I like these pads. They're lightweight and comfortable and they stay in place. I've worn them in hot (90 degrees) and humid conditions for rides lasting up to 3 hours. The biggest issue I have is that one of the pads is already ripping (where the pad is sewn into the elastic). The pad itself actually works quite well when the knee cap is contacted. However, if you wind up sliding don't be surprised when the sides of your knee get scraped.
Pros Lightweight
Comfortable
Decent protection
Cons Durability
Rips too easily
Does not protect sides of knee
I never ride without them and don't even know they are there now that I am used to them. Saved me many times even a bad crash on sharp ledge just left a mark on the pad.
Pros Light, breathable, stay I place, surprising level of protection.
I have not had the bunching problem in the back of my knees so I definitely recommend these pads. I can also comfortably peddle for 20 plus miles and not even notice that I'm wearing these pads.
Pros lightweight
stay in place
good protection
breath well
Overall these knee-pads provide solid protection from impact, but the fact that the fabric has a tendency to bunch behind the knee is extremely uncomfortable. If they are on sale, a worthwhile buy, however, for the full price you could acquire a more comfortable set of pads that provide better protection and comfort.
I am in constant awe of how amazing these pads are, they never slip and are a great protection on xc and am rides. I love how light and portable they are. Toss them in my pack for the climb up and put them on for the descents. They fit well in my pack, and don't add much weight at all.
Overall an amazing product I highly recommend.
Earlier in the year I took a jump and didn't land it properly - resulting in a severe laceration, and ever since then I've taken padding and armor more seriously (prior to that I didn't really care about the odd scrapes and bruises).
My first order of business was getting the Troy Lee Designs Lopes Knee Guards, and they're awesome... but overkill for XC/lightweight trail riding. So I was looking for something more lightweight when I'm in casual mode (as given the opportunity I'll still take advantage of a nice jump or short descent).
I ordered the TLD KG5400 through an Amazon store, however they sent me the wrong Troy Lee product, and Amazon itself didn't have the right size to replace, so I decided to give the G-Forms (available at Amazon for $50) a chance. Although many reviews say go up a size, I decided to stick to the sizing chart and go with small. The main consideration over whether to go up a size or not is dependent on comparing your knee circumference vs. your calf circumference. If you have thick stocky calves, then go up a size, but if you're like me and have legs like a chicken, then the sizing chart is accurate (and I spend an aggregate 30 minutes a week just on calf raises to compensate for such genes).
Although I've only just started using them, I've found them to be quite comfortable. When riding I don't really notice it, they don't slip when doing a lot of climbing, but I do find I have to make an adjustment now and then as they're prone to bunching up at the bottom, and have to pull the bottom part back down.
Oddly enough I did crash with them on this first run. There's a tricky spot on this very technical descent of my favorite trail, a spot that many friends have taken a spill on, and although I've done it many times before - for some reason I went with my instincts instead of trusting in physics, and didn't go into this steep drop with a big tree root in front of it fast enough.
My knee did take a bit of a beating. The part where the rubber was covering the knee were fine, but you can see in the product picture that its coverage area is limited. And for me, any spot where there wasn't rubber, was the part that got banged up.
But that kind of maneuver is beyond what I would expect from these G-Forms. The rubber compound they use is quite interesting - it's a reactive compound that supposedly hardens on impact, and is much thicker than what you'd expect from the pictures.
Overall I would recommend these if you're looking for minimalistic and lightweight protection for XC/casual trail riding. If you're going to go more aggressive, I would look into something that provides more coverage (e.g. Troy Lee KG5450′s, Troy Lee Lopes knee guards, etc...).
Pros Extremely lightweight
Not bulky
Perfect for trail riding where you don't need hardcore protection
Fairly comfortable
Cons For it to work well it has to fit to your body 100%.
Limited crash protection coverage
I like these pads. They're lightweight and comfortable and they stay in place. I've worn them in hot (90 degrees) and humid conditions for rides lasting up to 3 hours. The biggest issue I have is that one of the pads is already ripping (where the pad is sewn into the elastic). The pad itself actually works quite well when the knee cap is contacted. However, if you wind up sliding don't be surprised when the sides of your knee get scraped.
Pros
Lightweight
Comfortable
Decent protection
Cons
| ThankDurability
Rips too easily
Does not protect sides of knee
I never ride without them and don't even know they are there now that I am used to them. Saved me many times even a bad crash on sharp ledge just left a mark on the pad.
Pros
Light, breathable, stay I place, surprising level of protection.
Cons
| ThankNone
I have not had the bunching problem in the back of my knees so I definitely recommend these pads. I can also comfortably peddle for 20 plus miles and not even notice that I'm wearing these pads.
Pros
lightweight
stay in place
good protection
breath well
Cons
| Thankthe fabric in the back is starting to rip
Overall these knee-pads provide solid protection from impact, but the fact that the fabric has a tendency to bunch behind the knee is extremely uncomfortable. If they are on sale, a worthwhile buy, however, for the full price you could acquire a more comfortable set of pads that provide better protection and comfort.
Pros
Very lightweight
Breathable
Good protection
Cons
| ThankChafing
Bunches up behind knees
I am in constant awe of how amazing these pads are, they never slip and are a great protection on xc and am rides. I love how light and portable they are. Toss them in my pack for the climb up and put them on for the descents. They fit well in my pack, and don't add much weight at all.
Overall an amazing product I highly recommend.
Pros
| ThankLightweight
Breathable
Stay in place
Earlier in the year I took a jump and didn't land it properly - resulting in a severe laceration, and ever since then I've taken padding and armor more seriously (prior to that I didn't really care about the odd scrapes and bruises).
My first order of business was getting the Troy Lee Designs Lopes Knee Guards, and they're awesome... but overkill for XC/lightweight trail riding. So I was looking for something more lightweight when I'm in casual mode (as given the opportunity I'll still take advantage of a nice jump or short descent).
I ordered the TLD KG5400 through an Amazon store, however they sent me the wrong Troy Lee product, and Amazon itself didn't have the right size to replace, so I decided to give the G-Forms (available at Amazon for $50) a chance. Although many reviews say go up a size, I decided to stick to the sizing chart and go with small. The main consideration over whether to go up a size or not is dependent on comparing your knee circumference vs. your calf circumference. If you have thick stocky calves, then go up a size, but if you're like me and have legs like a chicken, then the sizing chart is accurate (and I spend an aggregate 30 minutes a week just on calf raises to compensate for such genes).
Although I've only just started using them, I've found them to be quite comfortable. When riding I don't really notice it, they don't slip when doing a lot of climbing, but I do find I have to make an adjustment now and then as they're prone to bunching up at the bottom, and have to pull the bottom part back down.
Oddly enough I did crash with them on this first run. There's a tricky spot on this very technical descent of my favorite trail, a spot that many friends have taken a spill on, and although I've done it many times before - for some reason I went with my instincts instead of trusting in physics, and didn't go into this steep drop with a big tree root in front of it fast enough.
My knee did take a bit of a beating. The part where the rubber was covering the knee were fine, but you can see in the product picture that its coverage area is limited. And for me, any spot where there wasn't rubber, was the part that got banged up.
But that kind of maneuver is beyond what I would expect from these G-Forms. The rubber compound they use is quite interesting - it's a reactive compound that supposedly hardens on impact, and is much thicker than what you'd expect from the pictures.
Overall I would recommend these if you're looking for minimalistic and lightweight protection for XC/casual trail riding. If you're going to go more aggressive, I would look into something that provides more coverage (e.g. Troy Lee KG5450′s, Troy Lee Lopes knee guards, etc...).
Pros
Extremely lightweight
Not bulky
Perfect for trail riding where you don't need hardcore protection
Fairly comfortable
Cons
| ThankFor it to work well it has to fit to your body 100%.
Limited crash protection coverage