Race Face Indy Knee guard review

Race Face’s £84.95 Indy Knee is designed to offer breathable all-day comfort thanks to a nylon, polyester and spandex mix.

Protection comes from a removable D3O LP1 foam pad, which is clad with an abrasion-resistant cover. This is EN1612-1 protection-rated.

Its pull-on sleeve design uses a single rear elasticated hook-and-loop strap located beneath the knee’s bend and the back panel it tightens across is made from mesh.

Weighing 342g (per pair, size large), the Race Face pads are on the lighter side and forgo any additional side protection.

The upper and lower hems have silicone bands to help keep them in place. Internally, the flatlock seams help keep the pads feeling smooth.

Impressively, Race Face offers the Indy Knee in six sizes, from extra-small to extra-extra-large.

Race Face Indy Knee performance

Even the size-large Indy Knee has a sporty fit; my average-sized legs couldn’t fit the medium and only just squeezed into the large. Thankfully, Race Face’s six-size range makes sizing up possible, but larger riders may struggle to find one that fits.

I set the single rear strap’s tension to its minimum, but if I owned these pads I would probably cut it off altogether. There’s more than enough strength in the pad’s stretchy sleeve to keep it in place without the strap.

With the strap still fitted, it can be felt on the rear of your knee, especially when your leg is bent. While this didn’t cause any irritation or soreness, these pads don’t have the ‘blend-into-the-background’ feel I was looking for.

Despite the hook section of the strap’s hook-and-loop design pointing inwards, its edges became dog-eared and tended to get caught on my MTB trousers and shorts. Although this isn’t a deal breaker, it reduces how refined they feel.

Overall, they fit more like compression wear than traditional knee pads; they’re not restrictive or uncomfortable, but you know you’re wearing them.

Unsurprisingly, however, they don’t slip around or move regardless of whether you’re pedalling or descending, and no on-bike re-adjustments were required during the entire test period.

Frontal knee protection is good, but no additional side panels and a fairly short protection pad reduce coverage elsewhere. While Race Face has burlier pads in its line-up (the Ambush and Sendy), I think the Indy’s weight should offer more protection down the shin and on the sides of the knee.

Generally, however, comfort and protection are good, just make sure you select the right size for your legs.

Race Face Indy Knee bottom line

Compressive and secure-feeling, the Indy Knee pads don't twist or move when you’re riding.

General comfort is good, but for their weight they lack shin and side protection – especially compared to other models.

They size up small, so make sure you try before you buy.