Issue #053, Review - November 24, 2022

Chromag Rift – In our 2022 trail knee pad group test

Chromag are based in Whistler, the World’s undisputed mountain biking Mecca. While the Canadian manufacturer is mainly known for its bike frames and components like handlebars, stems and pedals, it also includes a wide range of clothing in its portfolio. The Rift knee pad sports a discreet design and is made entirely of a lightweight mesh, with an abrasion-resistant material lining the sewn-in protector. At 147 g, the Rift is one of the lightest knee pads in this test, while its € 101.95 price tag makes it slightly more expensive than the average.

Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test

**Weight per pad** 147 g | **Price** € 101.95 | **Certification** Level 1 | **Removable Insert** No
**Fastening System** Elastic strap | **Lab Test Results** 19 kN at 3.0 ms | Manufacturer’s website

Like most knee pads in this test, it comes with a Level 1 certification, measuring 19 kN residual force at 3.0 ms in the lab – which puts it on a par with most of its competitors. The Rift forgoes any kind of Velcro fasteners and relies on a simple slip-on sleeve design instead, with small silicone strips on the thigh- and calf-end as well as a narrow elastic band in the hollow of the knee preventing it from slipping.

Despite renouncing Velcro straps, the Rift offers an excellent fit.

The front plate is lined with a sturdier, abrasion-resistant material.

The shallow profile ensures a discreet look and excellent comfort, even when you wear the pads with long trousers.

The Chromag Rift on the trail

With its relatively tight cut, the Chromag Rift needs a bit of convincing when you first put it on. Once you’ve managed to pull the thigh end in place, the pad stays where it belongs and doesn’t slip, even on long days in the saddle and rough descents. The shallow profile ensures a discreet look and comfortable fit. However, with some of our testers, the printed silicone strip sat right on the kneecap, pulling on their skin slightly when pedalling. The thin mesh ensures decent ventilation but the firm material on the front plate hardly lets any air through, resulting in a rather warm inner climate.

Tops

Lightweight
Shallow profile

Flops

Depending on your anatomy, the printed silicon strip can pull on the skin

You can find out more about at chromagbikes.com.

The test field