My first experience with knee pads was when I was 10 and my mum was desperately trying to strap them to me before I went out and immediately fell off my skateboard, they were ill fitting, uncomfortable and most importantly to a ten year old so uncool! I’m afraid that memory resonated with me so it was only until recently I finally decided to give them another go when I was offered to test out the POC Joint VPD 2.0 DH Elbow and Knee Protectors. The DH stands for “downhill” in this model and provides one of the highest levels of protection POC has to offer, not only do they use VPD (more on that later) but it is covered with a hard shell cap to reduce friction against the ground in case of a fall. Both the Knee and Elbows pads felt comfortable to wear and slip easily on to bare skin or over base layers with Velcro straps to help keep them in place, there was no awkward bulky mass to restrict your movement.

Now more about the magic that is VPD (VISCO-ELASTIC POLYMER DOUGH) it is a flexible foam, that moulds to the body as it warms up to body temperature, however upon collision it becomes a hard, shock absorbing material that will take knock after knock without losing its protective qualities. The main body of the Knee and Elbow pads is an abrasion-resistant Kevlar-reinforced stretch fabric which is perforated to allow airflow, because of this I found I wasn’t getting all sweaty underneath which can make things really uncomfortable not to mention rather gross. I decided to test these out in a way that would guarantee me to get full use out of them, on my unicycle, which I have been trying to learn how to ride for over 2 years. On my second tumble I went forward on to both knees, to my boyfriend’s confusion I got up grinning because it didn’t hurt, what else can you ask for in a knee or elbow pad? One super picky negative, the sizing seems to run a little on the small size so it may be worth aiming for a larger size than you would normally expect to need. All in all POC has produced a fantastic set of body armour that allows you the freedom to move naturally whilst providing the protection you need.

4.5 Out of 5

POC Joint VPD 2.0 DH Elbow Pads RRP €100 Buy Now

POC Joint VPD 2.0 Knee Pads RRP €120 Buy Now

Pros

Comfortable

Flexibly

High impact absorbency

High quality construction

stylish design

Cons

sizing runs small