Mountain biking is an exciting sport that allows you to explore backcountry trails and challenge yourself on technical terrain. However, with the thrills come inevitable spills. Crashing is simply part of the sport – especially when you’re pushing your limits on rough downhill runs or tricky rock gardens. While it’s impossible to avoid falls completely, you can protect yourself by wearing proper safety gear, with mountain bike knee pads being one of the most vital pieces of protection.
In this guide for mountain bike enthusiasts, we’ll cover everything you need to know about riding with knee pads:
Why Wear Mountain Bike Knee Pads
Before getting into the specific types of knee pads for mountain biking, it helps to understand why wearing some form of knee protection is so important in the first place when riding off-road.
Prevent Injuries
The main reason most mountain bikers opt for knee guards is simply to prevent acute and overuse knee injuries out on the trail. Unlike road cycling where crashes tend to be rare and at relatively low speeds, mountain biking carries significant injury risk.
Riding over uneven, rocky terrain with hazards like branches, holes, and drops means you’re likely to take a few spills during even just a short ride. And when you go down, your knees are particularly vulnerable parts of the body that end up taking the brunt of impact.
Banging your knee directly on the ground or on a rock or tree root can lead to nasty cuts, bruises, and swelling. It can also cause more serious bone, ligament, tendon, and cartilage damage in the knee that may require surgery and extended recovery periods. Knee pads protect the joint and surrounding soft tissue from these traumatic direct blows during crashes.
Overuse knee injuries are another common issue in mountain biking. The repetitive movement patterns required for trail riding can inflame tissues around the kneecap. IT band syndrome and various tendinopathies are examples of overuse issues that commonly strike. Well-fitting knee pads can stabilize the joint and tendons, reducing strain that contributes to cumulative microtrauma in the knees.
Ultimately, wearing proper knee protection each ride significantly reduces both acute injury risk from crashes and subtler overuse damage – helping you stay out shredding trails rather than sidelined with knee problems.
Ride with More Confidence
In addition to keeping you physically safe, knee pads also provide a mental boost by allowing you to ride with more confidence. Being less worried about the consequences of an endo or slide out means you’ll likely feel emboldened to try features outside your comfort zone – helping you progress your technical skills quicker.
You’ll also probably ride sections of trail that intimidate you with more speed and commitment if your knees are well protected. Knowing that your joints are safe in a crash allows you to focus entirely on picking the best lines rather than hesitating due to fear of injury.
So by dampening worries about hurting yourself, quality knee pads ultimately let you get more enjoyment out of every ride.
Types of Mountain Bike Knee Pads
Now that you know why wearing pads specific to mountain biking is so valuable, it’s time to explore the various options out there so you can find the best choice for your needs and preferences.
Knee pads for trail riding differ in terms of design, construction materials, protection levels, breathability, weight, and more. Understanding these key factors will help you decide what’s most suitable.
Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Pads
The first decision is whether you want hardshell or softshell pads. As you may have guessed from the names, this choice comes down to the degree of rigidity in pad’s protective exterior.
Hardshell Knee Pads
Hardshell pads feature a rigid, molded exterior shell normally made of tough plastic. This exterior layer doesn’t flex much, providing maximum impact protection. The interior often contains dense foam or extra padding for comfort.
Hardshell pads offer the highest level of protection for aggressive riding but tend to be heavier and warmer. The lack of pliability also reduces pedaling comfort. Popular options like the G-Form Pro X2 use advanced materials to increase flexibility somewhat compared to basic plastic guards.
Softshell Knee Pads
Softshell pads have a flexible, compressible outer material rather than an inflexible shell. The protective layer frequently uses advanced fabrics like D3O that stiffen on impact. These guards provide slightly less intense protection than hardshells. However, they make up for it by offering increased comfort, ventilation, and freedom of movement.
For most trail and all-mountain riders, softshell pads strike the ideal balance between protection and wearability. Options from quality brands like POC and 7iDP feature clever multi-layer construction with durable exteriors and comfortable, breathable backings.
CE Certification Levels
You’ll also see mountain bike knee pads offering different CE certification levels like CE Level 1 and CE Level 2. This designation comes from testing procedures defined by European Committee for Standardization that classify impact protection based on how much force the pads can withstand.
CE Level 1 guards provide basic protection suitable for general off-road riding, youth pads, etc. CE Level 2 pads can handle significantly more intense impacts making them ideal for downhill use. Checking for this safety rating helps verify how much protection a particular set of pads truly offers.
Pad Coverage Area
Knee pad coverage describes how much of your leg the pads shield beyond just the kneecap itself. Choices range from just caps that sit only over the patella to options extending well up the thigh and down the shin with additional knee, calf, and even hamstring protection.
Minimalist knee cap-only pads prioritize maximum mobility and air flow. Knee/shin pads offer much more coverage for aggressive riding. And some downhill-specific pads practically function as full leg armor.
Decide how much area needs protecting based on your style of riding and trails. But also consider hot weather breathability if choosing full leg coverage.
Straps vs Sleeves
You’ll also choose between two main retention/fit systems when picking mountain bike knee guards:
Straps: Basic straps use hook-and-loop closures to secure protective pads directly over the knee cap. These allow quick on-off and offer a customizable, adaptable fit. However, straps can occasionally come loose or move out of optimal position while pedaling.
Sleeves: Sleeve-style knee pads utilize a stretchy spandex sleeve worn under the pads. The pads then hook onto the sleeve, keeping everything tight to your leg without direct skin contact. Sleeves prevent unwanted pad movement better than straps. But getting the right sleeve-to-leg size ratio takes some trial and error.
Both straps and sleeves have pros and cons. But sleeve retention frequently works best for aggressive riding disciplines where keeping pads perfectly in place is critical.
How to Size Mountain Bike Knee Pads
Speaking of fit, you’ll want knee pads snug enough to stay put without restricting pedal strokes or causing discomfort on rides. Follow these basic tips for sizing mountain bike knee guards correctly:
Measure Your Mid-Thigh and Calf Circumference
The best way to determine proper knee pad size is by measuring the circumference of your legs. Wrap a tape measure around the mid-point of your thighs and calves to get these numbers.
Compare your measurements against the sizing chart for any pads you’re considering. Go with the size range that aligns closest to your thighs and calves based on the recommendations.
This method works for both strap and sleeve-style retention systems. Getting width right ensures good stability without undesirable looseness or tightness.
Consider Your Leg Shape
Beyond just the thickness of your legs, also think about general shape such as taper and muscularity. For example, riders with particularly slim calves may need to size down despite having thicker thighs.
The goal is knee pad coverage staying snug top to bottom without drastic looseness on calves or uncomfortable squeeze points at the thighs. Trying to account for your overall leg proportions helps.
Test Flexion and Range of Motion
After setting pads in place, do bodyweight squats and lunges plus some seated pedal strokes. Make sure there’s no painful pinching or restriction anywhere through these movement patterns.
You’ll want full flexion and extension of your knees without fabric pull or guards sliding downward. Proper room to pedal efficiently also prevents chafing and discomfort over the duration of rides.
Getting all these fit factors dialed ultimately ensures your knee pads will work seamlessly rather than distracting from enjoying time on the trails.
Taking Care of Your Mountain Bike Knee Pads
Now that you know how vital proper knee guard sizing is, what about keeping your pads in good condition over long-term use? Maintaining your protective gear helps maintain safety and comfort season after season.
Inspect for Damage Before Each Ride
Quickly look over all sides of your pads and retention straps before every ride. Check for any concerning cuts, cracks, or unusual wear in the materials. Also confirm straps still offer dependable closure tension without fraying.
Addressing even minor damage early makes a big difference in longevity – preventing it worsening into outright failure mid-ride. Replacements pads are far cheaper than medical bills too!
Hand Wash After Sweaty/Muddy Rides
Over time, dirt, body oils, and sweat accumulating on pads causes stains and uncomfortable odors. Rinsing knee guards by hand prevents buildup. Use gentle soap and towel dry thoroughly.
For sleeve-style pads, remove any pads/armor first as necessary based on the model. Check care label instructions to avoid damaging special fabrics. Then let all components fully air dry before storage to prevent mildew risks.
Store Properly Between Rides
Keep pads out of direct sunlight which can degrade materials. Don’t leave neoprene and other fabric scrunched tightly packed either. Light compression helps components hold shape without weakening elasticity.
Letting pads fully recover their form overnight prepares them to grip knees reliably on the next fast downhill. Careful storage maximizes the long-term protective qualities and lifespan of your guards.
Replace Every Few Seasons
No amount of diligent maintenance lets knee pads last forever unfortunately. Gradual breakdown of shock-absorbing foams and protective fabrics happens inevitably through regular hard use.
While some riders try pushing well-worn pads for too long, it’s smart to budget replacement costs every few years. New pads not only prevent injury better but also feel much more comfortable during long days on gnarly terrain.
Making sure your body armor stays current is just as crucial as keeping your bike tuned and tires fresh over time. View safety gear expenses as necessary preventative maintenance.
Following those simple care guidelines keeps your knee pads ready to handle the trails abuse while defending your knees season after season.
Getting Accustomed to Wearing Knee Pads
If you’re not used to riding with knee pads, it may feel somewhat odd at first having something hugging this sensitive joint area. Here are some quick tips for getting your body comfortable with guards on:
Initially Stick to Easier Terrain
Don’t head straight to the nastiest black diamond gravity trails your first few rides using pads. Instead, pedal mellower cross country routes you’re very familiar with until your mind/body adapts to new tactile sensation.
Gradually reacclimating lets you focus purely on pad feel rather than battling technical features. You’ll integrate guarded movement patterns subconsciously quicker sticking to easier riding initially.
Make Adjustments Early in Rides If Needed
Try tweaking straps or sleeve tension during opening flat road sections before hitting singletrack. Nip any undesirable pad slipping, pinching, or misalignment immediately.
Setting pads perfectly takes some learning, so making quick fit corrections the very start prevents distraction once terrain gets rowdy. Ride through a few basic movements like roadside lunges first if needed.
Pay Attention to Comfort Over Long Descents
Even if pads feel great at the top of a gravity-fed section, friction and pressure can still build uncomfortably downhill over minutes. Reassess for any skin irritation before continuing once you reach flatter trail.
Temporarily readjusting pads mid-ride or applying protective anti-chafe balm lets you rack important knee protection hours without distraction. Listen closely to body feedback with new gear.
Within just a ride or two, your awareness of wearing pads often fades entirely since the benefits far outweigh any trivial downsides. So stay positive through the short acclimation process.
The Takeaway
Quality knee pads might seem like just an accessory, but they’re absolutely essential protective gear for every mountain biker. Choosing pads well-suited to your trails and riding style then caring for them properly pays off big in safety over years of use.
Wearing guards may feel weird initially if you’re not used to having anything on your knees. But you’ll quickly forget pads are even there once you get fully accustomed to how they move and feel. Ultimately, expect any small downsides to be massively outweighed by the confidence and injury prevention offered.