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Getting old and clumsy. And always seem to fall knee-first. An impending visit to The Lakes means precautions should be taken.
Can anyone recommend a comfortable all-day knee pad for XC use? That's to say ones you can wear all day and pedal comfortably in.
Ta.
If you want to protect your knees 'fully' from the possibility of falling on lovely sharp rocks then go with hard shell. I recently got some fox launch pro which are pretty damn comfortable and light.
The enduro pads felt a bit lighter when I tred them but I just wanted the full hog protection.
Another vote for Fox Launch, very comfy for all day sessions:)
The best fit for me have been the new Dainese Trailskins, mates swear by G-Forms. I have used Enduras, POCs and couple of others until I finally found bliss with Trailskins.
I have the G-forms and use them every ride, and totally forget I've got them on. Have had a number of tumbles, though nothing too big and come out without issue, and so am happy to continue using them and recommend them. They aren't perfect & I wouldn't expect them to have the protection some of the more padded/strapped down pad, as they will move on impact, as it's only lycra material sleeve keeping them in place. You also have to be careful long term as the stitching will tear the lycra, to avoid this you pull them into place using the pad, not the sleeve.
Kyle strait knee pads, they get warm to hot at times but otherwise nice fitting and plenty secure.
Fox Launch Pro - simple
I'm fairly unhappy with my POCs. They rub behind the knee quite a bit.
I'm going to try and hack an oval out of the back and see if they still work.
Thought I'd mention it, because they were highly recommended by a lot of people as being comfortable for all-day rides.
My main problem was finding ones to fit my chunky legs.
Kyle Straits for me. Ok all day, till they come off and you realise what you've been putting up with.
I wear tights under them cos they rub all the hair off my knees.
Kyle Straits fit me well until they got a bit older and started chafing my kneecap every ride. Changed to POCs (the older ones) and they've been really comfy since last winter, little warmer than KSs though. I'd be interested to try Trailskins for a slightly lighter option.
See if you can try a few pairs on first for a ride (I know this is difficult to do). I have fox launch pros and they're great now BUT I had to cut big chunks out of the backs of them as they cut holes in the backs of my knees.
I've ridden in Kyle Straits for three or four years now. Not sure 661 still make them, which is a pity as mine are very well worn now and just showing signs of being a bit beyond it. As said above, they are fine to ride all day, first couple of times I really thought they were too hot, but persevered and really got used to them, but you do notice when you take them off how hot you've been !
Great in winter for me though as I have badly messed up both knees in the past and keeping them warm is a huge advantage.
Scott Grenade Pro II.
Comfy, good protection and easily removable pads for bunging the mucky bit in the machine with the rest of your kit.
ive had the g forms and they are by far the comfiest pads youll find. If the fit is correct.
im currently trying some raceface d3o ones and there ok but not nearly as comfy. They look better tho.
If you're looking for proper protection, the [url= http://www.summittosea.co.uk/raceface-indy-d30-knee-guard.ir?cName=cycling-cycle-clothing-helmets-pads-helmets-protection-pads ]RaceFace Indy is D3O[/url] and so far I'm happy with it, nowhere near as bulky as my old Flanks and ideal for trail riding IMHO.
If it's just to cut down on Gravel Rash, then the [url= http://www.summittosea.co.uk/charge-leg-guard-by-raceface.ir?cName=cycling-cycle-clothing-helmets-pads-helmets-protection-pads ]RaceFace charge[/url] might be better solution for you. Lightweight foam padding. They're on offer at £28 in the link I gave.
IXS dagger. The only knee pad that hasn't rotated off my skinny legs in the event of a crash.
Comparatively, the Fox Launch are a lot hotter to wear for an hour or two of XC than, say, something like the Troy Lee 5400s. They also afford a little more protection so there's always going to be a trade off. When I actually remember to wear them I've found the TLDs much better suited to XC than the Fox's.
I bought my Gforms a bit tight to keep them in one place. They do stay up but are pretty uncomfortable after a couple of hours. They make my kneecaps ache and also bunch behind the knee which can pinch. Next size up is probably too big.
I've got some small Kyle Straights for sale, they're still a bit big for me.
POC VPD 2.0s are the babies for me.
Light, durable and have outlasted my previous 2 pairs of Kyle Straits by about a year.
Dianese trail skins here too, find them super comfortable, not too sweaty, wear them for every ride now pretty much, even xc, had a few spills and no issues, stay in place well.
Hang on, I've got a funny feeling a magazine reviewed a shed load of knee pads recently... Anyone have an idea what one it could have been??? ❓ 😕
The 661 Rage that replaced the Kyle Strait is really excellent- a more vented and perforated design so less sweaty, but the same protection. The material feels slightly higher quality too. Only slight downside is that dirt sometimes gets in the open hole in the back and can cause a bit of irritation but that's not been much of an issue.
There's various lighter weight pads these days but I'm really not sure what the point is tbh when tougher pads have so little penalty. Some of the more minimal pads just look lacking- side-of-knee protection often goes for one thing and that's really useful.
NW - My 661 Rage's (Size S for chicken legs) are a lot bulkier than the Kyle Straits I briefly owned.. does that tally with your experience?
Thanks guys,
I was debating on these last night and this morning.
I'm ordering a set of Dainese trail skins now 🙂
Jon Taylor - MemberNW - My 661 Rage's (Size S for chicken legs) are a lot bulkier than the Kyle Straits I briefly owned.. does that tally with your experience?
Nope- but then mine are M, maybe they're different. There's a hard and soft version too, mine are the softs.
They feel a little bit, I don't know, billowy sometimes- like they open up away from my knee, where kyle straits were definitely quite tightly attached.