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What’s the current top marks soft shell knee pads?
I had a pair of fox enduro pads must be 5 years old, no real protection but they have a fabric pad. The elastic finally went a few weeks back, I pinched my OH’s pads but her legs are bigger than mine so they prompted fell down lol!
Today’s ride and Sod’s law I fell off nothing big but scraped my knee, stings a fair bit so need to get new pads, what’s the go to ones these days? Lightweight I don’t need heavy duty hard shell pads.
G-form or Dainese Trailskin 1? I've had both and had no issue with either, just replacing them when the elastic stretched (a good amount of use), and moved to something with more protection (G-form to trailskin to Ambush). Just gone for some RF Ambush, though for a 'light weight option there a bit big! There's loads of options to pick from
Lots of reviews to baffle you more:
https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/best-mountain-bike-knee-pads-360439
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/the-best-mtb-knee-pads-you-can-buy/
I quite like the fox launch enduro it does the job but can’t find any like them, the Dainese I had a pair when they first launched and just didn’t get on with them at all.
The RaceFace d3o ones are supposed to be very good, I’m looking at the possibility of getting a pair, to encourage myself to get back on a bike. My left knee has osteoarthritis in two places, as a result of a hard impact at walking speed when my bike went out from under me some years back, and because there’s no clear reason why, all my confidence has gone because I’m afraid of something similar happening again and causing more damage.
The issue I have is worrying about pressure on my knee after riding for a while, the d3o is supposed to be better than foam, and there’s a pressure-relieving area at the front, but it’s a lot of money to invest and find they hurt after half an hour riding, and you can’t try before you buy.
It’s a quandary, and I still haven’t made a decision yet.
I have similar problem and can't have anything pressing on the knee cap - after testing few different pads I found that the Dainese Trail Skins work well. Now that they are 6 years old the straps are dead, new ones seem different so back to testing.
Ordered Trail Skins Pros, first ride on yesterday, there is new flexible strap behind knee which irritated skin a bit. Other than that they seemed even more comfortable than Trail Skin 1 -version.
I left the problematic straps pulled over some cd cases hoping that they will strech a bit.
I had trouble with "firmer" kneepads digging in as I have missing ligaments in my right knee and I think it moves around a bit during the pedal cycle and the edge of the pad digs into my leg on that side.
So had to go with something more flexible. Ended up with some Bliss Minamilst pads. Very comfy to wear, have stopped my knee getting scraped a couple of times but haven't smashed it off a rock to test.... Sorry if that's not that helpful, but one to look at anyway!
I had some Alpine Stars Paragons which were superbly comfortable but a bit flimsy. The elastic mesh is fragile and holes appear after the slightest tumble (so not much good for me) or if they come anywhere near flat pedals with pins. Protection was a bit feeble too and wouldn't do much in a bigger off. Also, they were a pull on design so you couldn't get them on or off over your shoes which was irritating.
I've now got the raceface D30 knee and elbow pads. Much more protective and robust without being uncomfortable to wear, though not quite as comfortable as the Paragons. Easy to get a good fit on the kneepads as there is loads of adjustment and they come off without having to remove shoes. The elbow pads aren't quite so good for adjustment as they rely on elastic tubing with one velcro strap for fit so sizing is critical.
I've a lot more confidence that these would give me some proper protection in a dynamic involuntary dismount.
i had the trail skins 2? elbow and knees.. i managed to rip the knees just adjusting the position of the upper part... probably didnt help with the vague sizing...
now running leatt zip ups which are like thick knee socks with some armour in.. strangely, haven't found them too warm yet
I'm in the market for similar. First time pad wearer.
How about the SixSixOne Comp AM Knee Guards on offer on CRC at the moment?
Nay advice on sizing?
Knee pads are incredibly personal though, it's impossible to recommend other than what you've used. I will say based on my experience is weirdly (like gloves) knee pads seem to be pretty uniformly undersized, my advice to anyone looking to buy would be go for the next size up unless you've tried them on, or are confindent about the sizing from a particular manufacturer.
Having said all that, I pretty much always have a pair of soft knee pads on the go, and from my limited experience
Alpine Stars Paragon: comfy, not great protection for the sides on your knees, pads a bit thin, construction a bit flimsy, but lasted longer than I thought.
Endura Singletrack: pretty much the same as the Alpine stars, pretty comfy, not great padding, two pairs, both had stitching that fell apart. can't recommend.
Current: IXS flow Evo: Much shorter, initially v tight, but loosened off a bit now, D30 copy pad, haven't crashed to test
knee pads seem to be pretty uniformly undersized, my advice to anyone looking to buy would be go for the next size up unless you’ve tried them on, or are confindent about the sizing from a particular manufacturer.
My advice completely contradicts this! Buy them a bit too tight, because if you slip in to them at first, by the time they've given a bit and conformed to you they'll be too loose, and you'll be lucky to get a year out of them.
I had alpinestars paragon, which were comfy, but would move about a bit until you got a sweat on. Now on 100% Teratec. Much more secure with a soft, but shaped kneecup area. Still a lightweight soft kneepad though so comfy for a longer ride.
Fwiw - size down on the paragons and size up on the Teratecs.