MTB knee pads for trail bikers: Airy protection - the O'Neal Flow Knee Guard in the test

O'Neal Flow Knee Guard MTB knee pads - Features

The Flow from O`Neal is characterised by a special feature: its protector is not only attached to the outside of the sleeve (This principle can also be found in Fuse), it extends laterally further over the knee than all other models in the test. This should give it a clear advantage in the event of side falls.

The sock itself is rather short and only has a silicone band on the upper cuff. Instead, there is an additional rubber coating on the inside above the knee to improve the hold. The back of the Flow has airy mesh, there is no side labelling, but all standard markings are present.

No top values on the test bench

On the test bench, the very flexible protector does not achieve record values, but with an average of 20.83 kN it is still absolutely in the green zone. However, there are protectors with a comparable weight in the test that offer significantly better protection than the 20.18 kN that the O'Neal achieves above the knee.

Want to know how we tested the knee pads? Read more about this in our "This is how BIKE tests" article.

O`Neal Flow knee pads with top ventilation

In terms of ventilation, the O'Neal is one of the best in the test field. Its lightweight sock and open-pored pad allow plenty of air to reach the knee. The extremely large protector, which extends well over the side of the knee, is also a plus point for the Fow Knee Guard. The mesh in the hollow of the knee has no seams at all, preventing pressure points.

Reduced wearing comfort

However, the fit of the O'Neal is not convincing. The large pad lies flabbily over the knee and doesn't want to adapt to the wearer's anatomy at all. This means that I always have some movement on the protector when pedalling. The ends with the thin silicone band only hold the flow in place moderately well. The sticky material of the IPX pad on the outside quickly catches on the ground in the event of a fall, which can lead to the pad being pulled off the knee. In the event of a hard impact, the thin layer behind the protector/over the knee quickly tears. The O'Neal might still be suitable for bulky Hermann-Maier knees, but the fit is too loose for normal riders.

Conclusion on the O'Neal Flow Knee Guard in the test:

O'Neal sews a huge honeycomb-shaped pad on the outside of a lightweight Lycra sock. Although this provides excellent ventilation, it also causes problems: The flabby pad is very misshapen over the knee and the lightweight sock cannot hold the protector securely on the joint in the event of a fall, partly due to the sticky protector. The Flow only achieved moderate results in the lab. - Stefan Frey, BIKE editor

O`Neal Flow Knee Guard Knee pads - Details and price

• Price 79,99 Euro >> available here
• Weight¹ / Sizes 336 gram / S-XXL
• Country of manufacture China
• Equipment Lycra sock with mesh back; glued-on protector
• Protector / protection level² IPX soft gel protector / EN 1621-1, Level 1
• Protector removable no
• Residual force (centre / bottom / side)¹ 20,18 / 18,95 / 23,37

Valuation

¹BIKE measured values. ²The protection level refers to the manufacturer's official specification. The BIKE grade is independent of price. The BIKE rating is based on the school grading system with grades 1 to 5.