Just as an aside, the EN1621-1 certification allows a residual force of 3.5 tonnes (presumably over any amount of surface area? I couldn't find more info so please let me know what's up). That's still quite a bit. For more information see our full Scott Soldier 2 Knee Guard review. The best mountain bike knee pads: what you need to know How much should I spend on MTB knee pads? Bulkier and more protective pads tend to fasten with Velcro straps. Some riders prefer Velcro closures because they allow precise adjustments and provide an undeniably secure fit. Rapha's move to add a set of knee pads to its blossoming MTB range is quite a departure for a brand that is best known for its road wear. Despite being the brand's first try at any protection, they have managed to develop one of our favorite knee pads on the market.

Running the length of the pad in the rear and extending across the lower front a breathable 4-way stretch mesh maintains airflow for all-day comfort. I took the plunge on these (a very spendy, especially for me, 90€ plunge) after trying a couple of contenders to start with; Other factors such as straps and zippers could impact comfort and fit. Some riders prefer knee pads with straps, while others may prefer minimalistic pads that rely on silicone grippers to stay over the knee area. Cons: These pads rely upon a close compression fit to work properly, and there aren't any straps to make small adjustments. It's critical to get the sizing right with these so you might need to try on a couple of different sizes to find the perfect fit.Johan Hjord - Age: 44 // Years Riding MTB: 12 // Weight: 200-pounds (90.7kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Considering the protection and coverage I think they're perfectly reasonable in terms of how they retain heat. I also like how far along past the knee they extend. The area of coverage is far bigger than many other pedal-ready pads. The supplementary side padding is a welcome appendage, even if it isn't as burly as the main insert. There is around 10 mm of shared overlapped coverage before the padding in the sleeve extends 15 mm further than the outer edge of the harder and stiffer insert.

Parts that have been installed (or damaged while attempting to install) and/or used in any manner will not be accepted for return. My only complaint, is that for me and my bodyshape/type, the pads can start to rub/irritate the outer edge of the knee a touch on longer pedaling days (15-20mi+, with 2000 - 3000ft of climbing). Usually thats not a problem for me, and in the rare instance that it has happened, I've just pulled the pad down around my knees for the rest of the climb. But it is worth noting.