Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard review
The Raid is Troy Lee Designs’ highest performing knee protector, and is designed for downhill or all mountain use.
What is it
A full coverage knee guard designed for gravity oriented riding. The primary protection comes from a central pre-molded D30 insert, which is bolstered by strategically placed foam padding. This rides on a soft neoprene sleeve that is wrapped in an abrasion-resistant cover. The back panel is constructed from breathable mesh. A Velcro strap and silicone grippers keep everything securely locked in place.
Pros
- Downhill worthy protection in a pedalable package
- Impressive wrap-around coverage
- Durable materials and top notch construction
- Pads don’t shift or slip during riding
- Comfortable during prolonged rides
Cons
- Expensive
- A little bulky and hot
- Must remove shoes to put on/take off
The extensive padding offers protection against frame hits and more.
Mtbr’s Take
The Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard is my new favorite knee protector for any ride that calls for a full-face helmet. The protection comes from a large pre-molded D30 insert that covers the kneecap and extends down towards the shin. This material is soft and articulates well during normal conditions, but hardens upon impact. Additional layers of foam are placed along the top and sides of the knee to help protect from side impacts.
Normally, pads like this are reserved for lift assist riding. The bulk makes them heavy, cumbersome to pedal, and hot. Surprisingly, the Raid is rather svelte. It delivers downhill levels of protection, while still being comfortable enough to pedal 20-30 miles. These wouldn’t be our first choice for XC or trail rides, but they’re a great option when you know things might get rowdy.
Troy Lee calls the silicone gripper that stretches across the back panel “fitlock.” It applies subtle pressure to the calf to help prevent slippage.
I’ve worn these pads from sunup to sunset with zero complaints. They are comfortable, and don’t slide around or slip down over time. TLD likes to credit the silicone gripper printed across the back of the calf for helping to cement everything in place, but I’d like to highlight the Velcro strap. A lot of brands skimp here. They don’t use enough Velcro, so if your leg is larger or narrower than average, you may not have enough room for adjustment. The Raid avoids this pitfall by including a wide strip that helps improve fit across a variety of body types.
I’ve been wearing these pads for almost a year. During that time, they’ve shrugged off more tumbles than I’ll ever admit to Mom, had multiple encounters with the power washer, and suffered through routine laundry cycles. Despite the abuse, the pads are still going strong. There’s some minor fraying in one small section, but overall the stitching is solid, and the pads still look new.
After nearly a year of abuse, our review set of pads still looks fresh.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for one pad set to rule them all this is it. The Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guards offer impressive protection, and feature top notch construction and are comfortable enough to be worn all day. My only complaint is price. At $115, the Raid’s aren’t cheap. But, I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for. While there are more affordable options on the market, I’ve yet to encounter anything that offers the same mix of performance, quality, and comfort.
Rating: 5 out of 5 
Price: $115
More Info: www.troyleedesigns.com and check out the promotional video below.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOTkPwxhh74
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