Whether you’re a crotch-clutching mountain unicycling enthusiast or into hardcore enduro riding or exhilarating downhill racing, make sure to have the best mtb knee pads covering your irreplaceable knees. Well, mountain biking that ends in disaster doesn’t happen all the time, but it happens you know. If and when you fall (let’s be real here: YOU’LL FALL!), having high-quality knee protection makes a whole lot of difference.
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Best MT Knee Pads (For Enduro, XC, Downhill, Unicycling &More)
1.G-Form Elite Knee-Shin Pads, Medium
(Best Overall)
2.Joint POC VPD 2.0 Long Knee Pads (Also Great)
3.Dakine Slayer Knee Pad Black X-Large (Also Great)
4. Men’s Alpinestars Paragon Plus Knee Pads, Medium (Great for XC Riding)
5.FOX Launch Enduro Knee Pads (Medium)RED (Decent)
Other Good MTB Knee Guards
Troy Lee Designs Raid, Dainese Trail Skins Pro, 661 Evo II, IXS Unisex Carve Pro, G-Form Pro X2, and Sweet Protection Light Knee pad are other options worth looking at.
I’ve heard quite a few nice things about each of these options. But you’re an explorer at heart, so keep seeking until finding the best mtb knee pads that most suitably fit your mountain bike riding style.
Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads (Reviews & Buying Guide)
There you go!
1.G-Form Elite Knee Pad Review (Best Overall)
I padded up for a ride that lasted hours, and I didn’t get the usual annoyance that comes with pads sliding down after every mile.
These G-Form Elite knee pads fit tightly enough, and they stay up the entire time so the rider can focus on the track ahead. G-Form’s RPT mapping positions the padding at every right spot for max comfort.
The strapless lycra tube contains silicon bands that offer tons of grip. These pads relentlessly hug your knee skin no matter how much you sweat. And the super flexible non-Newtonian padding provides full coverage on your knee bones, dampening joint-bruising impacts.
But they’re not cute. Riders who can’t stand dorky pads may want to buy something else. However, few knee pads touch this option when it comes to knee protection and comfort.
The pads offer ample side padding, too. But the protector isn’t removable. Plus there’s no Velcro strap closure, but that’s not a bummer given that the silicon bands maintain fit tightness throughout the ride.
As for sizing, these pads run small. So, measure your knees properly and size up.
Pros
- Great flex and pedal-friendly
- RPT mapping that intelligently positions the padding
- Great protection against knee bruises and scrapes
- Won’t slide down no matter how much you ride
- Moves with your legs
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- They run small*
Overall, the G-Form Elite are great pads. Honestly, there’s no dealbreaker with this option.
While the pads’ aesthetics could do with some improvement, the company deserves a generous serving of praise for their creation.
No matter what your downhill runs or enduro racing throws at them, they’ll defiantly stay up and adequately protect your knees. These are no doubt one of the best mountain bike knee pads on the market.
2.Joint POC VPD 2.0 Knee Pad Review
These POC knee pads are some of the finest gear you’ll ever find. They’re hugely popular among cyclists of all stripes. Even crotch-crutching mountain unicyclists love them!
Made of tough, stretchy VPD material (polyester), they’re pretty durable. Also, they’re thick enough yet surprisingly light, plus they’re quite wearable and comfy.
As the VPD material warms, the pads adapt to the shape of your legs, providing adequate freedom of movement.
The POC Joint VPD 2.0 has few competitors in the protection department. In terms of impact absorbency, these pads with the 3D molded VPD 2.0 knee protector are certified to EN1621-1 Level 2 standards. With that certification, you can expect exceptional knee protection against impact forces.
On impact, these pads suddenly stiffen thanks to their VPD 2.0 protection technology that multiplies their protective power substantially. Some old dude I know recently fell off his unicycle, and he told me the padding saved his seasoned knees.
The padding comes with perforations aplenty, which explains why they’re noticeably less smelly than most. If you want more heat regulation or moisture control, go with POC Joint VPD Air. But the price you’ll pay for that? It’s reduced protection!
Also, they feature an elastic strap that helps create a comfortable, secure fit. But these pads run small. My advice: size up, especially if you have thicker calves. Get them in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizing.
Pros
- Last long
- EN1621-1 Level 2 Standards certifications
- Made of stretchy, non-Newtonian material
- Velcro straps keep them up
- Unisex: for men and women
- Ventilated design: Perforated padding for breathability
- Many positive customer reviews from real mountain bikers
Cons
- Expensive
- Run small
- Only available in uranium black
- Not ideal for mountain cyclists with ample calves
I have relatively generous calves, and while my pads fit, I’ve experienced a little soreness on the back of my knees after my mountain adventures.
But a bud of mine with long slender legs hasn’t complained once since buying these guys. For them, they fit like a glove, and they’re both comfy and protective.
Overall, they’re great pads that protect quite well ….if you’re willing to shell out a little more. I recommend this choice to downhill riders, enduro riders and even young and old mountain unicyclists.
3. Dakine Slayer Knee Pads Review
Since 1979, Dakine has been making all sorts of protective gear for multiple outdoor disciplines, from surfing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, hiking, and more. Whether you want good, sturdy, and spacious ski travel bags or a lasting pair of snowboarding boots, Dakine got you covered.
I really like my Dakine Slayer knee pads. Lots of mountain cyclists out there love Dakine Slayers, too. That’s because they’re super comfy.
Also, I didn’t experience fit issues. I guess that has to do with their pre-curved shape that makes them feel like they’re one with my legs. There’s a custom fit feel to these guys, and most of the credit goes to the silicone gripper cuffs.
I’d like to see straps, though. These pads did ride up a bit as well as slipped down as I pedaled my bike. I went down on these the first day I tested them (it’s a mild crash), and I felt almost nothing. The Dual-Density DK Impact foam must have done its job really well. And the outer cordula layer seems durable, no abrasion is showing on the exterior.
They feel light enough, but not the lightest. I noticed them as I rode (at first), but after an hour or so, they became pretty much unnoticeable, just like my gloves and super light helmet. I tested them on a hot day, riding for hours on end, and they absorbed sweat amazingly well.
But I can’t say Dakine Slayer knee pads are the clear winner when it comes to breathability. I mean, they’re breathable thanks to the Integrated odor control tech poured into them. But they’re not going to be breathable enough for when you’re going up the mighty Front Range on some of those nasty 95+ days.
Pros
- A comfy, slip-free fit
- A reasonable, mid-range price point
- Breathable, ergonomic design
- CE certified
Cons
- Not the most protective out there
- No Non-Newtonian materials used
Overall, the Dakine Slayer are a good entry-level knee pads that do the job.
4. Alpinestars Paragon Plus Knee Pad Review
These guys are flexible enough for pedaling while still retaining their protective powers. They come in a time-saving slip-on knee pad design so you can quickly get them on and off.
The sleeves stay up well, too, thanks to the silicone strips at the cuff. Then there’s more silicone strips mid-shin, and the sleeve ends come elasticated. Also, they cup my kneecaps well. And the padding extends a bit to the side of the knee.
The sleeves have a nice-looking slim fit, and there’s ample coverage so your legs can stay protected from sudden falls and pedal strikes. But the cuff didn’t feel snug enough even though the area it covers is a bit chunky. Could that be because these elasticated sleeves aren’t robust enough?
But the pads are quite comfy and breathable, they have that second-skin-fit feel. I forget I have them on. But while they’re reasonably protective, they could be beefier. I also noted the pads tend to move a little to the side if I hit the dirt. Plus, the top rides down just a bit, enough to be annoying.
The company provides a pretty accurate size guide, too, they fit true to size. Measure your knee before buying to ensure you’re buying the right size. Because loose knee pads are as good as having no protection. And there’s no velcro straps.
Pros
- A close, slim fit
- Adequate knee-shin protection
- Fits true to size
- Accurate sizing chart
Cons
- No non-Newtonian materials
- No velcro straps
- Not tough enough for enduro and DH
Overall, the Alpinestars Paragon plus are great for XC riding. But for enduro riding and downhill racing, you’d be better off with something better.
5.Fox Launch Enduro Knee Pad Review
One of my straight-talking friends describes the Fox Launch Enduro knee pads as “glorified knee warmers.” Maybe that knee warmer feel is down to the knee sleeve being tubular in style.
Well, I recently bought a pair of these expensive pads, and they fit perfectly right out of the box. They’re as comfortable as I’d hoped.
The pads are quite light, too, the perfect gift for that gram-conscious loved one who’s refused to pad up and hit the bike trail since forever.
But it does feel like they’re too thin, the kind of pads that have you forgetting you’re wearing knee protection most days.
These pads are made from light-density, perforated soft foam. The asymmetrical padding is placed right where you need protection most.
But will they hold up if I ever take a big fall? I don’t know, but I’m not sure I want to entrust my irreplaceable kneecaps to them for any level of rough riding.
At that price, I’d expected tons of high-quality protection. Obviously disappointed.
One aspect I like about the pads is them being pinch-free. Their neoprene chassis features an anti-pinch lycra panel located on the knee back. Also, the inside of the pads packs silicone grippers included to reinforce them.
The pads reach an inch or so down the shin. But while the cradling on my kneecaps feels pretty tight, the pads slide down annoyingly.
The Fox Launch Enduro knee pads may include the name Enduro in their descriptive name, but are these the best mountain biking knee pads? No, these aren’t the best bet for the rigors of enduro biking.
For enduro mountain biking, I recommend something tougher. And the G-Form knee pads reviewed in the next section are doubtless a terrific choice.
One more thing, these knee pads have a removable, abrasion-resistant protector. And no, there are no Velcro straps. That’s likely why they slide down during use.
Pros
- Soft high-density pads
- Lightweight knee pads
- Great comfort
- Offers great breathability
Cons
- Not great for enduro
- Won’t always stay up during rides
Overall, these knee pads with a name that inspires confidence are good rather than amazing. They’ll defend the fort gallantly if the invading army is nothing but small falls.
I recommend them for light beginner riding where the user is more interested in style and comfort rather than heavy-duty knee protection.
But for any kind of rough riding demanding high-endurance padding, they’re pretty lame.
How to Choose the Best MTB Knee Pads (Buying Guide)
The best mtb knee pads for XC racing, enduro, unicycle riding, and downhill racing fit comfortably and feature removable or non-removable knee protectors. While the best options may be strapless, having velcro straps does help a lot. Finally, the best-quality mountain bike knee pads aren’t often the cheapest options on the market. For the most part, the finest pads are a bit pricey, but the higher price point is almost always justifiable.
But before we jump into the how to choose good mtb knee pads guide….
Why Do Mountain Bikers Wear Knee Pads?
It’s because they know they’re going to spill at some point! I mean, everyone takes some bashing from their ride every once in a while. But what happens when you smash into a jugged rock up in the mountain and you have no protection? You’ll sure break something or end up like the lad in the picture below. One big thud is all it takes to stop your BMX dirt jumping fun for years or forever.
How Frequent Are Mountain Bike Riding Accidents?
Mountain biking doubtless is among the most popular sports in the world. But that’s not because mountain biking is the safety sport out there! Studies (mostly those that research biking injuries affecting competitive off-road cyclists) reveal that mountain biking results in different kinds of injuries, including overuse injuries.
Here’s Good news
The vast majority of acute injuries sustained by off-road bikers are relatively minor in severity. Could that be because most of the mountain biking that happens anywhere on the planet is recreational riding? That seems plausible to me.
Another piece of good news: Extremely serious injuries, those where the rider and their family have to pay enormous medical bills, happen to a very small percentage of the competitive off-road cycling community. Just 1 percent of the roughest riding mountain bikers ever sustain life-threatening injuries. But that could be …me..or you. That’s why you MUST resolve to strap on the best mountain knee pads you own before straddling that mountain-conquering metal horse.
When Do You Start Wearing MTB Knee Pads?
As someone who’s smashed a knee into some tree trunk during a trail ride, I’d say NEVER jump on that aluminum contraption before you’ve worn adequate protective gear for mtb riding. I keep seeing cyclists who ride without proper protection, and I know it’s just a question of time before they decide to never ride without knee pads.
I don’t always wear elbow pads for mountain biking because they for the most part feel like some avoidable distraction. But I ALWAYS shove a high-quality helmet over my noggin and wear knee pads. I learned the hard way, and you sure don’t want to learn from your experience, do you? Oh, and I don’t do any kind of aggro downhill racing or BMX dirt jumps ever.
Here’s a little advice for you dear friend: Always strap on good-quality knee pads before hitting the trails or road. You need your knees more than you can enjoy the gnarliest mountain bike rides you’ll ever do. Remember, anything can happen at any point elevation gain.
What Type of Mountain Bike Rider Are You?
Different mountain biking disciplines necessitate wearing a specific type of knee pads. What enduro mountain bikers need is different than the best knee pads for trail mountain bikers. Similarly, downhill/freeride mountain bikers different knee pads than those most suitable for cross country bikers or those for lightweight mountain biking.
Common Mountain Bike Riding Styles
I’ll now list some of the most common mountain bike riding styles and suggest what I believe to be the best mtb knee pads for each riding style. Let’s go!
1.Downhill Racing and Freeride Mountain Biking
When riding lifts or racing downhill, pedal comfort isn’t usually the most important thing — protection is. These riding styles sometimes end up in crashes, at very high speeds. When that happens, you want all the cushioning your knee pads can provide. The best knee pads for downhill racing or freeriding offers enough shin coverage and knee protection. The most ideal pads for these riding disciplines also feature a tough, ergonomic plastic shell that perfectly align with the shape of your knees.
2. Enduro Mountain Biking Style
Enduro mountain biking wasn’t always a separate riding discipline. It used to be not more than a race format, but it has over the year metamorphosis into a completely distinct biking style.
By the way, what’s the difference between enduro and downhill racing? While both enduro mountain biking and downhill racing have you speeding down hill at breakneck speed, downhill riders push their bicycle uphill while enduro cyclists go uphill on their bikes.
When it comes to enduro riding, two aspects matter most: as much knee protection as possible and being able to change out your knee pads. You need pads you’ll effortlessly take off and toss into your pack especially when you have longer transfers.
The best options let you get them on and off without needing to take off your enduro biking shoes. You can quickly change out of and into between the various transfers and stages of your course.
The best knee pads for enduro riding aren’t necessarily those that pedal excellently. However, the most suitable pads for this riding style should be super protective. So, choose pads with generous padding over the knees to protect your knees from occasional bike frame strikes. Also, since protection is paramount in this type of biking, the best enduro riding knee pads feature adequately padded hard shells.
3.Trail Mountain Biking
If you enjoy riding into the sunrise appreciate every up and down along the way, consider choosing a D30 pad or some low-profile foam. The best product for this style breathes and fits really well and rarely ever rubs.
What if you’re that type of trail rider that isn’t really race enduros but think enduro rocks? Go with low-profile knee pads that provide a bit of extra padding for comfortable pedaling and a plastic shell for added protection. This kind of pad is for when you’re riding on the fridges of enduro and aren’t quite ready to strap on the usual heavy-and-hot pads for pure gravity enduro.
4.Cross-Country and Lightweight Mountain Biking
In cross country cycling style, the jumps and drops aren’t as pronounced as they are for other riding disciplines. But aren’t you still shuttling (sometimes) insanely fast as you slither among trees and rocks? I’m into cross country riding myself, and while I’ve never taken a life-threatening wipeout, I know how it feels to slam a knee.
If you’re a confirmed member of the XC riding frat like yours truly, gift yourself a comfy pair of D30 pad or low-profile foam. Typically, most XC riders favor going strapless, including me. The best XC knee pads try to balance protection with comfort. Such options usually pedal well, don’t run or get in the way. The best pads for this riding style have you wanting to wear them for all-day comfort when rocketing ups or parachuting downs.
5.Dirt Jumping
A type of freeriding, dirt jumping is similar to mountain bike racing or BMX in that the rider does jumps as they ride. The main difference between dirt jumping and mountain bike racing is that the jumps done in dirt jumping are bigger or higher than any jumps you’ll ever do mountain bike racing.
Another difference is that dirt jumpers traditionally do (usually) complex tricks midair. For this bike riding style, the focus is how far up you can go and how well you can do the jump tricks. Unlike in mountain bike racing, jumping dirt ramps is more about showcasing your technical prowess and landing successfully than it is about finishing your run in the shortest time possible. But don’t confuse dirt jumping with off-road BMX riding.
For dirt jumping, you need heavy-duty knee pads designed for one key key purpose: absorbing extreme impacts.
MTB Knee Pad Technologies
Producers use different technologies and materials to make mtb knee pads. They may use engineered foam, non-Newtonian materials/D30, or plastic (for the outer shell). These engineering technologies result in pads that show different performance levels as far as protection.
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Soft Foam/Padding
Some pads are made of purely soft foam while others mix foam and a hard shell. Foam is lightweight and features enough ventilation holes. Don’t expect much protection from big impacts with foam-only knee pads — these are for small impacts.
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Plastic Hard Shells
MTB knee pads designed for gravity riding or enduro combine soft foam with a hard plastic shell. They’re moderately comfortable thanks to the padding and quite protective since the plastic shell handles big impacts really well.
The trouble with plastic shells is that they’re not super breathable. Besides, hard shells tend to restrict knee articulation to some extent. Some of the best mtb knee pads on Amazon and other places are flexible and breathable enough.
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Non-Newtonian Materials
Certain materials such as D30 harden quite a bit on impact. Such materials offer mtb riders the finest qualities of hard-shell and soft-foam knee pads. The greatness of Newtonian materials is they stay soft, flexible, and comfortable throughout pedaling but instantly harden on impact, small or big.
Knee pads created using Non-Newtonian materials are low weight and breathe better than pads combining a hard shell and soft padding. Additionally, these pads offer ease of motion so you can walk and pedal comfortably.
However, Non-Newtonian knee pads aren’t as light as exclusively lightweight foam pads, and they don’t protect as well as hard-shell knee pads. Overall, these options are a great compromise that many mountain bike riders keep choosing.
Will the Knee Pads Ride Down?
Nothing irks as mtb knee pads that keep sliding around. Not only do such pads feel uncomfortable but may also momentarily leave the wearer’s kneed dangerously exposed to every nasty force and impact the most aggressive mountain bike riding style may generate.
Some lightweight mountain bike knee pads come in a strapless design while others have Velcro straps that clamp them down real tight. Lots of people seem to like options with Velcro pads as they’re typically much less likely to slide down and necessitate much fewer adjustments.
Other mountain bike knee pads lack Velcro straps but have silicone grippers that keep them in place during use. I like silicone-hemmed options better, but the downside is that the material tends to lose some of its elastic spring down the road.
Choose the Perfect MTB Knee Pad Style
Knee pads aren’t where they were a decade ago. A lot of amazing technology goes into the production process today. And the result is much better looking knee pads whose style and design keeps pace with the fashion-consciousness of the modern times.
Mountain bikers used to have only the hard-shell types made out of hard plastic. While those creations did a great knee protection job, they looked like they’d been made for shield and spear carrying troops of a bygone era. Additionally, these plasticky shells weren’t super breathable.
These days, knee pads look a whole lot nicer, plus they offer a lot more breathable. They’re also much, much lighter, and the firm foam padding keeps knees fully protected from bruises and cuts during racing or recreational riding. They’ve become pretty a fashion statement while not losing an iota of their protective powers.
Sleeves vs Strapless MTB Knee Pads
Some pads rely on straps to stay in place. Typically, these are heavy-duty knee pads that allow the user to dial in a fit they like best. The beauty of such options is that they provide mountain bike riders whose leg dimensions are less average enough wiggle room. The downside is the straps-dependent options tend to chafe and rub during rides. And where’s the fun there?
As for knee pads without straps, they’re essentially sleeves designed from padded elastic fabric. As long as the fabric stretch remains, these options will stay up during rides. Admittedly though, strapless knee pads can rub a bit and sometimes also bunch up. However, these pads do rub and bunch less than their with straps counterparts.
Are the Knee Pads Comfortable?
Even if you wear the best mountain bike knee pads out there and they pinch and chaff, you’re not going to want wearing them. You’ll go out mountain biking a lot less, and who knows how long you’ll have those stunning abs?
Comfortable mountain bike knee pads have every component positioned and working just right. The stitching and seams is perfectly done and the padding light stays where it should. The closures/fasteners such as zips ore Velcro straps work properly. Further, the pads are the right length and circumference and cutouts are well-positioned.
Most importantly, comfortable mountain bike knee pads come in an ergonomic design. The best of the best are pre-shaped and feature cupped protectors designed to fit the knee perfectly and comfortably.
2.Durability: Will Those Mountain Bike Knee Pads Last?
Things can go wrong when you’re out there enjoying your life to the fullest. And when they do, you need the best mtb knee pads your money can buy. So, keep an eye out on the material used to produce the product.
Rocks, dirt, and roots are always trying to stand in your way (literally), which is why your pads should be robust and long-lasting. You never want options made out of materials that rip or tear easily. The best mtb knee pads on the market today typically are made of some of the most durable materials ever made, mainly Kevlar. Canvas is also used, but Kevlar is more durable. Knee pad manufacturers place Kevlar or whatever material it is over the knee cap to boost scuff resistance/abrasion resistance.
And if you want pads made out of smart materials. Amourgel or D30 are the best examples of intelligent knee pad materials. Upon impact, these materials stiffen up, significantly increasing their impact-absorption ability. These kinds of materials super light without becoming less protective, that’s why they’re pricier. And the base material of the most durable mtb knee pads is often lycra or neoprene.
3.Is the Protector Removable?
Some of the best mtb knee pads I’ve seen feature a removable knee protector. I prefer such pads as they allow you to remove the knee protector and wash it. I also like that I can actually swap such knee protectors out once they’re too old or when they no longer demonstrate the knee protection chops they once boasted.
4.MTB Knee Pad Sizing
Be careful when it comes to sizing mtb knee pads. While researching for this best knee pads for mountain bike riding post, I bumped into scores of riders that faced challenges in regard to size. The market offers lots of protective knee gear that doesn’t fit as described. And you should never wear loose knee pads as such wouldn’t do much in a crash.
The best mountain bike knee pads you can buy stay in place. They’re not always slipping around forcing you to dismount so you can adjust them. And what would happen if you fell and sharp rocks found nothing where protection should be? Imagine what would happen.
How to Size Mountain Biking Knee Pads
I’ll now shine some light on mountain bike knee pad fitting. When it comes to choosing the best mtb knee pads, fit is doubtless the most critical consideration. Anyone who’s never worn poorly fitting pads knows how uncomfortable they feel, mainly because they trouble staying in place. Even worse, ill-fitting knee pads rarely offer as much protection as they’re capable of.
Sizing mtb knee pads is somewhat different than sizing everything else. If you think you’re going to get away with going Large each time, think again. That’s because this knee gear have pretty specific fit requirements.
Two Important MTB Knee Pad Sizing Measurements
To correctly size mtb knee pads, you must take two critical leg measurements. Ask someone to take two important measurements for you: lower thigh diameter and calf measurement.
To measure the thigh circumference, ask them to wrap the measuring tape around your thing 3-4 inches above your knees. They should hold the tape snugly — not too tight, not too loose. And to correctly take the calf measurement, wrap the tape 1-2 inches above the fullest part of the calf. Note down these two dimensions and compare them with the knee pad sizing chart that relates to the knee pad brand in question.
Different MTB Knee Pad Brands Use Different Sizing Conventions
Knee pad sizes include small medium, large, extra large. Understand the following: Just because you’re a large with a particular brand doesn’t mean you’re large across knee pad sizing charts. So, compare your leg dimensions each time you want to replace a worn pair and match them to what the specific sizing chart you’re using recommends.
Here’s a general sizing chart to guide you as you shop:
Small: 13″ to 15″ for thighs and 12″ to 14″ for the calves
Medium: 15″ to 17″ thighs, 14″ to 16″ calves
Large: 17″to 19″ thigh, 16″ to 18″ calf
Extra Large: 19″ thighs, 18″ calf
Some options come in singe sizing instead of overlapping sizes as shown above, and in my experience, single size works better.
5.Ventilation: Do the Knee Pads Breathe?
When you’re powering through the most strenuous cross country rides, be sure to have the most breathable knee pads available. Knees sweat, some more than others, and you want your protective pads to have moisture wicking ability.
Some options feature cutaways positioned at the back of the wearer’s knees. These cutaways promote airflow while preventing the leg’s ligaments from rubbing. I’ve work knee pads that came with perforated kneecaps or with a honeycomb design that boosts air circulation over the knee.
The best mtb knee pads on the market (some of which I’ve reviewed here) offer lots of support while keeping environment over the knees cool and fresh. Choose those.
6.Which Leg is Each Pad for?
Some mtb knee pads come with markings indicating which leg each pad should cover. Other options are wearable either way, they’re not leg specific. Go with whatever works best for you.
7. Good MTB Knee Pad Price
Good budget mtb knee pads cost in the $30-$50 range, but it’s not extremely difficult to find great mtb knee pads that cost less than that. As a general rule of thumb, costlier mountain bike knee pads are better quality protection. But don’t enter the marketplace believing that every pricey pair of DH knee pads or enduro riding knee pads are good quality products.
Mid-range pads typically cost between $50 and $70 while $100 deals are in the premium pricing zone. But you MUST know this: your knees are for the most part irreplaceable. It’s counterproductive to cheap out on knee protection. Be sure to buy the most protective pair of mtb knee pads in your range.
Best MTB Knee Pads: Best of the Best?
Now that you’ve learned how to choose and size mountain bike knee pads, what do you think are the finest option for your riding style? Each of the recommendations in these mtb knee pad reviews is good for some purpose, but the G-Form Elite Knee-Shin Pads, Medium stood head and shoulders above the others.
These pads shone the brightest in every area mountain bikers care about: protection, comfort, and flexibility. However, this choice doesn’t come in at bargain counter pricing. But does that surprise anyone? It’s almost a truism: better quality translates into a higher price point.
Head over to Amazon and buy these guys, or read Amazon customer’s mtb knee pad reviews