The 10 Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | June 21, 2023
This list covers several different styles of mountain bike knee pads, knee guards and knee sleeves. There’s everything from hard-shelled DH kneepads to soft and light knee sleeves, designed for long pedals. Knee pad manufacturers continue to innovate, using non-Newtonian materials that are soft and supple while you pedal but harden instantly on impact. This year’s crop of the best MTB knee pads is both more comfortable and protective than ever before. So go tell your crash stories, regale your friends with your slams, but pad up to dissipate the worst brunt of those impacts.
For more on choosing the the best mountain bike knee pads for you please see our mountain bike knee pads guide.
This Year's Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads:
Leatt AirFlex Pro Knee Guards
The knee. It's like the elbow of the leg. It's the point guard of the power climb, the quarterback of the clipless pedals. Well consider the Leatt AirFlex Pro Knee Guards your all-pro offensive line. They're not letting any impact touch your star QB. They're detailed with non-slip silicone in all of the places you don't want to slip, ventilated in all of the places you want to breathe, and most importantly padded and protected in the upper, lower, and sides of the knee.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Super Slim, 3D Molded AirFlex Gel Impact Protection | $99.99 |
Dakine Slayer Knee Sleeves
Slip on the Dakine Slayer Knee Sleeves when you want sufficient knee protection without sacrificing freedom of movemvent. These are Dakine's lightest, most low profile knee pads.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| DK Impact Polyurethane Foam, Polygiene® Odor Control Technology | $75.00 |
Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves
Enjoy featherlight knee protection with the Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves. These sleeves use a silicone gripper to hold 4mm D30R padding inserts for a slimmer, more effective knee guard ideal for riders that want to keep things as fast and light as possible.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| D3O® Padding Insert, 360° Seamless Construction for Comfort, Silicone Gripper Band | $59.99 |
Sweet Protection Light Knee Guards
The Sweet Protection Light Knee Guards give you the reassurance and protection you need to ride hard and continue progressing without having to sacrifice mobility. Made with a lightweight and super breathable, perforated material and 3S™ Visco-elastic padding that is supple but hardens upon impact, the Light Knee Guards are the perfect singletrack protection that won't be cumbersome to pedal in.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Durable Pad Pocket in Front, 3S™ Visco-Elastic | $90.00 |
IXS Carve Evo+ Knee Pads
The IXS Carve Evo+ Knee Pads feature dependable and breathable protection without the use of hard shells. Designed with AeroMesh™ for long, sweaty climbs when slipping off your pads is the last thing on your mind, and Xmatter™ padding to provide high impact absorption. Get sendy with the IXS Carve Evo+ Knee Pads.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| LoopLock™ Closings, AeroMesh™ – Lightweight and anti-bacterial | $115.00 |
Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves
The Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves are designed for riders who want protection on the descent but don't mind pedaling to the top. The lycra-mesh sleeve is flexible and breathable and the D3O® insert moves with you while still providing the coverage you need for the ride down.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Removable D3O® Insert Impact Protection | $84.95 |
Leatt 3DF 6.0 Knee Guards
The knee. It's like the elbow of the leg. It's the point guard of the power climb, the quarterback of the clipless pedals. Well consider the Leatt 3DF 6.0 Knee Guards your all-pro offensive line. They're not letting any impact touch your star QB. They're the burliest Leatt knee protection, detailed with non-slip silicone in all of the places you don't want to slip, ventilated in all of the places you want to breathe, and most importantly super padded and protected in the upper, lower, and sides of the knee.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Pre-curved 3D Design for Better Fit and Function, Silicone Printed, Non-slip Cuffs | $109.99 |
POC Joint VPD Air Knee Guards
The POC Joint VPD Air Knee Guards think that dealing with restricting, bulky knee pads is a violation of your rights. Breathable, enhanced flexibility and neoprene anti-slip will allow you to forget you're even wearing these until you take a spill.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| VPD Air, Light-Duty Knee Protection | $79.95 |
Troy Lee Designs T-Bone Knee Guards
T-Bones are good to have on your side. A friend called T-Bone is the one to call when the stuff's really about to go down, when the consequences of questionable choices are about to show up. Troy Lee Designs T-Bone Knee Guards are that friend. Built to protect your knees when everything goes haywire, these are lightweight, low-profile, and always in place to protect. Just what you're looking for in an all-day kneepad. Thanks, T-Bone!
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Abrasion Resistant Side Padding, Knee Cup | $79.00 |
ION K-Sleeve AMP Knee Sleeves
The ION K-Sleeve AMP Knee Sleeves protect you from scrapes and cuts without slowing you down or swamping you up. The low-profile compression sleeve is super stretchy, stays in place easily, and breathes so well you'll forget it's there once you start going.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| 3D Shaped Compression Fit, No Sew Abrasion Element | $94.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
How to Choose a Mountain Bike
Mountain Bike Sizing and Fit Guide
How to Get Started Mountain Biking
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Wheel Size
Mountain Bike Suspension Basics
Women's Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide
How To Get Started Gravel Biking
Electric Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide
Classes of eBikes
Travel Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
Travel Guides - Where to Ride eBikes
Mountain Bike Cockpit Setup & Seat Height
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Dropper Post
How to Choose Mountain Bike Tires
How to Choose Mountain Bike Handlebars
How to Choose Mountain Bike Pedals
How to Choose Clipless Pedals, Shoes & Cleats
How to Choose a Bike Seat / Saddle
Women's Mountain Bike Gear & Clothing Guide
How to Choose MTB Knee Pads
Bike Helmet Size & Fit Guide
How to Choose Bike Shoes
Shimano Groupset Hierarchy Explained
SRAM Groupset Hierarchy Explained
SRAM vs Shimano Groupsets Compared
What to Bring Mountain Biking
What to Wear Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike Tire Pressure Guide
Mountain Bike Maintenance Schedule
How to Clean a Mountain Bike
How to Change Bike Pedals
How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
How to Replace a Bike Chain
How to Fix Bike Creaks & Noises
The Selection Process:
Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.
