Are you looking for the best BMX knee pads?
Welcome to my collection of the ultimate knee protection options that cover all riding styles.
Not just that, but they’ll keep you stylish, even if you ride in slimmer pants.
As someone who cares about style (VERY MUCH), I do care about how protection is made.
Bulkier is a NO-GO.
But all the epic ones that I have here are a YES-GO.
I’m a fan of the Race Face Charge Knee Pads because of their minimalist, low profile that makes you look good even if you wear tight pants.
Plus, they cover some of your shin, which is massive plus for me.
This post covers:
- Best BMX knee pads & guards
- Do I need knee pads & guards?
- Bonus: Strengthening your knees for BMX
- FAQs about BMX knee pads
Quick BMX Knee Pads Pick:
- Best Overall BMX Knee Pads: Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro Knee Sleeves
- Best Minimalist BMX Knee Pads: Shadow Invisa Light
- Best Youth BMX Knee Pads: Fox Racing Youth Launch Knee Guards
Best BMX Knee Pads & Guards (For Adults & Youth)
1. Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro Knee Sleeves (BMX & MTB Approved!)
The Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro knee sleeves are built for riders who want lightweight protection without sacrificing comfort or mobility.
Made with a durable 260gsm Lycra body, these sleeves move naturally with your pedaling while resisting abrasion from constant use.
Inside, they feature ultra-slim D3O Diablo padding that stays soft and flexible while you ride, but hardens instantly on impact for reliable protection. So comfy.
Troy Lee’s air channel design helps increase airflow, keeping your knees cooler during long sessions or when it’s hot outside.
The slip-on style makes them quick to put on and take off, while the slim profile ensures they fit easily under pants.
I also like that they come longer, covering some of the shin.
Moreover, silicone gripper bands at the top and bottom keep the pads in place, so you don’t have to readjust mid-ride.
These sleeves are perfect for BMX and MTB riders who want low-bulk protection with pro-level tech.
Price: $102.00 (may vary)
GET YOUR SPEED PRO KNEE SLEEVES2. Space Brace Dennis Enarson Knee Pads (Low Profile)
Here’re the very popular Dennis Enarson signature Space Brace knee pads.
You know that if Dennis puts his name on a product, then it must be good. And when it comes to protection and his insane riding style, yup, these knee pads are epic.
These are more like a knee brace than a pad or protector. They feature a neoprene material that acts as a compression band to help improve blood flow and reduces swelling.
The Space Brace kneed pads are also designed without straps, so you just pull them on like a sock.
However, their minimal and slim shape with cushioning gel instead of plastic makes the pads very comfortable (low profile) to wear even during long sessions.
Note: You may need to adjust them from time to time (because of the strapless design) if you pedal a lot, but that’s something that you’ll need to do with almost all BMX knee pads.
Price: $60.00 (may vary)
GET YOUR SPACE BRACE KNEE PADS3. Race Face Charge Knee Pads (Best To Wear Under Pants)
These are the knee pads I currently ride, and I absolutely love them.
The Race Face Charge knee pads are lightweight sleeves designed for riders who want protection from scrapes without the bulk of heavy armor.
Built with a urethane foam abrasion zone and abrasion-resistant cover, they shield your knees from pedal strikes and slides while keeping a slim profile.
Note: I don’t recommend these to beginners because they don’t offer the necessary protection.
The breathable butterfly-mesh construction allows excellent airflow, making them comfortable to wear. Even in hot summer days, these feel nice and don’t get super warm.
Flatlock seams reduce irritation, while silicone grippers on the thigh and shin keep the pads locked in place without slipping.
These pads slide on easily like sleeves, offering a low-profile fit that works well under pants – even skinny ones!
While not rated for heavy impacts, they’re ideal for BMX and trail riders who prioritize comfort and lightweight coverage.
Price: $55.00 (may vary)
GET YOUR CHARGE KNEE PADS4. Shadow Invisa Light Knee Pads (Super Lightweight)
Okay, these are the ones that I briefly mentioned above, the slimmest and thinnest knee pads that fit under tight jeans without restricting knee motion and compromising your style.
Similar to the Shadow Invisa Light BMX ankle guards, they also feature comfortable lycra/micromesh construction with strategically placed double-layer impact foam on the knee cap and around it.
If you like to ride without pads but think from time to time that some protection would be great, then get these.
I feel you because I’m the same. I like the freedom of riding without pads, but I somehow feel “naked.”
Luckily, Shadow’s Riding Gear line finally took care of that with their Invisa Light knee pads.
But because their super slim and low profile, know that these protect lighter hits only.
For instance, they’re not recommended for vert riders. But great for street, park and trails!
I LOVE these!
Price: $34.99 (may vary)
GET YOUR INVISA LIGHT KNEE PADS5. POC Joint VPD Air Pads (Great For Heavy Impacts)
Check out the POC Joint VPD Air knee guards.
They’re crafted for those of us who crave freedom of movement without sacrificing protection. These guards are super light and flexible, so you’ll hardly notice them while riding.
The magic lies in their VPD compound padding – it’s like a lightweight shield for your knees.
They’re snugly wrapped in a reinforced stretch fabric, with an anti-slip neoprene lining and a handy elastic strap with hook & loop fastening to keep them in place.
And, they’re low-profile, so no bulky feel or restricted movements.
Sold in pairs, these guards are a game-changer for comfortable, secure, and unobtrusive protection.
Price: $80.00 (may vary)
GET YOUR VPD AIR KNEE GUARDS6. 7iDP Transition Knee Armor
The 7iDP Transition knee armor is perfect for riders who want lightweight, low-profile protection without sacrificing movement.
Its compression fit and flexible 1mm cap provide excellent mobility, making it feel like a second skin. (My favorite type of knee guards!)
Whether you’re hitting the trails or cruising through the park, these pads stay in place thanks to the silicone grippers and stretchy poly/spandex construction.
Another thing that keeps them in place is the slightly extra length, which another thing I like about knee pads and guards.
What’s even better? They’re compact enough to roll up and stash in your jersey pocket when not in use.
This soft knee armor gives you reliable protection in a super slim package.
Price: $74.99 (may vary)
GET YOUR 7IDP TRANSITION KNEE ARMOR7. Fox Racing Youth Launch Knee Guards (Universal Youth BMX Knee Pads)
The Fox Racing Youth Launch knee guards give younger riders strong protection with a lightweight, all-day-wearable design.
They use CE-certified D3O® inserts that stay flexible while riding but harden instantly on impact.
The best knee guards offer comfort and protection, and these do just that!
A breathable Ariapene mesh sleeve stretches naturally with knee movement while venting heat and moisture to keep kids comfortable.
I also really like the abrasion-resistant front panel, and the contoured EVA side panels add extra coverage in high-risk areas.
The pre-curved ergonomic shape ensures a snug, natural fit that doesn’t restrict pedaling or other movement while performing tricks.
Slip-on construction with hook-and-loop adjusters makes them easy to put on, take off, and fine-tune for fit.
Built specifically for ages 6 – 14, these guards strike a solid balance of comfort, protection, and value for young BMX and MTB riders.
Price: $89.95 (may vary)
GET YOUR YOUTH LAUNCH KNEE GUARDSDo I Need Knee Pads & Guards?
There’s no right answer to this, so I’ll say Yes and No.
I definitely HIGHLY recommend you use knee protection as a BMX beginner.
You’ll be learning a lot of new stuff and thus are more prone to crash and hit yourself – a lot.
Avoid pain and enjoy a more comfortable progression with BMX knee pads.
However, even many experts and pros ride knee pads.
Do BMX pros ride pads & protection?
Still, you’ll often find a professional without any pads. Why? Because they 100% trust themselves and have tricks on lock.
But that doesn’t mean they won’t hurt and injure themselves. It still happens, but it’s very rare.
Also, one of the reasons riders don’t like protection is style. Luckily, modern knee pads aren’t as bulky as they once were.
That’s why I recommend getting the Race Face Charge Knee Pads.
And if you were slightly baggier pants, no one would even know your riding protection.
But it’s important that you do what feels right to you. Who cares what others say?
With or without protection, we’re all in this BMX game for one main reason: To. Have. Fun.
If you’re unsure about protecting your knees, again, at least opt for Race Face Charge Knee Pads.
These ROCK!
You’ll thank yourself later.
Bonus: Strengthening Your Knees For BMX
Me performing a variation of the ATG Zero program exercise
Since you’re considering knee pads, I’m sure you care about your knee health and strength, too.
I’ve been riding BMX for 20+ years and have had countless knee injuries, and even surgery on my right knee.
The surgery really made me take knee health seriously because NO WAY am I stopping riding BMX because of “a little” knee surgery.
I ended up trying just about everything to keep my knees alive – supplements (mainly amino acids), random rehab exercises, different training styles – you name it.
Most of it gave me short-term relief at best, but nothing really fixed the root problem.
At that time, the only thing that gave me some hope was doing wall sits.
However, the one thing that actually made a HUGE difference?
The ATG program (by Ben Patrick, aka the Knees Over Toes Guy).
I’m still extremely grateful that I came across this dude.
Within the first month (actually, around 14 days into the program), I felt a noticeable improvement in strength and stability in both my knees – especially the right one.
After six months of consistent training, my knees felt better than they had in years. In fact, I started doing the exercises when I was in my 30s, but after half a year, my knees felt better than they did when I was in my 20s.
And now I just keep progressing with the same movements – adding weight as I go.
What makes this program so unique is that it targets the areas of the body where BMX riders need it most – the ankles, knees, and hips – through simple yet effective movements.
You don’t even need weights to start with!
It’s not about hammering yourself in the gym; it’s about gradually restoring range of motion, bulletproofing your joints, and creating real-world strength that translates directly to the bike.
Here’s the thing: You don’t need bad knees to start.
In fact, it works even better if you already feel “fine.”
Think of it as preventative maintenance – the kind that can save you from future injuries and keep you riding longer.
Note: If I’d known about these exercises earlier, I would have started doing them before I even started riding BMX. Yes, really! Oh well, better late than never.
But if your knees are already beat up like mine were, this program will feel like a second chance. Trust me, you’ll be impressed by how much it helps – it’s hard to believe until you actually try it.
Either way, I firmly believe that all BMX riders in the world should do these exercises.
We all want to ride our bikes for as long as possible, and the ATG Knee Ability Zero program makes a significant contribution to that goal.
So whether you’re grinding rails, hitting trails, or stacking hours at the skatepark, I can’t recommend this enough.
Give it a couple of months, and you’ll see why so many riders (including me) swear by it.
Check out the ATG Program here and start building stronger, healthier knees that’ll keep you riding for years to come.
CHECK THE ATG KNEE ABILITY ZERO PROGRAM HEREFAQs About BMX Knee Pads
What are the main benefits of wearing BMX knee pads?
The main benefits of wearing BMX knee pads are injury prevention, increased confidence while riding, and protection against scrapes and impacts during falls.
How do I choose the right size of BMX knee pads?
Measure the circumference of your knee and compare it to the manufacturer’s sizing chart. Ensure a snug fit that doesn’t restrict movement.
Can BMX knee pads be worn under pants?
Yes, many BMX knee pads are designed to be slim enough to wear under jeans and even skinny pants, but it depends on the specific design and thickness of the pads (and how skinny pants you wear).
How often should I replcae BMX knee pads?
Replace them if they show significant wear, tear, or damage, or after a severe crash. It’s generally recommended to inspect them regularly and consider replacing them every few years, depending on usage. Also, replace them if they stretched out and not fit your properly anymore.
Are there specific knee pads for BMX versus other sports?
Yes, BMX knee pads are specifically designed for the sport, offering a balance between flexibility and protection suitable for BMX biking dynamics. Some knee peds also have protection on the side for better seat pinching during barspins.
How do I clean and maintain my BMX knee pads?
Most BMX knee pads can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals and check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific care guidelines. Air dry them away from direct heat.
Should BMX knee pads be hard or soft?
The choice between hard and soft knee pads depends on your riding style and preference. Hard knee pads offer more protection against impacts and are ideal for aggressive riding styles. Soft pads are more flexible and comfortable, suitable for less intense riding or for those who prefer a greater range of motion.
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Note: This article was originally published on October 10, 2022. But I regularly review it and update it with necessary improvements for accuracy.
