Best pedal friendly knee pads

[BIG-DUKE-6]

So, a lot of my local trails are long single track with gnarly rocky downhill sections ( Blue Ridge Mtns). I’m looking for a full protection knee/elbow pad that’s full day pedal friendly in hot weather.

Talk to me goose……

 

[mustclime]

I like the race face ambush knee pads. They can be taken off and put on without touching your shoes. Handy if you have fire road climbs or road sections on your big days. You just take them off and strap them to your bars.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I’m looking for a full protection knee/elbow pad

I'm yet to see the combined knee/elbow pad. Do you envision something which follows the sides of the body from the knees, then crosses over to the shoulders for support before continuing back down the arms for the elbows ?

Or more something connected by an expanse of lycra materiel which doubles as a wing suit to gain more lift on jumps/crashes ?

I think you'll get a million responses as there's probably lots of good solution.

For me personally having tried quite a few and finding most of them to be lacking in one way or another, I settled on the 7idp Sam Hill's. They're light weight, offer great protection, comfortable, no silly straps, don't get too hot. Negatives - if you store them somewhere really cold before riding in the winter, they're stiff and uncomfortable for the first 10/15 minutes. Until you learn to roll the tops down first, they can be a bugger to take off, once you do that, they slide straight off. Sometimes you need to straighten up the harder inner support into the shell after washing so it's central.

I run two pairs so there's always something to hand. They've been crashed in more times than I'd care to think about and that's the one body part I've never damaged. One pair has some tears in the back from pedal spiking/bramble/branch crashes, but still work perfectly.

 

[PDXRooster]

Currently using the FOX Launch D30 knee pads. They are quite comfortable but a little warm and since I have large calves and thighs they are a little tight on my legs, have to use XL to even make them fit my legs.

LAUNCH D3O KNEE GUARD [BLK] S | Fox Racing®

Buy LAUNCH D3O KNEE GUARD [BLK] S at Fox Racing®

www.foxracing.com

Want to try these from Rapha:

Trail Knee Pads | MTB | Unisex Mens Womens | Rapha

www.rapha.cc

 

[RustyIron]

SixSixOne

Edit:
I'm rescinding my previously complimentary review of SixSixOne products. My kneepads are coming apart at the stitching. It's happening on both pads, but one of them is fraying so badly that it will soon be unusable. After several attempts of contacting customer service, I'm giving up. They're completely unresponsive.

 

[Hobo Mikey]

I have some Fox Enduro Pro D30 knee pads and elbow pads and they are great. Really comfortable and as they warm up they mould to your shape.

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

I like the race face ambush knee pads. They can be taken off and put on without touching your shoes. Handy if you have fire road climbs or road sections on your big days. You just take them off and strap them to your bars.

Hmmmmm. I like. Thanks

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

I have some Fox Enduro Pro D30 knee pads and elbow pads and they are great. Really comfortable and as they warm up they mould to your shape.

Yep. Right now these are top of the list, figured I’d ask the hive before I pulled the trigger. Thanks for all the responses I’m going to look into all of them.

 

[ohadbenita]

Currently using the FOX Launch D30 knee pads. They are quite comfortable but a little warm and since I have large calves and thighs they are a little tight on my legs, have to use XL to even make them fit my legs.

LAUNCH D3O KNEE GUARD [BLK] S | Fox Racing®

Buy LAUNCH D3O KNEE GUARD [BLK] S at Fox Racing®

www.foxracing.com

Want to try these from Rapha:

Trail Knee Pads | MTB | Unisex Mens Womens | Rapha

www.rapha.cc

I second the recommendation for the D30, they're great and provide very good protection, although somewhat warm in hot weather.

 

[kefconstruction]

Launch d30 for me

 

[Zimmerframe]

It still amazes me that anyone wears D3O knee pads.

They're heavy and hot and on a part of the body which is pretty much in constant motion. Great things said about some of them are "They're easy to take off for climbs" ... fantastic, you shouldn't have to.

I'm the same with the Leatt elbow pads I tried, get on any reasonably challenging terrain and it feels like you've suddenly got incredibly fat arms ! 50% of people probably fall off because of all the extra mass bouncing around on their elbows. Not to mention the heat ..

Each to their own I guess.

 

[irie]

Both wife and I have POC Joint VPD 2.0 knee and elbow. Can't fault them

 

[Armor11]

I have been using the Dakine Slayer Pro knee pads and have been quite happy with them so far. Any knee pads will be warm in the hot weather but when doing climbs I have just slid them down and turn them sideways. I find them very comfortable and am definitely able to pedal with them in place. When riding park and climbing I leave them in place and have never had an issue. I would have no problems recommending them!

 

[Mikerb]

I'm yet to see the combined knee/elbow pad. Do you envision something which follows the sides of the body from the knees, then crosses over to the shoulders for support before continuing back down the arms for the elbows ?

Or more something connected by an expanse of lycra materiel which doubles as a wing suit to gain more lift on jumps/crashes ?

I think you'll get a million responses as there's probably lots of good solution.

For me personally having tried quite a few and finding most of them to be lacking in one way or another, I settled on the 7idp Sam Hill's. They're light weight, offer great protection, comfortable, no silly straps, don't get too hot. Negatives - if you store them somewhere really cold before riding in the winter, they're stiff and uncomfortable for the first 10/15 minutes. Until you learn to roll the tops down first, they can be a bugger to take off, once you do that, they slide straight off. Sometimes you need to straighten up the harder inner support into the shell after washing so it's central.

I run two pairs so there's always something to hand. They've been crashed in more times than I'd care to think about and that's the one body part I've never damaged. One pair has some tears in the back from pedal spiking/bramble/branch crashes, but still work perfectly.

View attachment 116538

surely wearing 2 pairs at once makes them a bit stiff??

 

[Mikerb]

Leatt 4 DF Zip Up for rocky terrain..............Nukeproof for every other terrain. Neither are noticeably hot.

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

It still amazes me that anyone wears D3O knee pads.

They're heavy and hot and on a part of the body which is pretty much in constant motion. Great things said about some of them are "They're easy to take off for climbs" ... fantastic, you shouldn't have to.

I'm the same with the Leatt elbow pads I tried, get on any reasonably challenging terrain and it feels like you've suddenly got incredibly fat arms ! 50% of people probably fall off because of all the extra mass bouncing around on their elbows. Not to mention the heat ..

Each to their own I guess.

Yea. That’s what I’m afraid of…. Any preferences?

It’s definitely a tough choice to make.

 

[irie]

Yea. That’s what I’m afraid of…. Any preferences?

It’s definitely a tough choice to make.

Had my POC Joint VPD 2.0 knee and elbow pads on for two hours today in a local bike park (QE Country Park, Hampshire, UK). Didn't notice them while climbing nor downhill on the berms etc. Wash OK too. Buy cheap buy twice.

 

[JP-NZ]

Ive got some Leatt 3DF 5.0 Zip, can cycle all day with them on and not slide around. They are also easy to put on and take off without removing shoes etc with the zips!

 

[Hobo Mikey]

It still amazes me that anyone wears D3O knee pads.

They're heavy and hot and on a part of the body which is pretty much in constant motion. Great things said about some of them are "They're easy to take off for climbs" ... fantastic, you shouldn't have to.

I'm the same with the Leatt elbow pads I tried, get on any reasonably challenging terrain and it feels like you've suddenly got incredibly fat arms ! 50% of people probably fall off because of all the extra mass bouncing around on their elbows. Not to mention the heat ..

Each to their own I guess.

You must be talking about others, not the ones I have because I can honestly say you don’t you have them on and I go to Llandegla often and the its a three mile climbs to get to the top. If they were heavy or rubbed etc they would be in the bin.

 

[D3xt3rMTB]

Race face Roams for me. Described as an "enduro focussed" knee pad. Just bought a second pair after 2 years on my last. Several crashes incl at bike parks and no issues with protection they've offered and they're really comfortable. Worn them for several all day rides on a fair few occasions and pretty much completely forget they're even on. Has the benefit of a velcro opening and strap system too so can be taken on/off without having to remove shoes and if between sizes you can get a proper fit. Tried Fox previously, found them warm and always moved around a bit, and POC, just didn't like the fit/rigidity of them. It's all personal preference though.

 

[#lazy]

I’ll second the 7idp Sam Hill knee pads , they fit great and once on you forget them til you need them . I’ve used TLD , fox d30’s and the 7idp’s are much better imo . Also use Race face ambush knee and shin guards for uplift days

 

[Shjay]

I have a pair of ION knee pads & Oneal knee pads as I was a rep for both so got less than trade at time

 

[Jurassic]

I’ll second the 7idp Sam Hill knee pads , they fit great and once on you forget them til you need them . I’ve used TLD , fox d30’s and the 7idp’s are much better imo . Also use Race face ambush knee and shin guards for uplift days

I'll third the Sam Hill 7 idp pads, I've used loads of different types over the years and these are the best I've tried. Mega comfy, good protection, they don't slip at all when you're pedalling (no more stopping to pull your pads up before you drop into a trail) and you can remove the pad and wash the sleeve when they inevitably get stinky!

 

[darvd29]

I'm really surprised nobody mentioned IXS products! I never ride without elbow or knee pads, they are so comfortable that I never thought to take them off or leave at home. For elbows, I always use IXS Flow. For knees I have a pair of IXS Flow when it's very hot and I'm riding easier flow sections, and a pair of IXS Trigger for gnarly rocks riding.

I've had a problem with the silicone strip that holds the pad in place - it was slowly deteriorating and falling off piece by piece. I've got a warranty replacement though, and now I always wash them in a mesh laundry bag and the problem hasn't occured again so far.

 

[High Rock Ruti]

So, a lot of my local trails are long single track with gnarly rocky downhill sections ( Blue Ridge Mtns). I’m looking for a full protection knee/elbow pad that’s full day pedal friendly in hot weather.

Talk to me goose……

High Rock Ruti

I just got these hockey pads
Junky, but cheap and great coverage

Warm Regards Ruti

 

[jcismo1]

I use POC VPD AIR knee pads. When grinding uphill, I just pull them down onto my calf. Pull them back up for the downhill. My knees thank me for it!

 

[Downhillr]

So, a lot of my local trails are long single track with gnarly rocky downhill sections ( Blue Ridge Mtns). I’m looking for a full protection knee/elbow pad that’s full day pedal friendly in hot weather.

Talk to me goose……

Race Face Ambush pads provide D3O protection and don’t require taking off shoes to put on. Only caution is that the new generation are undersized… someone blew it when they did that, I had to return and go from size L to XXL.

 

[trx]

Currently using the FOX Launch D30 knee pads. They are quite comfortable but a little warm and since I have large calves and thighs they are a little tight on my legs, have to use XL to even make them fit my legs.

LAUNCH D3O KNEE GUARD [BLK] S | Fox Racing®

Buy LAUNCH D3O KNEE GUARD [BLK] S at Fox Racing®

www.foxracing.com

Want to try these from Rapha:

Trail Knee Pads | MTB | Unisex Mens Womens | Rapha

www.rapha.cc

I’ve got a pair of Rapha after coming from POC, and they’re *really* good. It’s my first sleeve kneepad and the fit is perfect, no chafing behind the knee. Also level 2 certified. The materials from rapha are really good, I also have a pair of trail socks, and they’re my favorite

 

[Mcharza]

No one has mentioned Leatt Airflex Pro protectors yet. I recommend it, fits well for trail riding and stays up

Leatt AirFlex Pro – In our 2022 trail knee pad group test

We tested the Leatt AirFlex Pro knee pad. How did it fare against the competition and can it combine a good level of protection with comfort and ventilation?

enduro-mtb.com

 

[RuggsRides]

These are my favourite. Don’t move around and super comfy

Stage Knee Guard Solid Black

STAGE KNEE GUARDS The Stage Knee guard offers mid-range trail protection in a packable package. D3O® is used for impact protection. D3O® is soft and flexible to keep the guards comfortable while riding, but on impact, the D3O® material hardens to disperse the energy for protection. Slip on a...

troyleedesigns.com