Issue #053, Review - November 24, 2022

iXS FLOW EVO+ – In our 2022 trail knee pad group test

Swiss brand iXS specialise in the production of technical clothing and protection for motocross and mountain biking. Straight away, the FLOW EVO+ knee pad stands out from the test field with its olive-green colour. Tipping the scales at 143 g, it’s one of the lightest pads in the test. Compared to its competitors, it’s rather compact and features a relatively short sleeve with only a small portion of fabric extending over the thigh and calf.

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

**Weight per pad** 143 g | **Price** € 89.90 | **Certification** Level 1 | **Removable Insert** Yes
**Fastening System** Velcro Strap hollow of the knee | **Lab Test Results** 20 kN at 3.6 ms
Manufacturer’s website

The front side is lined with a sturdier, anti-abrasion material while the rear section consists of a light mesh. A printed silicone strip around the top cuff prevents it from sliding and is complemented with a Velcro strap at the back of the knee. With a price tag of € 89.90 the FLOW EVO+ sits bang in the middle of the test field and the Level 1 certification with 20 kN residual force at 3.6 ms is average too.

The Velcro strap at the back of the knee is nice and short, allowing you to secure it across its entire length – awesome!

The insert of the iXS is very short and presses against the shin .

The thigh-end of the sleeve is only secured to the leg by means of a thin silicon strip.

The iXS FLOW EVO+ on the trail

Thanks to its compact dimensions, the iXS FLOW EVO+ is easy to put on and take off. The short sleeve takes a little getting used to and leaves a small gap between your shorts and pads – but this can vary depending on the shorts’ cut. Once you get used to the fit, the FLOW EVO+ ensures a high level of comfort – so comfortable in fact, that you’ll forget you’re even wearing knee pads! Moreover, the iXS FLOW EVO+ is the only model in test that employs a well-thought-out and functional knee strap that actually works: it’s conveniently short and allows you to secure the knee pad properly – awesome! The Velcro closure stretches over the entire length of the strap, allowing you to adjust the length to suit your anatomy and preferences. The iXS FLOW EVO+ offers an excellent fit both on epic pedalling sessions and long Alpine descents. But there’s also a downer: with some testers, it rubbed against the shins while pedalling, so we recommend pulling the pads down on long monotonous climbs.

Tops

Secure fit
Well-thought-out strap at the back of the knee

Flops

Pressure points on the shins
Short cut is a matter of taste

You can find out more about at ixs.com.

The test field