Conclusion

If you crash when riding off-road, the four points of contact that usually take the most damage are your elbows and knees, because they’re bony and they stick out. If you want to walk away from a crash, putting something over your knees (and elbows) makes total sense. However, even though you’re wearing kneepads, you may still take some damage and that’s because kneepads, especially the lighter-weight sleeve designs tested here, can move as you’re sliding down the trail. In a sense, kneepad design is about compromise. If you want a kneepad that’s breathable, comfortable and lightweight, you’re going to have to take a hit on the protection levels. In this test one of the most protective kneepads is the POC Oseus, but it bunches up at the back of the knee, which can cause a lot of chafing, and it also feels tight and restrictive.

At the opposite end of the scale is the Dainese Trail

Skins Air: it’s really breathable and unrestrictive but it moves way too easily. It migrates south when pedalling and also slides way too easily during an impact.

Obviously, a lot depends on the fit and the situation – every crash is different, and slow-speed tumbles can be just as bad as high-speed stacks – but but for the Trail Skins

Air, I think that compromise is too extreme.

In theory, the Leatt Airflex Pro has all the protection you need, but it’s uncomfortable, and not because it’s too tight or there’s a heavy-duty strap rubbing your skins, it’s just that the flimsy mesh material bunches up at the back of the knee when you’re pedalling.

There are several lightweight pads with good mid-level protection in this test and they include the Scott Mission Evo, 7idp Sam Hill Lite and Endura MT500 D3O Ghost and Alpinestars Paragon Pro. We found a few issues with all of them, though – the Scott is pricey; 7idp uses extra-strong silicone that pulls on your skin; the Endura is also expensive for the limited sizes; and Alpinestars has a stablemate that is way better value.

Talking of the cost, we couldn’t give the Fox Enduro Pro a top mark due to the price – £90 just seems a lot for a lightweight knee pad. The 100% Teratec+ is around 10% cheaper and it’s a great pad if you’re aiming at the protective end of the scale, but it does run around 20% hotter – there’s that compromise again.

All of which leaves the Rapha Trail. It’s the best pad on test because it balances the amount of protection on offer, with breathability and comfort. For a first attempt, Rapha has managed to nail the fit – this kneepad doesn’t slip down when you’re cranking, it’s pretty breathable and the silicone on the gripper doesn’t leave a red mark. It also has smart tech which can justify the high price. If you’re looking for lightweight trail protection that fits like a glove, this is the kneepad we’d recommend.