[Closed] G-form knee gaurds

I have the elbows and consider them shit tbh, crash testing suggests they're about as protective as a couple of layers of clothes. Not everyone agrees of course. They're quite handy in that you can wear them under clothes without any fuss, though.

For me, knee pads have a real job to do, your knees are complicated and a little delicate and exposed and you need them for when you're washing the dishes and that so I just wear what I'd call proper pads. Bulk is no problem if you're wearing shorts, side protection is really valuable, and as long as they fit you can pedal all day- I've worn mine soloing a 7 hour race frinstance. They're not even really much sweatier, because they don't have the big enclosing "sock" that minimal pads almost always have, they're thicker but they're smaller and generally pretty vented.

I don't see much merit in half-assing it. YMMV.

*guards not gaurds. Damn typo.

Cheers Northwind, which pads do you use for your knees?  I've had  a history of iffy knees anyway and after a few nasty road crashes I'd like to keep them in one piece now, even though I think I might have a little floaty bit of chipped kneecap in one already.

Ah well there I can't help, I like the discontinued 661 Rages, but they're pretty much gone from the shops. (I've been buying up old stock!). Fit's really essential too, any rubbing at all is a problem.

The trend now definitely seems to be for minimal pads though. The previous model Fox Launch Pro is still around and seems good, didn't fit me- rubbed the back of my knees- but still

Well I broke my tibial plateau quite a few years ago(where it meets the knee) in a rock garden in what is now Bike Park Wales.

I was wearing full on dh pads at the time but seemingly I still was able to do damage.

I've flirted with all sorts of pads since then but for the last probably 4 years, all I've worn is G-form. The exception to this is uplift days where I wear something more substantial.

The G-form stay in place I find and I've crashed loads of times in them (must learn to stop crashing) and they really do work pretty well.

Of course they aren't going to offer the same level of protection as big, hard cup pads, but for riding around pads they're excellent. Very comfortable. I wear 3/4 length undershorts and put the pads under them for extra stay-in -placeness. It's not as dodgy looking as it sounds..

Mine are finally starting to fray and so looking to replace them with some more.

I’m one of those folk that disagree with Northwind, I’ve been using G Form knee and elbow pads (the same ones) for approx 5 years. They have been great, incredibly comfortable to wear, they go unnoticed on long rides, however two things now, there are a lot more of this kind of pad available now and if I am doing a particularly gnarly rocky ride I will wear something more substantial. But trust me I have tested them over this period and all is good so far! they are just starting to lose their shape and elasticity but for everyday riding I would consider them again.

I had a set of the knee pads and again disagree with NW, found them very good but then I wasn't doing DH runs in them and expected them to protect me. I replaced them , after several years good service, with Dainese Trail Skins as I wanted to try something different. I'd happily consider the elbow pads for light extra protection

Assuming you have the Fox Launch Enduro, I'd recommend changing for the Launch Pro.

They look bulky but are still light and comfy.

I don't get these "kneewarmers with bits stuck on" kind of kneepads.

I bought a pair of Fox Launch pads at Glentress on Saturday as I had none. Very little protection from them at all but I didn't want to go out without any. Will definitely be looking for something with more protection

I'm actually pretty annoyed with myself for buying them. It was my first time at Glentress and didn't want to risk going out without any. In hindsight I should have chanced it without them and kept my money for a pair with more protection. Especially the price I paid for them

I know that feeling Frozenwhite, they do seem designed just to stop abrasion.

I want something for every ride so I may with the G-form a punt and get something more substantial for rockier days.

My POC VPD air are no sweatier or noticable to pedal in than my g-forms but offer more protection and stay in place better. The POC are my go to pad for trail riding, have something a bit heavier duty for uplift.

I like them,  but it depends on what you want from them.

I've found the dead on impact with the g-forms to be pretty good- case in point was a knee first landing onto a pointy bit of rock at CYB (thanks to weird, pre-crash-vision clarity I saw exactly what I hit), went from maybe 12,15mph to dead stop with no rolling or sliding. Felt the impact and pretty much assumed I'd broken something but walked away with a not a scratch under the pad and barely a hint of bruising afterwards.

What concerns me a little is the stability in a rolling, sliding sort of crash- I think they'd grip, twist, and the you'd be lycra on rock. I still have proper stormtrooper knee and shin things for anywhere I don't have to pedal.

If you're looking for a lighter weight version of 'proper' pads, they probably aren't it. If you're looking for something that will deal with the worst of a crash (and this is the point for me) where you probably otherwise wouldn't be wearing pads then I think they're pretty suited. When mine eventually fall apart (they must be 5 years old now) I will look at other options, including something bigger, but I'll still consider the g-forms.