The 10 Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | June 21, 2023
This list covers several different styles of mountain bike knee pads, knee guards and knee sleeves. There’s everything from hard-shelled DH kneepads to soft and light knee sleeves, designed for long pedals. Knee pad manufacturers continue to innovate, using non-Newtonian materials that are soft and supple while you pedal but harden instantly on impact. This year’s crop of the best MTB knee pads is both more comfortable and protective than ever before. So go tell your crash stories, regale your friends with your slams, but pad up to dissipate the worst brunt of those impacts.
For more on choosing the the best mountain bike knee pads for you please see our mountain bike knee pads guide.
This Year's Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads:
Leatt AirFlex Pro Knee Guards
The knee. It's like the elbow of the leg. It's the point guard of the power climb, the quarterback of the clipless pedals. Well consider the Leatt AirFlex Pro Knee Guards your all-pro offensive line. They're not letting any impact touch your star QB. They're detailed with non-slip silicone in all of the places you don't want to slip, ventilated in all of the places you want to breathe, and most importantly padded and protected in the upper, lower, and sides of the knee.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Super Slim, 3D Molded AirFlex Gel Impact Protection | $99.99 |
Dakine Slayer Knee Sleeves
Slip on the Dakine Slayer Knee Sleeves when you want sufficient knee protection without sacrificing freedom of movemvent. These are Dakine's lightest, most low profile knee pads.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| DK Impact Polyurethane Foam, Polygiene® Odor Control Technology | $75.00 |
Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves
Enjoy featherlight knee protection with the Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves. These sleeves use a silicone gripper to hold 4mm D30R padding inserts for a slimmer, more effective knee guard ideal for riders that want to keep things as fast and light as possible.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| D3O® Padding Insert, 360° Seamless Construction for Comfort, Silicone Gripper Band | $59.99 |
Sweet Protection Light Knee Guards
The Sweet Protection Light Knee Guards give you the reassurance and protection you need to ride hard and continue progressing without having to sacrifice mobility. Made with a lightweight and super breathable, perforated material and 3S™ Visco-elastic padding that is supple but hardens upon impact, the Light Knee Guards are the perfect singletrack protection that won't be cumbersome to pedal in.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Durable Pad Pocket in Front, 3S™ Visco-Elastic | $90.00 |
IXS Carve Evo+ Knee Pads
The IXS Carve Evo+ Knee Pads feature dependable and breathable protection without the use of hard shells. Designed with AeroMesh™ for long, sweaty climbs when slipping off your pads is the last thing on your mind, and Xmatter™ padding to provide high impact absorption. Get sendy with the IXS Carve Evo+ Knee Pads.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| LoopLock™ Closings, AeroMesh™ – Lightweight and anti-bacterial | $115.00 |
Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves
The Fox Enduro Knee Sleeves are designed for riders who want protection on the descent but don't mind pedaling to the top. The lycra-mesh sleeve is flexible and breathable and the D3O® insert moves with you while still providing the coverage you need for the ride down.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Removable D3O® Insert Impact Protection | $84.95 |
Leatt 3DF 6.0 Knee Guards
The knee. It's like the elbow of the leg. It's the point guard of the power climb, the quarterback of the clipless pedals. Well consider the Leatt 3DF 6.0 Knee Guards your all-pro offensive line. They're not letting any impact touch your star QB. They're the burliest Leatt knee protection, detailed with non-slip silicone in all of the places you don't want to slip, ventilated in all of the places you want to breathe, and most importantly super padded and protected in the upper, lower, and sides of the knee.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Pre-curved 3D Design for Better Fit and Function, Silicone Printed, Non-slip Cuffs | $109.99 |
POC Joint VPD Air Knee Guards
The POC Joint VPD Air Knee Guards think that dealing with restricting, bulky knee pads is a violation of your rights. Breathable, enhanced flexibility and neoprene anti-slip will allow you to forget you're even wearing these until you take a spill.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| VPD Air, Light-Duty Knee Protection | $79.95 |
Troy Lee Designs T-Bone Knee Guards
T-Bones are good to have on your side. A friend called T-Bone is the one to call when the stuff's really about to go down, when the consequences of questionable choices are about to show up. Troy Lee Designs T-Bone Knee Guards are that friend. Built to protect your knees when everything goes haywire, these are lightweight, low-profile, and always in place to protect. Just what you're looking for in an all-day kneepad. Thanks, T-Bone!
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| Abrasion Resistant Side Padding, Knee Cup | $79.00 |
ION K-Sleeve AMP Knee Sleeves
The ION K-Sleeve AMP Knee Sleeves protect you from scrapes and cuts without slowing you down or swamping you up. The low-profile compression sleeve is super stretchy, stays in place easily, and breathes so well you'll forget it's there once you start going.
| Pad Type | Original Price |
| 3D Shaped Compression Fit, No Sew Abrasion Element | $94.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
Learn About our Favorite Bike Gear:
The Best Women's Mountain Bikes
The Best Electric Mountain Bikes
The Best Mountain Bikes for Beginners
The Best Mountain Bikes Under $3,000
The Best Trail Bikes
The Best Enduro Bikes
The Best Gravel Bikes
The Best Mountain Bike Helmets
The Best Full Face MTB Helmets
The Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads
The Best Mountain Bike Elbow Pads
The Best Mountain Bike Shorts
The Best Women's Bike Shorts
The Best Mountain Bike Pants
The Best Mountain Bike Jerseys
The Best Mountain Bike Accessories
The Best Value Mountain Bike Helmets
The Best Dropper Posts
The Best Mountain Bike Forks
The Best Mountain Bike Stems
The Best Padded Mountain Bike Shorts
The Best Mountain Bikes Handlebars
The Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers
The Best Mountain Bike Gloves
The Best Mountain Bike Socks
The Best MTB Fanny Packs
The Best Mountain Bike Backpacks
The Best Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes
The Best Flat Pedal MTB Bike Shoes
The Best Mountain Bike Tires
The Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
The Best Bike Racks
The Best Bike Glasses
The Best Bike Goggles
The Best Women's Mountain Bike Jerseys
The Best Tailgate Bike Pads
The Best Bike Trainers
The Best Hitch Bike Racks
The Best Clipless MTB Pedals
The Best Mountain Bikes Handlebar Bags
The Best Mountain Bike Saddles
The Best MTB Wheels
The Best MTB Grips
The Best Mountain Bike Multi Tools
The Best Mountain Bike Seat Bags
The Selection Process:
Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.