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Comparison of MTB leg protectors & knee orthoses

MTB leg protectors: Should not be missing on any mountain bike gear

Downhill, Freeride, All Mountain, Enduro, BMX... Every field of application is different and has correspondingly different requirements for equipment. Which leg protector is suitable for you, what the differences are and what you should pay attention to when buying, we explain here.

Just as with the helmets there are of course also differences in the protectors depending on the area. For Enduro or Trail, lighter knee pads with protective foam made of D3O or similar material and good ventilation are a good choice. If you're constantly shooting downhill in the bike park, you can also use good hard-shell protectors with additional shin protection. There are also so-called hybrids, which have a plastic cap in addition to the foam, which provides extra protection.

Knee/shin guard

Unfortunately, in the mountain bike area one often makes acquaintance with stones, branches or roots. The perfect standard protection against minor injuries and abrasions is provided by knee and shin guards. Here you can either use a pure knee protector, which has only one protector at the knee area, or a combined model, which offers additional protection at the shin. The protector on the shin protects of course not only against the nature, but also against the hard pins on the pedals, if you slip on it and every biker knows the pain when the shin meets pedals.

Knee braces

If you want the best possible protection for your knee, you should use a knee brace. Although these have their price, they do protect the knee and shinbone against twisting of the knee, keyword: cruciate ligament rupture. So anyone who is on demanding MTB trails or is a professional downhill racer should use an orthosis. These are often also available as carbon veriante, which makes the orthosis even lighter and thus much more comfortable to ride. Just as with normal knee pads, you should check before buying whether you can wear them comfortably under the MTB pants without any friction. Especially after injuries to the knee, you should use an orthosis.

Ankle Bandages

Especially those who do tricks with the freeride bike often get the crank on their ankles. If you want to avoid bruises or worse injuries, you should get an ankle bandage. It also supports the ankle area and prevents it from buckling, which often leads to torn ligaments. These are put on like a stocking or closed with laces. These are usually worn in MTB shoes, so before buying, you should check if they are compatible with the shoes.

Fit

As with other protectors, the fit is important. If the protector is too tight, you will be distracted by the uncomfortable feeling when riding or even your blood circulation will be affected. If it is too loose, the protector slips during the ride and no longer offers the necessary protection. When you buy the protector, it can be a little tighter because it expands a little when you ride, so you should refer to the manufacturer's size chart for the correct fit. Many knee pads can still be individually adjusted on the thigh and calf with a Velcro fastener, so that you can make it wider or tighter if necessary to provide the best protection.

Closure options & spare parts

The closing possibilities of MTB leg protectors are very similar to those of arm protectors. You can wear them either as a stocking or with velcro or zipper. Therefore, you should consider before buying whether you want to take off the MTB shoes to put on and take off the knee protector or if you want to leave them on. Especially if you buy a more expensive orthosis or protector you should check if there are spare parts for the most important parts. Most brands offer a good selection of straps, pads, shells, rivets and fasteners that you can easily replace.