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    Need help choosing between knee and elbow pads


    Hey guys, after two recent consecutive crashes (one in the trails and another in the city), I’ve decided that I need to upgrade my protection. After looking around for different elbow and knee pads, I decided that since I live in Florida I don’t need any with insane impact protection (like the launch pros) as I don’t tend to ride downhill. The two knee pads and elbow pads I’ve been looking at are the Fox Launch elbow pads and Fox Launch/Enduro Knee pads. The elbow pads are both the same model, but one is newer than the other. I need help figuring out if I should go with the newer model or the older one, as I can’t find any posts about the newer models but (to me) they look really nice and comfortable.

    Knee pads:

    1. https://www.foxracing.com/product/launch-kneeshin-pads/30604.html?dwvar_30604_color=001&dwvar_30604_size=S&cgid=protection-mtb
    2. https://www.foxracing.com/product/enduro-pro-d3o-knee-pads/28434.html?dwvar_28434_color=001&dwvar_28434_size=XS&cgid=protection-mtb

    Elbow pads:

    1. https://www.foxracing.com/product/launch-elbow-pads/33834.html?dwvar_33834_color=001&dwvar_33834_size=XS&cgid=protection-mtb
    2. https://www.foxracing.com/product/launch-d3o-elbow-pads/26431.html?dwvar_26431_color=001&dwvar_26431_size=S&cgid=protection-mtb

    I definitely love the minimal design of the new launch models and how they are still d30, but I’m just unsure because I can’t find any posts about them online. Additionally, I feel like the older launch elbow pads have more protection on the sides of the elbow/forearm than the new ones do.

    If you guys have any other recommendations, here is what I’m looking for:
    – Minimal, nice looking design that I can wear under my pants on trails or in the city (without looking too weird)
    – Breathable as I live in south florida
    – D30 padding
    – Doesn’t just protect the knee/elbow but also areas around it

    Edit: Thank you guys for the replies, they really helped. I realized I kinda messed up the wording of the question as I tend to over-explain but I’m mainly looking to see if anyone has or knows someone that has experience with the newer remodeled launch guards. I already did a good amount of research on the older ones so I know what to expect with those, but I wanna see if I can get information on the new ones (e.g. breathability, durability, comfort, etc.)

    by kosoleg

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    6 Comments

    1. dontfeedthenerd on

      I’m generally not a huge fan of having a hole in the sleeve of the elbow pads. BUT you live in Florida which is hot and humid as all heck I imagine. So I’d almost push you to look at the older model. CAn probably find it for sale cheaper outside of official fox store as well.

    2. pineconehedgehog on

      Been riding Launch D30s knee pads for years. They have done an outstanding job protecting me and I have pedaled thousands of miles in them. Just got a new pair to replace my old ones. I have never felt the need to have the hard plastic of the Pros.

      Can’t speak to the elbows or the newer models of knee pads that you posted.

    3. BZab_ on

      First of all, get the **ones that fit you**.

      I had to return the Leatt AirFlex/RheoFlex (seems to be just renamed with new model year) because the it rubbed one of my shins like hell. Instead of using D3O and similar, they went with honeycomb-like rubber structure to maximize the airflow. Side panels use some sort of harder foam to add light protection around the knee.

      Ended with Chromag Rifts – they use padding that works the same way like D3O and share the reduced breathability (because you have sewn in a continous slice of gel-like material). I really like them. But I don’t think it would be a good choice for flat, pedally rides in hot & humid climate.

      For light elbow guards however I can recommend GForm Pro X3.

    5. WhyAlwaysNoodles on

      I found Fox Launch gear to be too tight. The max size was stated as 1cm under what I am, but they felt much tighter, and hot. Sunny XRD elbow pads are a bit larger, true to stated measurements.

    6. Wishmaster21 on

      I have both the Enduro Pro and Launch Pro.

      I live in a very hot and humid weather. My own experience is that Enduro Pro sleeve stretch fabric sometimes give me discomfort as they get hot, but as I have other priorities (like dodging obstacles, pedaling, etc) that discomfort tend to disappear until I stop again.

      The Launch Pro are more comfortable, I think is because of the thicker fabric plays better with my skin and they feel less hot but on the flip side you are going to notice you have them in every pedal because they are heavier

      None of the above is enough for me not to wear them so that’s the price I pay to protect my elbows and knees.

      I have fallen on both and my knees and elbow have survived without issues.

      When I was doing my research I concluded that the Enduro Pro are better for the cross country, gravel, pavement type of trails, that do not have a lot of sharp rocks etc like the south of US. And the Launch Pro on top of everything the Enduro does are for more protection when you include sharp rocks, little and big rocks type of trails like you will find on anything hilly like the Rockies, California-Arizona-Nevada etc

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