The 10 Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads of 2022
By: Jon Kennedy: Bike Buyer | May 13, 2022
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.
7iDP Sam Hill Knee Pads
The 7iDP Sam Hill Knee Pads are the pro model pads for World Enduro Series Champion Sam Hill. These hard hittin' enduro specific pads are designed to offer maximal protection on the downhill and stay out of the way on the up. They have mesh fabric for breathability, plenty of padding, and gripper elastic on both the inside and the outside so the sleeve stays put on your leg and your shorts stay put on the sleeve. The 7iDP Sam Hills are equally at home in the bike park or on long pedally rides.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $89.99 | Foam+plastic | Enduro/DH |
Dakine Slayer Knee Pads
The Dakine Slayer Knee Pads emphasize breathability and comfort without compromising protection where it counts, achieving the perfect balance of lightweight mobility and impeccable, certified knee protection. The Slayer is a great do-it-all pad. Light enough for all day pedals, but with plenty of protection for bigger features.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $89.99 | DK Impact Polyurethane Foam | Trail/Enduro |
Dakine Slayer Knee Sleeves
Slip on the Dakine Slayer Knee Sleeves when you want sufficient knee protection without sacrificing freedom of movement. These are Dakine's lightest, most low profile knee pads. These are some of the most pedal-friendly knee pads on this list, perfect for XC and trail riders who want a little extra protection.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $74.95 | DK Impact Polyurethane Foam | XC/Trail |
Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves
Ultralight and low profile, the Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves are easy to pedal in while their moisture-wicking fabric and open stretch mesh at the back of knee provide uncompromising breathability. No annoying straps or scratchy velcro!
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $59.95 | Impact Absorbing Foam | Trail/Enduro |
Fox Launch Pro D3O Knee Guards
Protect what's important with the Fox Launch Pro D3O Knee Guards. Combining a breathable, hypoallergenic Ariaprene™ neoprene primary with dual-level impact protection and anatomically designed paneling, the Fox Launch Pro D3O Knee Guards offer premium performance for hard charging riders. The Launch Pro’s hard plastic shell means that they offer maximum protection in a package that’s still reasonably light and comfortable.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $139.95 | D30 insert and hard plastic shell | Enduro/DH |
G-Form Pro-X3 Knee Guards
The most comfortable pads you're likely to pedal in, the G-Form Pro-X3 Knee Guards are the low-profile, high-protection favorites of many riders. They're thin enough to wear under long pants but protective enough for the heaviest enduros. With breathable pads like these, there are zero reasons not to wear something over your knees. G-Form does a remarkable job of creating pads that protect you without even feeling like you’re wearing something extra.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $64.99 | SmartFlex | Trail/Enduro |
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. The VPD Airs are lightweight and comfortable, but still offer plenty of protection.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $80 | VPD Air | XC/Trail |
POC VPD Air Fabio Edition Knee Guards
POC VPD Air Fabio Edition Knee Guards are low-pro enough to fit under long pants, but they sport Fabio's signature so superfans may want to opt for shorts. VPD Air padding is flexible and lightweight, perfect for pedaling, but it'll firm up instantly should you find yourself smacking into something hard. Playing it safe never looked so rad! All of the comfort and protection of the regular VPD Airs, with a special signature colorway.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $80 | VPD Air | XC / Trail |
Troy Lee Designs Stage Knee Guards
The Troy Lee Designs Stage Knee Guards will fit under riding pants, so there's no problem with shorts. They're soft and flexible enough that you can pedal all day in them, but their D3O® inserts will magically firm up to absorb impacts if you should happen to bail. Knee protection for anyone from trail riders to park rats, these are essential. The Stage is a great choice for enduro racing or just casual rides on consequential trails.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $79 | D30 Insert | Enduro |
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. The Knee Sleeves are a nice balance between a full on knee pad and a regular cycling leg warmer.
| Original Price | Pad Type | Recommended Use |
| $54 | D30 | XC |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
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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.
Jon Kennedy
Jon is a Bike Buyer and joined evo in 2015 to help launch the category. He has a long tenure in the bike industry bringing over 20 years of experience.
Jon was formerly the Marketing Manager for Diamondback bikes and was the Executive Director for the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance prior to that. His broad experience in the bike industry from the brand, advocacy and retail side has contributed to a well-rounded understanding of trends, needs and opportunities.
Jon grew up in the Seattle area and currently resides there with his wife Ilana, kids Erez and Lilah, and his Boston Terrier Marley. He is a daily rider packing countless miles in every year, loves all disciplines, and simply considers himself a cyclist… a title he embraces with great passion.