EVS SC06 Knee Pad

What it is

EVS has been a leader in padding and protection for a long time. The company's multi-sport knee/shin guard has a perforated neoprene construction along with a molded bio foam upper, moisture wicking liner, an injected molded knee cup and shin guard for patella protection with  a pre-curved “race shape” and compression comfort cuff. There is a dual wrap around upper and lower calf strapping system. The black/grey guard comes in Medium for riders 90 - 165 lbs.  and roughly 5' - 5'10"and Large for riders  over 5'10".

How it works

Knee protection is one of the pieces of gear that can make or break my ride for a number of reasons. The first is comfort. Nothing seems to aggravate me more than bad fitting or uncomfortable gear. My knee and shin area hate to be rubbed wrong and pinched or bound. And that is the reason I favor knee pads over more protective and restrictive knee braces for less aggressive riding.

I've been a fan of the EVS protective gear since some BMX riders turned me onto it while jumping bicycles. I hated shinning myself. The latest in the knee pad line, the SC06, continues the tradition of a good fitting and protective knee pad.  Its plastic knee cup surrounds my knee cap and beyond where the padded neoprene is sewn around the cup like a trampoline to add to the cushioning effect. The straps have hook and loop closure and padding on the edge so the abrasive hooks have a harder time getting at your skin. The shin pad, which largely lives inside your boot anyways rides up high enough and is separate from the cup portion of the pad to allow the pad to easily bend. One of the best features of the pad is the additional shaped neoprene padding on top and on the side of the knee which works on side blows and handlebar hits.

As for the fit, I’m between a medium and a large at 5’ 10” and 185 lbs. with a normal build.  The height of the pad is perfect yet the straps are at their limit on closure, especially the middle one on the calf. It stays put once attached and I was thinking the elasticized straps would stretch over time but they have not--even with my caustic sweat and many cleanings. It is nice that EVS put right and left tags on the pads so I get them right the first time. And placing the middle strap so the pokey Velcro does not get at my skin is important, I make sure it is all hooked tight. The top closure has a secondary wrap-around strap that helps tighten the top strap and keep it closed without cutting off circulation or getting too tight on the thigh.

For sure these are not knee braces and do nothing for twisting. I know this before putting them on. They protect from bumps and hits, which they do at an exceptional level especially considering they are not even using some of the higher end cushioning foams out there and their overall smaller size.  They are slim and fit easily in the tightest of leathers not interfering with the fit of the boot either. The open back allows plenty of breathing and the material does a good job of absorbing sweat and not chafing.

On any EVS pad I've yet to have a seam blow out and only the smaller elastic straps have died over time. I've even broken the plastic cup on an older SC05 and my knee was spared any damage. The price is comparable with other offerings and when you think about the $69 over the multiple years these pads will last it is nothing.

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