[Closed] Lightweight knee pads

I've been looking over the weekend and after being recommended sweet protection knee guards, fancy them but at £59 I've not pressed the buy button

(Will watch this with interest to see what STW recommend)

Had read good things about those too in an enduro-mtb.com review the only seeming downside being they can run a bit hot which is the trouble I have my current pads.

I've Leatt Airflex elbows, and they are almost like normal arm warmers. The protective pad is really soft and flexible, and the rest is just Lycra. Worth a try.

I'm liking my Bliss minimalist ones, don't notice them whilst riding, don't slip down. The only problem is the lycra sleeve can be holed by pedal pins.

Not Ion K-Traze. They’ve got some really nice features too then, but the pad isn’t removable making them hand wash only. The pad also has an annoying habit of curling up within its pocket. Shame though as they seem to be absolutely welded in place when on

I wear the Race Face Charge pads for normal XC/Trail rides on the tame woodsy singletrack (think bluebells and roots rather dropoffs and berms), they have protected from cuts and some bruises in their time.

I have better more protective pads for chunkier riding.

I’ve found 7idp transition knee pads really good.

These are a bargain at £35, my favourites...
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ixs-flow-evo-knee-guard-2018/rp-prod167197

Sizing slightly on the small side.

Really rate my IXS Trail helmet but they haven't go the Flow pads in my size. Other retailers are available though so definitely on the list.
The 7iDP get a pretty solid write up too, how do you find the sizing @squealer ?

I’ve got some Dainese Trail Skins 2.
Very flexible, well vented and comfy to ride in.

Good thread! My Dainese Trail Skins are at the end of their life and I'm dreading the expensive process for finding new ones which would fit my wonky knees. I've learned that I can't wear any knee pads which put pressure on my kneecap but it took buying 5 pairs of pads to learn this.
Dainese has new Trail Skins Pro model but it does not seem to be available anywhere and Trail Skins 2 are sold out in most places.

An other ex-dainese (or continued) users got recommendations, my trail skin 1’s need replacing.. there’s to much choice!

I went to LBS to try few pairs:
- Leatt Airflex Pro felt nice but they did not have all sizes and as this one does not have any adjustment straps it has to fit from the start
- Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 5.0 too bulky and heavy to my use, good fit though
- TLD Stage Knee Guard did not seem to fit properly

Some smaller online shops seem to have Trail Skins Pros, might have to try them next. Apparently it is now possible to size down.

I've got the Dakine Slayer, which seem alright. But these are my first and only set of knee pads so nothing to compare them with. I bought them with the intention of using most of the time on local xc stuff, but in truth, hardly wear them at all (I probably ought to really). Guess that having ridden for years without pads, I do end up noticing them, even if they're quite minimalist.

^this is the main issue - too hot, heavy, restrictive knee pads do not get used.

I use Race Face Charge knee pads for those rides where falling is unlikely - they are practically lightweight knee warmers with kevlar outer to prevent scratches. There isn't any real padding so hitting anything hurts the same.

After having ridden the Dianese trail skins2 for a few rides now, I find them very comfy. The moulded knee element really sits well when pedalling, whilst the whole pad itself stays put in the right place on my leg. I have to put the elastic strap behind and above my calf, to keep it in position, but they really stay there when I do. Although, I always wear 3/4 length cycling shorts under my baggies, so I don’t notice any rubbing (if there was any).

Not stacked in anger yet, so can’t attest to their protection/durability, but the ‘drop to my knees’ test on the lounge floorboards indicated a good amount of protection. The side of knee protectors are very useful, as ‘bike to knee’ contact if the most common form of minor impact for me.

I use Troy Lee Speed knee pads for trail / xc-gnar, they're really comfortable, like a thick knee warmer with a flexible D30 pad over the knee and upper shin.