661 Recon Knee Pads - Review

Sep 6, 2016 at 14:02
by Mike Kazimer  
661 Recon Pad Review


661's Recon pads fall into the minimalist category, providing just enough protection to ward off the occasional blow without being overly bulky or cumbersome. That protection is provided by a layer of XRD foam, which hardens upon impact, reducing the amount of force that reaches the knee.

The Recon pads use a simple slip-on design, with an open portion around the back of the knee and perforated mesh panels to help with ventilation. There's no way to adjust the fit, but the silicone grippers found on the elasticized upper and lower cuffs help keep them from sliding down out on the trail. Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Weigh: 158 grams / pair. MSRP: $60.00 USD.




661 Recon Knee Pad Details

• XRD padding
• Slip-on design
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 158 grams (size M)
• MSRP: $60 USD
www.sixsixone.com


661 Recon Pad Review
A layer of XRD's impact-resistant foam covers the knee and upper shin.
661 Recon Pad Review
The mesh backing helps with ventilation, although it can snag on pedal pins.


On the Trail

In the summer time, the hotter it is the more likely I am to go without any knee protection. I know it's not the smartest tactic, since I'm definitely not any less likely to crash, but the thought of having another layer of material over my skin can be hard to stomach. Thankfully, the Recon pads' light weight and well-ventilated design made it much more likely that I'd put them on for even the hottest rides of the year.

The fit was extremely comfortable, on par with a set of knee warmers (but without the unwanted warmth), and after more than five months of regular use the upper and lower cuffs still have plenty of elasticity left to them. There are a few small rips on the mesh back where pernicious pedal pins poked through, but they're really nothing to worry about, and all of the other seams are holding tough.

Crashing is something I try to avoid at all costs, but it's an inevitable part of mountain biking, and other than the usual knee vs. stem or frame impacts, I had two decent-sized spills while wearing the Recon pads, the kind where my bike went one way and my body the other. In both cases the pads did their job, and in fact exceeded my expectations with how much of the impact they absorbed. Hitting the ground still hurt, but I'm certain my knees would have been much more battered and bruised had I decided to leave the Recons at home.



Pinkbike's Take
bigquotesFor riders looking for a comfortable, low-profile knee pad that offers actual impact protection, 661's Recon pads fit the bill. - Mike Kazimer




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Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

50 Comments
  • 27 2
 I recon these are dakine to get
  • 10 1
 I duct tape bubble wrap around my knee, never had a problem and I only hurts when I take it off. Doesn't slip, no need to remove your shoes to put it on and it's open back or closed you choose. Also better than nothing.
  • 6 0
 Plus you have something to pop on the lift
  • 4 0
 @twozerosix: plenty o zits for that
  • 8 1
 I tried them in size L and XL. L wouldn't even go past my calves. XL then wouldn't go over my knees. Really odd shape overall and the sizing chart is rubbish. Definitely try before you buy!
  • 2 0
 I have never had luck with 661, I ordered a pair in small for my wife a few years back and they were too big for me...and I wear large in Leatt.
  • 11 3
 I kneed these
  • 12 2
 I'm hoping they would protect me from bad puns
  • 11 2
 I lycra what you did there..
  • 6 0
 It's a bit of a shame there is so much padding between our pun thread and the top, seems without silicone grippers it's slipped down...
  • 1 0
 @Callum-H: I recon you are right about that.
  • 1 0
 @GeeHad: I thought of 661 different answers and didn't see that one coming!
  • 4 0
 Bought these and sent them back. Sizing is way off. XL only just barely got over my knee but was so tight it was painful. Made my thighs look like link sausages. The back of knee strap was annoying too. I'm 6'2" 200lbs fwiw.
  • 9 1
 so what you're saying is you're not the stick figure in the picture?
  • 3 0
 @dtax: Most definitely not a stick figure ;-) - You'd think the largest size a popular brand do would fit the legs of a man like myself, not even nearly the biggest legs in the 95th %ile i imagine. Other brands do XXLs which are almost baggy on me, so I'd say this was an issue with 661 not me being extraordinarily large.
  • 2 0
 @OrangeGoblin: I was making fun of the guy in the picture. I thought you Brits invented sarcasm? haha, all in good fun.
  • 2 0
 How many stones is that? For us American, ya know!
  • 2 0
 @dtax: I knew you were being sarcastic, hence "Most definitely not a stick figure ;-)"

:-)

@hetfield You use stones? Thats sarcasm right? UK use stones but converted it to lbs for you americans!
  • 3 0
 Mine fell apart in a pretty minor crash where I leaned the bike over and my knee dragged on the ground. I then proceeded to get a nice cut on my knee since the pad ripped apart during the fall. The other pad was also falling apart with stitches ripping out..So these might protect you in minor impacts.
  • 2 0
 I bought them and sent them back sizing is wayyy off I ordered a large as I don't have very thick legs(6'4" 190) and they were crazy tight and pinched the back of my leg, how ever the 661 kyle straight knee pads are where its at Ive had them for nearly 3 years they are super comfy just get a little hot in the dog days of summer.
  • 6 3
 Have a bad experience with 661 products and that one looks really cheep. I would go for g-form.com instead. Great fit, good protection and don´t slip.
  • 1 0
 G-Forms have noticeably less protection. They do not meet any of the certification standards for CE/EN/ASTM protective gear. Enduro Magazine did a comparison test not too long ago. This included an actual scientific test to determine how the pads dissipated impact force, or how much of that impact could be measured on the other side of the impact, or through the pad. The Recon, being a minimalist pad, and in the same category as the G-Form, performed much better than the popular G-Form pads. The G-Forms were by far the lowest in the category in terms of impact reduction. It is one of the better pad comparisons/reviews I've read. Worth checking out.
  • 4 1
 I was given a pair of these at sea otter. Unfortunately they tore after one crash. Much more comfortable and protective then my old g-forms though.
  • 2 0
 Did you have the old G-Forms with just one seam on the back or the newer ones with two seams more to the side? The newer ones seem way better, the old ones chafe the back of my leg sometimes.
  • 7 2
 Knee pads for roadies?
  • 3 0
 I bought mine from G-form some years ago. They've been flawless ever since.
  • 3 1
 Can't go wrong with the G-Forms. Also, since nobody answered in the last 661 press release, what is going on with 661now that One Industries is deader than 2Pac
  • 2 0
 2Pac isn't dead. He's hiding in a cave in Nevada with the space shuttle Challenger crew.
  • 4 0
 This is nothing else than placebo protection.
  • 4 0
 It's definitely better than nothing. At the least it would help prevent cuts and scrapes.
  • 1 0
 @tmcp1127: what do you have against cuts and scrapes?
  • 5 0
 @unrooted: Waiting for hours in ER/Urgent care to get stitches that could have been easily avoided.
  • 1 0
 The New Dakine Hellion and Slayer are definitely some of the best! Scott makes some awesome D30 pads as well, these seem sub par in such a stacked market..
  • 4 5
 The Recon and G-Forms are made for people that never crash, but are always scared they will. If you crash regularly then these are worthless. Pads should last for more than one fall, and like actually provide more than just protection from scratches.
  • 2 0
 I don't care how many pros they pay to wear their stuff, 661 is garbage and they are sooo many options out these days.
  • 2 0
 Meh - IXS daggers are as comfortable and more protective.
  • 2 0
 Zero protection for $60? No, thanks.
  • 4 2
 Open back of knee, no thank you.
  • 16 0
 Just curious why you feel this way? Tends to be a sweaty spot, where breathabilty would generally be considered a plus.
  • 4 0
 @lostlunchbox: After a while the seam/elastic around the cutout starts irritating the back of my knee (not on these specifically, other pads I've had). I'd rather have a sleeve with no open spots. I don't wear knee pads for AM/XC riding though, just park & DH.
  • 1 0
 @bhd13: not just you, I've had the same annoyance.
  • 2 0
 @bhd13: I'm with you - unless the cutout is large enough to make that a non-issue. Used to ride with Fox Launch Pros - and the little cutout drove me nuts with all the rubbing. Went to some POCs that were great - but lost their shape so they wouldn't stay put (those were a solid tube). Tried the Dakine pads, was skeptical about the cutouts - but found that they were large enough to where there was no rubbing, the stuff around the cutout was far enough away from that sensitive (and constantly moving) area behind the knee.
  • 3 0
 I'd go with G-Form.
  • 3 2
 Wow very ugly looking, the old d30 version looks far nicer and is the same minimalist type.
  • 2 0
 These are nice!
  • 27 1
 Worst pun ever
  • 1 0
 these will look great with my elbow pads on that easy xc trail I ride!
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