Optimum protection: 12 lightweight MTB knee pads for trail to enduro in the test

Biking is considered to be particularly gentle on the joints. The circular, regular movement pumps blood through the joint cartilage, which increases the production of synovial fluid. The knee is lubricated like a bearing with a grease gun. The other side of the coin: the high risk of falling when mountain biking also harbours considerable risks. According to statistics from the AGA (Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery), three quarters of all injuries are abrasions, lacerations and bruises to the lower extremities. At least on the knee, many of these injuries could be prevented or at least minimised. But knee pads still don't have a very good reputation: sweaty, heavy and uncomfortable - these are the common prejudices.

Modern knee pads: safe and yet comfortable

This may have been true a few years ago, when attempts were made to cushion impacts with the help of hard-shell-covered foam pads. However, the introduction of so-called viscoelastic PU foams has turned the knee pad market on its head. Their properties are nothing short of phenomenal: they are lightweight, respond without delay even to low forces and return to their original shape after a short time. In addition, unlike many other cushioning materials, PU foams are multi-impact resistant and adapt flexibly to the wearer's anatomy.

Fully suitable for touring

For our current test, we set a weight limit of 400 grams for the size L pair. Anything above this is more suitable for use in the bike park and is designed more for maximum downhill protection than comfort and ventilation. Twelve knee pads cleared this hurdle and were extensively tested by us both in the laboratory and in practice.

In some cases, the lightweight trail pads hardly performed worse in the lab than heavier models for the bike park. However, because they lack the Velcro straps for better fastening, an optimum fit is particularly important here. - Stefan Frey, BIKE test editor

We have tested these knee pads

• Bluegrass Skinny D3O >> available here
• Endura MT500 Ghost Knee Pads >> available here
• Fox Launch Elite Knee Guard >> available here
• Fuse Omega Knee Pocket >> available here
• ION Knee Pads K-Sleeve AMP >> available here
• IXS Flow 2.0 >> available here
• Leatt Knee Guard ReaFlex >> available here
• O' Neal Flow Knee Guard >> available here
• Pearl Izumi Summit Knee Guard >> available here
• Race Face Covert Knee >> available here
• Seven IDP Sam Hill Knee >> available here
• Troy Lee Designs Stage Knee Guards >> available here

It goes without saying that all knee pads sold in Germany must pass the EN 1621-1:2012 standard test. However, our test proves that there are big differences within these limits. With a residual force of just 9.57 kN, the Flow 2.0 from IXS also easily fulfil the difficult level 2 of the standard. Pearl Izumi's Summit on the other hand, only just clears the hurdle to Level 1 with 30.76 kN.

That is a huge difference, confirms Sas-Tec expert Holger Hertneck. To make it a little more graphic, you could compare it to the braking distance of a car. It's as if one vehicle comes to a halt after just 30 metres and another only after 60, and everyone can imagine the consequences for themselves.

This is how we tested

Our elaborate test procedure for knee pads consists of an extensive practical test on the one hand and laboratory testing on the other. Would you like to know more about the procedure? We have summarised all the important information in a separate article.

Would you like to know more about how we tested the knee pads? Read more about this in our "How BIKE tests" article.

The laboratory values at a glance

It's amazing how well even the lightweight trail protectors protect against injuries. The best models can even keep up with good bike park knee pads.

Test results in detail

For a better overview, we have summarised all the values of the tested knee pads in a single table. The detailed test for each model can be found behind the model names further up in the article.

Knee pads in detail: that's what matters

It's definitely better to wear a light protector than none at all! - Interview with Holger Hertneck, COO/authorised signatory at SAS-TEC GmbH

BIKE: Some of the knee pads in the test don't make a very solid impression - can I rely on their protective effect?

Holger HertneckAt least as far as the impact tests are concerned, the lighter trail protectors in the test field also offer minimum protection in line with the standard. And in any case, it's better to wear a light protector than none at all! However, you should ensure a good fit, which is often somewhat critical with light protectors due to the lack of fastening options.

What should I look out for when buying a protector?

If possible, use protectors with brand name protectors. A protector tested in accordance with motorbike standard EN 1621-1:2012 is the minimum requirement. Whether a level 1 protector is sufficient or whether it should be the higher protection level 2 is something everyone has to decide for themselves. After all, thicker, heavier candidates usually restrict mobility somewhat. Very important: a fitting or even a test ride to check the perfect fit.

Should I replace the protector after a fall?

If they contain high-quality branded foam protectors, protectors can usually continue to be used without hesitation - a visual check to see whether cracks or chipping have occurred, provided that hard-shell protectors and inferior foams are usually ruined after an impact (as can be seen from irreversible deformations). Similar to helmets, whose EPS or EPP shell remains compressed after an impact and no longer offers full protection.

Keyword care: Some of the protectors cannot be removed from the sock. Can I just wash them as well?

This information should be on the washing labels on the product. We at SAS-TEC recommend removing the foam protectors before washing, as it is not possible to predict the stresses involved in machine washing (keywords: temperature, detergent, fill level, spin cycle). Manual hand washing, on the other hand, is no problem at all.

It is often said that foam protectors cannot be used in the cold because they harden.

All highly cushioning viscoelastic PU foams become stiffer at low temperatures and softer at high temperatures. This is due to their physical properties. However, as long as the protectors are worn close to the body, cold conditions should not be a problem as they quickly reach operating temperature due to body heat.