POC Joint VPD Air or 2.0 knee guards?

As per thread title, which of these two knee guards should I get for mainly trail riding with the odd trip to a park for some fun on the jumps (nothing crazy)?

My knees are quite buggered through the sports I’ve done previously and general wear and tear due to age (early 40’s) so I need to protect them as much as possible. I’ve read many reviews, including the Singletrack knee guard test, and it seems to be a trade off between comfort for all day riding with less protection and less comfort for all day riding but with more protection. I’ve nothing to judge by as these will be the first knee guards I’ve ever used for mtb.

Anybody have experience of either the Air or 2.0, both or just general advice will be gratefully received. Thanks

Had 2.0 and really liked them, after 3 years use I got some Ion K-Pact which are even better. I still wear the POC now and then and they arent quite as good to pedal in. Also you can’t machine wash them like the Ions

I’ve machine washed my POC stuff a few times. I don’t do it often, but put them in cold and delicate and they seem fine. I have VPD Air and the newer VPD System and they Airs were good, but the newer ones are a better design.

Thanks @leegee. Are you using yours for trails, downhill or something else?

Thanks @orangespyderman

Are the newer ones the 2.0 or do you mean the latest version of the Air?

Edit: just been on POC’s website and found the ‘System’.

Trail mainly but have used them for uplift too.

I had a pair of the 2.0s for a good few years (bought off the classifieds here). Good kit. Used them for most trail/mountain/holiday riding – everything from a couple of hours up to 8+. I’ve always worn knee or leg warmers (depending on the season) under pads, so no issue with rub. Machine washed mine quite happily.

The elastic strap across the top of the calf lost its stretch, then one of them started squeaking when pedaling, which was the cause of getting a new set of pads. (Fox Launch – not nearly as nice)

Sizing is an issue – my pair are mediums, and went through several owners on here, all of whom found them too tight. They suited my skinny pins quite nicely.

Would have another set – but not at current RRP!

Thanks @JonEdwards

So I’ve ordered POC 2.0, POC System and Dakine Slayer Pro. All for delivery this week so I’ll try them on in the house and see if they fit and are comfortable. Ideally, I want to have a pair for this Sunday’s ride but will send back if they don’t fit.

Sounds like you’ve already ordered but I’ve recently bought both the Air and 2.0 longs.

The 2.0 is quite a lot heavier, stiffer and more restrictive, but feels like it will give a good bit more protection, so it depends where the balance lies with you I guess. I decided the Air is better for me for general trail riding.

As per the sizing note above, the 2.0 sizes up smaller than the Air (and weirdly I’ve subsequently noticed POC say this on their website too, despite giving the same sizing measurements for both).

I bought a pair of Airs, VPD 2.0 and the 2.0 DH long (knee and elbow for all) after a nasty crash (broken arm, knackered shoulder) 6 years ago.

The Airs are my ‘go to’ pad which I wear for 90% of the time: FoD (inc. off piste), Cannock etc. and for the ‘Ard Rock as they are comfy and I can pedal in them all day. They’ve also saved my knees several times, and still come out clean and fresh after a wash – although the anti-smell material doesn’t work as well as it used to…!

Since I got the Airs (a few months after the VPD 2.0) I don’t tend to wear the the VPD 2.0 as they are much heavier and as a result hotter on the knees (!). But have worn them for uplift trips to ‘extreme’ trails, such as BPW and in Molini.

The DH pads are used pretty much exclusively for Alps uplift adventures, and when you crash it’s like your knees sinking into cushion! But they are tricky to pedal in.

Perfectly happy with the Airs, and I hope I can get the same again when these finally get too stinky or wear out.

Thanks @glenh and @bedfordrd. I’ve just ordered the Airs for delivery tomorrow. Now I can’t go on my planned ride due to the sodding lockdown I’ll be walking around the house in different knee pads all weekend.