Troy Lee Designs' new D3O equipped Speed Knee Sleeve pads are aimed at the rider looking to maximize an appropriate amount of protection for trail riding, without compromising comfort. Hardening upon impact,
D3O offers a series of benefits, even if it's only 4mm thick and especially in a minimalist knee pad such as these. Available in three adult sizes and two youth sizes, the Speed Knee Sleeve's are built around a seamless slip-on design. Lacking any adjustment, they instead rely on an elasticated body and a single silicone gripper strip to stay in place. We've been hammering the miles into our test set for a few months now to see how they fare.
Troy Lee Raid Details:• 4mm D3O(R) padding insert
• Increased performance advantage over 10mm HDPE foam
• 360-degree, seamless construction for comfort and durability
• Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL
• Durable, abrasion-resistant cover
• Reflective print logos
• Silicone gripper band
• Set of 2, left and right specific
• Weight: 274 grams (size M/L)
• MSRP: $54 USD
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www.troyleedesigns.com On the trailMeasuring approximately eleven inches from top-to-bottom (size M/L tested), slipping the Speed Knee Sleeves on is as easy as you would imagine. Size wise, they felt pretty good from the outset and retained their fit and feel despite the mileage, both from the bike and the washing machine. Lacking any form of adjustment, the elasticated sleeve takes care of size variables while the large silicon gripper strip, which runs around the circumference of the top opening and does a superb job of keeping them in place. The 4mm thick, or should I say
thin, D3O pad, covers your kneecap and ends just past the top of your shin. The coverage on offer is intended to take the edge off slow-speed falls and crashes which it does rather well, especially considering how little of it there is.
The addition of D3O is, of course, the defining element that will get people's attention, especially on an attractive knee pad that retails for below $60USD (£50GBP). Providing more bang for your buck that also translates into more protection from bangs to your knees is not to be sniffed at, although 4mm of padding will only do so much. After having a big crash days before writing this, I can solemnly say that while the level of protection on offer from a 4mm thick D3O pad is eye-opening, it is by no means enough for the kinds of high-speed impacts associated with gravity riding. That said, had I not been wearing any protection on my knees, the outcome of that crash could have been far worse.
Coming from a background in downhill and as someone who almost always wears knees pads, I didn't get any noticeable signs of discomfort on rides of around 2-3 hours and I'd go as far as to say they're some of the comfiest I've tried. This is down to a number of factors. For starters, the elasticated material used for the sleeve itself is incredibly soft, but it also hugs the leg perfectly without bunching, which was an initial concern. During long days in the saddle, especially during the summer months where a ride would go up to and over four hours, heat build up did become noticeable. The heat didnt get to the point of distraction and my knees never looked like they'd been dragged through a carpet factory, but I would pull them down during pit stops to let me knees breath. While the attributes of their construction offer superb short-term comfort and increased long-term durability, especially over a mesh-based alternative which can all too easily get snagged and torn on pedal pins and vegetation, they do also translate to heat build up which could be an issue for some, especially those of you in warm climates. It's something to bear in mind.
Pinkbike's Take | Offering enough impact protection for everyday mishaps on the trails through an intelligent use of advanced materials, the Speed Knee Sleeves not only offer peace of mind should you crash, but do so in a well-priced and stylish package. A lack of ventilation could be a stumbling block for some, but their durability and comfort should put them on your kit wish list. - Olly Forster |
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MENTIONS: @troyleedesigns
You can say that X, Y or Z pad does not slide down on impact at speed, but they all do. Besides..these are literally a minimal coverage design intentionally for crap ass handlebar or root smackes to the shin and knee bone, not haul ass meat savers.
Try the TLD Raid instead. I've ridden in both and I swear the Raid's are way more comfortable, breath better and have a ton more protection. They're at 2 completely different price points though.
I said I like the TLD Raid.
And if.your Fox pads don't fold or slip down in high speeds crashes, it's obvious that you are either a far better riDer and have stopped goon crashing or you have gotten so slow you don't crash hard enough anymore .
Internet argument....randomized. take that!!!
Sorry...
The L stays up better than the Fox though and feels thicker, possibly offering a bit more protection.
Try Thor Force XP. Fit perfectly except too bulky because they are for mx
Another one im riding is leatt 3df 5.0 but beat up af need something else
also I found out the old g form doesn't have much protection on the side...
(the review of them www.pinkbike.com/news/fox-launch-enduro-knee-pad-review-2014.html where you compared them to the thick knee warmers...)
You're welcome