Knee guards etc

[(F5)]

I'm running Fox guards which I've cut the straps off and got some lycra sewn on as that worked great on elbows. Much more comfortable. Several years on that is wearing out. I could get it redone but maybe things have moved on.

Braces? Well they are super expensive over here but Leatt z frames are almost affordable. Almost.

I'm not entirely convinced I want to go for braces as it can transfer issues elsewhere.

But some of the guards are getting more complicated and perhaps offer a little support. But are they comfortable enough?

Ideas?

 

[RudolfHucker]

Not sure if Forcefield armour is available in the antipodes but it is excellent. It has applications across a number of sports, is lightweight but very high in impact protection. I have been using it for a number of years and it has protected me from impacts that would have caused serious injuries and fractures without.

It also has a feature where it absorbs body heat and moulds to your shape so you simply forget that you have it on. Have a shufti and see if it would suit you. I would recommend either the limb tubes or the "long john" type base layer with armour built in.

https://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/

 

[risk74]

After two years of hemming and hawing and researching until nearly going blind, I finally bit the bullet and purchased a pair Leatt X frames. $445 USD. Had been running strap on knee guards, so they were not hard to get used to. Well worth the protection. An ACL or MCL surgery will end up costing far more. I think the X-frames bridge the gap between the super expensive braces and the cheap knee guards. I've been very happy with them.

I'm not getting any younger (45) and it seems every year I add another piece of safety equipment. I just started wearing a neck brace a few months ago as well. Soon I'll be covered in bubble wrap...

 

[(F5)]

45 was 6 years ago, but it's the darnedest thing, I have been getting younger.

 

[dANbOT]

I love my Leatt C frames. They are not quite as rigid as a double a hinge brace, but perhaps that would suit your taste?

 

[dANbOT]

I guess I should also mention: I'm 43, have recovered from a couple knee injuries in the past. There's enough adjustment to lock out hyperextension for my bad knee. Comfy all day, and lots of ventilation.

 

[SS109]

I run cheap Shift Enforcer knee guards. They are tough and have saved me plenty of times. For knee support I wear some ACE brand Level 1 knee supports (buddy uses the traditional ACE wraps for his knees and swears by it) even though I have never had issues with my knees. However, they do get a little sore after a long race or a full day of hard riding now that I'm 48 so I thought it wise to support them a bit. They have made a difference and my knee guard and support setup was under $50 total.

 

[Cox76y]

Last riding season I managed to wrap my leg around a tree. I ruptured both my acl and mcl completely. Also tore the meniscus. So after lots of research I decided on the mobius braces. They werent cheap however neither was surgery. Only wish I had them before the accident. The main reason I went for these was because they are tightened by the use of a type of ratchet onto your leg. This keeps them nice and tight and they do not fall down my leg like my friends braces do.
They are quite comfortable however you definately do know they are there. I definately dont feel like I can move around like I did before with no braces. But I consider this a good trade off for safety. Before these I was using nothing as I had bought the cheaper braces before and removed them as they would dig in and slide down my leg which was a real pain. Plenty of padding on the mobius so they dont did in.
Check them out on youtube.

regards
jc

 

[(F5)]

Well I went in for an air filter and came out with some Leatt Dual Axis knee guards. They aren't braces but kind of a halfway house with a bit of support.

I'll give a full report in a few weeks unless I forget or can't be bothered.

 

[(F5)]

Hummph!

Well first pass by the missus, I walked into the kitchen wearing them.
She couldn't stop laughing.

Jeez, way to knock a guy's confidence.

They did feel like you were wearing nothing. . , apart from the knee guards, you could feel them of course. Do make you walk a bit articulated.

 

[Doc Brown]

After two years of hemming and hawing and researching until nearly going blind, I finally bit the bullet and purchased a pair Leatt X frames. $445 USD. Had been running strap on knee guards, so they were not hard to get used to. Well worth the protection. An ACL or MCL surgery will end up costing far more. I think the X-frames bridge the gap between the super expensive braces and the cheap knee guards. I've been very happy with them.

I'm not getting any younger (45) and it seems every year I add another piece of safety equipment. I just started wearing a neck brace a few months ago as well. Soon I'll be covered in bubble wrap...

Same here, bought the X-Frames 6 weeks ago. First they felt good, I normally use Leatt Dual Axis, but later after about two hours of riding I could feel the inner part above the knee pushing into my thighs. I was able to improve that by putting a thicker pad on the knee inside. Rode another 3 hours and all was good. Not super comfy but no pain.

Like you I try to get all protection I can afford, and I use a neck brace as well. But not always...

45? I cant remember must have been 13 years ago

 

[(F5)]

So, no one has asked for pictures..??

 

[symon260z]

I went for the Pod K8 v2 knee braces. I am very happy with the results so far, they are so comfortable I forget I am wearing them with I am riding.

 

[swazi_matt]

I have been using the dual axis for a few years now and they are pretty good imo

 

[GG221]

I went for the Pod K8 v2 knee braces. I am very happy with the results so far, they are so comfortable I forget I am wearing them with I am riding.

I also just bought the k8 v2. They are very comfortable and light. Do yours have any play where the hinge pads meet your knees? If I use the smaller hinge pads they braces feel great but I can grab the knee cap and move side to side and get a very tiny bit of play between my knee and the hinge pad. If I use the larger pads they are very tight and putting pressure against my knee. How do yours feel?

 

[(F5)]

First ride. Guards are good. Little restrictive when sitting in the pits but good on the trail.