Skip to main content

Leatt 3DF Airflex knee guards


Leatt's Airflex guards are a good idea done well, and will suit those who don't like the bulk of full pads.

They look little more than Armourgel pads stuck to knee warmers, but the tubes are actually MoistureCool wicking fabric rather than insulation. They're cooler than thin knee warmers or full size pads. The backs of the knees are cut out for further cooling and to prevent bunching, and you hardly notice they're on. The Armourgel can feel oddly loose, as if about to slip, but they actually stay in place well.

Sizing is accurate and the grippers at top and bottom are strong - the 6mm pads aren't heavy enough to over-stress them. Each side is 107g. The long labels sticking out from the inside were a problem, which reduced grip enough to let them slip down, but you can cut them out.

Their low profile sits under shorts or even trousers undetected, though the soft, tacky pads can grab rather than slide. We never actually crashed in them (sorry), but coverage and hence protection is deliberately minimal. There's no side protection at all, for instance.

That soft Armourgel is 'non-Newtonian', which means its viscosity increases as impact speeds rise - it goes rigid when struck hard. Other non-Newtonian fluids include toothpaste, custard and blood, and to be clear if you use toothpaste and custard as kneepads you'll soon discover blood. The Airfexes are the better option then. They're CE certified and perfect for extra protection on general cross­country type rides.

Minimal but minimalist protection that's comfy, cool and easy to wear.

PRICE 112$

Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

iXS Asper BC shorts

THEY AREN’T CHEAP, but these well made and feature packed shorts are the epitome of classic mountainbike-specific functionality, and on the bike they don’t disappoint.

Fizik Thar Manganese Rail Saddle

The Fizik Thar is claimed to be the world's first 29er-specific saddle. Yep, you read that correctly, 29er specific. So what makes it so 29er specific?

CANYON SPECTRAL AL 9.0 EX

CANYON’S COLOUR-COORDINATED Spectral AL 9.0 looks like a bike that means business. With a wishlist of components, it’s hard not to question the fantastic price of this stunning new bike from Germany.

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.