[Closed] Knee pads- which?

Had the Fox yes they are comfortable but not as good as Raceface Ambush!
You can put them on and off without removing shoes an excellent idea for a trail knee pad without having to resort to more dh types. Because of the velocity and the straps they are really adjustable

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POC - by far the best I've ever used and still look like new after a full season guiding with them.

I'm using Fox Launch Pro they fit great and offer decent protection. I'm pretty sure they saved my knee from being totally obliterated weekend before last when I had an off on the bottom of Jacobs Ladder. Would also suggest 661 evo pads they didn't fit me well but great protection.

Have you looked at the Leatt ones?

Been very happy with my Leatt 3DF - and I HATE wearing kneepads.

Fox Launch Pro's here, had 661 which felt bulky and rubbed a bit. Fox feel of similar size and protection but i don't notice them when riding. Just a lot better fit for me.

POC- didn't consider those. Will look at these.

Edit- although bikeradar (if you'd listen to their views) panned the single-strap version has slippable. The pricey extended version has two straps.

What size are you looking for? I've got a pair of medium Joint VPD 2.0s I'm considering selling. Been used for 2 rides since purchased!

661 rage. direct kyle strait replacements.

Curious' how much and where are you based? I'll have a measure up tonight.
Sizing is weird- the IXS pads in large are too tight on the quads yet I guarantee that I could have sized-down from the large in the Kyle Straits as I always had to strap them up really tight to get them tight.

661 Rage (and others) all 30% off at Merlin at the moment if it's of any use?

661 rage. direct kyle strait replacements.

I much preferred the kyle straits to the rage knee pads.

POC Air.

Only pads I've had that I can wear all day.

+1 for Raceface Ambush or Fox Launch Pro (if you don't sweat too much)

I bought the Fox Launch Pro XL. Fitted me like a glove in the shop. Bought them. Felt great riding. I did a flat out lap of my local and they got a bit hot. They chafed when I got sweaty - I only noticed when I got them off at home but the front and back of my knee was all red and the marks on the back of my leg were pretty sore for a day or two.

So a week later I bought the Raceface Ambush pads purely because they were 50% off at Evans making it a "bugger it, why not" purchase. Rode them all day on Saturday. No chafing so far but to be fair it's too early to tell after one leisurely 4h ride exploring the hills on a cool day. They also fit like a glove. I got XL. They're a bit more of a faff to get on because they have quite a few velcro straps to fit but you can fit and remove them with your riding shoes on which is a nice feature.

I'm racing at the weekend so the Raceface pads will be tested properly then. I might take both pads with me and do practice in the Fox then swap to the Raceface for the race. I really do hope they don't chafe. It hurts 🙁

Neither pad slipped out of place when riding. My knees feel very well protected.

Two of my friends use the Fox Launch pads with no problems.

Troylee 5450 - wear them all day. There are shorter versions, I have rather wide thighs and calfs and they feel very comfy. They also look cool but not as cool as @Binners

Fox launch- fitted like a glove but they actually feel like they'd give as much protection as well when you knock them gently against the corner of a hard surface.

How in God's name did you come to that conclusion? They're hardshell pads used by tons of downhillers!

Sorry I should have added 'enduro' in there. Great for trail grazes but anything even vaguely angular and it'll ****ing hurt. I gently taped the knee against various shop items as I was really sceptical about the (blanket)-thick material over the knee. I was right:

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POC are the only pads I've ever been able to wear whilst pedaling, all the others I've had over the years I've had to remove for the pedalling parts of the day.

I want those Hello Kitty ones, I reckon I'd score wearing those.

Sorry I should have added 'enduro' in there. Great for trail grazes but anything even vaguely angular and it'll **** hurt. I gently taped the knee against various shop items as I was really sceptical about the (blanket)-thick material over the knee. I was right:

Is it not material that hardens under impact? Although I am sceptical about how defective it would be when so thin.

I have Race Face ones - and they are great!!

MSP D3o? Nope I'd buy them if they were.

Got Fox Launch Pro's

Good:
- Hard cup protection
- Given the level of protection not overly bulky
- Comfortable and not overbearingly sweaty
- The bands holding the top and bottom straps in place are more robust than equivalent 661.

Bad:
- The material covering the side pads wears thin quickly and looks tatty (1 and half seasons for me)
- As they wear they start to slip down.

Troylee 5450

These have been previously widely recommend on here. I've been using some for every ride for about 2 years now. They are nice to ride in and have looked after my knees in plenty of crashes.

However there isn't much holding them in place once you start sliding in a crash. I've managed to pick up a few scrapes and knee grazes when they've moved when I've found myself coming departed from the bike at speed.

After a friend of mine needed his knee stitching up when his pad slid down during a crash at BPW this has convinced me something more substantial/secure is needed for anything more than zipping around the woods.

So good if you're a pedaler not if you're a descender

It very much comes down to fit. I narrowed down the choices as best I could from size charts and reviews, then ordered six different pairs from CRC and spent an evening wearing them around the house. The Launch Pro fitted me the best by far, so I sent the other five pairs back. Still happy with them - just bought another pair for lunchtime skatepark duties...

They chafed when I got sweaty - I only noticed when I got them off at home but the front and back of my knee was all red and the marks on the back of my leg were pretty sore for a day or two.

I have used assos cream on the back of the knees when wearing pads on hot days.

Troylee 5450 - wear them all day. There are shorter versions, I have rather wide thighs and calfs and they feel very comfy. They also look cool but not as cool as @Binners

+1 I've tried both the shorter 5400 and longer 5450. Both are very comfortable and light and cope fine with pedalling around all day. They might need a little re-adjust couple times round a long ride but no more than that.

I would personally go for the longer ones as they add hardly any extra bulk and the extra length helps keep them in place a bit better than the shorter ones. You release how bulky the 661 pads are and how soggy they get on a long hot day after trying the Troy Lee ones.

I quite liked the KG5450's but I did have to warranty them 3 times, as they just kept falling apart. Same story for a couple of others I know with them.

They were almost spot on, if only they added a couple of velcro straps to them to hold them in place a bit better.

I've got some 661 Evo's, which don't really work how I want them to, and they pinch my leg on the back of the knee, after wearing them for 2 days racing (and not even a big loop) they had pinched the skin raw, not really what you want from a set of knee pads.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to get now. Don't want the bulk of a 661 KS (or new version) and have tried a load of the above pads, but none fit properly. I've got reasonable sized thighs, skinny knees and reasonable calf muscles which usually results in a pad that bunches down from the top and up from the bottom. Stupid legs.

I'm based near Reading. E-mail in profile if you want to discuss further?

Well Ive just ordered M, L Pocs and M, L Evo II 661's.

I'd love to try TLD's as I rate their kit but all pads need straps IMO as everyone is of differing shapes from their model that they used.

The pinching- Bet its down to your leg shape to a degree

Hob Nob - Member
I quite liked the KG5450's but I did have to warranty them 3 times, as they just kept falling apart. Same story for a couple of others I know with them.

They were almost spot on, if only they added a couple of velcro straps to them to hold them in place a bit better.

I like the knee/shin version of those, wear them for more DH-y stuff - the shin piece holds the knee bit in place, so no straps needed.

Leatt ones are good - mind you, I'm XXL in them, versus L in Troy Lee

Emailed you

I like the knee/shin version of those, wear them for more DH-y stuff - the shin piece holds the knee bit in place, so no straps needed.

That's the model I had - would still prefer straps, for those crashing moments to help keep the pad where it's meant to be.

Tried the Leatt's - probably the worst fitting pad of the lot of me!

Abit like different brands helmets it seems- a fair observation?

Very much so - your approach is probably the best, just spank £500 on a load of different pads & sizes, try them all on, keep the one that fits & send the rest back.

It's a fairly tedious process though.

Thoroughly agree. No other way though. Even a decent LBS couldnt hold more than a few brands instore.

hora - Member
Emailed you

Me? Nothing yet. Unless your real name is Mrs Jilly Stiffer?

I have these [url= http://www.raceface.com/guards/legs/flank-leg/ ]Race Face Flank[/url]

First ones I have had and they seem good so far. D30 seems useful.

Try spam box?

I can ride all day in my Endura MT500 pads, and no I'm not from Surrey...

I've been using G Forms for XC riding......any pads that make you sore or you dont wear as they aren't comfortable are pointless....as I have found out like lots of other big lads. I've crashed in the GForms at Kirrouhtree on a rocky chute and they did the job spot on.....so all the neigh sayers about their level of protection are wrong IME. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't wear them at Antur though.
I tried some of the Leatt 3DF elbows, lovely and comfy but after less than 12 months use the retention bands lost its stickiness and they just slide down. The knee versions in XXL I got on....just but the bottom edge material was cutting deep into my calf as was the top into my quad....struggled to get them off.
Pads sizing across the market is messed up I'm sure that they don't increase the girth of pads in the same proportions as they size them up. There's stack of us struggle with pads issues!

Wow the g-forms look abIt mad but not in a bad way looking at a review. I might have to order these too

Anyone used the Bliss ARG Minimalist Knee Pads ?? I like the idea behind them but not sure what they'd be like in an impact.
Cheers

Poc vpds , awesome I feel they even support my crappy right knee, once they warm up u actually forget they're on tbh , pricey but glad I got a pair I don't feel like selling after a couple of rides

Hora, the GForms come in all black too.... But I'm tight so bought the yellow as they're a few quid cheaper 😆
And on the back of this thread, I hold you all responsible but mainly Hora as I've just ordered some XL POC VPD to try on.....if they fit I'll keep them for riding where I wouldn't necessarily trust the side coverage of the GForms....if they don't I'll just send them back and stick with full length hard shells.

Bah its like I pressed your finger on order 😉

In the same boat as OP. Fox Launch Pro's have died on me but have had my money's worth out of them so can't complain. Can be hot and occasionaly chafed on longer rides so after reading all the posts here I've ordered a couple of sizes in the Race Face Ambush as fancied trying some D3O ones out.

If I'm not happy I'll just re-order some Launch Pro's again. Thanks for the input folks 🙂

I was wearing G Form when this happened http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/is-this-wound-healing-ok

Now i wear the Fox

Pad stayed in place but wasnt enough protection?

Hob Nob - Member

Tried the Leatt's - probably the worst fitting pad of the lot of me!

Heh. We're into the realm of saddles and helmets here, it's all personal.

And I find trying them on isn't always conclusive - need a few rides to decide. Have bought quite a few I thought I was OK with but ended up not liking. Elbows are worse, they all seem to give me arm pump.

posted this before. WRT D30 check their care instructions:
[url= http://www.d3o.com/wp-content/uploads/d3olab/D3O-Consumer-care-instructions.pdf ]pdf[/url]
you're not supposed to wash the stuff. 🙄

Really? I might ping them an email to clarify.

Nothing in spam either hora...

It's mailtocuriousyellow at gmail dot com

Anyone tried the bliss arg vertical knee pads

http://www.blisscamp.com/en/bike/protection/bliss-vertical-knee-pad/a-18798/

The size chart seems to sugest the xl might actually fit me, may also be of interest to suggsey.

I saw a review that put me off- will have a relook - Edit different pads.

curious- resent from another address

love my gforms. full day in them and I barely notice. They're amazing.

The 'problem' with G forms is they aren't massively cheaper than D3o pads? The other thing is the styling is very very marmite 😀

I've just ordered a set of the 7 iDP Controls, they are probably the only non bulky pad I haven't tried yet.

Sods law at £80 they will be the best fitting & most comfortable 🙄

curiousyellow - get someone else to try sending you an email. I've sent you one from two different servers/emails (and copied/cut as required/double-checked). Maybe you have an anti-bollocks filter fitted 8)

I have Raceface Indy pads. D30 so flexible but should be decent in a crash (I haven't yet). Very comfortable and lightweight so I never even think about not putting them on.

hora - Member

curiousyellow - get someone else to try sending you an email. I've sent you one from two different servers/emails (and copied/cut as required/double-checked). Maybe you have an anti-bollocks filter fitted

mailtocuriousyellow at gmail dot com

Tried it from a couple of accounts I've got and it seems fine. Checked Spam and Trash. I've not known anything to silently filter e-mail from people.

I even tried copying and pasting what I've posted here in case I was spelling my address wrong, but that's come through as well. Very strange.

I can try and e-mail you if you're comfortable supplying your address?

markhoracekuk at yahooooooooooooodot com

661 Evo D3o Medium and large arrived. Not much in them sizewise (medium better wierdly) but on both the bottom of the D3o gently 'digs' into the top of my shins. Just a reminder that its there but over time could it trap/rub any dust or dirt into the shin/rub?

So they are going back 🙁

Just wanted to update my experience with Fox Launch Pro XL verses Raceface Ambush D30 XLs.

I'm leaning towards using the Ambush pads for longer / hotter / sweatier rides and the Welsh Enduro Series race this weekend.

Both pads feel really comfortable on but there's a difference once you get riding.

I've tested both pads this week on after work rides up local 800ft+ road climbs. Both rides were comparably "sweaty" by the time I got back home. I much preferred the Ambush pads feel and there was no irritation at all - I forgot they were there. I was getting irritated by the Fox pads and any longer spent in them was going to begin hurting.

I'll keep swapping between them now I can't send either back depending on the kind of ride I'm going on.

interesting thread. After being in a recent car crash (no real serious injuries, just smacked about a bit with various aches to get through) it got me wondering about body armour etc.
I've never ridden with knee pads - even out in the alps never had them, just made sure I didn't ever fall off! I tend to fall in the ride-all-day-but-fast/xc category rather than the fad of 'enduro' which seems more downhill than actually follow it's prescribed name of 'endurance' oddly. Still, assuming they're a good idea - and recognising LBS's tend not to stock huge ranges (just one or two makes) which are the decent lightweight ones - rather than the iron-man-bulletproof-exoskeleton ones worth checking out? Er-ing towards them maybe being a good idea as I hit some of the downhill trails pretty hard, bit of scrape protection for that one time I dismount probably would't go amiss!

Ordered both 5400 & 5450 in medium. Should be a close fit to negate them slipping plus I'll emulate core-sick rider Binnersemnuk

Horses for courses i guess. I use the Fox Launch Pro's and haven't had any irritation though i sweat a lot. Plus they've always stayed in place and protected my knees in (the many) crashes.

@Woodentop: I have the Bliss ARG Minimalist and they're as comfy as the G-Form pads (which started coming apart at the seams after about a year). Can't comment on protection as I haven't tested them in a crash yet :), but Enduro mag did a[url= http://enduro-mtb.com/en/preview-12-knee-protectors-put-to-the-test-laboratory-field-test/ ] lab test[/url] (real world conditions may vary) of the protectiveness of the pads (among others) and they seem to like them.

Hora, the POC VPD 2.0 knee pads arrived in XL and they are simply superb! Fit better than a pair of Leatt3DF, with better retention straps, as comfortable as GForms with slightly better coverage and better protection. The other benefit over the GForms is I have found GForms 'stick' a little to longs/shorts and actually cause my lower clothing to move down.
I'm now saving for the POC Elbow Pads. 😆
So my recommendation is for POC..... It appears you get what you pay for!

Where did you get the POCs in XL? Didn't think they did an XL

@mudsoul: I actually ordered a pair earlier on, have used some old Xeno/Hardknox pads for years (about 18!) but stopped wearing them a while back as they'd seen better days, I don't expect these to offer the same protection, but they should be a lot more comfy, plus they'll be better than no pads !
I read that lab test aswell, I think they're worth a shot ...hopefully won't need to test them!

POC have Air and VPD2's both really good.

CRC have XL POC in stock and super fast delivery!

And they are proper XL size not euro slim!

I thought I was big legged 🙁 . My upper leg is 17inch/34 waist/98kg/6ft2.

I think I have girls legs, mans barrel top

That sounds like a good look.....

Picked up my POCs from Merlin, they have fatty fatty bum bum size in stock.

661 Evo D3o Medium and large arrived. Not much in them sizewise (medium better wierdly) but on both the bottom of the D3o gently 'digs' into the top of my shins. Just a reminder that its there but over time could it trap/rub any dust or dirt into the shin/rub?

I found I had to size down from my usual medium on these, as there was a lot of extra pad & material in the middle. They are quite tight around the lower leg, but I never had any issue with pain etc.

My 7 iDP Controls turned up. Typical, they are probably the most comfortable pads I think I've ever tried on. Looks like they were an expensive tester.