The Best MTB Knee Pads

Everyone from beginners to more experienced riders must protect their knees from inevitable falls and impacts. In fact, experienced riders are often the ones who suffer higher-speed falls, which are the most dangerous ones. Whatever your level, make sure you have a pair of reliable mountain bike knee pads.

Hundreds of models are on the market, and making a choice isn’t easy. You must consider important factors such as materials, padding, ventilation systems, fit, types of closures, etc.

Don’t worry, though! In this article, I’ll talk about all these things. In addition, I’ll review the best MTB knee pads of the year, so that you can find the one that best suits your needs.

Take a look at other articles to find the best MTB pants, MTB jackets, MTB shoes, MTB GPS, MTB cameras, MTB gloves, MTB helmets, and MTB backpacks.

THE BEST MTB KNEE PADS

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FOX LAUNCH PRO D30

The Fox Launch Pro D30 strikes the perfect balance between fit, comfort, and protection. Its high-quality design makes it comfortable to wear, without compromising its excellent protection. The D30 padding feels soft while you’re pedaling, but it hardens upon impact.

This model is a great option for trail, enduro, and aggressive disciplines in which there is a constant risk of falling. Overall, it is excellent for two-to-three-hour outings. On the downside: These pads are not recommended for long activities or hot weather, as the ventilation isn’t great.

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POC JOINT VPD SYSTEM

The POC Joint VPD System is built with lightweight materials that maximize comfort. There are no rigid elements or plastic parts that can make pedaling uncomfortable. This makes it a great option for several-hour rides on all types of terrain.

It’s not the most protective pad on the list, but it does provide enough protection for the average mountain biker. If you’re a really aggressive rider, you should look at more protective models. In terms of fit, the pad can sometimes slide down. Therefore, if you have doubts about two sizes, I recommend going for the smaller one.

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LEATT AIRFLEX PRO

The Leatt Airflex Pro offers enough protection for cross country, trail, and the bike park, and it’s so comfortable that you can wear it for hours. However, keep in mind that it’s a minimalist pad, so it’s not ideal for downhill and enduro riding.

This model features an advanced protection design. It has a 3D silicone armor as well as auxiliary foam protection on the sides and above the kneecap. This combination of ultralight materials increases protection without reducing pedal-friendliness.

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POC JOINT VPD AIR

The Poc Joint VPD Air is a lightweight, flexible pad that allows for great freedom of movement. It has decent ventilation, but there are better-ventilated models for long-distance rides. The padding is simple, but it provides great protection for such an ultralight construction.

As a disadvantage, a model that works for everything can’t have the best performance in any one discipline. This pad doesn’t provide the best protection on aggressive trails, and it’s not as pedal-friendly as the lightest models. However, it’s a great, versatile option for everyday trail riding.

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G-FORM PRO RUGGED

The G-Form Pro Rugged features SmartFlex pads that harden upon impact, absorbing forces and protecting your knees. The gripper bands located on the top and bottom of the sleeve keep the garment in place while you ride. This model is built with soft-touch Lycra that provides a great fit, as well as breathable mesh on the knee back, which improves ventilation.

If you are an aggressive rider, keep in mind that although you can wear these knee pads for downhill mountain biking, the padding is not quite abrasion-resistant. Thus, its durability can be reduced after several impacts.

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FOX ENDURO KNEE SLEEVE

The Fox Enduro is one of the most popular knee pads for trail and all-mountain. Among its qualities, we can highlight that it’s ultralight, flexible, ventilated, and pedal-friendly. It’s the perfect option for long rides involving a lot of pedaling. Thanks to its flexible neoprene construction, it offers a soft touch and great fit.

It has a minimalist design, so it doesn’t provide as much protection as a downhill pad does. However, its ideal for experienced riders (they don’t fall too often) who are looking for extra security.

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7 PROTECTION 7IDP PROJECT KNEE

The 7 Protection Project Knee is designed for aggressive riders who need a lot of protection. If you’re a downhill mountain biker, you’ll love this model, which features high-quality materials, high levels of protection, and excellent coverage.

Despite its highly protective design, it is comfortable to wear and nice to the touch. Also, it provides a great fit, with no pressure points or movement restrictions. Naturally, such a protective model is not the ideal choice for long rides involving a lot of pedaling. However, it performs really well on medium-distance trails.

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G-FORM PRO X3

The G-Form Pro X3 provides a decent level of protection without sacrificing comfort. It has a perfect fit and stays in place while you pedal, all without feeling restrictive. These pads are lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for long rides. The padding is articulated, which makes it highly pedal-friendly.

They can make you sweat a bit after several hours of use, but these pads are cooler and more breathable than many models on the list. Overall, they are great for outings during which you will be pedaling a lot.

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DAKINE SLAYER

The Dakine Slayer is probably the best budget knee pad of the year. Ideal for intermediate riders, it performs well on mid-distance and long-distance trails. Built with soft-touch materials, it has a perfect fit that makes it highly pedal-friendly.

The ventilation could be improved, but it generally works well on not-too-demanding trails. It’s not the most protective model on the list, but it strikes a great balance between protection and comfort.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR MTB KNEE PADS

SHOULD I WEAR PADS WHILE MOUNTAIN BIKING?

The short answer: Yes. When you practice any MTB discipline, you put yourself at risk of falling. All riders experience several falls in their lives. Most MTB tracks are bumpy, with plenty of stones, branches, puddles, mud, and other elements that make your ride incredibly exciting, but can also make you crash.

You must find the right model based on your discipline. If you’re a downhill biker or a very aggressive rider, you’ll need a model with great coverage for your most extreme descents. For instance, enduro models feature super-protective padding that covers the knee as well as a larger part of the shin.

If you’re a cross-country rider and don’t often get on technical trails, you could wear a thinner and lighter model. Ultralight padding provides less protection, but it’s more comfortable and breathable.

PROTECTION

The protector is the most important part of any knee pad. With different sizes and designs, its function is to absorb impacts in order to protect your knees in the event of an accident. In some models, the internal protector is an insert sewn inside the sleeve. In other models, it can be removed.

The protector’s impact-absorbing ability will vary depending on the quality of the materials, the thickness, the placement, and the technology. Hard foam is the most popular material, although most manufacturers are testing state-of-the-art materials, such as Armourgel or D30, and are including hard caps and other extras.

FIT AND COMFORT

If protection is the most important factor in a knee pad, comfort is number two. The problem is that protection and comfort are inversely related.

In other words, a highly protective knee pad will have large padding that could restrict movement while you’re pedaling (though this doesn’t mean a highly protective pad can’t be comfortable). Conversely, a thin, lightweight knee pad won’t offer much protection in the event of a hard fall.

When it comes to comfort, I recommend getting a “pedal-friendly” model. No matter how protective your knee pad is, if it doesn’t feel comfortable while pedaling, you won’t want to use it.

Once you know the level of protection you need, choose a model with a comfortable design and a great fit. Look for the following features: soft-touch materials, a flat-seam construction that doesn’t cause chafing, stretchy materials that don’t feel too tight, a perfect fit that prevents the pad from slipping down, and a smart design that doesn’t restrict movement or create pressure points in your legs.

CONSTRUCTION

Most knee pads have a chassis or base structure, which is generally made of Lycra. Some models use Velcro straps and silicone bands to keep the knee pad in place. These systems work well in some cases, but not others. Models without straps should be tighter so that the knee pad doesn’t slide down during the activity.

Obviously, all models have protective padding that can have different sizes and designs. In some cases, the padding is removable. The materials used to build a knee pad must be resistant but also flexible. In a too-stiff model, the seams can loosen and the paddings break.

VENTILATION

Ventilation is a very important factor to consider, especially if you ride in hot weather. Riders who are into long, demanding trails will also appreciate the fresh feeling of a well-ventilated model.

Most MTB knee pads are built with breathable materials, which can efficiently wick away sweat. Many models leave the back of the knee uncovered to improve airflow around the knee.

Generally, the most protective pads don’t provide much air circulation. Make sure you find a model that strikes a good balance between coverage and ventilation.

VELCROS

Many models utilize Velcro closures that provide a better fit. Velcro straps can be located on the bottom part, upper part, or both parts of the sleeve. Make sure the Velcro straps don’t lose shape when you tighten them. For instance, some get narrower as you tighten up, which can cause discomfort in your leg.

DURABILITY

Although knee pads are not the most expensive part of your MTB gear, you should take good care of them to boost their durability.

They must be built with strong, abrasion-resistant, shock-resistant materials, as well as super-resistant seams. Seams are an important thing to consider because they’re generally the first part to cause problems.

If you practice aggressive MTB disciplines, make sure your model has a hard cap over the padding. Many models have an impact-resistant plastic cap that prevents seams and fabrics from tearing due to abrasion.