Extended use review of the Knox Cross Guard Knee Armor
 

My review of the Knox Gross Guard Knee Guards after nearly three years with the same pair. They have held up pretty well to the use and abuse I've given them. I have not crash tested them - sorry, I am just not willing to take it that far for a review. ;)

I use this armor primarily when I want to wear jeans while riding. Because they strap directly to your body, they are much better than the armor in mesh and textile pants, so I have also on ocassion removed the armor in my riding pants and used the Knox Cross Guard armor instead. They are great for commuting, as I can wear jeans with the armor and just remove the armor once I get to work without having to carry a change of clothes. While I still do recommend wearing proper riding pants or leathers instead of jeans, I realize that sometimes it's not practical, or we just don't want to. For those times, this type of armor reduces the amount of risk you are taking.

They come in two sizes, long and short. If you wear race boots while riding, the long armor should tuck down into the top of your boots. They act as shin guards as well, and with race boots the front of your legs are protected from just above the knees all the way to your toes. The short armor is really just knee armor, and is great for shorter people. When I bought my pair of long knee guards, I also got a short pair to try out, and found the longer pair to be better for me. The short pair was perfect for a friend who is several inches shorter than me.

This armor is surprisingly comfortable. The thick, cushioned fabric backing extends out beyond the actual armor, making it feel like there is only padding attached to your legs. The straps are somewhat thick and very stretchy. For short rides of two to four hours, there is no issue with the straps rubbing your skin. But for longer rides, six to eight hours I have experienced mild irritation on the back of my knees from the middle strap. This is easily resolved by wearing underarmor.

The only signs of visible wear on the armor in nearly three years is a bit of stitching coming undone, and normal wear to the velcro. But these things haven't affected the performance of the armor at all. I could most likely have the stitching repaired, and if it gets any worse I probably will, but it's not that bad yet.

Overall I extremely pleased with them, and they remain at the top of my list of indispensable gear. They are easy to carry and store in the very nice tote bag that was provided.

Knox Cross Guard Knee Guards can be purchased from Sportbiketrackgear.com

Armor in tote bag
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/d1a0bb78.jpg

Lined with thick padding
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/773f4159.jpg

Padding spread out to show coverage
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/d0c64644.jpg

Length of straps (not stretched)
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/647acb26.jpg

Length of long guards
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/c774b608.jpg

Width of guards at the knee, there is some room to stretch and conform
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/3b272a57.jpg

Long armor fits into the top of race boots
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/b879887e.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/da4a3b8f.jpg

Stitches coming loose - this began after about a year and a half of use
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/e2b50a45.jpg

Being worn
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/4667c059.jpg

The back of guards while worn
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/2625f3ff.jpg

And this is what they look like under my jeans (me on the left). Guys obviously would be wearing much less form fitting jeans, so they would be less noticeable.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...9/53399eaf.jpg

Interesting... $70 seems completely reasonable for them too... Especially considering my lack of a muscle over my left knee. Now I just wonder if they would fit around my massive calves.

Measure them. The straps in the pic with the measuring tape are at rest (not stretched). If you want I can stretch them as far as they will go and measure them.

Ok, that didn't sound right...

I didn't take a picture that shows it, but the middle strap is actually two pieces sewn together that sort of Y out and go in opposite directions around your leg.

Ok, so it's like an elastic band that you slip your leg through, then you tighten it down with the remaining strap... right? Looking at the way they fit I don't think it'd be too much of a problem, but my calves are like 19" or something at the biggest part...

No, you don't have to slip your leg through it. It doesn't connect permanently all the way around. See if this helps...


The strap Y-ing off towards the top here
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/0d441946.jpg

Actually goes back around behind your leg back to the front and the other strap goes around the front to meet it and they velcro to each other across the front.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...r/fa0b5300.jpg


Also, none of the straps will go around the biggest part of your calves. They don't on me anyway. The middle strap hits near the back of your knee and the bottom strap hits just below the big calf muscle. My calves are 16" around at the biggest point, and 12" the point where the bottom strap goes. The bottom strap, stretched all the way out is right at 22", if you include the part of the velcro that is actually over the bottom of the guard.

Ah, I see! Thanks for the detailed explanation... I may have to be on the lookout for a set of these....

You're welcome! :)

You can try the Icon Field Armor stuff as well... has saved my knees 3 or 4 times now. $60 retail...

Also, the Dainese guards get rave reviews from the stunta crowd and cost about $80. Supposedly the D guards absolutely don't move... To be honest, I've never had any problems with the Icon units but...:idk:

I tried on the Icons at a Cycle Gear once, or I attempted to. They wouldn't really fit under my jeans. The Dainese are very similar to the Knox, so I'm sure they would fit but I've never had the opportunity to try them. I would trust almost anything before the Icons, honestly. But good to hear you benefited from them. Better than no protection at all. :)

Hahaha! Do I detect yet another Icon hater in our ranks?:lol: Oh well, I won't hi-jack your thread with another gear brand argument. I just wanted to point out other options just in case the Knox guards won't fit ol' "thunder calves" OSP! Although judging from the pics I'd say you could give him a run for his title!:whistle:

Nice Parthian shot. Well done. :)