Choosing accessories and new gear for the sport you love is one of life’s greatest joys. Aside from the sport itself, of course. Hours and hours spent browsing sites, magazines, forums and so on. Comparing different models, key features and the best prices. Whether you’re looking for a new set of brakes, a carbon handlebar or your next protective gear, looking after your passion is a pleasure and never a chore.
Is it better to go for a modular brake or a powerful one? Should you opt for a soft knee guard or a rigid one? There is no right or wrong answer. Everyone has their own particular preferences, and rightly so. Our choices are also often influenced by specific factors, such frequency and type of use, skill level and terrain.
Protection or comfort? We’ve found the perfect balance
Thanks to developments in technology, manufacturers of bikes, accessories and clothing have achieved results that were unthinkable until a few years ago. Increasingly high-performance mountain bikes and increasingly lightweight and durable gear have quickly aged materials and vehicles that are not even ten years old.
And clothing is no exception. In the early days of mountain biking, the purpose was simply to provide the rider with optimal coverage and protection. However, things have moved on considerably since then. We are now able to combine seemingly irreconcilable characteristics, such as powerful protection and a lightweight feel, by drawing on the benefits of our natural surroundings, which have always been a source of inspiration for Dainese. Dainese therefore offers a wide selection of mountain bike knee guards spanning a range of different models, with features to suit various types of users and uses.
For die-hard climbers
For the long-distance cycling enthusiast, Dainese has developed Trail Skins Pro: A knee guard that is so soft, lightweight and breathable, you can hardly feel it, even on uphill stretches and regardless of air temperature. Trail Skins Pro is the perfect companion for full days on the saddle, whether you’re pedaling uphill or enjoying the downhill descent. Put it on in the morning and forget you are even wearing it.
The Pro-Shape 2.0 front protective panel is inspired by auxetic structures. When applied to the design of a knee guard, the geometric qualities of natural auxetics allow the material to stiffen upon impact and expand in all directions as a result of traction, closely following the movement of the knee and ensuring optimal freedom of movement. The other key strength of Trail Skins Pro lies in its perforated surface, which accounts for 55% of its total area. Trail Skins Pro is therefore able to combine certified Level 1 protection with continuous air flow, even at low speeds.
Designed around the knee, both up and downhill
When our riding style becomes more aggressive and the trails more challenging, we often feel the need for a thicker, more rigid protector. The Enduro 2 knee guard has been designed and manufactured in collaboration with athletes in the Enduro World Series. Enduro 2 ensures both great protection and ease of pedaling. It has been specially designed to trace the form of the knee during all phases of movement, so that it doesn’t feel heavy or constricting, even uphill.
Enduro 2 is a hybrid knee guard that combines rigid ABS panels to protect the kneecap and tibia with more flexible Pro Armor panels that cover the side areas of the knee and shin. It’s the perfect knee guard for anyone who wants to push themselves to their limits downhill, whether you’re racing or training, whilst enjoying the ability to move freely as you pedal without having to move the protector down.
A rigid knee guard for maximum protection
When the trail gets steep, Armoform Pro is ready. Armoform Pro is a rigid knee guard specifically designed to offer maximum protection on the most technical of descents, from the days at the bike park to downhill. Inspired by the geometry of natural fractals, the two front polyethylene plates ensure that impact force is spread over a large area for minimum shock to the knee. The sliding plate structure guarantees excellent freedom of movement at every stage of the descent, whilst providing optimal protection in the event of a crash. Armoform Pro is an evolution of the legendary knee guard that saw Danny Hart crowned Downhill World Champion in 2016.
Whether you prefer to pedal the 1,500 meters above sea level, hitch a ride on the shuttle bus, or take the ski lift, Dainese has the perfect protection for you. Comfort, rideability, protection. Know your requirements, trust in your tastes, and the choice will be obvious.
