Test knee pads: Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 6.0 from the protection experts from South Africa

Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 6.0 knee pads - Features

Leatt itself praises the Knee Guard 3DF 6.0 as perhaps the most comfortable knee pad on the market. The South Africans have equipped it with a particularly airy back with a cut-out in the hollow of the knee. The front of the Leatt is softly padded, while large EVA pads protect the sides.

For a secure fit, there is Velcro on the thigh, silicone straps and an additional stretch band over the calf. The protector itself is slightly smaller than most of the competition. Leatt also offers a slide cap to prevent the protector from slipping in the event of a fall.

Protective effect & laboratory values

Leatt only certifies the 3DF knee pad according to the lower Level 1, which is also reflected in the residual forces that act on the knee in the event of a fall. With 14.73 kN in the centre and an average value of 16.88 kN the Leatt is in the bottom third of our comparison. The measurement curve could also be a little flatter to better distribute the forces on impact.

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.

How to wear the Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 6.0 knee pad

With its cut-out in the hollow of the knee, the Leatt is definitely the most airy protector in the comparison, which is particularly noticeable on the descent, but also when pedalling. No material can accumulate in the hollow of the knee and thus cause pressure points. The fit itself is also slightly looser than some other models, which allows more air to reach the knee. However, this does not create the feeling of an absolutely bombproof protector.

The grip when pedalling and on the descent is absolutely ok, even with only one Velcro strap. However, despite the slide cap, the Leatt slips off the knee faster than other models in the test. The wide silicone straps on the thigh are a little sweaty and can pull on the skin and hair, especially when putting them on and taking them off.

The Leatt protector feels quite small and barely covers the kneecap. Other knee pads make a more solid impression.

Leatt Knee Guard 3DF 6.0 - Details & Price

• Price 130 Euro >> available here
• Weight (M) / Sizes 480 g / S-M / L-XL / XXL
• Country of manufacture China
• Equipment Velcro strap OS; calf strap; silicone gripper; mesh back; cut-out in back of knee; EVA pad; slide cap; protector not removable
• Protector / protection level 3DF / Level 1 / K-Type B
• Residual force (centre / bottom / side) 14,73 / 18,90 / 17,01

Conclusion & evaluation

With its generous EVA padding, the Leatt sits bulging and not very snug and pushes together slightly below the knee. The silicone strap pulls on the hair when you put it on. The single Velcro strap barely manages to hold the protector in place. Despite the plastic attachment, it pulls the 3DF down slightly when it comes into contact with the ground. Mesh and an open hollow of the knee ensure quite acceptable ventilation. In the laboratory values, the Leatt is only in the bottom third of the test field. We can't quite confirm the attribute of the most comfortable protector on the market.

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