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 On the TrailIn 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 | For 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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:-)
@hetfield You use stones? Thats sarcasm right? UK use stones but converted it to lbs for you americans!