Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads

Benjamin Haworth

Crashing is part and parcel of mountain biking; we all do it from time to time. Protect your joints when the inevitable happens with a pair of knee pads. Here are four great options.

Whether you like ripping steep, technical trails, or racking up the miles, some form of knee protection is a sensible idea. Think of them as an insurance policy and not just for you; your riding buddies won’t want a trip to A&E either.

For bike park regulars, a heavy-duty knee pad is worth considering, with protection that extends down the shin. If flowing singletrack is more your bag, then a lightweight sleeve design will fend off cuts and scrapes, but won’t cramp your pedaling style.

Alpinestars Paragon Knee Guard

Best Lightweight Sleeve

Price: $40

The Paragon features a lightweight stretch mesh material, overlaid with a rip-stop fabric at the knee area to prevent small splits developing into full-on tears. The knee cap pad is made from a cross-shaped piece of foam and this overlaps around the sides for additional lateral protection. The result is a minimal knee pad that never gets in the way of your pedalling, but can save the day if you run out of talent.

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Fox Head Enduro Knee Sleeve

Best Premium Sleeve

Price: $60

This Enduro Knee Sleeve is more of a padded knee warmer than full-blown body armor, and it's all the better for regular trail riders as a result. Being so light means it’s ideal for quick evening blasts as well as long days in the saddle when you want some protection without making pedalling an uncomfortable chore.

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POC Joint VPD Air Knee Pads

Money-is-No-Object Design

Price: $80

POC is a premium brand, and as such it doesn't cut any corners. Comfort is excellent, so you soon forget you’re wearing them, and the lining helps wick away sweat to keep you cool in hot weather. They are also extremely comfortable to hike, pedal, or climb in. The level of all-round coverage inspires confidence, with the whole knee area well defended against knocks and bumps.

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G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pad

Best Full-Protection

Price: $50

The G-Form Pro has a pre-curved pad that's bonded externally to the outside of the Lycra body. It doesn’t bunch up at the sides when pedalling hard and it hugs the knee impressively well. With its futuristic looks and clever tech, the G-Form Pro X2 throws a curveball at convention.

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With the latest knee pads being so light and minimal, there's no reason not to wear them. The Alpinestars Paragon is the stand out value-for-money sleeve knee pad, because it fits well, comes in a good range of sizes and is high quality. The design of the G-Form Pro X2 defies convention, but it is well made, surprisingly breathable and barely noticeable on a long ride. It doesn’t have the restricted feel you get with a pad that straps in place or uses a more solid, plastic knee cap.