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I regularly ride in 661 (whatever they are now called) Kyle Straits. They dont really bother me, but are a bit overkill for more xc rides. I've had my fair share of bruises over the years and I'd prefer to go out, when not doing AM type stuff, in lighter knee pad rather than none. Bliss and G-form knee pads seems the obvious choices when looking online. Any preference for one over the other or any other suggestions? Real world views from women (though at 5'9" height isn't an issue) also welcome!
Not a woman, but am 5 foot 9.
Dakine Slayers (M) and IXS Flow (L) are both good for me. The Dakines provide a bit more coverage than the IXS, but both are good - comfy enough for all day, good level of protection when I've needed it.
Bit like helmets though, you need to try them.
I've got IXS Flow elbow guards, and despite being a pad-hater, I really like them. Recently used them at BPW and barely noticed they were there. Best mate has the knee versions, and he seems to really like them. Loads of freedom, and comfy, but the arm ones needed a little bit of shuffling to find the sweet spot on my twig arms to get them to stay still.
I've got 661 knee pads, and will likely bin them to replace with Flows.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/ have the g-form (mk1) on sale for around half price, & as per the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/reviews/review-g-form-pro-x-knee-pads/ ]STW review[/url], there that light weight & comfortable that it's silly not to wear some. I love mine and wore then religiously as there so light weight and unnoticeable, they will slip in big crashed but I never considered them to be a DH/AM pad, just something to throw on without thought every ride
Not tried the bliss (& am a man BTW) and have moved onto some Dainese Trailskins (mk1) as I just wanted to try something different and they too have turned out to be great with good ventilation considering there slightly bigger package with seemingly more overall protection.
the Troy Lee Speed ones came out top for comfort in the mag test a few months ago. I bought a set on the back of the test and find them comfier than my POC vpd Air ones, though with less protection
Not a lady, but I've been really impressed with my ISX Flow pads and I'm generally a pad hater for anything other than uplift days.
They get a bit sweaty on warm days but I generally don't notice them. Not crashed in them so I can't comment on that.
Thanks all. I'll look those other ones up.
Having ridden in Kyle Straits, I would say they're very similar in protection and coverage levels to the IXS flow pads which I have for my bigger days in the saddle, have you thought about even lighter weight like the Fox Launch Enduro pad? I wear them for my local bimbles where danger is at a minimum but I'd rather avoid more scars. I waffled on about them a while ago [url= http://www.golfchickridesbikes.com/2014/04/review-fox-launch-enduro-knee-pads.html ]here[/url] and need to pick them up in a size small now I've lost weight, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the same again being as the same pair are still going strong now 3 years later!
Trail skins mk1
Fox Enduro - basically glorified knee warmers, but the ones I wear the most. Sweet protection bear suit knee guards - same pull on style as the Fox ones but more padding should you actually fall off & bash your knees. GForm are a bit weird, try before you buy - I've got some in the back of the cupboard unworn since I bought the Fox ones (several years of wear so far). HTHs
Dainese Trailskins 2. Much comfier than than the Mk 1
Wasn't there a review on here of lightweight knee pads recently?
I've got some Fox ones. They're OK - if you just want to avoid having a hurty knee if you land on some slightly pointy stones. But they're not going to help much if you go full tilt into something hard.
Yes there was a review in issue 112 - i think the Dianese got top rating?
Trail skins Mk1 are airy enough for a sweaty bast like me to use on a hot day, fine for XC bumps and scrapes and I only really notice them when I get cold knees on a descent due to a sweat-cooled breeze.
Troy Lee Speeds here. Spot on in my experience.
After mucking about with this, I decided there's basically no point for kneepads- you'll usually get less outright protection, and more importantly less coverage, and for what? They're not really any more comfortable and a big pad doesn't really restrict. So I went back to the trusty kyle straits
I've got 661 Kyle Straights and some of the original G-Form ones (which are actually my wife's but I'm borrowing them long term 😉 ). Like you, I find the 661s too bulky and hot for long rides. I quite like the G-Forms, genuinely I will forget I'm wearing them - they feel just like leg warmers and TBH I use them mainly for that purpose. How well they protect your knees in a crash I don't really know - haven't tested them. My wife liked 'em.
I don't really believe in knee pads for XC though. When I crash I usually hurt my hands/shoulders/hips, and knees rarely come into it. This is probably something to do with the way I ride - I realise I'm in the minority though.
oldnpastit - Member
Wasn't there a review on here of lightweight knee pads recently?
smogmonster - Member
Yes there was a review in issue 112 - i think the Dianese got top rating?
iainc - Member
the Troy Lee Speed ones came out top for comfort in the mag test a few months ago.
I've got nukeproof critical enduro knee things, I fell off at the weekend, not sure if I banged my knee or not, which is potentially 'a good thing'
I've got trail skins elbow pads, they took the brunt of the impact and left me with a very mild friction burn under the impact site.
Would recommend them both.
Did you all try before you bought?
Tricky trying different ones on locally without racking up a fair few miles between shops.
Tempted to get some POC VPD Air, Dainese Trail Skins 2 and RF Indy online and just send back what I don't want - madness? People who have the Dainese, does the lattice work on the front get full of shit on a muddy ride?
As has been pointed out with 'what boot?' and 'what helmet?' threads there's no substitute for trying on first...
Buy from somewhere with free returns, I like CRC.
Nowhere local to me stocks much in the way of pads
I go the Bliss minimalist knee pads. Basically a lycra tube with the squashy til it gets hit pad.
You don't notice they are there. I got them instead of POC VPD Airs which were too bulky. I also have torn ligaments in one knee and couldn't get them not to chafe on that one.
The POCS were much bulkier though and probably better in a crash?
The Bliss ones are only £25 though
POC and RF pads crossing the Irish Sea hopefully as I type...one (or both) will be making a return trip in a few days 😉
rascal - I did similar, think I must have tried over a dozen different ones before settling on Troy Lee Speed and POC VOD Air's
Pads arrived today.
Race Face Indys comfy enough but really long without much protection that feels like it will do much if needed so they're a no. The POC VPD Air are much shorter but have way more meaningful protection. Maybe not quite as comfy as the RF but certainly not uncomfortable...I guess that's the trade-off. They were rated the 'best protection' in the recent STW mag review. When people say "I can't tell I'm wearing any", that's bollocks surely - if they're going to do a meaningful job then you're going to notice something wrapped around your leg, no?
Hmm, having previously recommend Trail Skins, I won't be buying another set. They fit great and are quite comfortable to wear all day.
The problem is, despite having never crashed in them, they are falling apart. They have never been machined washed and I've only had them about 6 months (or even less).