Best list of knee pads 2025

After a helmet, knee pads are an essential accessory for mountain bikers who ride on challenging trails and rough terrain. In a fall, the knee is the body part most frequently affected when there is involuntary contact with the ground. This is an important reason to protect it, as injuries to the knee joint can be long-lasting. Thanks to the latest technologies, knee pads are not only more comfortable to wear these days, they also look really stylish. When choosing knee pads, you should consider a few important requirements and standards.

Requirements for knee pads

1. Protective function: Knee pads must be able to protect the knee from shocks, impacts and abrasion.

2. Freedom of movement: A good knee pad should not restrict freedom of movement.

3. Breathability: Since mountain biking involves intense physical exertion, knee pads should use breathable materials.

4.Fit and comfort: The knee pads should fit well without slipping.

5. Robustness: They should be made of robust materials that are both shock-absorbing and abrasion-resistant.

Standards for knee pads

In Europe, there are specific standards that establish safety standards for protective equipment. The most relevant standard for knee pads is EN 1621-1, which defines the protective effectiveness of protective equipment for knee protection. This standard specifies how much energy a knee pad must absorb to effectively protect the wearer. It is divided into two levels. At Level 1, the maximum residual energy transferred to the body must not exceed 35 kN (kilonewtons). At Level 2, the maximum permissible limit is 20 kN. Accordingly, Level 2 knee pads offer greater protection than Level 1 protectors.

 

In our test series, we will test and evaluate all protectors according to the above-mentioned requirements. We will also give you tips on which applications they are best suited for.

 

Here you can find our individual test reports:

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