Moto is unpredictable. The track changes every lap as ruts can change or deepen and crashes can happen unexpectedly. It’s a common mindset for riders to never swing a leg over a bike without wearing a helmet, but, for some reason, knee protection still gets treated as an optional thing for many riders. The knee is one of the most vulnerable joints on the body and recovery from some knee injuries can mean months off the bike. Motocross specific knee pads exist and should be considered a necessity to keep riders injury free and enjoy more of doing what you love.

The knee is a complex joint that handles tremendous forces in everyday tasks like walking or running…imagine the forces knees take on a motocross bike at high speeds! The repeated impacts, rotations, compressions and lateral movements knees are subject to in motocross are massive and present a serious risk for many knee injuries.

Even a simple low-speed crash where you lose the front end in a turn can result in a serious knee injury if you happen to crash on a piece of hard pack without wearing knee pads. Impacts from roost or rocks can be dangerous when moving at speed (roost hurts) and a handlebar or foot peg to the knee is never fun…the simple addition of wearing knee pads greatly reduces the risk of serious injury from all the above and more.

Some knee pads go beyond offering impact protection. For example, the Slayco96 and TP199 knee pads have an inner knee sleeve that provides an added layer of lateral stability on the bike and, as a result, often give the rider an added layer of confidence when riding. 

The benefits of impact protection (and sometimes more than that) that come from wearing knee pads greatly outweigh the risks that come with not wearing any knee protection at all. Knee injuries don’t just stop you from riding; they affect your work, fitness levels and everyday life. Even minor injuries can linger and change how you ride or how you go about your day to day. Many riders only commit to wearing knee pads after their first scare or injury and, by then, the lesson is already typically MUCH more expensive than the cost of a set of pads. Not every rider needs or requires the same level of protection or set of features in a knee pad. EVS offers a large line of pads in different designs, levels of protection and materials to suit a variety of rider preferences and applications. 

Lightweight pads like the Hex or TP199 Lite prioritize comfort and mobility

Hard shell guards like the Epic and Option offer high levels impact protection and abrasion resistance

Hybrid designs like the TP199 and Slayco96 models balance protection with comfort 

The key is finding a knee pad that fits your riding style and becomes a piece of gear that you will actually wear every time you ride. 

Motocross will always involve risk, which is part of the reason we all love it. But it’s a no-brainer to reduce the risk of injury just so you can enjoy your hobby that much more. Wearing knee pads every time you ride is an excellent way to do that, particularly when you consider that most knee pads are comfortable, easy to put on, and inexpensive. If you gear up every ride, knee protection should be part of that routine.