Troy Lee Designs KG5450 Knee Guards

The quest for the perfect all-purpose knee guard is a challenging one; they need to be light and airy enough to not weigh you down or turn every ride into a knee-sauna, offer enough protection to justify wearing them in the first place, and be comfortable enough to ride in for several hours at a time. That’s a pretty tough bill to fit, but about nine months ago I managed to get my mitts on a set of the drearily named KG5450 from Troy Lee, which promised all of those things for the very reasonable sum of $89. I need and value my knees, so they’ve accompanied me on virtually every ride since; here’s the low-down on how close they come to perfection.

At 246g for a pair (size small) you can’t argue with the weight, especially given that they use a hard plastic shell; most other lightweight guards only use various densities of foam. The 5450s also extend further down the top of your shin than many other options—something that will be particularly appreciated by flat-pedal riders like me. The fabric is a combination of lightweight lycra and mesh, so the breathability is also up there with the very best lightweight pads I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many).

In terms of fit, once you’ve slid the 5450s on they are almost invisible. There are no velcro straps; instead they rely on gripper elastic at the upper edge of the guard as well as silicon grip strips over the top of your kneecap to hold them in place. The silicon strips are initially unkind to hairy knees, but once the offending follicles have been forcibly removed in the first few hundred metres of pedalling, it’s easy to forget you’re wearing them. The X-Fit system at the back of the pads is particularly comfortable, with no chaffing or bunching whatsoever at the back of your knees.

I’ve got very knobbly knees and skinny legs; so thin in fact that I’m at risk of being picked up for having no visible means of support. The fact that the size small fit perfectly, and there’s an XS size available, means that just about anyone from a young teenager up should be able to get a good fit. The measurements given on the sizing chart seemed quite accurate too.

The frontal impact protection level for your kneecap and shin is excellent, particularly given how light and comfortable the 5450s are. They’ve been unintentionally crash tested on a number of occasions and performed admirably, although on sliding falls they can rotate on your legs slightly after the initial impact.

Where they’re not great is side impacts, like when your knee so pleasantly connects with the top tube, or for impacts just above the kneecap such as hitting your stem or handlebar. Whilst the 5450s are generously padded directly over the kneecap and upper shin, there’s simply no padding outside these areas. As a result, the protection on offer really depends on direction and location of impact. We’d love to see an updated version that added a little more padding in the crucial areas surrounding the knee to take them to the next level of performance.

As for durability, I’ve been thoroughly impressed by just how well they’ve held up to many months of regular use, numerous wash cycles, and more than enough crashes to justify themselves. There are a few little nicks in the mesh and the upper elastic is just starting to become a tad looser but they’ve still got plenty of life in them, and I’d say they’re definitely harder wearing than other strap-free guards I’ve used.

The best knee guards are the ones you actually wear, and whilst there may still be a little room for improvement, Troy Lee’s KG5450 are so light, comfortable and affordable that there’s no reason to not slip them on every time you head out for a ride. I firmly believe it’s better to have pads and not need them, than to need them and not have them; these puppies give you no excuse for not protecting your precious knees.

Lusty Industries www.lustyindustries.com