Knee Pads

Knee Pad Buying Guide

Knee pads should be your first armour purchase after a helmet. A kneecap on a rock is one of the most common and most painful MTB injuries — and one of the easiest to prevent. Modern pedal-friendly knee pads are so comfortable that there's no excuse not to wear them.

Pedal-Friendly Pads

G-Form Pro-X3, POC VPD Air Fabio, Race Face Indy, Leatt AirFlex Pro — these pads are thin, lightweight (200-300g per pair) and flexible enough to pedal in all day without overheating. They use materials that harden on impact (D3O, VPD, SmartFlex) so they're soft during normal riding but rigid when you crash. If you only buy one piece of armour beyond a helmet, get a pair of these.

Trail and Enduro Pads

Fox Enduro, Dainese Trail Skins Pro, IXS Carve Race, Troy Lee Designs Stage — a step up in protection with thicker foam and more coverage around the knee. Slightly hotter and heavier than pedal-friendly pads, but still comfortable enough for long rides. These suit riders who push harder, ride rockier terrain, or have had previous knee injuries they want to protect.

DH and Park Pads

Fox Launch Pro, Leatt Dual Axis, POC VPD System — hard-shell caps over thick impact foam, extended shin protection, and heavy-duty retention straps. Designed for shuttling and lift-accessed riding where pedalling comfort is secondary to crash protection. Significantly hotter and heavier than trail pads — you wouldn't want to climb in them, but you absolutely want them for DH racing and bike park sessions.

Fit

Knee pads must stay centred over the kneecap during a crash. Slip-on pads with silicone grippers are the most reliable retention method. The pad should sit snug without cutting off circulation behind the knee. Pedal through a full revolution before committing — the pad shouldn't bunch at the top of the pedal stroke or slide down when you stand and pedal. Most riders find their ideal pad after trying 2-3 brands.