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Ion K-Pact AMP HD knee pads - Features
The Munich-based award-winning knee pads and equipped with a longer protector that now extends to the shin. To prevent the sleeve from slipping in the event of a fall, a slide cap has been placed over the knee, which should also improve durability.
Ion has fitted the K-Pact with large EVA pads on the sides. Two Velcro fasteners, one on the thigh and one on the back of the knee, as well as silicone grippers are designed to secure the protector to the knee. The clearly visible side labelling helps with donning. The pad can be removed for washing. A small mesh trim in the hollow of the knee provides some ventilation.
This is how well the Ion K-Pact AMP HD protects
The K-Pact knee pad achieves excellent results in the impact test in the centre of the knee. Here remains a Residual force of just 9.47 kN left. That is a very good value. The protection then drops slightly in the lateral impacts, but is still at a very high level overall with an average of 11.52 kN. The curve also shows no peak, but rather a long, flat peak - just as it should be.
Do you want to play it safe on the trail, but are you looking for a protector that is still easy to pedal? Then you'll find what you're looking for in our test of 12 lightweight knee pads.
Fit & comfort
You notice the extremely snug fit of the Ion as soon as you try it on. On the one hand, this is due to the very strongly pre-shaped protector, which fits neatly around the knee - as a result, the K-Pact knee pad fits like a second skin without constricting. Secondly, the two ideally positioned Velcro straps securely fasten the protector to the knee.
The Ion is also surprisingly comfortable when pedalling. No pinching, no pulling - at least on short pedalling sections. Only the ventilation is not very good. Even the small mesh insert in the back of the knee doesn't help much. The Ion is one of the warmer models in the comparison. Its bombproof fit in conjunction with the Slide Plate also pays off in the event of a fall: The K-Pact stays firmly in position without slipping on contact with the ground.
Ion K-Pact AMP HD knee pads - Details & Price
- Price 169,99 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
- Weight (M) / Sizes 515 g / S-XL
- Country of manufacture China
- Equipment Velcro on OS and calf; silicone cuffs; aramid slide cap; EVA padding on sides; mesh in hollow of knee; long protector; pad can be removed for washing
- Protector / protection level SAS-Tec / Level 2 / K Type B
- Residual force (centre / bottom / side) 9.47 / 13.64 / 11.45 kN
Conclusion & evaluation
Although the Ion doesn't deliver the best values in terms of residual force, it sits extremely snugly over the knee and, thanks to its slide plate, doesn't slip down even in the event of a fall. Two well-placed Velcro straps, extensive padding and protection up to the shinbone provide an enormous amount of safety. Thanks to its anatomically pre-shaped sleeve, the K-Pact can also be used to pedal a few metres, but the back of the knee may pinch slightly. One small drawback: the generous padding comes at the expense of ventilation. Our tip for long days in the bike park.
Test: 8 knee pads for the bike park compared
- Amplifi Havok
- Ion K-Pact AMP HD (BIKE Tip Downhill) >> e.g. available here
- IXS Trigger Race >> e.g. available here
- Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 6.0 >> e.g. available here
- O'Neal Redeema Knee Guard >> e.g. available here
- Race Face Ambush >> e.g. available here
- 7IDP Project Knee >> e.g. available here
- Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee (BIKE Tip Test Winner) >> e.g. available here
Stefan Frey
Editor
