Specialized Atlas Knee Pad - Review
It seems like every few weeks there's a set of new knee pads hitting the market, an influx created by the growing number of riders consistently venturing into more technical terrain on their daily rides. Earlier this spring Specialized decided to join the fray with their Atlas pads, which are aimed at trail riders looking for a little extra knee protection in a low profile, lightweight package. The pads use a thin layer of anti-shock foam to cover the knee cap, with three smaller pieces of foam that sit on each side of the leg for additional impact resistance.
Most knee pads on the market extend only a few inches above the top of the knee, but with the Atlas the length of the upper portion of the pads resembles what you'd expect from a set of knee warmers, reaching nearly to the middle of the thigh to ensure that they don't slip down during a ride. The rear panel of the pads is constructed from a perforated, breathable fabric, and there's a cutout portion at the back of the knee to help keep temperatures in check on those hot days. Weight: 157 grams (pair). Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Price: $60 USD.
An open back combined with a perforated fabric keeps things cool when temperatures rise.
The stitching has begun to pull out in several places, including the seam that runs down the center of the pad.
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | The Atlas pads have accompanied me on the vast majority of my rides over the last few months, largely due to how incredibly comfortable they are. There haven't been any hot spots or chafing, no matter how long I ventured out for, and the tall upper cuff works brilliantly to ensure that the pads stay put. I managed to avoid any massive crashes (knock on wood) while wearing them, but they definitely saved my knees from encounters with stem bolts and top tubes on more than one occasion. They're not designed for Red Bull Rampage style crashing, but they will help protect your knees from lesser impacts and abrasions. As comfortable and unobtrusive as the pads are, there is room for improvement when it comes to the construction quality. The stitching has begun to come undone at the seam that runs down the center of the upper portion, as well as around some of the smaller side pads. Most of the seams are double or triple stitched, so it's not as if the pads are going to completely fall apart, but better stitching would help ensure they'll last more than one season. In addition, the lower cuffs have lost some of their elasticity, and no longer fit as snugly as they originally did. Construction quibbles aside, the Atlas pads earn top marks for their excellent fit and function, as well as an extremely light weight that makes it difficult to think of a reason not to bring them along on a ride. - Mike Kazimer |
www.specialized.com, @Specialized
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
B: Is the Specialized marketing dept so lazy that they have to thieve the atlas product label? Pretty weak.
C:Rhubarb beer is tasty.
different pad altogether, innit?
Gee, my keyboard must not be working...
On my second ride only, the stitching on the small pads started to come loose. Now I have the same on a main seam :/
Probably should email the big S, but I bought the pads in another country and don't give a receipt anymore. Sucks, as they really are a nice to ride in..
It's a great feeling to push the limits of your riding, right until you "eat shit" and crash hard. But when you jump right back up after a hard crash and discover your unharmed because you had the right gear that's priceless.
Better riding gear will allow us to push beyond our limits and find the next level in our riding.
Have you tried the new crop of soft-shell pads that harden on impact? It's pretty impressive stuff.
My new Alpenstars kneepads have awesome flex, but when I bang them hard into sharp-edged objects, they firm up massively & prevent strike-through.
If protection has advanced so much why did we seeing guys at the world cup level making fake spine protectors to avoid using real ones?
Why does hardy anyone wear elbow pads?
Why does it suck so much to pedal in protective gear.
Riders are going out with just knee-pads with the same basic design thats been around forever because that the only piece that actually works well.
I want it to perform and then I want to be able to throw it in the washing machine without it being destroyed.
I'm happy to hear from a company representing protective gear I'll definitely check their shit out.
I think people are still thinking that back protectors are restrictive, hard plates that are unnecessary. Take a look at Manon's crash from Fort William, she was wearing a Bliss Protection back protector (yes she is sponsored) but it shows their is no excuse for cardboard/not bothering.
Hard armour can not fully prevent penetration and does limit flexibility and breathability.
Bikes and equipment is rapidly evolving. We trust in carbon frames, bars and even wheels but still using plastic for protection? Simple cups mad out of plastic...?
We think combination of high quality materials like our Amourgel and penetration preventing materials like Kevlar is the future.
Our products are made out of ARG combined with Kevlar. (Bulletproof wests are made out of Kevlar.) Bliss Protection knee pads offer great protection - yes we pass CE EN-1621-2:2012 K -, flexibility and breathability. Times changes and also gear!
I totally respect your mindset. If you prefer to ride with hard shell, please continue.
I´ve just talked to one of Greg´s teammates.
Greg crashed brutal during training at Bikepark Leogang. He broke is hand twice and suffered a flesh wound on his knee.
The knee should be fine within two weeks. The hand will take longer to heel up.
Greg used a product originally designed for All-Mountain riding. He used it for DH in very rough terrain.
For the DH product range we use a different/harder material. I think this is more what you are talking about.
Please always choose your kit/protection depending on your riding type. This is probably one of the hardest things these days.
It seems like you do have a lot of product specific know how. Feel free to contact me: AN@BLISScamp.com
I would love to talk to yo about some product ideas.
thing I do agree with the Bliss guy about is chossing the right armour for the riding you'r doing.Hemlock I think you 'get it', sounds like Bliss need some help ...so maybe you should send em your CV... (only kidding Bliss)!
A genuine question for the industry guys & engineers:
is there a relevant testing metric that would compare the puncture-resistance of materials currently at use in MTB protectors?
Is there a way to express, for example, how a kevlar belt or "Curv" layer performs relative to an injection-molded plastic cap?
Hemlock, check out the thread on Greg's injury article, he has put out a statement explaining what happened.