Knee pads like Rapha but…

… with significantly more protection?

I’ve had the Rapha ones for a couple of years now, and have completely given up on my older Fox ones as they’re no where near as comfortable and don’t stay put so well. (I can completely forget I’m wearing the Rapha ones,  just like kneewarmers)

However when it comes to actually crashing in them, the Rapha ones aren’t that good. Fine if you have a slowish stumble/tumble and manage to hit the knee cup square on, but sliding crashes or high speed stuff, the lycra just tears. (my first pair got replaced FOC when I crashed in them and they tore)

I’m off to the Alps in a bit over a month. There will be a lot of pedalling but also a lot of pretty gnarly natural descending, so I’d like to find something that’s still comfy but offers rather more protection than the Rapha option.

Thanks!

I have had some Troy Lee for a number of years and they’re excellent a compromise between resilience/protection and lightness. Sorry not sure what model as the branding disappeared a while ago.

Edit these https://www.ktmonlineparts.com.au/part/lusty-industries/527003201

I guess the Raphas are only light because they don’t protect or resist.

as with all these things pads are very fit dependent.

i`ve some endura d30 jobbies that are nice (for most of my uk riding) but for alps (or big rocks) i prefer the extra protection of something like a fox launch pad. the fox are are not as comfey but they offer alot more protection.

I have been looking at the Rapha knee pads for general trail riding as they seem to be enough (crashing on loamy soil is usually not too bad) but for somewhere like the Alps I’d probably recommend something that has a plastic shell over the D3O type material for rock impacts/slide resistance.

I think it depends what sort of riding you’re doing in the Alps.

If it’s mostly bike park unguided then body armour is the way forward.

If it’s more natural riding and big mountain days, then lighter pads are fine.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.7Protection-Sam-Hill-Knee-Pads_214716.htm

Never used Rapha pads but I’ve driven home after a ride not realising I still had these on, few years old now and I’d buy another pair without a 2nd thought

Troy Lee Stage are ride all day comfortable and have D30 gel

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.7Protection-Sam-Hill-Knee-Pads_214716.htm

Never used Rapha pads but I’ve driven home after a ride not realising I still had these on, few years old now and I’d buy another pair without a 2nd thought

I have both the Rapha and those Sam Hills and would say that the Sam Hills are only a smidge less comfy for lots of pedaling, but do have better protection.

I love my ion K-lite zip knee pads. Enough protection, decent venting but also easy to take on and off if I feel I’m getting to warm on a particularly pedal heavy section.

I’ve had Rapha’s tear in a crash as well. For the Alps I either use TLD Raid or some Akta Trail – they have the same pad insert as the TLD Stage but with extra padding around the insert.

I’ve also got some Fasthouse Hooper pads which are good as well. Used them in Madeira last year without any issues.

Bit of a hijack, but I have recently switched back to flats, and while I have a pair of fairly beefy Troy Lees for chasing the nipper around bike parks, I don’t have anything for pedally rides with mild peril and / or pedal strikes to worry about. I was looking for the Raphas as they seemed to have a good balance, but they’re no longer available. Anyone know the story?

I’ve just ordered some Raphas, they only had XS and S left, but when I measure up my legs I came up as a bang on a small!

is the sizing a bit funny? I wouldn’t say I have tiny legs – I’m normally a medium in pads.

Just had a pair of POC VPD Air arriv – 55 Euro on Alltricks, and theres 10% more off with SMRBKW10

Not ridden them yet, but very pleased with fit and weight, and more padding than Rapha

https://www.alltricks.com/F-11940-protections-du-cycliste/P-1496289-poc_vpd_air_fabio_wibmer_edition_knee_guards_black_black___gold

OP here…

@beer247 – I’ve got smalls and they’re spot on. I’d describe myself as wiry, rather than skinny, but definitely at the narrower end of the spectrum.

@honourablegeorge – I had POCs a good while back (got them off the classifieds new unused). They were pretty good so long as I wore kneewarmers under them, otherwise they rubbed. They didn’t like being washed though – the VPD bit split along one of the flex points and started squeaking!

I’ve ended up buying a pair of 7IDPs, as they were 30% off. Feel comfy enough pottering round the house in them, but haven’t tried them on the bike yet.