The Bluegrass Auras are the brand’s lightest knee pads (277g a pair, size large), but they boast a level two protection rating for a price of £80 / €80.
Designed to prioritise freedom of movement, the minimalist looks are matched with a four-way stretch fabric sleeve – that extends up your thigh and down your shin – to help keep them in place.
This design does away with elastic or Velcro straps, keeping bulk to a minimum.
Both the upper and lower stretchy hems have a wide band of silicone beading to grip your skin, reducing the chance of pad movement or slipping.
At the rear, a thin, breathable, seamless mesh material should help control temperature and perspiration – and boost comfort.
Made from SAS-TEC’s TripleFlex material, the flexible knee cup sits in its own sealed, seam-free pocket. It’s claimed to give EN1621-1 level two, B-type protection – the same as higher-spec Bluegrass pads. However, they forgo any side padding to keep weight down.
Five sizes are available, from extra-small to extra-large.
Bluegrass Aura Knee Pads performance
When I first put these knee pads on – and before the SAS-TEC protector had warmed up – there was a pressure spot on the insides of my knees that was most pronounced when pedalling.
Don’t be alarmed, however, because once the pads have warmed up after 10 to 15 minutes of riding, the protector becomes malleable and these spots vanish, with comfort improving dramatically.
The theme of comfort continues; hugging but not squeezing the contours of your thighs, knee and shin, they feel secure without restricting movement or compressing your legs uncomfortably.
Their long sleeve extends high up your thighs and low down your shins, spreading its grip across your legs evenly. This gives them a steadfast feel; pedalling and bumps don't cause them to move on your legs, and once they’re in place no further adjustment is required.
Internally, they’re smooth and soft against your skin with no perceptible seams. Externally, they slide freely over shorts or mountain bike trousers with no hook and loop straps or sharp edges to snag, improving their free-moving feel.
Articulating impressively, they don’t impede movement or sap energy, making them great for long days in the saddle. There are no hot spots or bunched-up sections of fabric; that smooth design pays dividends.
With plenty of padding and a long, shin-covering bottom, they offer plenty of protection without feeling clumpy.
How we tested | MTB knee guards
Alex tested the pads back-to-back and wore them asymmetrically between brands, left-to-right, to highlight each model's differences.
He went out on long rides to test for all-day pedalling comfort, and pushed himself on high-tempo rides to see how they performed when they were sweaty and wet.
He scuffed them and put them through the wash multiple times to see how well they lasted. Unfortunately, he couldn’t intentionally crash-test them; we’ve just got to take the manufacturer’s protection rating at face value.
Knee guards on test
- Bluegrass Aura
- Fox Launch Elite
- G-Form Mesa MTB Knee Guards
- Endura MT500 D3O Ghost Knee
- Pearl Izumi Summit
- POC VPD Air Flow Knee
- Race Face Indy Knee
- Scott Soldier Knee Guard
- Troy Lee Designs T-Bone
Bluegrass Aura Knee Pads bottom line
The Bluegrass Aura Knee Pads are seriously comfortable with ample protection for enduro riding, while they have a lightweight and steadfast feel that’s just as well suited to trail riding.
The smooth, silky internals give them a premium touch despite not costing the earth.
Product
| Brand | bluegrass |
| Price | 80.00 EUR,80.00 GBP |
| Weight | 277.0000, GRAM (L) - per pair |
Features
| Features | Sizes: XS, S,M, L, XL Colours: Black Certified to: EN1612-1 protection rated LEVEL 2 |
