[Closed] What kneepads for all day xc rides ?

POC Vpd 2.0 get my vote.

Thanks, pricey though !

I went from Kyle Straits to POC VPD (not 2.0 cos the sizing was slightly off for me). They're comfier over-all if slightly warmer.

Proper answer is whatever fits correctly, obviously.

^^^^ yeah, but limited ranges in LBS and would like to narrow it down a bit if ordering online..

^^^^ yeah, but limited ranges in LBS and would like to narrow it down a bit if ordering online..

avoid the endura ones when they wear they get rough and take the skin off your knees every ride!

Aye, what Doug said. All the LBSs in my town could only scrape together 3 different kinds of pads when I was looking, so I just ordered a load from places with free returns and did it that way. It didn't take that many (about 4 different pairs iirc). My next set may actually come from my LBS though; they have some new Alpinestars ones that felt pretty good when I tried them recently.

That's one off the list then as I'd thought they looked decent !

trail skins

http://wp.me/p4HYH0-M

Troy Lee KG5400. Light enough, tough enough. Hard to fault, really...

On offer at CRC:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/troy-lee-designs-kg-5400-knee-guards/rp-prod59945

Just got a pair of alpine stars paragons , did 35 miles in them on Sunday and was very impressed . they have a hard knee cap cover but felt like knee warmers rather than pads , after 5 mins you forgot you were wearing them .

What Doug said! It totally depends on the size and shape of your legs. I bought 6 pairs from CRC which I thought should all fit fairly well and one pair did - Fox Launch Pro. Sent the others back.

I've got the G form knee/shin pads. They're comfortable and unobtrusive.

Are current offerings an improvement on 2012 Kyle Straits ? If not might just wear em !!

I have a set of the Troy Lee 5400s, light enough to not feel invasive, but sturdy enough to take a decent fall. Don't shift much when cycling, usually give them a quick wiggle into perfect position at the top of a hill but otherwise never have to adjust them.

I got some of those Dianese Trailskins last year, they're pretty good. Chafed a little the first couple of times out, but since then have worn in beautifully. For example: I spent a week at the start of June slogging around Torridon, Glencoe and other bits of the West Highlands through pissing rain and cack, and they were lovely and comfy throughout. Barely noticed them, apart from when they saved my left knee a ding after a drainage-ditch related over-bar ejection. Oh, and they kept my legs that little bit warmer in the glorious Scottish summer weather... 😐

Bliss minimalist

All day XC? Do you really need knee pads for that?

^^^^ probably not, but old bones 🙂

All day XC? Do you really need knee pads for that?

Only if you fall off 😳

POC vpd 2.0 last for aeons. Mine are 3 years old and still fine.
Kyle straits lasted me a year.
Well worth the extra initial outlay.

POC vpd air are considerably less bulky than Kyle Straights. They also have a strap to find tune the fit, which lots of lightweight pads don't have.

XC stuff I don't bother with them. I find they get in the way if there's a lot of pedalling and particularly if it's a fast group ride.

The more gnarly stuff I wear pads though.

Of course the only times I've cut my knee up is when not wearing them so on the xc rides 😀 . Though usually from doing something stupid.

thats for advice, will try some POC vpd air and Dianese Trailskins. Anyone want some unworn Kyle Straits ? 🙂

Leatt 3DF another good option, 39.99 from CRC at the moment, and excellent reviews. They size up a bit small though, I had to go for the XXL

I'm very happy with IXS Flow. They stay put during a fall, very minimalist and don't rub.

My TLD ones rubbed and don't stay in place during a crash, and go saggy after a couple of months.

Just had a set of the Leatt pads turn up, I'd read about the sizing so ordered the l/xl as I usualy go for m/l and on first try the feel a bit on the big side.

Leatt 3DF

Yep, I've got some - awesome.

I've actually got a lot of barely used kneepads in my spares room.

Pairs of:

661 Evo (new style)
IXS Flow

that would meet your needs, both medium I think.

thansk rickon, I have ordered a few sized of the Dianese trailskins from Wiggle to try

Fox launch, feel like knee warmers

I have ordered a few sized of the Dianese trailskins from Wiggle to try

Good call. I've got a pair and actually wear them - unlike a pair of Kyle Strait's that are sat in a cupboard. 😆

cheers Grant 🙂 I don't suppose you wanna buy my Kyle Straits then !

I do not own these but have just been looking into pads myself and want something light, comfy etc and think these will be the business - 7 iDP Covert Knee.

Saw lots of the EWS riders using them (who ride a lot harder than I do), you can 'customise' the padding and they look quite light and all day friendly.

Yea, I recently bought the 7 Transitions, finding them really, really nice to ride in.

XC = no knee pads (unless v cold)

XC = no knee pads (unless v cold)

Good insight.

Is there a Holy Grail kneepad that is comfy, doesn't feel bulky, restrictive or slip yet offers some protection to xc knocks and tumbles ?

Race Face Charge - weightless, stay put, genuinely unnoticeable, low profile. Limited protection but perfect for what OP was asking for.

^^^^^^ ,indeed, and in fact, as I said in my OP

. I also have RaceFace Charge ones that I use often, but they offer minimal protection. Is there a Holy Grail kneepad that is comfy, doesn't feel bulky, restrictive or slip yet offers some protection to xc knocks and tumbles ?

I ave just received 5 pairs of different pads to try, non off them actually fit me, so they are all going back, but if they had fitted these would have been the lowest profile while still providing proper protection.

http://www.blisscamp.com/en/bike/protection/bliss-vertical-knee-pad/a-18798/

others were 661 evo, tld 5400 & 5450, leatt 3df

still waiting for some RF ambush to arrive

^^^^^^ ,indeed, and in fact, as I said in my OP

OK - what about dabbling with a set of Dainese hybrid knee guards? Low profile and high protection for sure.

Thanks, some Dianese trailskins on their way from Wiggle 😀

Well the Leatt pads turned up and I think they're going to be sent back to CRC.

Having got used to the Troy Lee 5450s they're just a bit too bulky in comparison and the fit is strange - they feel tight around the top and bottom but baggy around the knee itself.

Tempted to try the trail skins or just order another set of 5450s.

I've also just got a set of the Alpinestars Paragons. Very impressed - 4 days pedalling in the tweed valley and I didn't even notice them on. £30 ish too.

Troy Lee are the way ahead. I have had them fold ages and they are extremely comfy. However, I have never fallen off!

Dogsby

Dianese Trailskins arrived, tried and going back - too loose at the top in large and too tight at the calf in medium. Couple of sets of Alpinestars Paragons on their way now 🙂

Is the padding in the paragons impact foam (d30 type stuff) or just plain foam, it isn't clear from the decription.

dunno, but will tomorrow when they arrive 🙂

Hoping that they offer a bit more protection that my RaceFace Charge ones without too much compromise on comfort.

Paragons feel pretty decent. I ordered medium and large as on the boundary on size chart, reviews seem to suggests size up if in doubt. Both sizes feel comfy around house so will send back the Mediums I think. Thanks for all the ideas 🙂