pads before.
As I get older and my ability to crash increases and my ability to recover decreases, I have decided that it might be time to start protecting my knees in the event of a crash.
I am a 'mountain biker' in the old fashioned sense. I take my mountain bike offroad, on natural trails and bridleways. I don't do jumps, I don't do bike parks, I don't do uplifts, I jump on my bike and go for a ride and enjoy the journey. So my risk is low, and I want something that I can pedal in for 2-3 hours comfortably.
I have read good things about the Rapha knee pads, but what would STW recommend based on personal experience? What else provides interference free pedaling but still provides sufficient protection in the event of an impact?
Thanks all!
I haven't trued them but a mate has and raves about them. He mainly rides Surrey Hills.
I've got the Fox Enduro D30s and unless I'm just pottering about in Suffolk, I use them and I forget I'm wearing them on a ride.
They are very comfortable to pedal in.
Not actually crashed in them yet which is the acid test…
They're brilliant for pedaling in. Not so good for crashing in.
I'm on my second pair (Rapha sorted me out FOC replacements after they decided they couldn't repair the original ones)
They're as comfortable as a pair of kneewarmers. Stay put. Don't give me a rash from the grippers like my 7IDP ones did. I wore them all last year for general XC stuff as they were basically kneewarmers with benefits. And then in the Alps because they were just so damn comfortable - but I'm quite glad I didn't have a biggy wearing them.
If you punch something straight onto the pad itself, they work OK - you get a nice hex flower pattern bruise underneath, but no smashed kneecap. However if you miss the pad, or any kind of sliding/tumbling/grinding fall, they offer the same protection as the aforementioned kneewarmer -ie next to none! The first time I hit the deck, they tore....
Thanks all.
Seems like the Fox version is a little hard to find in stock and looks a bit moto for my liking.
Jon - do any other pads offer more protection without the comfort tradeoff?
Seems like lots of them only off 'full frontal' impact protection and would all be prone to spinning around in a tumbling kind of fall.
It's all a balance of comfort vs protection I guess. I could ride in a full face helmet if I wanted total protection, but choose instead to ride an open face helmet. Same with pads on the basis that 'something is better than nothing'.
YMYV...!
All the "bigger" pads I've used have generally needed me to wear kneewarmers under the pads to stop rubbing and have been no where near as all day comfortable. POC Joint VPD 2.0 were probably the best (watch the sizing), followed by old 661 Kyle Straits. I have a pair of Fox Launch which haven't been used since I got the Rapha ones, as they don't stay put so well and are quite noticeable to ride in - but do offer much more protection
I ride all day in my POC VPD air and barely notice them. In fact I feel a bit naked without them as its wierd to have cold knees....
Ive had others (No Raphas mind) and some have been great, but the POCs are still #1 for me after many years. They work when you crash too - Ive tested.
100% Teratec.
Light, comfy, naturally forms around your knees and stays put. Easily the comfiest pads I've used.
Leatt Airflex have been mostly comfortable though they did start to rub a bit on a hot weather multi-day trip late last year. I tend to run hot so anything that I can stand for a day's riding has to be pretty unnoticeable. They've stood up to my normal standard of crashing so far as well, though we're not talking high speed wipeouts on rocks.
How does the sizing come up? I'm XL in Fox and Dakine, between L and XL in Rapha
Have a look at the G-form pro x3’s, all day comfort lightweight,well ventilated and thy have substantial protection, I’ve replaced both my fox enduros and bigger launch pros with the g-forms, genuinely the best of both worlds.
IXS FLow Evo + kneepads are pretty comfy and provide good protection. Very popular on here IIRC.
I bet Rapha's are just as good though, from reading the reviews.
I’m in fox launch d30 which are clearly more protection than you need - I’d say when new they stay put nicely - but after aboutn12 months of hard use they move about a bit more and I’m on my 2nd pair. Wondering about trying something else at the moment.
I had some lighter pads - 661 Recons - do not recommend. They felt nicer to pedal in but when I had a crash they got ripped and pulled down my leg so I still gashed my knee. So for me I want my knee pads to have top and bottom straps (not just a sleeve / elastic / grippers) for the security.
I know a few people who rate POC stuff (and I like my Tectal helmet) so I might have a go with some of those next.
Look at ion traze pads. Easy to pedal in and they work still when you crash
7idp Sam Hill Lite pads are very good also
Q: are these pads to go with shorts, or under riding trousers? Am only asking because I think 'soft' sleeve-type knee pads are okay if paired with trousers over the top (an extra slip layer etc) but they don't really genuinely protect much if worn with shorts so I'd probably say to try good-fitting 'hard' pads if wearing shorts (I get along with 7iDP pads FWIW).
My Dakine pads were very comfortable to pedal in, but now they have started to fold themselves back at the front below my knee.
They press into my shins and really hurt even when standing still.
O'Neal Junction Lite's are comfy and lightweight
Shorts. I am looking for maximum rideability over maximum protection. Rapha duly ordered and I can see how they fit when they arrive.
Thanks for the other suggestions. If the Raphas don't work out I will try a few others. Sizing seems to be a big barrier to comfort and since I don't have an LBS that stocks any of the brands mentioned, I have to rely on mail order.
Bliss ARG. After 5 mins you've forgotten you're wearing them. Until they are needed that is. Like yesterday...when they were needed...but not being worn... 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
my kids have IXS pads.
Been really impressed with my Sweet Protection knee pads. They also do knee guards which are more lightweight.
Quality is good !, I’ve used several brands in the past and they’re definitely up there on par with POC in my experience.
I find the comfortable on all day rides, the knee protection cup becomes really flexible when it heats up and with the quality grippers, strap and material they stay put.
Only downside is they are a little on the warm side.
I've used the Sweet Protection Knee Guards for about five years. They're comfy to wear and the neoprene sides give a certain amount of off-axis protection too. I think that they're starting to get a little baggy though, as they'll only stay in place once my knees have got sweaty enough. However, once to that point (ie the top of the hill) they seem pretty good at staying put. Might replace them with a new pair though.
Just ordered Rapha ones based on the discussion here. I struggle to wear knee pads apart from on uplift days because I never find them comfy so if the Raphas are as good as people say that’ll be great. Will report back with the viewpoint of someone hard to please in this regard. Rapha don’t half take ages to send things out though, do they - weirdly slow dispatch compared to most bike shops.