The 4 Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads of 2025

Best Overall Mountain Bike Knee Pads

Fox Racing Launch D3O

Weight (per pair): 445 grams | Safety Certifications: CE EN 1621-1

Once we began testing, the Fox Racing Launch D3O quickly became a favorite of our test class. These pads are well-designed, offer a dialed fit, and the comfort levels are outstanding. They use pliable D3O padding that is comfortable and soft during regular wear and then firms up upon impact. These pads offer lots of protection and are a great choice for riders who frequently ride aggressive terrain or have a tendency to crash with some regularity. Despite the high level of protection, the Launch 3O still allows for decent pedaling capability. They are clearly not the best option for long, pedal-heavy rides, but still function nicely for an average 1-2.5 hour endeavor. We recommend these pads for trail, all-mountain, and enduro riders seeking serious knee protection without sacrificing comfort.

These pads are certainly on the heavier and bulkier end of the spectrum and can get toasty when the mercury rises. Folks riding in hot climates may want to consider our other options with better airflow and thinner materials. Also, given the relative bulk, they simply can't offer the same pedal-friendliness as some of the lighter-duty options we tested.

Read more: Fox Racing Launch D3O review

Best for Downhill Riding

Fox Racing Launch Pro D3O

Weight (per pair):410 grams | Safety Certifications:EN1621-1:2012

The Fox Racing Launch D3O Pro are dialed knee pads that are a fantastic option for bike park laps and downhill riding. These protective pads use a large patch of soft and plush D3O padding that hardens upon impact. In addition, there is a hardshell protective cap on the front of the knee cap that will help these pads survive multiple crashes without tearing. The attribute that we loved the most about the Launch D3O Pro is the outstanding protection levels while retaining a reasonably sleek profile. The fit is incredible, and while these pads are definitely warm, they are ultra-comfortable and could be worn all day when riding the lifts or shuttle truck.

These pads target a certain kind of mountain biker…the gravity fiend. They are well-suited for park laps and shuttle-powered shenanigans. As a result, they are not a good choice for daily trail riding or riders looking for pads with which to do substantial amounts of climbing. They aren't restrictive or irritating when turning the pedals, they are simply too bulky and warm for such riding styles. That being said, all heavy-duty knee pads will inherently be warm.

Read more: Fox Racing Launch D3O Pro review

Best Blend of Protection and Pedal-Friendliness

Leatt Airflex Pro

Weight (per pair): 256 grams | Safety Certifications: CE EN 1621-1

The Leatt Airflex Pro offers a brilliant combination of protection and pedal-friendliness, giving you a knee pad that is comfortable in a lot of on-trail situations. They have enough armor to be worn at a bike park or ripping shuttle laps, but they can just as easily embark on a 30-mile trail ride. The protection is strategically placed and has a pliable main armor patch made out of 3D-molded silicone. Auxiliary foam padding is situated on both sides of the knee and in the center above the knee cap. They are also impressively comfortable, stay in place well, and don't chafe or irritate the skin over the course of a long ride. Additionally, they are on the lighter side of the spectrum and reasonably priced.

As previously mentioned, we love the versatility these pads offer. However, some riders may point out that a set of knee pads that can do everything doesn't stand out as extremely impressive in any one area. These pads don't pedal quite as well as some of the lighter, thinner options, and they can't match the protection of some of the beefiest models. If protection is your top priority, check out the 7iDP Project Knee. Although heavy, this aggressive model may be precisely what you need. Lastly, we found the Airflex Pro didn't breathe particularly well during testing, which might be an important factor for those in hot climates. Aside from that, we feel the Airflex Pro provides an excellent combination of protection, pedal-friendliness, and comfort.

Read more: Leatt Airflex Pro review

Another Great Mid-Duty Knee Pad

Leatt Airflex Hybrid

Weight (per pair): 363 grams | Safety Certifications: EN 1621-1

The Leatt Airflex Hybrid earned high honors for an excellent combination of moderate protection, comfort, and pedal-friendliness. A huge number of riders have no desire to push the limits of speed or to ride gnarly trails. For every enduro bro trying to KOM a rowdy downhill, there are five casual riders who just want to get out on the trails and have a fun rip. That's where the Leatt Airlex Hybrid pads come in. They offer enough protection to feel like they are substantial without being overly bulky and cumbersome. They are low-profile, comfortable, and offer adequate protection for most trail and all-mountain riding. The fit is fantastic, and they are quite pleasant while pedaling. They are more protective than the super minimalist models while being on the slender side of the mid-duty pads.

For trail and all-mountain riders, these pads are a solid option. That said, our testing revealed they don't provide the level of protection we feel is necessary for full-on gravity riding. If you ride lifts with your downhill bike and really like to push the envelope of speed and aggression, there are better options for bombing it on the downhill, like the protective Fox Racing Launch D3O Pro. Finally, we have concerns about the longevity of the knit fabric that comprises the sleeve of the Airflex Hybrid. Still, these are a great choice for any rider searching for a sensible set of knee pads for everyday riding.

Read more: Leatt Airflex Hybrid review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	82	Fox Racing Launch D3O Best Overall Mountain Bike Knee Pads	$95
	81	Fox Racing Launch Pro D3O Best for Downhill Riding	$150
	80	Leatt Airflex Pro Best Blend of Protection and Pedal-Friendliness	$100
	78	7iDP Sam Hill	$95
	78	IXS Carve Evo+	$119
	78	Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard	$139
	77	Leatt Airflex Hybrid Another Great Mid-Duty Knee Pad	$120
	76	100% Surpass	$139
	76	POC Joint VPD System	$160
	75	7iDP Project Knee	$130
	73	Endura MT500 Hard Shell Knee Pads	$125
	72	Fox Racing Enduro Knee Sleeve	$85
	71	POC Oseus VPD Knee	$150
	70	Alpinestars Paragon Plus Knee Protector	$63
	70	G-Form Pro-X2	$75
	70	Troy Lee Designs Triad	$115
	67	Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeve	$59

How We Tested

Our testers are addicted to mountain biking and finding the best gear for the job is one of our top priorities. As a result, we are constantly on the lookout for the best new mountain bike knee pads. Our test class includes a wide range of models and manufacturers. Our selection includes big, burly knee pads designed to send it and go fast, as well as super light, minimalist models that prioritize pedal friendliness. We rated our tested pads on five metrics: protection, fit and comfort, pedal-friendliness, ventilation and breathability, and durability. We put them through the test riding on various types of terrain, from the technical to the casual, on both long and short rides alike. We took note of their comfort, the degree of protection offered, the amount of ventilation, and overall construction. The combined scores from our ratings help us determine our award winners and top recommendations.

Our rating metrics for mountain bike knee pads are weighted as follows:

• Protection (30% of overall score weighting)

• Fit and Comfort (20% weighting)

• Pedal Friendliness (20% weighting)

• Ventilation and Breathability (20% weighting)

• Durability (10% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

Our lead mountain bike knee pad tester is Pat Donahue. This Central Washington resident is an industry veteran and is closing in on two decades of mountain biking experience in a variety of disciplines. Pat was formerly the Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor for OutdoorGearLab. He has a particularly strong appetite for rough and steep trails making him the perfect candidate to test knee pads. Also, he has plenty of experience crashing on those rough and steep trails, which only makes him a great fit for the job. Pat was assisted by another former Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor Jeremy Benson. Benson has been riding mountain bikes for nearly three decades and has taken his fair share of crashes in that time. He has an extensive collection of scars, and these days he chooses to protect his knees with quality knee pads. As a lover of long rides, Benson prioritizes pedal-friendliness, breathability, and comfort in the pads he chooses.

Analysis and Test Results

Our testers spent years riding with these knee pads over all sorts of terrain. We carefully analyzed each pad as it relates to our scoring metrics to help you find the best option for your riding style and budget. Read on to learn which models performed best in each of our targeted metrics.

What's the Best Value?

We don't judge products based on their price, but we are always in search of the best value. Sometimes a high price correlates to higher quality and performance. A prime example is the POC Joint VPD System pads. They are the most expensive pads in our test but also deliver very high comfort levels. The Fox Racing Launch D3O lands in the middle of the pack in terms of price and offers excellent performance — making them a particularly strong value. The Leatt Airflex Pro is the most well-rounded model in our review and they are competitively priced.

Protection

Mountain bikers wear knee pads to protect themselves in the inevitable event of a crash. New riders and those pushing their limits in aggressive terrain are typically more likely to crash and may benefit from more protective mountain bike knee pads. Experienced trail riders and those who don't crash often may prefer something more minimal like a mid or light-duty model. Obviously, protection is a critical metric when evaluating knee pads. Protection levels are worth 30% of our overall scores.

We did not attempt to intentionally crash to test the protective properties of our test knee pads. Instead, we spent a ludicrous amount of time wearing each pair and painstakingly evaluating the quality, thickness, and placement of the armor. Some pads use armor that is loaded with technical features and design; others take a more straightforward approach.

The 7iDP Project Knee is a top performer in this metric. If you are seeking a knee pad that prioritizes protection above all else, these pads are for you. They feature a long sleeve built from a tightly knit and durable fabric. There is a main armor patch on top of the knee cap that is thick and substantial while also being quite flexible. On the exterior of the knee pad, there is a harder plastic patch that adds a layer of protection and allows the pad to slide over surfaces in the event of a crash. The Project Knee also offers some secondary protection that runs around the perimeter of the main armor patch, a great feature for all of those times when you don't crash directly on the front of your knee. Given all of this protection and burly construction, these pads don't breathe very well and aren't nearly as pedal-friendly as lighter-weight and less protective options, but they sure will help preserve your precious knees.

The 100% Surpass is another highly protective knee pad. They have a hard-plastic armor plate that is a decent size with auxiliary padding placed around this area and around the inside and outside of the knee. In addition, there is foam padding above the kneecap to protect against your knees being smashed into the handlebars. The majority of the armor is coated with either plastic or rubber to help the pads survive crashes without major rips or tears. The Troy Lee Designs Triad also delivers absolutely top-notch protection levels, but they sacrifice any semblance of pedal-friendliness in the process.

Despite giving up a small amount of protection to the 100% Surpass and 7IDP Project Knee, the Fox Racing Launch Pro D3O is a great choice for downhill riding. Fox was able to deliver very good protection with an outstanding fit and tremendous comfort levels in a relatively slender package. They used dialed D3O padding that hardens upon impact with a removable hardshell protective cap on the knee cap that should help these pads withstand the test of time. The blend of great protection with an even better fit makes these pads the set we will reach for every single time we head to the bike park.

The second tier of protection is occupied by a couple of high-end knee pads. The Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard offers very impressive levels of protection in a bit of a sleeker package. The padding is soft and extremely comfortable but hardens upon impact. Auxiliary padding runs down the inside and outside of the main armor patch to protect these vulnerable areas. The Raid pads have a bit less padded surface area compared to the most protective options in this review but are still plenty beefy for bike park days or burly shuttle laps. The Fox Racing Launch D3O are very similar but offer just a touch less protective padding in the knee cap. The IXS Carve Evo+ and Endura MT500 Hard Shell Knee Pads both deserve an honorable mention here. They both offer similar levels of protection as the Fox Racing Launch D3O and Troy Lee Designs Raid.

The Leatt Airflex Pro also posts an excellent score in terms of protection. For how versatile they are, the protection levels are quite impressive. That is a very high compliment. The POC Oseus VPD Knee is worth noting as a great aggressive trail riding knee pad. They feel a bit more bulky and restrictive compared to the Leatt Airflex Pro, but the protection levels are very solid.

If the idea of sleek and pedal-friendly knee pads is appealing to you, the Leatt Airflex Hybrid delivers more protection than the ultra-light options. The Airflex Hybrid delivers a bit of enhanced protection while remaining sleek, low-profile, and reasonably light. Light and minimal pads like the Fox Racing Enduro Knee Sleeve simply can't stand up in this category. These pads are designed to maximize pedal-friendliness and comfort with just a little protection for minor crashes.

Fit and Comfort

Every mountain biker wants a comfortable knee pad that fits well. A well-designed fit and a high comfort level are both critical when searching for the perfect pad. Some pads may have nice protective features, but if they can't deliver a quality fit and pleasant feel, you won't want to wear them. Determining our scores for this metric was quite simple. We just wore these pads often and for long periods. We rode as much as we could in each set, but we also wore them while writing and editing this review, while cooking dinner, and while walking the dog. All of this to root out any quirks that may rear their ugly heads.

We had a few standout performers in our fit and comfort tests. The Fox Racing Launch D3O delivers a dialed, plush, and precise fit. The knee sleeve is perfectly articulated and feels very natural. Considering their level of protection, the D3O padding is exceptionally plush and strikingly pleasant against the knee throughout the pedal stroke. The fit is precise and consistent, and there is no excess material or unnatural pressure points. Our testers agree they are nearly perfect. Unsurprisingly, the Fox Racing Launch D3O Pro pads deliver nearly identical comfort levels. The Launch D3O and the Launch D3O Pro are essentially the same pads, except the Pro version features a hardshell knee cap plate.

The POC Joint VPD System is a top performer in this metric. These pads make their money off of a plush fit. If you want your knee pads to feel pillowy and soft at all times, these are a great option. The all-fabric construction avoids any plastic or rubber that could irritate the skin. The comfort level and dialed fit are met with a slightly shorter overall sleeve length.

The Leatt Airflex Hybrid has a fit that we would describe as extremely precise. Yes, the materials are exceptionally comfortable against the leg, but the precision of the fit is excellent. Despite the length of the sleeve, the design is well-executed, and there are no pinch points or deviations in snugness.

The Fox Racing Enduro Knee Sleeve is another exceptionally comfortable pad. Just keep in mind that these minimalist pads offer very, very little protection. As a result, there is no clumsy armor interfering with comfort levels, but you put yourself at more risk. The soft and simple armor patch feels great against the knee, while the simple sleeve conforms well to the leg and doesn't move around when pedaling. The Enduro is the second lightest set of pads in our test, coming in at 99 grams per leg and 198 grams for the pair.

The Leatt Airflex Pro delivers a quality fit and solid comfort levels despite having more protective bulk compared to a model like the Enduro Knee Sleeve. These pads are clearly well-designed and well-executed. The pads stay in place, and they are pleasant on small-to-mid-sized rides. The 7iDP Project Knee is another option with a well-sorted fit. Given the obvious heft of these beefy, award-winning pads, they are toasty. That said, they are impressively comfortable, considering the level of protection they offer.

Pedal Friendliness

Pedal-friendliness is another critical metric. A knee pad can have all of the protection in the world, but if they are not pedal-friendly, they may be relatively useless for some riders. Of course, this metric is all relative, and making an educated purchase decision hinges on the most sensible combination of protection and pedal-friendliness that suits your riding style.

To determine the scores for pedal-friendliness, we simply pedaled — a lot. We wore each of these pads on multiple long climbs, short sprints, and casual meanders. While it is immediately apparent which knee pads are the most pedal-friendly, it is essential to put in the time on longer rides to see if any subtleties emerge or if they begin to irritate you a couple of hours in.

It shouldn't come as a huge surprise that some of the very simple, sleek, and lightweight knee pads scored very well in this metric. The Fox Racing Enduro Knee Sleeve and the Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeve also posted high scores in terms of pedal-friendliness. These minimalist options are about as close as you can get to feeling like you are not wearing knee pads at all. The pedal motion while wearing these pads is significantly better than any other pads in our test.

While the aforementioned minimalist options offer high levels of pedal-friendliness, they aren't very protective. The Leatt Airflex Hybrid also provides a high level of pedal-friendliness while delivering a bit more protection. These knee pads strike a nice balance of real protection while still prioritizing an unrestricted pedal stroke. If you like the sound of the ultra-minimalist knee pads but think you need a bit more protection, these pads are an excellent choice.

The POC Joint VPD System Knee is reasonably pedal-friendly with mid-duty protection. These pads are plenty protective for the majority of riders without feeling excessively bulky.

The Leatt Airflex Pro pads deliver the absolute best blend of pedal-friendliness and protection. They can't match the breezy pedaling feel of the flimsy, lightweight pads, but they deliver far more protection. That said, they probably wouldn't be our first choice for an all-day backcountry epic, though they could certainly pull it off.

Ventilation and Breathability

Riding in the summer can be a toasty endeavor, with Southwest or Southern California riders seeing temperatures well into the triple digits. Riders on the East Coast will see warm temperatures with suffocating humidity. Nobody wants to wear hot and clammy knee pads while suffering through a mid-summer ride.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the lightest and simplest pads also deliver the best ventilation. This is quite logical: less material = cooler knee pads. The Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeve, Fox Racing Enduro Knee Sleeve, and Alpinestars Paragon Plus deliver the best ventilation and airflow. The absence of any hard or semi-hard plastic works in their favor in this regard. When you are charging down a trail at speed, you can feel a bit of air penetrate the armor and pass through to the knee as it only needs to pass through a thin, soft piece of foam. These pads still aren't exactly cool, but they do offer the best airflow.

The Leatt Airflex Hybrid have a long sleeve and more robust armor compared to the ultra-light minimalist options. That said, they are still relatively slender pads and promote solid airflow. The 7iDP Sam Hill are even more protective while still retaining above-average ventilation. The Sam Hill Pads use a very thin sleeve material that allows air to pass through and moisture to escape. The sleeve is very long, but the material is exceptionally cool and comfortable.

The Leatt Airflex Pro and Fox Racing Launch D3O also fare decently here. While both are warmer and less ventilated than a featherweight, minimalist option, they deliver a good balance of protection, ventilation, pedal-friendliness, durability, and fit/comfort. The Airflex has a MoistureCool panel of light mesh in the rear of the pad that allows heat to escape, and both have cutouts on the back of the knee.

Durability

While mountain bike knee pads are a significantly smaller purchase compared to a bicycle or a wheelset, they still require you to drop some of your hard-earned cash. Nobody wants to spend money on a pair of knee pads that will be torn to shreds after one crash or start to have threads unravel within a month or two of ownership. Durability is only worth 10% of our final score, yet we feel it is an important metric worth considering.

We didn't crash in every single pair of knee pads, so we can't objectively and accurately discuss how each set of pads reacts in the event of a crash. We can, however, carefully evaluate the construction and layout of each model based on decades of riding and crashing experience and comment on our perception of how they will survive the rigors of mountain biking.

The 100% Surpass is a clear standout in this metric. If you think you may be hitting the deck here and there, these pads will likely have the longest lifespan since the majority of the padding is armored with plastic or rubber material. This helps them resist ripping to shreds if you crash and slide across the earth. Pads with all-fabric construction will get shredded far more easily.

The Fox Racing Launch D3O Pro has a hardshell armor plate on the knee cap. This is an area likely to see an impact or ten over the lifetime of the knee pads. The hardshell armor plate will help survive these crashes without tearing or ripping.

Construction quality is a crucial consideration with regard to durability. The 7iDP Project Knee pads are built to last. They use a burly, knit construction with a heavy-duty material that will resist cutting and tearing far better than most any other pad in our test. Again, the hard, plastic armor plate on the knee cap allows these pads to survive crashes more effectively than pads with fabric-covered knee pads.

The Endura MT500 Hard Shell Knee Pads are ready to rumble. The thick and meaty construction is met with a hard plastic shell at the kneecap.

The IXS Carve Evo+ are rugged. They don't have a hard plastic outer armor plate, but the materials are thick, burly, and mean. From the minute we strapped these bad boys on, they were ready for the gnar. The combination of generous amounts of armor with thick and reinforced regions made these pads stand out.

The Leatt Airflex Pro also features a quality design. The rubberized knee armor should withstand some abuse, while the stitching and seams are relatively well-hidden and burly-looking. The Surpass and Project Knee are by far the best choices for a pad that will survive hard charging for seasons on end, but the Airflex Pro is right up there, too.

The Fox Racing Launch D3O and Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard are excellent and protective knee pads as well. That said, they both have a fabric exterior that could be more prone to ripping in the event of a crash compared to hard-shell designs. If you might be crashing frequently, it could be worth considering a knee pad with a harder exterior.

Conclusion

Navigating the heaps of jargon and technical terms surrounding mountain bike knee pads can be overwhelming. There are a mind-bending amount of options on the market. Between similar marketing copy and similar aesthetics, different pads can start to blend together quickly. It is important to note that there truly are enormous differences between all of the knee pads in our review. The best advice we can offer is to be very honest about your needs and find a pair that best suits your terrain, riding style, and penchant for crashing.