GENOUILLÈRES Knee pads for motocross and quad bikes

Motorcycle cross knee brace

What are cross knee pads?

Knee braces are widely used in motocross. This orthopedic knee brace is used to prevent further injury, to support knees that have already been injured, and to limit movement while a knee heals after injury or surgery.

Of these three types, there are also standard knee braces and custom-made knee braces. For the non-professional rider, the "ready-to-wear" devices available on the market do very well. The cross knee brace models are less expensive and the choice is very wide.

Braces usually contain hyperextension stops to limit range of movement. Measurements are taken according to several body factors, and braces are sized accordingly. These braces are typically suitable for the rider with knee instability.

For the athlete who needs more support and stabilization, a custom-made brace may be required. This is usually prescribed by a doctor and is more expensive, but may also be covered by the patient's insurance. Its shape and structure are made from the mold of the pilot's knee and often have more options. Custom orthotics are used to stabilize the knee by placing posterior force on the tibia and providing medial and lateral stability.

The motocross knee brace is an indispensable part of the motocross protective gear kit.motocross protective gear just like the motocross helmet.

What are motocross knee pads made of?

The cross-country knee brace is made up of several components, which differ according to range and brand. In addition to the carbon-fiber, aluminum or plastic frame, and the knee-protecting shell, the following options are available:

- A shock-absorbing shell reinforced at the kneecap to act as a stone guard;

- This shell can be double-sided;

- Plastic lateral ligament reinforcements;

- Air vents;

- Total "double defense" protection for the lower limb;

- Carbon fibers around the joint for added protection;

- A frame to improve support inside the brace in the event of severe vibration;

- Additional carbon fiber throughout the structure, with a carbon-aluminum alloy reinforcement surrounding the knee joint.

The whole is adjustable and secured by straps and Velcro systems.

Orthotics made entirely of carbon are prone to breakage in the event of heavy impact, due to carbon's excessively rigid properties. On the other hand, they are extremely lightweight. All-aluminium braces are not prone to breakage; they are extremely strong, but a little too heavy. The carbon-aluminium alloy is very popular because it combines the advantages of both materials: it is particularly light and very strong.

For knee braces with a mixed structure of aluminium and carbon, go to:
- EVS Axis PRO orthesis knee pads
- Cross ORTHESE EVS WEB PRO knee pads

We also offer cross knee braces made entirely of carbon:
- Orthese LEATT C-Frame Pro Carbon cross knee brace
- ORTHESE EVS RS9 PRO from EVS

What are the advantages of a cross knee brace?

The most common knee injuries in off-road motorcycling involve the anterior cruciate ligament, menisci and medial collateral ligament. The use of a prophylactic knee brace has a beneficial effect on the prevention of medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injuries, as well as on the overall occurrence of knee injuries.

There are three main types of knee brace, each designed for a different purpose.

1. Prophylactic braces: designed to prevent or reduce the severity of knee injuries.

2. Functional braces: designed to ensure the stability of unstable knees (control abnormal movements).

3. Rehabilitation braces: allow protective movement of injured or recently operated knees (highly effective in protecting against excessive flexion and extension, designed for short-term use).

Is it compulsory in competition?

There's no mention of compulsory wearing of knee pads in competition. Details of riders' clothing are as follows: "clothing made of resistant material that covers the arms. Motocross mask , motocross boots, motocross or enduro glovespants made of hard-wearing material (the must-have is the cross-country pants) and long-sleeved jersey (or a cross jersey)".

However, we strongly recommend that you always wear cross-country knee pads for adults. Whether you're riding for competition or training, the risk of injury is always present, and prevention is better than cure. Knee injuries are particularly painful and sometimes leave after-effects that force you to slow down your motocross activity, or even stop altogether.
Don't forget that a knee injury is an injury that can follow you all your life, and it doesn't just happen to others.
So protect yourself if you're going to be doing this motorized sport for a long time to come.

Knee surgery has made enormous progress, but it remains a very complex and fragile joint. So it's best to wear cross-country knee pads at all times, as they won't cause any discomfort and will protect you from avoidable injuries. Of course, like all personal protective equipment, cross or enduro knee pads are not infallible armour in the event of an exceptionally violent impact.

What's more, cross equipment brands have also made advances to better protect your joint and your patellar and medial tendons.

What are the top brands of motocross knee pads?

There's no single best brand of motocross knee pad. Each brand targets a specific range. As a result, all types of riders can afford protection for their kneecaps and shins.

What are the low-, medium- and high-end brands?

For novice motocross riders who don't want to invest too much in individual motocross protective gear, there are a number of "low-end" brands to choose from:
- ACERBIS cross kneepads
- ONEAL motocross kneepads
- Kenny cross or enduro kneepads

For users with a few years' experience on a two-wheeled motocross bike, who want to step up a gear to get much more comfortable protection and take their leg protection up a notch, there are :
- Knee pads ACERBIS GORILLA model
- SX-1 OFFROAD cross knee pads from Alpinestars
- The different models of cross knee pads available from THOR

And finally, for the professionals of the sport, as well as for the more affluent, there are

- Top-of-the-range knee pads from EVS

On tonnycat.com we also offer a whole range of motocross knee pads for children.

The market for knee protectors is vast and growing. There are options for every type and size of rider, and components are made from a variety of materials such as carbon fiber, metal, plastic, foam, elastic and Velcro. With endless choices, every rider should be able to find a pair that meets their physical and comfort needs.

There are a few points to check to ensure that the knee brace fits your knee properly, stays in the right place on your leg and gives it the best possible protection against injury:

- Make sure your knee brace is correctly sized according to the manufacturer's guidelines and measurements;

- Knee braces must fit perfectly to be effective; hinges must be at the point where the knee bends;

- Adjust extension stops to suit your needs and limit hyperextension;

- Straps must be fastened correctly, firmly and in the right place on your leg;

- Check braces before each use to ensure that all parts are in good working order and that joints are flexible;

- Make sure you always stretch and warm up before getting on your bike;

- If you have weak knees, do strengthening and flexibility exercises to make them stronger. There are a number of exercises that personal trainers, doctors and physiotherapists can recommend to keep your knees in their best shape before you put them under tension and take those sharp turns.