Even though there’s no price for passion, when it comes to safety, we must never compromise. I’m sure many of you must be tired of hearing about safety measures from your elders or even colleagues, but trust me, the subject of safety can never be emphasized enough.
Most motorcyclists are risk-takers; dangerous routes thrill them. The chill running down their spine while making the sharp turn around the fenceless mountain doesn’t scare them. In fact, it excites them. However, would it all be worth it at the end of the day if you end up losing your ability to ride a bike ever again? Yes, you can’t do anything about the routes, granted, but protective measures can and should always be taken.
Knee braces are just one part of the safety equipment you must have, but they’re arguably the most important part of it, second only to helmets. Many bike riders avoid such equipment often because of the prices, but I want you to stop and think for a second if you treasure your ability to walk more than a few dollars or not.
Because we already know your answer, without further ado, we’re going to give you a detailed guide for the best motorcycle knee braces you could get your hands on for the best combination of safety and comfort.
The 10 Best Motocross Knee Braces in 2023
Throughout this section, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the best knee braces on the market. So, let’s jump right in.
1- EVS Sports Knee Brace
Claiming to be the industry first with its carbon fiber and aluminum frame, the EVS brace offers excellent protection along with comfort, thanks to the light structure. Its aluminum hinge and carbon fiber cuffs help you strap it on at just the right place. Patented by Tru-Motion, the brace provides a tight grip while not being very harsh on your knees.
The neoprene liners made of sharkskin lockout hypertension and the compressed cuffs made of synthetic leather are all you need for a stylish yet safe knee brace. But you don’t have to take our word, especially regarding the safety part; the product is EN 1621-1 and CE 1621-1 certified.
The medium size brace has dimensions of 33 x 12 x 8.5 inches, and it’s 6 pounds in weight. Moreover, the product is available in large and extra-large sizes at different prices.
Our Thoughts:
This EVS Sports Knee Brace is one that actually lives up to its name and purpose. If you’re a motocross rider, this knee brace is the one for you. Though it is expensive, it will be a one-time investment, and you’ll be able to ride safely for a long period of time. As we mentioned before, safety first!
2- EVS Men’s Lite Knee Brace
The EVS Men’s Lite Knee Brace is another sports knee brace that’s also EN 1621-1 and CE 1621-1 certified. One of the most irritating things while riding a bike could be your braces not staying in place. After all, worrying about the product whose sole purpose is to let you have a safe and worry-free ride isn’t exactly ideal, is it?
Well, with this EVS Lite pad, you can be sure that you’ll only be focusing on the exciting path ahead of you. Thanks to the inner sleeve’s silicon strips, calf sleeves, and the TPR material pull tabs that provide a firm grip and placement.
The (RMF) reactive memory foam also gives special protection to your kneecaps. We all know how bike injuries aren’t just serious because of the angle you may fall in but also the multiplied impact that your high speed may cause.
This product’s upper, made of molded bio-foam, helps give extra impact protection. This knee pad is also constant-impact resistant due to its abrasion-resistant body and Rhyno skin. The model we are discussing is the small/medium size, but the same brace is also available in large/extra large size at a different price.
Our Thoughts:
A pocket-friendly option that also provides comfort and protection is the EVS Men’s Lite Knee Brace. Though its performance might not be the same as the one mentioned above, it does offer quite some handsome features like the silicon straps. It looks like the manufacturers know their customers and their priorities well, so this product offers it all: knee cap protection, migration prevention, and constant impact resistance. If you’re looking for something that is light on your wallet yet doesn’t compromise on your safety, this would be a safe bet.
3- CTi Motorbike Knee Brace
Being a sports brace as well, the Ti Motorbike Knee Brace also offers the comfort and lightweight structure similar to the EVS Sports Knee Brace because this one also has a carbon fiber construct. Additionally, it also provides a firm grip on your knee because of the flexible cuffs, migration-preventing calf wrap, and silicon liner.
Your knee cap also has extra protection while you’re wearing the CTi brace because of the accuracy hinge, which prevents the knee joint from moving or twisting because of its nature-mimicking four-bar linkage of the leg.
Our Thoughts:
This one seems to be a lot like the EVS Sports brace with similar cons too. However, it does offer some additional features, such as the four-bar linkage mimicry of the accuracy hinge that offers very high security against the shifting or twisting of knee joints. Thus, if it falls within your budget, the choice between the two could be very difficult, but both are worth your money.
4- Troy Lee Designs Knee Brace
Troy Lee has come up with something very interesting. By its appearance, this brace might look like just regular knee support with some padding. However, the product is a lot more than that; its two-sided support hinges keep your knee safe from twisting. On top of that, the molded thermoplastic protects your thigh, patella, and shin.
The carefully targeted padding brace allows you to move freely while also protecting your legs from any damage in case a crash occurs. Also, you can strap it around just perfectly with its Hypalon pull straps, which allow the brace to fit perfectly on your leg.
Our Thoughts:
This one seems to be winning so far. Not so heavy on your pocket, the Troy Lee brace seems to offer it all: kneecap, calf, and thigh protection, patella twist protection, and a strong and firm grip around your legs. We couldn’t find any reason why this wouldn’t be a successful buy.
5- RaceFace Knee Guard
Featuring shock-absorbing, high-performing D30 foam, this RaceFace Knee Guard offers safety along with moisture control and breathability. The open back structure means you no longer have to take off your shoes because of your knee brace.
The sided walls padded by foam provide another extra layer of protection. It’s terry lined to make you comfortable on your ride, and the branded rubber tabs make sure the brace stays in place.
Our Thoughts:
The RaceFace brace offers your leg protection from all sides while not compromising on your comfort. It has padded walls and strong straps to ensure both safety and comfort. However, you’ll have to buy both separately, which might make it cost more than your first impression of the brace. Also, it might be a little tighter than what you expect.
6- Leatt EXT 3.0 Shin And Knee Guard
With its lightweight design and impact foam to make your biking experience the best every time, the Leatt guard takes care of you and your comfort. With strap-on style to make your ride easy, you can take it on and off any time.
On top of that, the hard shell protects your knee from all sides, and the same protection is extended to your shin too.
Our Thoughts:
The Leatt EXT 3.0 are the kind of braces that would help you in desert biking. They allow easy paddling and aren’t at all heavy on your knees. Leatt is known to make robust and true to their purpose products, and this is no exception. In fact, this might turn out to be your best decision for yourself or even your child.
7- EVS Axis Sports Brace
With a touch of color, the EVS Axis Sports Brace offers overall protection for the thigh and calf with its nylon injected lower and upper cuffs. Besides, its hypertension blocking keeps you protected and lets you have personalized fitting.
The kneecap is dual-protected, thanks to the padding and knee cup. Additionally, the True Motion 2.0 hinges, which are extremely light, make sure you’re safe but not restricted in movement.
Our Thoughts:
The unique point of this product is that it offers both padding and a kneecap for the patella. It also offers almost all of the features you’d find in the braces discussed above. The EVS Axis Sports Brace comes in pairs, so you don’t have to worry about buying two. We truly believe that this is a product that anyone will love.
8- D30 Fox Knee Guard
Trusted by many of the best riders out there, the D30 Fox Knee Guard offers very attractive features. Its D30 insert provides the rider with both comfort and protection, meaning you can wear it all day long.
Its neoprene, nylon, and SBR construction materials greatly enhance your comfort, too! The CE certification should provide you with even more confidence in the product. Though it’s a slip-on style guard, it has hooks and loops so you could adjust it to your liking.
Our Thoughts:
This D30 Fox Knee Guard is one you wouldn’t want to miss out on, considering its comfortable protection and the trust that comes with the CE certification it holds. However, the slip-on style is a little off-putting for many people as it is difficult to manage. Though it provides excellent protection to your knee, your shin and thigh would still be deprived of any protective gear.
9- Leatt Lime Shin Guard
In case you’re getting bored of all the black and white gear, here is a refreshing lime to uplift your mood. The Leatt Lime Shin Guard offers safety with style. Perfect for off-road biking, these braces ensure complete protection.
Made from washable leatt foam and HDPE (High-Density Poly Ethylene), these braces let you kick start your motor race right away. Though it seems to offer it all, a few customers have complained of the material wearing out and the braces slipping too. However, if you fasten the braces tightly, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Our Thoughts:
Though the Leatt Lime Shin Guard is designed for off-road motorcycles, I don’t see a reason why it shouldn’t work just fine on other bikes as well, especially considering how protective it is. All in all, this is a safe bet for its price.
10- Fox Racing Pro Knee Guard
The Fox Racing Pro Knee Guard is yet another thigh, knee, and shin protector for the passionate bikers. It offers a floating patella protector and a bio-mechanic hinge that’s dual pivoting.
The guard is also specifically designed for left and right legs so it can be worn more comfortably. The complete plastic protection for knee cap, shin, and thigh secures you from most injuries. The straps are one-time adjustable, and the bio-foam chassis makes sure you’re comfortable.
Our Thoughts:
The manufacturers seem to be aware of the struggles of bikers. Thus, their Fox Racing Pro Knee Guard provides protection along with comfort starting from the lower thigh down to your shin. The construction also makes sure they fit properly on each leg.
Features to Consider Before Buying a Motocross Knee Brace
Before jumping right in and buying the first brace you run into, check these factors that might (and should) affect your decision.
- Weight
When trying the brace on for just a few minutes, you might not notice its weight. However, when you wear a knee guard or brace for hours straight, then you would want it to be light on your knees, or your ride would become unbearable.
- Strap-On vs. Slide-On
When it comes to knee guards, you have two structural options. The strap-on ones will let you wear them on and take them off very easily; just open them up, hold them around your leg and tie the straps in the right places. The slide-on ones, on the other hand, would need you to take off your shoes every time as they need to be slid on and off, which might be too much of a hassle for some.
- Anatomically Designed Hinges
Anatomically designed hinges provide the ultimate protection to your knees. They mimic the natural movements of the knee and can mimic extension, rotation, and more movements of the knee. The braces are designed to let the wearer have a more comfortable experience while not compromising knee protection.
- Material
The material that your guard or brace is made of is crucial; it determines your level of comfort and protection. Make sure you go for one that is breathable, manages moisture well, and washable because they all need a thorough cleaning after a fulfilling ride in the mountains, don’t they?
- Size
Size is one of the most important factors for your comfort. Make sure the size fits you well but isn’t so tight that it hurts or makes movements difficult. On the other hand, a loose brace or guard would defeat the purpose of having a brace.
You can measure your size by stretching your legs properly and taking measurements from the points mentioned on the specific product’s size chart.
- Usage
Depending on the type of biking you engage in, the choice of which knee guard or brace to buy would also change. As some bikers need to bend their legs more acutely than others, your easy movement while wearing a guard is important. Some guards even allow paddling movements while others are more rigid, so choose your guard based on your need in this regard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Knee Guard and Knee Brace?
This is a very broad question, but I’ll try to answer it as comprehensively as possible. Well, the most basic and essential difference is that knee guards come with a cap-like structure to give your knees extra protection. The basic ones just protect your knee, as the name suggests. Others even offer thigh and shin protection too. When it comes to styles, the broad categories are strap-on ones or slip-on ones.
On the other hand, knee braces are used to give your knee support in case of an injury or post-surgery. However, the widespread perception is that this is the only use. That’s not true. You can wear knee braces for protection purposes too! As they say, an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.
How Can I Know Which Size Would Fit Me?
Not much different from your clothes, your knee braces or guards’ size depends on your leg’s build. You will need to know the circumference of your calf and thigh. Knowing your weight and height might be useful too. Match your measurements with the size charts provided by your brand of choice, and you should be good to go.
Will a Knee Guard or Brace Restrict My Movement?
To some extent, yes, but it depends on the brace or guard’s structure. Some companies design their product in a way to allow maximum flexibility to satisfy their customers. Keep in mind that these are an extra layer of protection on the knee, often made of plastic or metal, and they’re supposed to be worn while you’re riding your bike. Thus, it is difficult to say you’ll be able to run just as fine as you normally do while wearing a motorbike knee guard or brace. A good guard would allow you to walk with ease, though.
Is It Absolutely Necessary to Wear a Knee Guard While Riding a Bike?
It depends on your usage and which kind of bike you ride. If you ride a dirt bike, go mountain biking, or are involved in any kind of biking sport, then yes, it is absolutely necessary for the sake of your well-being. However, if you ride a road bike, then it might not be as crucial for you. But once again, do consider your safety while making your buying decision.
Final Thoughts
As we have repeatedly emphasized in our guide, while making a purchase decision for your sports gear, please don’t fall for low-priced and low-quality products. Go for as best of a product as you can.
Although we realize that budget is a big reality in our lives, the point we are trying to press is that safety should always be your priority. However restricted your budget may be, please try to go for the option that offers as comprehensive protection as possible. If it provides thigh and shin protection, too, then that would be a huge bonus.
Lastly, don’t forget to look for all the important features, which we have listed down in the guide for you to make sure you are comfortable in your guards or braces for maximum benefit.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Brad Mitchell is a seasoned motorcycle enthusiast with over 16 years of riding experience. He’s spent countless hours on the open road, particularly favoring scenic routes aboard his trusted Harley-Davidson. Brad’s laid-back approach to life and riding gives him a unique perspective on motorcycle gear and safety, which he shares through his in-depth reviews and expert advice on ProtectiveGearz.
