How to Choose The Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads

Knee Pads By Riding Type

There&#;s a knee pad for every kind of mountain biker, and there are a lot of different kinds of mountain bikers. Kneepads can benefit everyone from hardcore cross country racers, to shuttle-only gravity riders. So to find the best knee pad for you, it&#;s helpful to figure out when you&#;re going to be wearing it, to help determine what you need it to do. Here&#;s our breakdown of the most common mountain bike disciplines, and what features to look for in a knee pad for each.

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Cross Country & Lightweight Mountain Bike Knee Pads

While cross country riders might not be hitting the same big jumps and drops of some other disciplines, they&#;re still traveling fast through rocks and trees, and the consequences of slamming a knee are just as dire. For most XC riders, a low-profile foam or D30 knee pad, without straps, is the way to go. This style of pad will be unobtrusive until they need it. They pedal well, don&#;t get in the way, and offer some protection. The key is finding a pad that you can wear all day, both up and downhill.

Trail Mountain Bike Knee Pads

The definition of &#;trail&#; is a broad spectrum that represents a lot of different takes on mountain biking. So it&#;s a good idea to establish where in that spectrum you sit. Are you going out to chase long, fast days in the saddle, relishing the ups as much as the downs? Then look for a low profile foam or D30 pad that fits well, breathes well, and doesn&#;t rub. If your &#;trail&#; riding falls closer to the &#;I don&#;t race enduros but they look really fun&#; side of the spectrum, it&#;s not a bad idea to go with something a little beefier. There are plenty of pads out there that split this difference, they feature a little extra padding over minimal style pads, and a plastic shell, but are still low profile, and comfortable to pedal in, without going the full hot and heavy gravity pad route.

Enduro Mountain Bike Knee Pads

While Enduro was originally just a race format, it&#;s evolved into a whole style of riding. If you put up with the uphills in order to savour the rowdiest downs you can pedal to, these are the pads for you. For enduro riders, protection, and ease of changing out the pads trumps everything else. It&#;s not really that important that the pad pedal that well, you can always just take them off and put them in your pack for longer transfers, or just push them down around your ankles for shorter pedaling stints. So look for a pad with good protection, and a hard shell. It should also have protection around the inside of the knees to protect them from frame strikes. And then make sure it&#;s easy to get on and off without taking your riding shoes off. That will make it much easier to change into and out of the pad between stages and transfers.

Downhill / Freeride Mountain Bike Knee Pads

Finally, for pure gravity riders, your kneepad needs are simple. It&#;s all about protection. If you&#;re riding lifts or shuttling, it&#;s not very important to have a pad that pedals well, instead you&#;re looking for something that will stay put and keep you safe through high-speed crashes. It&#;s all about coverage. Look for something with good shin and knee coverage and a plastic shell that fits you well.

In this article, I&#;ll delve into the reasons why knee pads are a crucial part of a mountain biker&#;s attire, focusing on protection, comfort, performance, and types of knee pads available.

Protection: The Primary Reason

The primary reason for wearing knee pads in mountain biking is protection. The terrain in mountain biking is unpredictable and often rough, with a high risk of falls and collisions. Your knees, being one of the most vulnerable parts of your body, are especially at risk.

Often during a crash, hands and knees will come in contact with the ground with some force, so a good set of gloves and knee pads can really go a long way to mitigating the painful effects of a crash!

Unfortunately I have tested this out far too many times!

Impact Protection

During a fall, the knees often bear the brunt of the impact. Knee pads provide a layer of cushioning, absorbing the shock and reducing the severity of injuries. They protect against cuts, bruises, and more serious injuries like fractures or ligament damage. They&#;re not always foolproof, as they can of course move around during a crash, or just be unable to protect you against a very high speed or high impact crash &#; but they do a great job in most impacts.

Abrasion Resistance

Mountain biking trails are filled with rocks, branches, and rough terrain. Knee pads offer a protective barrier against scrapes and abrasions, shielding the skin from direct contact with these harsh elements. This is just one reason that I have more scars on my shins and elbows than I do on my knees!

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Knee pads can&#;t be too uncomfortable

Comfort is key in any sport, and mountain biking is no exception. Well-designed knee pads not only protect but also do not detract from the riding experience by by being comfortable throughout the ride.

Ergonomic Design

Modern knee pads are designed ergonomically to fit the contours of your knees, allowing for a full range of motion. This design ensures that the pads stay in place, reducing the need for constant readjustment and allowing you to focus on the trail.

Breathability and Moisture Management

High-quality knee pads are made with breathable materials that help in managing sweat and heat. Ventilation is crucial for long rides, as it prevents discomfort and skin irritation caused by excessive sweating. Some mountain bikers will argue that they can&#;t stand wearing any knee pads due to excess sweating and heat, but personally I&#;ve never had a problem with them &#; especially a light weight pair like my IXS Flows.

Performance: Supporting Aggressive Riding

For those who like to push their limits, knee pads can actually aid in performance. They provide not just safety, but also a psychological boost, encouraging more aggressive riding.

Confidence to Tackle Challenging Trails

Knowing that your knees are protected, you&#;re more likely to tackle challenging trails and attempt advanced maneuvers. This confidence can lead to improved skills and a more adventurous riding style. If you don&#;t believe me, try them. I&#;ve definitely found this to be the case &#; I feel kind of vulnerable without knee pads when riding anything remotely challenging now!

Types of Knee Pads: Choosing the Right One

There are various types of knee pads available, each designed for different styles of mountain biking. Choosing the right type is essential for both comfort and protection.

Trail and Cross-Country Knee Pads

These are lightweight and less bulky, offering protection while maintaining a high level of mobility. They are ideal for riders who prioritize pedaling comfort and are riding less technical (or less high speed) trails.

Enduro and All-Mountain Knee Pads

These offer a balance between protection and mobility. They are suitable for riders who engage in a mix of climbing and descending on moderately technical terrains. These are my go-to personally.

Downhill and Freeride Knee Pads

For the most aggressive forms of mountain biking, such as downhill and freeride, these knee pads offer the highest level of protection. They are bulkier and more rigid, designed to withstand high-impact crashes. They&#;re much heavier, cover more surface area of your knee, shin and thigh, and often have quite a bit of other protective materials built into them internally, such as plastic or D3O compound &#; a malleable material that becomes hard upon impact.

The bottom line&#;

I think that wearing knee pads while mountain biking is a smart decision for any rider, regardless of their experience level. They provide great protection, aren&#;t overly restricting or uncomfortable, support performance, and are available in various types to suit different riding styles.

Remember, an injury can set you back for weeks or even months, but the right knee pads can help keep you safe and riding with confidence. So, strap on those pads and shred those trails! See you out there.

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