Wearing proper protection when you are riding is important. From choosing the right helmet to picking the correct boots, preventing injuries before they happen makes sense. So that’s why we are big fans of the Leatt Dual Axis Knee and Shin Guards.
BRACES OR PADS?
OK when deciding on knee protection there are two ways to go. If you are racing motocross then there’s a lot to be said for choosing the all-encompassing protection of knee braces. Modern motocross boots have become so rigid that ankle injuries are rare, but ineveitably if you twist your foot in a fall, that movement has to go somewhere. So if your ankle can’t twist you knee may well do, and that’s when ACL or MCL tendons go ping and you enter a world of pain and slow recovery.
But for trail riders, the confines and protection of braces may feel a bit excessive, and that’s when knee pads come in. Now again, some riders may rely on padding within their riding trousers, but as these don’t necessarily stay in the correct place in a fall, we prefer to go for pads that strap directly to your legs and will still be there if you head for the ground.
THE DESIGN
So the design of the Leatt Knee pads is unlike anything else on the market. There are three hard components – the shin guard, the knee cover and the upper leg guard. These components are joined together with axis points on either sides of the knee, allowing the protection to stay in place at all times while still maintaining full movement.
On the inner side of the Leatt guards there is soft protection that goes up against your legs or legging to cushion the guard and offer further protection from impact. The soft protection is made with 3DF Air Fit Foam
The outer plastic components have vent holes in to allow air in, but in reality once they are under your riding trousers then there’s not too much air getting in! All padding, both inner and outer is CE tested
The pads are held in place by three adjustable padded straps that click in place very securely, and because the shin guard is suitably slim, the guards fit under riding boots well.
ON THE TRAILS
So we’ve been using the Leatt pads out on the trails for over two years now and can confirm that they are without doubt the best knee pads we’ve ever used.
The attachment system is very secure but because there are three straps, they don’t end up feeling tight on your lower or upper legs. The articulation on the sides of the knee ensure the pad does not restrict movement or affect your riding, but keeps the pad in the correct place.
We’ve had a range of falls and spills while wearing these pads and thankfully have had no knee injuries to report. OK so this might not be the most scientific of tests, but we are not about to voluntarily throw ourselves knee-first onto rocks to test them – Leatt have done the research so that works fine for us!
COMFORT
APPEARANCE
The Leatt guards are confortable to wear all day and more. The longest we’ve had them on for is 36 hours and they still were not rubbing, but we do wear leggings under them.
This is a bi of an odd category as once they are on you can’;t really see them. But either way, the Leatt pads look great in a kind of Stormtrooper type way and that’s always cool
VALUE
DURABILITY
OK so the pads drop doen on the scores simply because at arounf £80 they are expensive for a knee pad. However given the protection they offerthey make up for it in spades
We wear these knee pads every time we go off road. They’s been to Cambodia, South Africa, Laos, America and Vietnam and they show little signs of wear other than picking up some dye from riding trousers
RIDE EXPEDITIONS RATING: LEATT DUAL AXIS KNEE AND SHIN PADS
We love the Leatt Dual Axis Knee and Shin pads and rate them very highly. Whether you ride a lot or a little on adventure bikes or trail bikes you want comfortable and reliable protection and they offer just that. Thoroughly recommended.
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This post first appeared on Cambodia Motorcycle Tours | Ride Cambodia, please read the originial post: here
