So I'm in the market for some new knee protection. I'm currently wearing Icon Field Armor knee/shin guards under jeans. They're comfy and seem sturdy enough to crash in, but they aren't going to work with my new boots.
I used to have a set of EVS Strata knee guards that saved my knee from annihilation in a highside, but they were a bit too big to fit under jeans and were quite uncomfortable.
Bohn armored under-pants, or dedicated riding pants would be my first choice, but I'm on a sub-$100 budget.
Throw some options my way so we can talk this pregnant dog out.
TT, I reinforced Klim Dakar pants with armor from Aerostitch:
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-tf5-transit-pads.html (http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-tf5-transit-pads.html)
The price was right and they are good quality. You may need to rig something up to secure them, like an interior pocket/liner.
i have these tpro forcefield knee armor:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/forcefield-strap-on-knee-protector (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/forcefield-strap-on-knee-protector)
(http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/forcefield-strap-on-knee-protector#activate_zoom)
i got them because the tpro stuff tends to have the highest impact protection out of almost all armor thats been rated... way higher than the ce lvl 2 spec.
i tend to wear them under jeans, and they fit fine as long as you are not wearing really tight leg jeans. they're pretty comfy, stay in place due to the straps, and arent ridiculously noticeable under the jeans. they're also not fully rigid... more like a rigid foam, but not as pliable as the d30/sas-tech stuff.
overall, i would def suggest them
^ Just what I was going to say
http://www.forcefieldperformance.com/product/limb-tube-knee-armour/2357 (http://www.forcefieldperformance.com/product/limb-tube-knee-armour/2357)
there are some fieldsheer riding pants with armor in them for 100 bucks at motorcyclecloseouts.com depending on your size...
do a search for fieldsheer, i'm sure you'll find them... i had ordered the Adventures, but they were too small in the waist for me, so i'm going for the mercury for the same price.
^^^ A third agreement in using the Forcefield armor with a sub $100 budget. They are short and are a softer rubber type of pad and will probably feel less protective than your icon pads (hard plastic?), but are better than no knee pads. Make sure, if you decide on the Forcefield pads, you get the limb tubes and not the standard type.
The Knox Cross Knee Guards are another option. They come in a short size and long size depending on your size and the boots you are wearing. They are CE approved. I was thinking of trying them out. I use the Icon right now but they move around more than I like.
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=4152 (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=4152)
Jim
I like the A*s knee armor.
Under the category of 'something is better than nothing', take a look at Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads, which are made for skiing and snow boarding. Foam padding with plastic external shell, very lightweight and articulated, extremely comfortable. You'll forget you have them on. They're perfect for wearing under jeans or lightly padded pants. I really like the articulated design, wish they or someone else made a version for motor sports. Kinda remind me of baseball catcher's knee-shin guards, but without the shin guards. About $40.
I have some Bohn Coolair pants. Fitted under some jeans that are bit oversized, all the pads hold their place well and they aren't hot unless you're tooling around the city on an 85 degree day. Then anything is too hot...
It turns out the shin pads on my Icons fit inside my new boots just fine. Gonna hang onto them for the rest of this season. Don't know that they'll last much longer than 2 seasons though. The neoprene-ish fabric is already starting to tear away from the velcro on the top straps.
Hopefully by next summer I'll have the $$ (and lost enough weight) for leathers. If the Icons give up the ghost before then, I'm probably gonna go for the Forcefield limb tubes.
I'm looking more for pants to wear under jeans, kind of like the bohn gear mentioned above. Any FHE with the forcefield model? Which would be cooler, the bohn product or forcefield?
My icon are working just fine after 3 seasons already. I didnt wear them two days this week and regretted one day when i got hit in the knee with a pebble at 100mph.. OWWW
no damage done, but reminded me of one more reason to wear them all the time. If the pants are two tight to wear the icon under them, i'll put them over... some people say it looks silly, but i think it's mad max style and i like it.
Quote from: swampduc on May 27, 2011, 08:50:13 PM
I'm looking more for pants to wear under jeans, kind of like the bohn gear mentioned above. Any FHE with the forcefield model? Which would be cooler, the bohn product or forcefield?
No FHE with bohn, but I'd expect it to be a bit of a push temp wise. Forcefield stuff is very nice and from what I've seen they consistently make updates to their line. It's nice stuff. I really like my forcefield stuff
Quote from: Sad Panda on May 28, 2011, 08:47:43 AM
No FHE with bohn, but I'd expect it to be a bit of a push temp wise. Forcefield stuff is very nice and from what I've seen they consistently make updates to their line. It's nice stuff. I really like my forcefield stuff
i dont think i've ever seen any one say anything bad about the forcefield stuff... in fact, i think i saw a post before by spidey that said he loved his when he crashed in them.
I currently use/own the A* knee and shin guards.
(http://www.cyclegear.com/images/offroadapparel/Alpinestars%20Reflex%20Knee%20Guard_310x310.jpg)
I've seen someone go down in them and it held up great. Pretty much saved the guy's knees and allowed him to walk away from the crash. I don't like them as they are big and bulky. Hard to fit even underneath loose fitting jeans.
Right now I'm deciding between either the Dainese Knee V Guards or the Forcefield Strap On Knee Protector. The Dainese looks like it offers more protection but the Forcefield looks like is less obtrusive. I also like the Dainese because it has an extra strap over the thigh. Anyone have problems w/ the Forcefields sliding down?
(http://assets0.revzilla.com/product_images/0017/5694/dainese_knee_v_detail.png?1263937929) (http://assets2.revzilla.com/product_images/0018/6695/2358_c_m_detail.jpg?1275674263)