7iDP Seven iDP Sam Hill Signature Transition Plus MTB Enduro Mountainbike Knee Pads - Black Small

Product Information

Closure or Slip-on: These are slip-on pads with a compression fit. It's critical to get the sizing right with these so you might need to try on a couple of different sizes to find the perfect fit. After that, POC VPD 2.0, which were better coverage, held in place better with the two velcro straps, and are generally much burlier than the Airs. Better side coverage too. They have the same gripper material that I hated on the Air, but for whatever reason, it didn't cause the same issues—probably a function of them staying in place better. But, they're hotter, heavier and bulkier than what I wanted. If I was buying again today a mid-weight pad like these, I'd likely give the Fast House Hooper pads a try:

Protection level: These pads offer light to moderate protection and exceed the CE EN 1621-1:2012 Level 2 standards. Removable protective inserts for washing: Yes, the insert on the Sam Hill pads is removable for washing.

The Verdict 

Another thing that impacts comfort is breathability and ventilation, which will be discussed later. Do you get hot wearing mountain bike knee pads? Low leg protection is minimal, but the Soldier 2 is slim enough to wear under a pair of trail pants or waterproof trousers and thanks to the mesh front panel and perforated insert, it didn't heat up during rigorous exercise while on test. Running the length of the pad in the rear and extending across the lower front a breathable 4-way stretch mesh maintains airflow for all-day comfort. My only complaint, is that for me and my bodyshape/type, the pads can start to rub/irritate the outer edge of the knee a touch on longer pedaling days (15-20mi+, with 2000 - 3000ft of climbing). Usually thats not a problem for me, and in the rare instance that it has happened, I've just pulled the pad down around my knees for the rest of the climb. But it is worth noting. Like the Sweet Protection pads listed above, the Sam Hill knee pads feature the same impact-absorbing SAS-TEC foam cup that stays flexible for pedaling comfort but hardens up upon impact. The removable pad provides plenty of protection over the knee and upper shin, and this pad is definitely one of the longest we've tested.

Internal grippers are often used to help lightweight pads stay in place. As long as the fit is correct, these will go virtually unnoticed when you’ve got them on and can easily be worn all day. Fit They can be a bit stiff until they warm up in colder weather but once they warm up they mold to your knee. I’ve done many 30 plus mile rides with them and they just disappear. Even after the ride I’m in no rush to get them off either. I can’t say that about any other pad I’ve owned. The thing with these pads is they are so comfortable that I wear them all the time. Protection Style: The Sas-Tec protective pad is made from a dense heat moulding foam that conforms to the shape of your knee for a perfect fit without any pressure points or rubbing. The extra padding around the knee cap provides extra protection against side impacts.Each pad has two wide elasticated hems to hold it up when you are riding, but the upper hem gets an additional silicone gripper – in a dot matrix design – to stop it sliding. For the most part, this style of pad uses a sleeve type design, similar to a knee warmer, with a large main pad constructed from some sort of viscoelastic material that hardens up on impact. Dainese is the outlier in this group – they use rubber that's been formed into a honeycomb lattice to help dissipate impacts. This low-weight pad rides just like it with exceptional comfort and flexibility. While the insert doesn't have the same anchored feeling derived from a concave insert, it does offer a lot of freedom as the fit lets your knee move uninhibited. The other pads aren't restrictive, but the lighter model does feel distinctly freer. I've had the regular Sam Hill version for just over 4 years now, and still wear them on every single ride. I totally recommend them