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What are the most comfortable knee pads ?
I have a pair of Fox Launch and don't like them they keep sliding down the leg when pedalling, even a review picked up on this.
I really like the sound of the ones where people I've been riding with say "I forget that I've even got them on" but I don't know what type they were using.
Any other recommendations ?
I've been using the Race Face Ambush pads for a few years now and absolutely love them. Got the original knee pads and was so impressed I went and bought the knee and shin combo as well.
Dainese trails skins are the comfiest I’ve ever had. Currently got the IXS which are decent. Will probably go back to trailskins when these wear out.
This shows how personal feel / choice / fit come into it.
I didn’t really like 661 recons as they slipped down - I disliked them even more when I had a crash and I still managed to gash my knee.
Scott Grenade Evo were ok for quite a while but started slipping down too much recently.
Replaced them with Fox Launch D30 and love them - forget I’m wearing them most of the time!
I've just changed from Dianese trail skins (totally unnoticeable) to Raceface Flanks, and TBH even though the Flanks are significantly bulkier, you do forget your wearing them (same with the g-form previous to those). I think you do tend to just forget you've got your pads on, once you start riding, unless they're causing you some discomfort (or getting hot).
I like my Ion K-Pact that are a couple of years old now. Decent protection and stay put.
As a lighter weight alternative my Alpinestars Paragon knee pads (though I find the elbow pads awful) also stay put just fine and have decent coverage though not in the same league of protection as the Ions
And on Sunday I made an impulse* purchase of some TLD Raid Knee pads. Didn’t test their protective qualities though they look to be good and I didn’t give them another thought after the initial sting of the purchase price.
*by impulse purchase I mean I was 150 miles from home in FoD when I realised I had brought three elbow pads and one knee🙁
I like both my Nukeproof kneepads and my Raceface Flank D30 knee pads. The Nuke's were nice and light, pretty much fit and forget, and great for general days out and the RF were burlier gravity oriented pads for bike parks, but definitely don't fit in the "forgot I was wearing them" camp.. Since my super unhealthy lifestyle has caused me to lose 30KG this year, both pairs are now too big.
I've just bought a pair of 100% Surpass pads which are very comfy and don't slip down at all.
I love my POC VPD Air knee pads, comfortable, stay where they're put, and slip on fine. Annoyingly my POC VPD Air elbow pads slip down constantly. Individual fit is everything!
Troy Lee Raids for me.
I have some 7idp project knee and they are amazing. I had 2 sets of launch pros and they lasted a good amount of time and I just wanted a change. The 7idps are more pedal friendly, longer (no more enduro gap) and made of a knit material with a slide plate so super comfortable. Slight downside if you are one of those people who run hot they might be a bit too hot for you. But, if you're 6ft+ I would really suggest them if you want to get rid of the annoying enduro gap.
IXS flow are seriously comfy.