Bluegrass are a new protection brand from helmet maestros MET. Their Bobcat d3os are aimed at everyone from downhillers to trail riders and offer d3o malleability and protection, as well as comfort.
The fit, both at the top and the bottom of the pad, is snugger than normal but not uncomfortable and, along with the silicone grip strips, it helps them stay in place well. The coverage is good too, because the central pad is quite long and bolstered by two outer pads.
The inside has lighter, perforated heavy-duty Nylon sections. The sizable rear cutaway means that things stay cooler than a regular trail pad, although we did find that because of its size, it spreads open when your knee is at the top of the pedal stroke giving a bizarre ‘mushroom’ effect.
It doesn’t directly affect the pads’ comfort, it just makes them feel and look a lot bigger than they actually are. Our only other problem with the otherwise accomplished Bobcats was the price – let’s face it, £90 is a lot to splash on a pair of pads.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.