Issue #053, Review - November 24, 2022

SCOTT Soldier 2 – In our 2022 trail knee pad group test

Swiss manufacturer SCOTT offers a wide range of outdoor sports equipment. Their huge and versatile portfolio includes hard and soft goods for various sports disciplines, from skiing to trail running all the way to mountain biking. The Soldier 2 knee pad enters our 2022 knee pad group test with a discreet and simple design. It’s made entirely of a light, stretchable material and renounces Velcro fasteners altogether, relying on a silicone-printed retention strap on the thigh instead.

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

**Weight per pad** 181 g | **Price** € 79.95 | **Certification** Level 1 | **Removable Insert** Yes
**Fastening System** Elastic strap | **Lab Test Results** 18 kN at 3.0 ms | Manufacturer’s website

At the front, the removable D30® insert is tucked away under a firm, abrasion-resistant plastic mesh. Retailing at € 79.95, the Soldier 2 is one of the cheaper pads in this test, while the Level 1 protection and residual force of 18 kN at 3.0 ms places it in the midfield for protection. The 181 g weight is average too.

The firm, abrasion-resistant plastic mesh lining the front plate accumulates dirt easily.

Even without Velcro straps, the Soldier 2 ensures a good fit and high level of comfort.

Despite relying entirely on a lightweight mesh sleeve, the SCOTT is one of the warmest protectors in the entire test field, because the insert offers poor ventilation.

The SCOTT Soldier 2 on the trail

The compact dimensions make it easy to slip your legs into the SCOTT Soldier 2 but at the same time make for a tighter fit compared to the other models in this test. However, this is not a problem, because the sleeve is made of a flexible material. Once the pads are in place, they sit firmly on the legs and stay there even on longer rides with rough trail sections – which is awesome considering that SCOTT forgo any kind of Velcro straps! Despite the wide weave mesh on the front plate, ventilation is sub-par, which is mainly due to the firm mesh material and the lack of perforations in the D30® insert. As a result, the Soldier 2 is one of the warmest knee pads in this test, and on top of that the mesh holes proved to be the perfect dirt catcher. Nevertheless, the SCOTT offers excellent wearing comfort and doesn’t cause pressure points or unpleasant chafing, even after a long day in the saddle.

Tops

High level of comfort
Doesn’t slip

Flops

One of the warmer knee pads in test

You can find out more about at scott-sports.com.

The test field