Best Mountain Biking Knee And Elbow Pads

Whether you are starting out or a pro, you need to invest in the best MTB knee and elbow pads while mountain biking. 

You should not just choose them for the sake of buying. They have to be the best because they protect your body. Selecting the right product might confuse you as there are many features and certain important factors you need to look for.

Our team of experts has created this list of the best mountain biking knee and elbow pads just for you. This article here covers everything you need to know about knee and elbow pads with a short buying guide at the end. Come let’s check them out!

Reviews of the Best Elbow Pads of 2023

1. Bodyprox Elbow Pads

Bodyprox is one of the best mountain bike elbow pads that is great for biking, snowboarding, and any type of outdoor activity. It is designed with thick EVA foam that protects every angle of your elbow. This doesn’t restrict any of your elbow movement as it is not thick or bulky. 

Sleeves are made of breathable material which releases excess heat from your body while wearing. It has compression sleeves which are good for blood flow and increases muscle warmth. Even in case of any injuries, these compression sleeves reduce swelling and keep it to a minimum. This best MTB elbow pad come in three different sizes and can be stretched to 60% of the original diameter.

2. Demon United Elbow Pads

Demon United is one of the best mountain bike elbow pads made of high-performance shock-absorbing foam. It protects your elbow from every angle in case of any sudden falling. The perforation in the pads improves venting thus releasing all the heat out from the body. 

To keep your arms cool, the inner elbow is made of a soft mesh panel. There is also a comfort pad attached to the center of the elbow. To prevent your pad from going down while wearing, there is a woven upper elastic that provides a firm grip. Overall, this is one of the best MTB elbow pads that will keep you comfortable all along. 

3. G-form Elbow Pads

G-form is one of the best mountain bike elbow pads that is designed to be flexible while wearing and hardens in case of any sudden falling. The smart flex pads absorb any shock that is caused to the elbows. It keeps your elbow moisturized by removing all the excess heat from the body. The compression fabric keeps you dry and comfortable 

There are two ventilation panels in the pad where the front ventilation pad maximizes airflow to the elbow. The silicone gripper compression sleeves keep your pads in place. This is one of the best MTB elbow pads that comes in various sizes to fit your needs.

4. Troy Lee Designs Elbow Guard

Troy lee designs one of the best MTB elbow pads that offer all-around arm protection. The sleeve is made of stretchy neoprene fabric on the outer side which shifts smoothly as you move your arm. And the inner part is made of breathable mesh which removes excess heat from the body by giving more air circulation. 

The D30 foam pad is designed to be flexible for protection that bends when you ride. But it hardens in case of any impact. The outer covering of the pad is tough abrasion resistant which protects you completely. On the whole, Troy Lee is one of the best mountain elbow pads for comfort, breathability, and protection.

5. Fox Racing Elbow Pads

Fox racing offers excellent impact-absorbing protection which makes this one of the best mountain bike elbow pads. The slip-on design works seamlessly providing all-day comfort. You can adjust the pad with a hook so that it stays fit throughout the day. 

The open mesh design improves the air circulation inside the pads and helps to reduce overheating. Perforated neoprene of the pads offers extra comfort and breathability which keeps you moisturized. This is one of the best MTB elbow pads that comes in three different sizes for you.

6. POC Elbow Pads

POC designs one of the best mountain bike elbow pads with a 2-ply elbow protector. It has impact protection giving your elbow free movement even in case of any sudden falling. You get ample ventilation as it removes excess heat and you won’t feel hot while riding. 

The outer fabric is made of high-quality polyamide yarns which creates low friction. This is one of the best MTB elbow pads that gives you free movement on the bike.

Comparison of the Best Mountain Elbow Pads

Best Knee Pad Reviews of 2023

1. JBM Bike Knee Pads

JBM is one of the best mountain bike knee pads made of tough, durable PE, and PP materials. Safety protection to the knee, elbow, and wrist allows you to ride and enjoy the experience. The straps can be adjusted to the different sizes of the knee, elbow, and wrist. 

Knee pads and elbow pads with wrist guards provide the flexibility that you like. The shock absorption system absorbs any sudden impulse caused due to sudden falling. Explore your riding adventure with JBM’s best MTB knee and elbow pads.

2. Fox Racing Knee Pads

Fox racing designs one of the best MTB knee pads that offer excellent impact-absorbing protection. The slip-on design works seamlessly providing all-day comfort. 

Perforated pores offer comfort and breathability. With a hook and loop adjuster, the pads stay fit throughout the day. This is one of the best mountain bike knee pads that you should definitely try.

3. POC Knee Pads

POC is one of the best MTB knee pads which is lightweight and suited for riders who want flexibility and freedom of movement. This knee pad is highly ventilated to remove excess heat from the body. It gives you flexible protection on every ride. The ventilation panels keep you cool and loose with more air circulation. 

Padding is super thick which keeps you comfortable and these pads won’t slip during your ride. The reinforced stretch fabric stays securely in place for protection. Overall, this is one of the best mountain bike knee pads that have an inner lining of anti-slip neoprene and an elastic strap with velcro fastening.

4. Leatt Brace Knee Pads

Leatt Brace designs one of the best MTB knee pads with 3D impact gel that gives your knees better protection. The slip-on design in the pads keeps them intact throughout the ride. 

The soft-shell foam in the front, top, and side will give your knees better protection without restricting pedaling power.

5. Fox Racing D3O Knee Guard

Fox Racing knee guards designed with a removable hard cap makes this one of the best mountain bike knee pads. The D30 certified build allows the knee pad to remain flexible and gives freedom of movement. During any impact, they suddenly harden to reduce the force of the crash. 

They have breathable, moisture-wicking construction for all-day comfort. It has perforated neoprene and stretches material that provides optimal comfort. Thus Fox Racing is one of the best MTB knee pads in the market.

Comparison of the Best Mountain Knee Pads

Note*: All the details furnished in the tabular column were collected during the time of writing. 

What to Look For Before Buying the Best MTB Knee & Elbow Pads?

Whenever you are out shopping for knee and elbow pads, be it in an online store or offline store, the following are the factors that have to be taken into consideration.

1. Velcro Straps

Velcro pads are a great option if you want more protection. Tightening knee pads with velcro straps adds more security to your knees. 

2. Articulation

Your pads must be able to bend while your knees bend during the ride. Soft pads have more articulation so you can easily bend your knees while pedaling. Harder pads have cut-out designs that flex when you pedal.

3. Side protection

Though it is obvious that the knee pads have absolute front protection, some have extra padding on the side to protect your side knees. This will safeguard your knees from all sides.

In elbow pads, There are two options when it comes to protection: Hardshell lining and soft-shell lining. Hardshell lining is made of tough plastic panels and provides protection against serious impacts. Softshell pads have more articulation and harden in case of any impact. They also offer a good level of protection and they are flexible, lightweight, and breathable.

4. Materials

Though durable fabrics make sure they withstand wear and tear and offer the best protection, you must check whether it offers breathability. Because what could seem like a warm pad at the start of the ride can really turn into an uncomfortable one. 

Elbow pads are attached to the skin very closely, it can be hot when you are riding hard. To avoid this, try getting pads that have perforation or cut-out sections which remove excess heat from the body.

5. Fit

What makes wearing a pad comfortable is fitness. If they are too tight, they might become uncomfortable as you start riding. If they are too loose, they might slip down from your arm. That’s why fastening is important here. Some can be tightened with Velcro straps while others have straps and zippers to keep the pads stay-on throughout the ride. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does it get hot when wearing MTB knee and elbow pads?

The advantages of knee pads outweigh the disadvantages of hotter rides. Try choosing pads that have more perforation or ventilation poles because that keeps your pads breathable. Breathable pads remove excess heat from the body giving more air circulation and keeping you cool. 

2. Is it mandatory to wear knee and elbow pads when biking?

If you are going to ride on any risky trails where there are chances of falling off, then it is worth spending a few dollars on knee and elbow pads. Some of them cover the entire knee and elbow fully which protects from all sides. Hard outer shells protect your knee and elbows from sharp objects whereas the soft outer shells are flexible while wearing but hardens on any impact. 

3. How to fit the Mtb knee and elbow pads?

The factors that decide the comfort and fit of the pads are straps and zippers as they make the pads stay on throughout the ride. It is always advisable to try wearing the pads before buying, if possible.

4. How much does a mountain biking knee and elbow pad cost? 

Mountain biking knee and elbow pads are available in all price ranges starting from $40 and can even go above $100.

Conclusion

Wearing elbow and knee pads are important because they will protect you from crash-related wounds and injuries. It also increases your confidence when riding risky trails. For today’s riders, the best mountain bike knee pads are designed smartly offering all high-performance features.

Though they are lightweight in nature for comfortable riding, they have impact-absorbing features that will make the pads go harder on any impact. We hope that now you know the best MTB elbow pads in the market and which one to pick from our list. 

Write to us if you have any questions and we will be happy to answer any questions.