The best heavy-duty knee pads you can buy

iXS CARVE EVO+

The iXS CARVE is one of the classics in this category, stepping up to this group test with its latest iteration: the EVO+. This time around iXS focused on the choice of materials to improve ventilation, comfort and durability. The hard work paid off! Not only is the iXS still the lightest knee pad in the heavy-duty category but it’s also the one with the best ventilation. The iXS CARVE EVO+ showed no major drawbacks in the lab, with its XMATTER padding ranked right at the top with outstanding impact absorption values. The knee pad extends further down than other models, which lends protection to the top of the shin. Out on the trails most riders found the CARVE EVO+ to be very comfortable but some weren’t too happy with the fit on long rides, noting that the kneepad tended to slide down. In the event of a crash, this is an absolute no-go. Put simply: a knee pad won’t give the requisite protection if it’s in the wrong place. When trying on the CARVE make sure it fits properly and that it’s not too loose–this will eliminate risks (but the rest is up to your riding skills).