O’Neal Dirt knee pads £44.99

O’Neal’s Dirt pads are hot and sweaty, but they offer secure, low-profile protection at a bargain price. If you’re after breezy or easily-removable day-ride protection, these pads aren’t for you. With only a thin strip of mesh fabric up the rear of the otherwise neoprene construction, they don’t take long to heat up and get sweaty even in winter. The snug, tubular design isn’t easy to whip off in between enduro stages either – that’s what O’Neal’s Junction Lite pads are designed for. That sweaty hug, plus broad top and bottom Velcro straps, gives them excellent security when you crash, though. The segmented ‘IPX’ foam is pliable enough that you can still pedal OK but hardens on impact to meet EN-1621 L2 motorbike protection standards. They’re slim enough to sneak under skinny jeans, too, and at £45 are a bit of a bargain. Guy