While Alpinestars are mainly known as a manufacturer of clothing and protective gear for motocross, the Italian brand also offers a wide range of MTB-specific products. The Paragon Plus knee pad is made entirely of a thin material and forgoes Velcro straps, relying on an elasticated sleeve design with a sewn-in insert instead, with silicone strips on the thigh and back of the knee preventing it from slipping.

Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test

Weight per pad 173 g | Price € 59.99 | Certification Level 1 | Removable Insert No
Fastening System Elastic Strap | Lab Test Results 14 kN at 3.3 ms | Manufacturer’s website

When putting on the pads, however, the rear silicone strip pulls on the hair on your legs, which can be quite annoying – and on our pads, the strip came loose after just a few test rides. However, in the lab test, the Paragon Plus delivered some impressive numbers, measuring 14 kN residual force at 3.3 ms, which makes it one of the best performing pads in this test – and that’s despite the fact that it’s the cheapest model, retailing at just € 59.99! At 173 g, it stands bang in the middle of the test field for weight.

While the insert of the Alpinestars offers a high level of protection, it’s rather hard and rubbery, pressing against the kneecap when you pedal.
When pedalling, the Paragon Plus rubs against the back of the knee.
The Paragon forgoes Velcro straps and relies on an elasticated sleeve design instead, with silicone strips around the thigh and hollow of the knee preventing it from slipping.

The Alpinestars Paragon Plus on the trail

The thin material of the Alpinestars Paragon Plus promotes ventilation, ensuring a pleasant inner climate under the sleeve. However, the protector doesn’t have any vent holes, causing heat to build up underneath it. The fit is excellent and the pad doesn’t slip – our test model even stayed in place with a torn latex strip. When pedalling, you can feel the material rolling up at the back of the knee and rubbing against the leg, which can be uncomfortable on long climbs. The protector is firm but at the same time elastic. As a result, it takes a long time to adapt to the shape of the knee while the rubbery consistency causes it to spring back into its original shape, preventing it from moulding itself to the leg and thus pressing on the kneecap when you pedal.

Tops

  • Excellent impact absorption
  • Cheapest knee pad in test

Flops

  • Protector too stiff and rubbery
  • Sub-par wearing comfort

You can find out more about at alpinestars.com.

The test field

Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test

All kneepads in test: 100% Teratec Plus (Click for review) | Alpinestars Paragon Plus | AMPLIFI Havok (Click for review) | Chromag Rift Knee Guard (Click for review) | Fox Launch D3O (Click for review) | Ion K Lite (Click for review) | iXS FLOW EVO+ (Click for review) | Leatt AirFlex Pro (Click for review) | Ortema GP5 Knee Protector (Click for review) | Pearl Izumi Elevate Knee Guard V1 (Click for review) | POC Joint VPD 2.0 Knee (Click for review) | Rapha Trail Knee Pad (Click for review) | Scott Soldier 2 (Click for review) | Troy Lee Designs Stage (Click for review)


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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Mike Hunger

About the author

Simon Kohler

​​Simon loves speed. He has many years of racing experience as a longboard downhill skater, blasting down alpine passes on his board. In the meantime, he’s swapped four wheels for two, charging down trails and bike park lines aboard his mountain bike instead. He’s savoured some of Europe’s finest trails on various road trips through the Alps. Having lived in Austria for some time, he knows the local Austrian bike parks like the back of his hand. He’s a tech nerd through and through, using the skills and know-how from his engineering degree and his attention to detail to put the latest bikes and components through their paces for our reviews. As an early riser and self-declared muesli connoisseur, he lives his life powered by oats and the strength of his legs.