Knee pads

Key facts

Protection

Medium

Safety standard

EN 1621-1, level 1 or 2

Types

• Light trail pads — a sleeve with a flexible impact insert; comfortable on long climbs.
• Enduro pads — more coverage at the sides and top of the shin, a tougher outer layer.
• Downhill pads — a hard shell over the knee that slides on rocks instead of catching.

What to look for

An insert tested to EN 1621-1 — level 2 absorbs more than level 1. Many inserts are made of viscoelastic foam that is soft while you ride and stiffens the instant it is hit.

Fit

A pad that slides down when you pedal will not be where your knee lands. Try them on and pedal a few strokes: they should stay put without pinching the back of the knee.

Related articles

• Trail riding — The most common way to ride a mountain bike: loops that climb under your own power and descend the good stuff, on one bike that does a bit of everything.
• Enduro — Racing the descents and riding the climbs: timed downhill stages linked by untimed transfers you pedal up yourself. Also the name of the long-travel bikes built for it.
• Full-face helmet — A helmet with a chin bar that protects the face and jaw as well as the head. Standard for downhill, bike parks and big jumps, and more and more common in enduro.
• Mountain bike helmet — An open-face helmet made for trails: deeper at the back and sides than a road helmet, with a visor and plenty of vents. The one piece of gear no ride goes without.
• Gloves — Full-finger gloves give grip on the bars when your hands sweat or it rains, and save your palms and knuckles when you fall. Thin enough to feel the brakes, tough enough to slide.
• Bike park — A resort of graded trails served by a lift or shuttle, so the whole day goes into riding down. Usually a mountain ski resort in summer, with flow, jump and downhill lines.