Fox has been making variations of its Enduro knee pads for at least a decade. They’ve evolved over time, but they’ve always been a low-profile, pedal-friendly, lighter-duty option for trail and enduro riding. That continues with the latest version of the Fox Enduro Pro, but this new knee pad has something different up its sleeve — Koroyd.
Yes, the same Koroyd that makes the honeycomb-like material used in Smith and Endura helmets is expanding into the world of body protection and has teamed up with Fox. The latest Enduro Pro knee guards are the first product to use the new Koroyd insert, which they say “introduces a new era of comfort first body protection.” The recent launch of the brand-new Fox Airframe Chest Guard, made with the same Koroyd material, shows there are plenty of other applications, and there could be more products on the way.
I got my hands on a pair of the new Fox Enduro Pro knee pads several months ago, and I’ve been riding with them off and on ever since. I don’t always wear knee pads, but I absolutely pull some on when I’m riding terrain that I feel warrants it. As a part-time knee pad wearer and full-time pedal enthusiast, I’m particularly sensitive to the pedal-friendliness of knee pads. I’d argue that I’m as good a candidate as any to examine the comfort and mobility claims of these new knee pads with the unique Koroyd insert.
- MSRP: $130
- Protection level: EN1621-1 Level 1 CE Certification (Type A)
- Pad type: Koroyd insert
- Sleeve length: Long
- Weight (pair): 369 grams (size M)
- Sizes: XS – XXL
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Pedal-friendly – zero irritation
- No slipping or sagging
- More protective feel than previous Enduro Pro models
- Minimal branding
Cons
- Pad only provides protection for the front of the knee
- Decently breathable but still kinda warm
Fox Enduro Pro Knee Guards: Details
The latest version of the Fox Enduro Pro is quite reminiscent of its predecessor, with a lightweight construction, long sleeve, and light-duty level 1 impact protection. The outgoing model used a D30 insert for the padding, which has been a popular choice in all sorts of protective gear for the past several years. Regardless, the level of protection and target rider and use for the Enduro Pro remains the same — light-duty knee protection in a pedal-friendly package.
The new Enduro Pro carries that torch but worked with Koroyd to develop the first knee guards with a Koroyd insert for the pad. The flexible rubber-like Koroyd pad has a “unique auxetic structure and advanced material formula, they deliver unparalleled comfort, flexibility, and performance for enduro and trail riders.” The unique-looking insert cups the kneecap and drops a few inches down the upper part of the shin. Based on the impact resistance and knee coverage, these knee guards are certified EN 1621 Level 1 (Type A).
The new Enduro Pro knee guards have a long sleeve that extends roughly halfway up the thigh and halfway down the shin. These pads have a floating design where the Koroyd insert is contained in its own sleeve with abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric covering the front of the pad. The rest of the sleeve is made of a lightweight, stretchy, and minimal fabric that’s super comfortable against the skin. Therefore, the knee makes contact with the knee sleeve, while the floating pad isolates it somewhat during the pedal stroke.
Keeping the pads in place is a 3-inch-wide elastic gripper on the thigh with a silicone print for extra traction. The lower opening is also elasticized and relies on that alone for grip. The stretch material also adds tension around the leg, assuming you get the right size. On that note, the Enduro Pro comes in six sizes between XS and 2XL.
Koroyd, Like For Helmets?
When I first heard about these new pads using Koroyd, I was pretty confused. How would they put that stiff plastic, honeycomb-like material into a knee pad and make it comfortable? I always thought that Koroyd was the name of that specific material, but I learned that Koroyd is actually the company name. The knee pad insert and other Koroyd pads made for protective gear are completely different. I also learned that Koroyd works with brands to develop and test materials, new products, and meet safety standards — like this new partnership with Fox.
In the brief details section above, I used the word “auxetic” in a quote describing the Koroyd insert. If you’re wondering what auxetic means, well, you’re not alone. I had to look it up. According to Wikipedia, auxetics are a “type of metamaterial with a negative Poisson’s ratio, so that axial elongation causes transversal elongation.” In layman’s terms, this means that auxetic structures have a unique property of getting thicker when stretched, as opposed to thinner. In my brief period of internet research, I also learned that studies have shown that this property allows auxetic materials to absorb energy more effectively than traditional materials, thereby making them a good choice for protective equipment.
Not surprisingly, the Koroyd used in helmets that most of us are familiar with is not the same Koroyd used in these knee pads. They are similar in that they are both bright green and have a porous structure, but otherwise, they seem very different. The Koroyd knee pad insert feels like some type of rubber, but it must have some sort of special composition that makes it auxetic. It is quite flexible and relatively lightweight — the pad weighs just 80 grams. Comparatively, the thinner D30 pad from my Race Face Covert knee pads weighs 90 grams.
In the middle of the pad, the Koroyd insert is 10 mm thick, and it tapers gradually down to the edges. The porous structure should allow air to pass through, and you can observe the auxetic properties if you stretch and compress it in your hands. It’s pretty cool, and it feels more protective than the thinner pads and inserts in many Level 1 knee guards.
On the Trail
As mentioned earlier, I’m a part-time knee-pads kind of rider. When I’m really trying to move fast, go far, or its super hot, I’m generally going bare knees to stay cool and eliminate the chances of chafing. In my experience, even the lightest and most breathable knee pads are still pretty warm, and the most pedal-friendly knee pads will rub you wrong eventually. I’ve tried many different options in my life, and I’m still looking for my Golidlocks. Which is why I was stoked to try out the latest Enduro Pro.
Based on the size chart, I could have probably gone with a large, but I opted for a medium to ensure a snug fit. I’m glad I did, as it is super annoying to have your knee pads slipping down while you ride. The medium fits me great and is nice and snug over the whole length of the sleeve. And these pads are long. They stretch from mid-thigh to mid-calf. If you wear tall socks, you may not have any skin showing at all.
For me, the first ride in any kee pads is usually the most telling. It’s rare that I’ve put on a new set of knee pads and they didn’t chafe me at least a little or need to be adjusted within the first hour. Not the Enduro Pro. These are probably the most comfortable knee pads that I’ve ever worn. Once these pads are on and positioned properly, they don’t move at all, and most importantly, they haven’t given me even a hint of irritation in all of my testing. The sleeve material feels great against the skin, the seams are all in the right spots, and the leg grippers do an impressive job of keeping them in place on the leg.
I’ve used these pads for fast-paced XC rides with plenty of mileage, 5,000 climbing days just grinding out vert in the saddle, and e-bike test rides. No matter the riding style, they haven’t shifted around on my knee, and their pedal-friendliness, mobility, and comfort have and continue to exceed my expectations. There is no restriction to the pedal stroke whatsoever, and the Koroyd insert is flexible and comfortable in front of the knee. I think the floating pad design comes into play here, as the knee sleeve and pad pocket are separated and can move independently of each other when needed. I’d argue that this design also helps keep the pad in place since it isn’t forced to move along with the whole sleeve at all times.
Comfort is key, but if I’m going to be wearing knee pads, I’d also like them to be protective. Still, I’m opting for Level 1 protection for a reason — I want them to be lighter, more breathable, and more pedal-friendly than beefier Level 2 pads. While the coverage of the Koroyd insert isn’t massive, I think it’s solid for how comfortable and pedal-friendly these pads are. It covers the whole kneecap and extends a bit down the shin as well. Unlike some similar options, however, they don’t really provide any coverage on the sides of the knee.
Aside from coverage, the pad itself feels more comfortable and protective than other Level 1 knee pads I’ve tried. It’s significantly thicker than the D30 insert in my Race Face Covert pads (my previous favorite), and better fits the shape of my knee. In pseudo-scientific side-by-side impact tests on my floor, the Enduro Pro and Koroyd insert cushioned the knee much better, too.
In terms of breathability, I’ve found them to be acceptable. They’re obviously much warmer than wearing nothing at all, but they are far from oppressively hot. With three layers of material and the pad between your knee and the air, it slows down direct airflow, even if the Koroyd insert has plenty of holes in it. That said, the rest of the knee sleeve seems to breathe pretty well, and sweat dries pretty quickly.
Durability-wise, I’ve got nothing to report. Fortunately, I haven’t taken any major slams while wearing them, but they have been through a couple minor ones and plenty of encounters with trailside bushes and the like. I’ve trimmed a couple of loose thread ends off, but beyond that, they are holding up really well. When it’s time to clean them, the pad is very easy to remove and replace, so you can keep them looking and smelling fresh.
Fox Enduro Pro Knee Guards: My Takeaway
Fox and Koroyd joined forces to create something unique with the new Enduro Pro Knee Guards. The Koroyd insert is obviously unique, but the level of comfort and pedal-friendliness of these knee pads is something that I’ve never experienced before. From the first pedal stroke, these pads have not irritated me whatsoever and haven’t even budged on my leg. They are the most pedal-friendly pads I’ve worn yet, and they feel more protective than many other Level 1 pads I’ve tried.
I don’t think I’ll ever be a full-time knee pad wearer, but the Enduro Pro might get me wearing them quite a bit more often. For my needs, I’d argue these things are as good as it gets.
Check them out on the Fox website or in person at your local Fox dealer.
