Heavy-duty knee protectors tested: ION K_Pact impresses!
1.6.2016
Translation: machine translated
Sometimes you can't avoid falling off your bike. It's good to wear knee pads at this moment - even better if they also offer good protection. The "Enduro Mountainbike Magazine" has tested a total of 14 lightweight MTB knee pads not only in practice but also in the laboratory. Find out more about the test and the results and see the test winner for yourself now!
What is important for good heavy-duty knee pads?
The perfect knee pad in this category should be comfortable to wear and provide good protection. But ventilation and price also play a role here. In this comparison test, there were several models that scored very well in individual criteria. In the end, however, only one really combined all of the features perfectly: the ION K_Pact, the test winner!
Result: "K_Pact" from ION wins in the test!
1st place
The ION K_Pact has become a real classic in the knee pad segment. In our comparison, it was not only one of the safest models in the lab test, but was also surprisingly comfortable to wear. It is held in place very reliably by two Velcro fasteners and additional silicone applications and its anatomically shaped padding literally clings to the knee. Although this is somewhat at the expense of ventilation, none of the testers found it annoying. Its large pad can be easily removed for washing, which not only protects the protector foam but also all the seams. Thanks to a mesh insert in the hollow of the knee, the K_Pact doesn't cut in, even on longer pedalling stretches. Small foam pads on the side provide additional protection.
- Comfortable to wear ●●●●○
- Fit ●●●●●
- Ventilation ●●●○○
- Protection ●●●●●
2nd place
Thanks to the clever Velcro solution, the knee pad is easy to put on without anything pinching, tweaking or scratching afterwards. The protector sits firmly on the leg and does not slip, even on long descents. The integrated D3O foam pad delivers solid values in the laboratory, which are still far below the residual force permitted by the standard (half force). Once it is on, the fit can be adjusted using two additional Velcro straps. Its terrycloth lining ensures increased comfort. Nevertheless, the knee pad is surprisingly well ventilated and can be worn on the knee for longer periods of time without any problems.
- Comfortable to wear ●●●●○
- Fit ●●●●○
- Ventilation ●●●○○
- Protection ●●●●○
4th place
The iXS Carve Evo has become an integral part of the IXS range. The slightly longer cut knee pad has a very good cushioning X-Matter TM foam protector, which also protects parts of the shin, and foam pads on the side of the knees. Deductions are only made for comfort when pedalling for long periods. A plus: the knee pad is also available in children's sizes, making it ideal for children.
- Comfortable to wear ●●●●○
- Fit ●●●●●
- Ventilation ●●●○○
- Protection ●●●●○
5th place
The name says it all: the O'Neal AMX Zipper Knee III has a zip. This makes it quick and easy to put the protector on. The knee pad, which won the Design & Innovation Award in 2014, has been revised and now features an IPX foam protector, which achieved very good results in the laboratory. However, the knee pad is very bulky, which means that the pad protrudes far from the knee, resulting in a loss of comfort.
- Wearing comfort ●●●○○
- Seat ●●●○○○
- Ventilation ●●●●○
- Protection ●●●●●
6th place
POC has always been synonymous with quality and the Joint VPD 2.0 Knee lives up to this reputation. The elaborately manufactured protector offers very good damping values both in the laboratory and in practice. Its large pad extends around the knee, but is less snug than the competition, which results in a loss of comfort. Thanks to the wide Velcro strap and two rubberised strips on the inside, the knee pad does not slip even at full throttle.
- Comfortable to wear ●●●○○
- Sit ●●●●●
- Ventilation ●●●○○○
- Protection ●●●●●
To the test report from Enduro-Mountainbike-Magazin
Theresa Schieder
Leader Portfolio Development Do-It, Garden & Household
Theresa.Schieder@digitecgalaxus.ch