Swedish manufacturer POC is well known for its sleek, stylish yet functional sports clothing and protective gear. The Joint VPD 2.0 Knee is all of the above. POC’s multi-purpose knee pad is short and beefy and features a sewn-in, non-removable insert that wraps around the sides of the knee, thus offering the best lateral protection in the entire test field. Moreover, the chunky VPD insert is Level 2-certified, recording the best impact absorption qualities in our lab tests, measuring 8 kN residual force at 2.7 ms.
Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test
Fastening System Velcro Fastener at the top and in the hollow of the knee
Lab Test Results 8 kN at 2.7 ms | Manufacturer’s website
However, the beefy construction also has a downside: at 329 g, the Joint VPD 2.0 Knee is by far the heaviest knee pad in this test – and at €160 also the most expensive one! The sleeve combines a firm material at the front with a thin fabric at the rear – albeit the latter is made up of two layers. Two Velcro straps provide secure fastening, with one at the thigh and one in the hollow of the knee.
The POC Joint VPD 2.0 Knee on the trail
Thanks to its compact dimensions, the POC Joint VPD 2.0 Knee is very easy to slip on, while the beefy padding doesn’t get in your way on the trail. The upper Velcro fastener is heavily padded, but the multi-layered material at the rear causes the fabric to fold on itself as you slip the knee pads on. Once the Velcro fasteners are secured, the Joint VPD 2.0 sits firmly on the leg. That being said, the strap in the hollow of the knee is too long, making for a rather loose fit around the calf. At first, the protector feels a little stiff but gets softer and more flexible as the insert gets warm. However, flexibility is still limited, mainly due to the sheer beefiness of the insert. As a result, the protector rubs against the back of the knee when you bend the leg, which makes it uncomfortable in the long run and unsuitable for long days in the saddle. That being said, the high level of protection and firm fit make it a great choice for bike park laps.
Tops
- Highest protection level in the entire test field
- Wraps around the knee
Flops
- Heavy and bulky
- Not very comfortable when pedalling
You can find out more about at pocsports.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 (Click for review) | 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 | 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
