POC’s VPD Air kneepads had been my go-to knees for fairly some time, as I appreciated their minimal leg protection and the way nicely they stayed in place. Given that have, I used to be stoked to check out the brand new VPD Max kneepads. I’ve been using them since June and located they’re very safe on the leg, supply zero restriction of mobility, and have remained completely comfy the entire time.
VPD Max Kneepads – Building
POC recommends the VPD Max kneepads for downhill, enduro, or technical path using. Their most important characteristic is the two-layer VPD building on the knee padding, which gives stage 2 safety. This new protector permits for some motion between the layers, serving to the pad keep correctly positioned in your leg throughout a crash. POC’s VPD (Visco-elastic Polymer Dough) protectors keep tender sufficient to hug the form of your leg after they’re warmed up, however they harden upon influence. The VPD protectors are perforated to permit airflow, and ergonomically formed to make sure consolation when you’re within the using place.
Apart from the knee protector, there’s only a easy sleeve and a few grippy hems on these slip-on knees. The pads’ tender Lycra sleeves stretch and transfer along with your leg, and principally present zero resistance as your leg bends. A extra sturdy outer material covers the knee padding itself.
Preserving these pads in place are silicone-printed hems. The higher hem is 2” large, however the silicone printing covers 1.5” of that. POC ensured the higher sleeves had been good and lengthy so the higher hem can seize your thigh and keep put. The rear half of the decrease hem options the identical silicone print to grip the higher calf.
POC says these pads could be washed on a delicate cycle… however the advantageous print says: “This product’s efficiency has been verified as much as a most of 5 washes at 30° C.” I suppose should you wash your pads usually, it is likely to be greatest handy wash them. On that observe, the VPD protector just isn’t detachable; it’s totally sewn in.
In the event you trip with elbow pads, POC has an identical set of VPD Max Elbows which additionally characteristic the two-layer protector.
Journey Impressions: Match/Consolation
Following POC’s sizing information, I requested dimension medium pads, they usually match me very nicely. As a result of sleeves’ lengthy higher sleeve, the highest hem of those pads sits very excessive up my leg. They sit so excessive up that I nearly had points pushing sure shorts up sufficient to get the hems correctly positioned. A few of my slimmer-fitting shorts’ legs had been getting tight on my thighs by the point I had them pushed out of the best way.
Fortunately, each pair of shorts I attempted did accommodate the VPD Max kneepads, so I by no means needed to put the pads on first, then pull my shorts on over prime.
The underside of the VPD padding doesn’t lengthen far under the knee, nevertheless it does cowl about 3” beneath my kneecaps. If shin safety is a precedence for you, the VPD Max kneepads don’t supply a lot, however the minimal leg protection is good for decent climate rides. The twin-layer knee padding sits proper over my kneecaps and by no means shifted round whereas I rode.
Immediately I discovered the VPD Max’s prime hems are fairly cosy, however they do their job and maintain the pads in place. The primary time I wore the pads, it instantly felt like having two rubber bands wrapped round my thighs. I hoped this wouldn’t be annoying or uncomfortable, and fortunately the hems had been simply forgotten on the path.
Whereas the hems left well-defined impressions of their silicone grippers round my legs, they’re not tight sufficient to trigger any muscle-related discomfort. By the third time I wore the pads, the higher hems had been changing into much less noticeable. Thus far the hems haven’t loosened up noticeably, which is an efficient signal for the pads’ longevity.
On the underside finish, the VPD Max’s knee padding does sit proper in your shin, however I by no means discovered the underside edges pushing in opposition to my leg sufficient to be uncomfortable. I additionally had no consolation points with the decrease hems, which don’t match fairly as tightly because the uppers. In spite of everything my rides during the last month and a half, I’ve no complaints about discomfort of any sort from the VPD Max kneepads.
Match with Pants
Since I examined these pads in the summertime, I nearly forgot to strive using them with pants. The knee safety on the VPD Max kneepads is a tad cumbersome, however I went proper for my slimmest-fitting MTB pants and the pads had been completely advantageous beneath. I had no points with the kneepads feeling tight contained in the pant legs, they usually by no means acquired hung up or tugged on them as I pedalled. Since these pads keep in place so nicely, you’ll most likely by no means need to shift them again into place mid-ride, and that’s excellent once you’re carrying pants.
Safety
From my first take a look at trip, the VPD Max knees supplied a safe match. These cosy higher hems and grippers work very nicely, as I’ve by no means as soon as needed to readjust these pads throughout a trip. The decrease hems assist maintain the pads in place, too. Whereas placing them on, you’ll be able to really feel the silicone printed backsides of the hems gripping your calves.
All through sizzling, sweaty rides, three-hour-plus pedals, and all my different take a look at laps, the VPD Max knees merely stayed put. I even rode them with a budget-friendly chamois that doesn’t have tight-fitting legs, and regardless of no additional assist from the chamois, the pads didn’t budge in any respect.
After a couple of rides, I observed some minor stretching of the sleeve material on the bottom of the pads, however the material has not stretched out significantly and it by no means bunched up inside my knees.
Mobility/Heat
The VPD Max Kneepads are probably the very best knees I’ve ridden by way of pedalling mobility. As quickly as I bent a leg in them, I used to be impressed with the unrestricted freedom of motion. The one factor that flexes once you bend your knee is the Lycra sleeve, so there’s just about zero resistance. The VPD knee padding itself is pretty quick, so it doesn’t need to flex as your leg bends.
As for heat, it’s good to know the VPD padding is perforated, however I can’t say I felt air flowing proper by way of it throughout rides. As talked about, most of your decrease leg stays uncovered in these pads, however the higher sleeves do cowl a number of the thigh. The sleeves don’t enable wind to breeze proper by way of, however total these pads aren’t excessively heat, so I’ve had no downside using them in mid-summer temperatures.
The VPD Max Kneepads can be found in sizes XS-XL, and are available Black solely. MSRP is $170. POC features a mesh carry bag with every pair.
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