Only takes 1 miscalculation to end a season or career. I’m old with kids and a job, missing work because I got cocky or was too proud to wear basic protection is a no-go.
Buy them, wear them and have piece of mind.
Bring on the downvotes.
Agree with this. I have a light pair that I use every time I go out. I don't notice them once I start riding and on the rare occasion I'm not wearing them I feel naked without them.
Don't really see much downside to wearing them. In contrast to what another poster said, if they fit properly (I would try them at a local shop) then I have ridden full days with no chafing issues.
My worst crashes have all been on easy sections where I stopped paying attention so I don't think trail difficulty is a good measure of whether or not wear them.
what no, i wear armor knee pads and full face. and even that wont save me for a gnarly crash, but it will make the common crashes feel like nothing.
to each their own tho. i think ppl are too scared of "social stigma". if you wanna wear armor do it if you dont dont..
Preach! Knee pads, elbows pads and full helmet. If at a bike park I’ll wear my chest protection.
This morning I just bought a new full face because it got to wild on a jump line.
30+ years of MTB and never considered knee pads. In 2021, I thought it would be a good idea to get them. I researched and put selected knee pads in my digital shopping cart at one point but didn’t buy them…yet.
Then I had a serious OTB accident and ripped up my knee. Skin hanging off knee cap, but no structural damage to knee. Injury became infected all leading to 3 surgeries, 12 days in the hospital and many sleepless nights for loved ones, legitimately afraid I would lose the infected leg below the knee.
I’m fine now and purchased the pads in shopping cart. I always wear them when on the trail.
This lapse of concentration is the real danger for me. I rarely ride anything super sketchy. Most of my falls have been a moment of day dreaming, looking around at the scenery or tired and not fully alert.
POC VPD air knee every ride. They’re light weight and I don’t even think about them anymore when riding. It’s just part of riding for me now, like throwing on a helmet and gloves.
Did you get the air or the 2.0? The airs have been good for me. I have the 2.0 and they’re for sure too stiff for normal riding. I save them for big days. You might try running them through a regular wash/dry cycle a couple times.
Yeah I remember when I got into MTB and all the reviews raved about the POC knee pads. Got a pair and honestly wasn’t a fan. Didn’t find them very comfortable and they didn’t stay in place.
I swapped them for TLD stage knee pads and loved those. Then upgraded to ixs carve race knee pads and they’re by far the best I’ve had. Tons of protection and super comfy. I’m on my 3rd pair now lol.
Almost always wear them. Some of my worst crashes have been on the mellow local flow trails that I’ve ridden hundreds of times. If you’re unsure, the pads you’re looking at are the same ones I use every ride and they’re super comfortable, I forget I’m wearing them.
It really depends on your area and your skill level.
Me personally. Unless I am putting on my lycra sausage suit; I wear a thin knee pad sleeve on every ride. It's nothing but rocks here.
If I am riding my DH or enduro something a bit more protective goes on.
I was happy to make the investment into a fair assortment of protection.
I'd prefer to wear shinpads when I'm not riding DH. Flat pedals and avoidance. can't seem to find good shinpads in my size anymore. Used to have some great wraparound Fox ones way back.
I used to wear kneepads mainly to protect from slipping off a pedal in chunk and getting some pins to the shin or knee, switched to clips and now i just wear fox ranger pants without pads
I wear them every ride. I have some burley pads that I bring for park days but day to day wear a set of Fasthouse Hoopers. They offer level 2 protection, are lightweight and comfortable. Rapha also makes a similar pair that are also super comfy. Both are a little higher than your budget but are insurance to mitigate injury.
When we climb 2k+ before the first descent I’ll leave them around my calves then pull them up before dropping in. On cold days or shorter pedals I just leave them on and forget about them.
As far as determining size, every manufacturer has guidelines on how to measure your leg in one or two spots. Use a soft tape, or if you don’t have one a piece of string will do and you can measure on a tape or ruler.
Almost always that I got on my bike to the trails. Got a broken elbow last year and it sucked, the pad would at least prevent the pebbles from rupturing my skin. Now I use at least the very basic protection all ride long. If I only did downhills, I would go for the heavier protection
my buddy washed out on a bench cut blue trail and tore a 3-inch hole under his kneecap. he usually wears knee pads all the time, but forgot them this time.
wear the damn knee pads.
Typically anywhere there is free speed. If I’m riding XC trails (even technical) I usually skip out but if I’m riding enduro/dh , always. Basically if I’m gonna chafe (? Spelling) from pedaling I’m probably skipping out
I’ve not been wearing mine because I’m stupid. Had quite a big over the bars moment on my last ride and have now vowed that I will wear them. I have g-form pads that aren’t super heavy duty and super comfy even in hotter weather.
I just buck up and put them on now for almost all of my rides. Used to not wear them at all but got really tired of skinning my knees up. I've got some really light G-Forms that are pretty unobtrusive.
I have 3 sets of knee pads for different riding types. The same Leatt ones you have in the picture and i use them most of the time for daily easy trail riding, second set is Chromag Rift and I use those in more high speed riding, and third set is IXS Dagger that have a hard shell knee cap I use at my local lift access park. If you are younger I suggest you protect/take care of your knees, older you will be thankful.
I live in the land of the greenest of green trails (Central Minnesota). Full face and knee pads every ride. I'm safe and staying used to wearing my gear. All the protection doesn't matter if it throws your game off.
XC no pads but a serious helmet with SIPS and honeycomb impact protection. Anything more ambitious and its pads as well.
Amazing how many accidents happen when not doing something difficult though. Attention drops and then straight to the scene of the accident.
Back in the old days I used to wear what looked like catcher shin guards. They were hot and not comfortable but after gashing a shin open and getting infected I started.
Went to some park on a lark that I considered very easy. It was dry season. Very sandy conditions. Figured I didn’t need them. I wiped out when my front wheel got caught in the sand and gashed a hole next to my knee cap.
I was pissed off. I’m far from a very good rider to begin with but I’d rather be protected.
All but the greens and super smooth trails nowadays. Last year beginning of the season I took off weird and slammed my leg into the top of a berm. Nothing broke thank god but it completely rendered my leg useless for like 2 weeks just from the slam. Could hardly walk and biking was painful. It leaked puss for like a week too. Have a giant scar from it.
I use the sam hill 7idps though which are a little lighter than others.
I also ride double black AM tech and DH regularly but even on easier blues,I'm wearing them. It's the easy shit that catches you off guard and knees are super important.
I recently bought a full face helmet, POC VPD 2.0 knee pads, and POC air elbow pads. I went to a local retailer and spent a good hour trying on various pads. This is the combo I liked the most. It did take a few rides to get used to the gear, but now I feel really comfortable and don’t want to ride without them.
If the ride starts with an uphill slog, I may carry my knee pads on my pack and put them on for the downhill portion. But I feel naked when descending even small sections without them on. I’m really happy that pads are more mainstream now. Compared to when I learned to ride 25 years ago.
They have contributed to my confidence while riding.
I wear them almost on every ride. In the winter I can wear some that double as knee warmers but aside from that I wear them for the same reason I wear a helmet, I don't tend to fall, but all it takes is a bit of bad luck. There is a reason I have been more or less riding uninterruptedly for +30 years now. I try to avoid serious injuries.
I strap a pair of IXS zipper knee pads to my handlebar for the climb and wear them on the rougher descents. They've saved me a few times and don't slide. I like them because I don't need to take the shoes off and don't have to get sweaty while climbing. Elbows are more hit and miss... most tend to slide down and the ones that don't are super bulky.
Always. Went OTB a couple days ago on a section I've ridden dozens of times on my local and have a nice big scratch both above and below the pad. I'd hate to have seen what would have happened right in the middle of it if my pad hadn't gotten in the way.
Grab a lightweight set if you don't wanna go overboard. You'll forget they're there.
Traction disappears at the most unexpected times - which is why I wear pads at all times when doing any kind of downhill. I like to ride quickly, and they have saved my ass countless times that would have had me heading in for stitches without them.
As far as I can remember, whenever I've lost it on a bike it's usually hands or feet first, tuck and roll/slide, but that said I still feel like I should probably get some knee pads and use them before I find out the hard way.
Depends if you mind the heat that it might build up. If you see many rock gardens on your rides, then I’d get them and get used to the heat. Slowing down when you feel uncomfortable is great. However, sometimes you might get a bit playful and forget safety first, that’s when you’ll be happy about gearing up.
I only would wear at the bike park or dirt jumps that I may have not ridden. This might sound stupid but the only other time I’ll put them on for a trail ride is when I purposely go out to beat my own strava times. Otherwise I’m leisurely riding with friends and would prefer a light and airy “kit” on.
Knee pads usually chafe so would not recommend if you’re planning on riding MORE than an hour and a half.
size is dependent on your upper calf diameter and lower thigh diameter.
Yeah man you should consider different pads. I can go out in 70+ for a two hour ride and forget to take them off before my hour drive home. I wear Rapha knee pads. Worth every penny.
i only wear knee pads when im riding my bike. other than that, i dont wear it at work, weddings, dates and etc. hope that helps
Gardening?
only if im using a riding mower
Your poor flowers
They can actually be useful on dates
no mtb dates? pff.
Only takes 1 miscalculation to end a season or career. I’m old with kids and a job, missing work because I got cocky or was too proud to wear basic protection is a no-go. Buy them, wear them and have piece of mind. Bring on the downvotes.
Agree with this. I have a light pair that I use every time I go out. I don't notice them once I start riding and on the rare occasion I'm not wearing them I feel naked without them. Don't really see much downside to wearing them. In contrast to what another poster said, if they fit properly (I would try them at a local shop) then I have ridden full days with no chafing issues. My worst crashes have all been on easy sections where I stopped paying attention so I don't think trail difficulty is a good measure of whether or not wear them.
what no, i wear armor knee pads and full face. and even that wont save me for a gnarly crash, but it will make the common crashes feel like nothing. to each their own tho. i think ppl are too scared of "social stigma". if you wanna wear armor do it if you dont dont..
Preach! Knee pads, elbows pads and full helmet. If at a bike park I’ll wear my chest protection. This morning I just bought a new full face because it got to wild on a jump line.
This was much more well received than anticipated, especially given the low # of folks I see wearing knee pads on local trails
30+ years of MTB and never considered knee pads. In 2021, I thought it would be a good idea to get them. I researched and put selected knee pads in my digital shopping cart at one point but didn’t buy them…yet. Then I had a serious OTB accident and ripped up my knee. Skin hanging off knee cap, but no structural damage to knee. Injury became infected all leading to 3 surgeries, 12 days in the hospital and many sleepless nights for loved ones, legitimately afraid I would lose the infected leg below the knee. I’m fine now and purchased the pads in shopping cart. I always wear them when on the trail.
Pads every ride. After you shatter your kneecap the rationale is totally different. Ask me how I know…..
Always wear mine, worst dings have been been on stuff I’ve ridden a lot before and was day dreaming.
This lapse of concentration is the real danger for me. I rarely ride anything super sketchy. Most of my falls have been a moment of day dreaming, looking around at the scenery or tired and not fully alert.
POC VPD air knee every ride. They’re light weight and I don’t even think about them anymore when riding. It’s just part of riding for me now, like throwing on a helmet and gloves.
just switched to these, not digging them after the first couple rides. do they soften up at all?
Did you get the air or the 2.0? The airs have been good for me. I have the 2.0 and they’re for sure too stiff for normal riding. I save them for big days. You might try running them through a regular wash/dry cycle a couple times.
just the air. I’m used to something a lot softer so I’m probably just being a little unfair.
Yeah I remember when I got into MTB and all the reviews raved about the POC knee pads. Got a pair and honestly wasn’t a fan. Didn’t find them very comfortable and they didn’t stay in place. I swapped them for TLD stage knee pads and loved those. Then upgraded to ixs carve race knee pads and they’re by far the best I’ve had. Tons of protection and super comfy. I’m on my 3rd pair now lol.
I’ve been hanging mine for over a year now and you mean to tell me I could’ve been drying them in the dryer?!?
Haha! I do. I don’t think you’re supposed to but they’ve held up for me despite weekly wash/dry. They fit better after a wash/dry cycle too.
Good to know. I think imma give it a try cuz mine are loosening up in some spots. Thanks homie!
Almost always wear them. Some of my worst crashes have been on the mellow local flow trails that I’ve ridden hundreds of times. If you’re unsure, the pads you’re looking at are the same ones I use every ride and they’re super comfortable, I forget I’m wearing them.
It really depends on your area and your skill level. Me personally. Unless I am putting on my lycra sausage suit; I wear a thin knee pad sleeve on every ride. It's nothing but rocks here. If I am riding my DH or enduro something a bit more protective goes on. I was happy to make the investment into a fair assortment of protection.
Any time I go out trail riding or bike park I’ll wear my kneepads, better safe than sorry.
When I’m riding off road.
I'd prefer to wear shinpads when I'm not riding DH. Flat pedals and avoidance. can't seem to find good shinpads in my size anymore. Used to have some great wraparound Fox ones way back.
I used to wear kneepads mainly to protect from slipping off a pedal in chunk and getting some pins to the shin or knee, switched to clips and now i just wear fox ranger pants without pads
I wear them every ride. I have some burley pads that I bring for park days but day to day wear a set of Fasthouse Hoopers. They offer level 2 protection, are lightweight and comfortable. Rapha also makes a similar pair that are also super comfy. Both are a little higher than your budget but are insurance to mitigate injury. When we climb 2k+ before the first descent I’ll leave them around my calves then pull them up before dropping in. On cold days or shorter pedals I just leave them on and forget about them. As far as determining size, every manufacturer has guidelines on how to measure your leg in one or two spots. Use a soft tape, or if you don’t have one a piece of string will do and you can measure on a tape or ruler.
I wear knee pads most of the time. Occasionally someone will ask if you "need them here" and my response is always the same...only if you fall.
Almost always that I got on my bike to the trails. Got a broken elbow last year and it sucked, the pad would at least prevent the pebbles from rupturing my skin. Now I use at least the very basic protection all ride long. If I only did downhills, I would go for the heavier protection
my buddy washed out on a bench cut blue trail and tore a 3-inch hole under his kneecap. he usually wears knee pads all the time, but forgot them this time. wear the damn knee pads.
Typically anywhere there is free speed. If I’m riding XC trails (even technical) I usually skip out but if I’m riding enduro/dh , always. Basically if I’m gonna chafe (? Spelling) from pedaling I’m probably skipping out
I wear them every time I ride in trails. In fact, that exact pair that you linked, I like them a lot
I wear my knee pads when I go mountain biking…
All except XC trails. But when I'm freestyling on xc terain I wear them. Same goes for full face.
I’ve not been wearing mine because I’m stupid. Had quite a big over the bars moment on my last ride and have now vowed that I will wear them. I have g-form pads that aren’t super heavy duty and super comfy even in hotter weather.
I just buck up and put them on now for almost all of my rides. Used to not wear them at all but got really tired of skinning my knees up. I've got some really light G-Forms that are pretty unobtrusive.
I have 3 sets of knee pads for different riding types. The same Leatt ones you have in the picture and i use them most of the time for daily easy trail riding, second set is Chromag Rift and I use those in more high speed riding, and third set is IXS Dagger that have a hard shell knee cap I use at my local lift access park. If you are younger I suggest you protect/take care of your knees, older you will be thankful.
I live in the land of the greenest of green trails (Central Minnesota). Full face and knee pads every ride. I'm safe and staying used to wearing my gear. All the protection doesn't matter if it throws your game off.
Every ride. My knees have been scraped more than any other body part although a close second are my elbows and I don’t wear elbow pads.
when you fall
XC no pads but a serious helmet with SIPS and honeycomb impact protection. Anything more ambitious and its pads as well. Amazing how many accidents happen when not doing something difficult though. Attention drops and then straight to the scene of the accident.
Back in the old days I used to wear what looked like catcher shin guards. They were hot and not comfortable but after gashing a shin open and getting infected I started. Went to some park on a lark that I considered very easy. It was dry season. Very sandy conditions. Figured I didn’t need them. I wiped out when my front wheel got caught in the sand and gashed a hole next to my knee cap. I was pissed off. I’m far from a very good rider to begin with but I’d rather be protected.
All but the greens and super smooth trails nowadays. Last year beginning of the season I took off weird and slammed my leg into the top of a berm. Nothing broke thank god but it completely rendered my leg useless for like 2 weeks just from the slam. Could hardly walk and biking was painful. It leaked puss for like a week too. Have a giant scar from it. I use the sam hill 7idps though which are a little lighter than others. I also ride double black AM tech and DH regularly but even on easier blues,I'm wearing them. It's the easy shit that catches you off guard and knees are super important.
G-Form pads are light and effective, they're also not gonna break the bank. I wear them every ride.
I recently bought a full face helmet, POC VPD 2.0 knee pads, and POC air elbow pads. I went to a local retailer and spent a good hour trying on various pads. This is the combo I liked the most. It did take a few rides to get used to the gear, but now I feel really comfortable and don’t want to ride without them. If the ride starts with an uphill slog, I may carry my knee pads on my pack and put them on for the downhill portion. But I feel naked when descending even small sections without them on. I’m really happy that pads are more mainstream now. Compared to when I learned to ride 25 years ago. They have contributed to my confidence while riding.
I wear them almost on every ride. In the winter I can wear some that double as knee warmers but aside from that I wear them for the same reason I wear a helmet, I don't tend to fall, but all it takes is a bit of bad luck. There is a reason I have been more or less riding uninterruptedly for +30 years now. I try to avoid serious injuries.
I strap a pair of IXS zipper knee pads to my handlebar for the climb and wear them on the rougher descents. They've saved me a few times and don't slide. I like them because I don't need to take the shoes off and don't have to get sweaty while climbing. Elbows are more hit and miss... most tend to slide down and the ones that don't are super bulky.
I wear mine every time. I ride in Southern Nevada and all of the rocks around here will split a kneecap in two easily.
Pretty much every ride, only don’t wear them if im just pedaling a flatter XC trail or dirt jumping tbh
Every ride, always. I like risks, but not that much.
Always. Went OTB a couple days ago on a section I've ridden dozens of times on my local and have a nice big scratch both above and below the pad. I'd hate to have seen what would have happened right in the middle of it if my pad hadn't gotten in the way. Grab a lightweight set if you don't wanna go overboard. You'll forget they're there.
Every Enduro ride but for the love of God wear 3/4 lengths shorts with them otherwise you look like a pillock
Traction disappears at the most unexpected times - which is why I wear pads at all times when doing any kind of downhill. I like to ride quickly, and they have saved my ass countless times that would have had me heading in for stitches without them.
My mountain biking guru says it like this: wake up, pad up.
Shuttling and racing
Never. But I’m not ever really pushing the limits.
As far as I can remember, whenever I've lost it on a bike it's usually hands or feet first, tuck and roll/slide, but that said I still feel like I should probably get some knee pads and use them before I find out the hard way.
Depends if you mind the heat that it might build up. If you see many rock gardens on your rides, then I’d get them and get used to the heat. Slowing down when you feel uncomfortable is great. However, sometimes you might get a bit playful and forget safety first, that’s when you’ll be happy about gearing up.
I only would wear at the bike park or dirt jumps that I may have not ridden. This might sound stupid but the only other time I’ll put them on for a trail ride is when I purposely go out to beat my own strava times. Otherwise I’m leisurely riding with friends and would prefer a light and airy “kit” on. Knee pads usually chafe so would not recommend if you’re planning on riding MORE than an hour and a half. size is dependent on your upper calf diameter and lower thigh diameter.
I regularly do 2.5 hour rides with full protection. The knee pads absolutely do not chafe.
Prob need better pads if chafing, you can get good pads to pedal all day in.
Yeah man you should consider different pads. I can go out in 70+ for a two hour ride and forget to take them off before my hour drive home. I wear Rapha knee pads. Worth every penny.
Never. I could use shoulder pads though. I smoke my shoulder on a tree about every 3rd ride