I wear a really nice Moto Jacket, but can't really wear Moto pants to most places i go.  So i've been thinking about knee pads.  I mean, they've got to be better than my jeans alone.

Two questions...

First, anyone have any recommendations as to what pads to get?

Second, over or under pants?  I'm figuring under.  It'll be a better fit, and the pants are going to be a write-off anyway. (Plus, no one will know i'm wearing them if i need to keep them on.)

thanks,
z

Why not get overpants that you can easily remove?

Look at the offerings from Knox and Bohn.  Both make a variety of products meant to be worn under other garments to add impact protection.  Everything from slip-on style knee padding to pretty hefty Bohn 'Adventure pants' that cover hips, tail bone and knees

I have no FHE, but when and if I buy knee pads for street riding, they're probably going to be T-Pro.  (they also make ones without hard outer shell)



But like Ms. I said, you should think about a pair of overpants.  They fold up easily into a bag and you have both abrasion and impact protection.  I wear Aerostich Darien overpants.

Quote from: msincredible on November 10, 2008, 01:35:54 PM
Why not get overpants that you can easily remove?

Well, that goes to the underpant knee pad idea... If i don't have somewhere to throw the pants...

I figure that knee pads will offer both impact and abrasion protection (for my knees and shins at least)  the jeans will wear through pretty quick and i'd be left sliding on the shell of the pad, no?

When I am going to be in a casual enironment for a while, I'll wear my jeans with Icon Field Armor under them...

Quote from: zedsaid on November 10, 2008, 02:09:43 PM
I figure that knee pads will offer both impact and abrasion protection (for my knees and shins at least)  the jeans will wear through pretty quick and i'd be left sliding on the shell of the pad, no?

Yeah, your jeans will likely be pretty much automatically done. 

If you get a chance, take a close look at some leathers that have been down.  People don't slide on their knees much.  The knees tend to take an impact and then get a bit of scuffing, but don't slide.  Alternatively, knees take multiple impacts (often on the side of the knee) from rolling.  Abrasian mainly occurs from sliding, and it's on your knees.  It's your leg, your butt and your hip.  And if you roll at all, your hip is gonna take a beating from impacts.  So, yes, those pads have both abrasion and impact resistance, but the coverage is less than ideal. 

If you absolutely don't want to carry a bag around with overpants in it, then under-your-jeans kneeguards are a better solution than no protection.  I just take my messenger bag everywhere.  Personal taste.  <shrug>

NAKID, are the knee guards uncomfortable to wear around if you're not on the bike?

I do virtually all of my local customer visits for work on the bike, with textile gear over dress clothes.  I throw my pants in my backpack and hand-carry the boots (along with the helmet) as necessary.

If you're going to stick with jeans, maybe check out some of the Kevlar armored jeans, I believe they give you a couple of seconds more worth of sliding.

Quote from: Spidey on November 10, 2008, 02:18:20 PM
Yeah, your jeans will likely be pretty much automatically done. 

If you get a chance, take a close look at some leathers that have been down.  People don't slide on their knees much.  The knees tend to take an impact and then get a bit of scuffing, but don't slide.  Alternatively, knees take multiple impacts (often on the side of the knee) from rolling.  Abrasian mainly occurs from sliding, and it's on your knees.  It's your leg, your butt and your hip.  And if you roll at all, your hip is gonna take a beating from impacts.  So, yes, those pads have both abrasion and impact resistance, but the coverage is less than ideal. 

If you absolutely don't want to carry a bag around with overpants in it, then under-your-jeans kneeguards are a better solution than no protection.  I just take my messenger bag everywhere.  Personal taste.  <shrug>

NAKID, are the knee guards uncomfortable to wear around if you're not on the bike?

I have worn them for a few hours at a time. But more than 4 is kinda pushing it for me. The fact that the trashed leg is bigger in some areas and smaller in others may have something to do with it....

When in the city, this is what I use (http://www.esquad.fr/index.php?version=en). They are expensive but they are tough as hell. Shortening them is a problem as it has to be done by a leather shop because normal scissors will not cut through their fabric. After two weeks of daily use, they loose their stiffness and feel like normal jeans.

I have fallen 3 times and my knees have never suffered a direct impact (maybe I have been lucky). The problem is the abrasion as you roll and roll on the road. NOW, you will not catch me in my bike without a backplate. After the big crash, I had it's silhouette marked in my back for 2 weeks but no back injury - it save me...

Quote from: pespina on November 12, 2008, 03:46:26 AM
When in the city, this is what I use (http://www.esquad.fr/index.php?version=en). They are expensive but they are tough as hell. Shortening them is a problem as it has to be done by a leather shop because normal scissors will not cut through their fabric. After two weeks of daily use, they loose their stiffness and feel like normal jeans.

I have fallen 3 times and my knees have never suffered a direct impact (maybe I have been lucky). The problem is the abrasion as you roll and roll on the road. NOW, you will not catch me in my bike without a backplate. After the big crash, I had it's silhouette marked in my back for 2 weeks but no back injury - it save me...

Where you wearing the esquad jeans at the time. If so, do you have pictures how they lokked after the crash?

Quote from: IdZer0 on November 12, 2008, 04:36:33 AM
Where you wearing the esquad jeans at the time. If so, do you have pictures how they looked after the crash?

Nope... I bought the Esquad jeans a week later, once my nerves could handle Paris traffic once again.  Unfortunately, I had procrastinated for one year due to the 300 euro price tag. Ducati had carry them in their apparel line the year before. And I hope never to have such a photo to show you... I definitely used one of my lives that night.

But I suggest that you visit their website and look at their videos. It seems that what happens is that the denim burns out and you are left with the Kevlar base (i.e., a white burn spot).

and of course we can't get them in the good old USA.   

Quote from: DesmoDiva on November 12, 2008, 02:23:04 PM
and of course we can't get them in the good old USA.   

yes you can, there's a USA link in the eStore.

Right, for the low low price of $372USD!!!