If you look around the trails, chances are you’ll see a division.
Some mountain bikers wear knee pads. Others do not.
But these simple slide-on pads are a great way to protect your knees and boost your confidence on the trail.
Today I’m going to share the best knee pads for mountain biking across three different disciplines. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, this article will help you make a better decision about which pads are right for you.
Why You Should Wear Knee Pads
If you haven’t worn knee pads before, they can seem silly, a bit overkill, and sometimes daunting. But I highly recommend you give them a try.
The most common type of mountain bike crash is losing traction, either cornering or braking. When this happens, you end up in the dirt in a matter of seconds.
On the way down, you extend whatever body parts you can to cushion your fall. Typically our knees and hands take the brunt of the fall. You already wear gloves. Why wouldn’t you protect your knees?
Knee pads are a simple way to prevent cut-up knees in the event of a fall. But they also can prevent you from having to get stitches if you take a fall in rocky terrain. Best of all, today’s knee pads are super comfortable and easy to pedal in.
(New to Mountain Biking? Learn what to wear every ride to make sure you have the best experience possible in this article.)
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. If you take action (i.e., subscribe, or purchase) after clicking one of these links, I’ll earn some money that I promise to use on coffee to produce better articles.
Best Knee Pads for Mountain Biking
Enduro / Trail Riding
As bikes have advanced, this has quickly become the most popular category of mountain biking. This type of riding involves pedaling to the top of a big descent and riding it back to the bottom of the mountain.
The best knee pads for mountain biking in this discipline need to be comfortable to pedal in and provide adequate protection.
Top Choice: 7iDP Sam Hill Pads
Holding true to their namesake, these pedal exceptionally well and give you the confidence to tackle even the roughest of descents.
I have worn these pads for the last three years. I cannot speak more highly of them. From 5,000 foot days of climbing to smashing out bike park laps, these pads have done everything. I love their comfortable fit and the protection they provide.
I want to point out that they have a long fit, meaning they come down to mid-calf. I like this feature, but some of my shorter friends (5’5 – 5’8) aren’t fans of the long fit.
Runner Up: Troy Lee Designs Stage Knee
Troy Lee Designs cut their teeth in the moto world, and now they are a staple brand in the mountain biking world.
I choose these pads because of their comfortable fit and their D30 protection. The fit lets you pedal all day with no problem, and the D30 padding hardens up upon impact. Plus, the mesh backing provides great ventilation keeping you cool all day.
If they’re good enough for riders like Brendan Fairclough, they’ll be right at home on your local trails.
Cross Country Mountain Biking
Traditionally you wouldn’t find knee pads anywhere near a cross country track. But now, as materials have evolved, today’s pads pedal super well.
Top Choice: Pearl Izumi Summit Knee
The Pearl Izumi Summit is a great choice for xc riding. It is very lightweight but features enough padding to shrug off pushing the front wheel in a turn.
I like how there is an opening at the back of the knee and mesh fabric on the main sleeve, which lets the pad breathe extremely well. I know some pure XC riders will still steer clear of any pads in favor of extra efficiency, but if your typical ride doesn’t involve a start gate, I think you’ll love these pads.
Runner Up: Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves
The TLD Speed Knee Sleeves are a great option for lightweight protection.
I have personally seen these pads put through the wringer. When one of my buddies transitioned from motocross to mountain biking, he picked up a pair of these. By the end of his first year, he hit crabapple hits on his trail bike, which is not this pad’s intended use.
Thankfully he has now upgraded to a burlier pad, but it does speak to how versatile the Speed Knee is. If you’re a cross country rider, these pads are a great option that finds the sweet spot of protection and comfort.
Downhill Mountain Biking
If you love shuttling and riding in the bike park, chances are you spend a lot of time in gnarly terrain. Thankfully numerous pads are designed with you in mind.
Top Choice: Fox Launch Pro D3O Knee Guards
Meant for smashing out laps in the park, the Fox Launch Pro is a quality hardshell pad.
I like how this pad combines D30 protection with a hard outer shell. This feature is great for when you bail on a flow trail as it lets you slide instead of sticking to the ground. Combine this with the two velcro straps to adjust the fit, and you get a bomb-proof pad designed for the toughest days.
If you pick up this pad, you’ll be in good company, it’s the pad Finn Illes, Tahnee Seagrave, and Connor Fearon wear.
Runner Up: Dakine Mayhem Knee
The Mayhem Knee is built for whatever mayhem you can throw its way.
The molded hardshell front combined with the padding on the side gives this pad well-rounded protection. The thigh and calf straps help hold it in place when you’re manuling through brake bumps or mashing through rooty sections.
This is the pad that freeride athlete Carson Storch wears. Check out this video to see him putting it through its paces.
Comments are closed.