Body protection is only useful if you actually wear it. Knee and elbow pad comfort continues to improve, but they’re still at that point where you probably won’t wear them if you don’t feel like you have to. In that regard, comfort is just as important as protection, so Dainese thinks they have the answer with their new Trail Skins 2. The successor to the popular Trail Skins, Dainese is building on their Fractal concept which imitates replication found in nature. These patterns typically include patterns that replicate with progressively smaller features which can be found in the padding of the new Trail Skins 2. At the center of the pad where you’re most likely to impact the pattern is thicker and tighter, with the protective shell getting thinner and lighter towards the edges.
Not only does the new design meet EN standards for protection, it also promises to be one of the most breathable and flexible knee/elbow pads on the market…
Obviously not meant for full on down hill runs, the Trail Skins 2 are meant to be that perfect trail knee pad that you’ll actually want to wear. Behind the Pro Armor premolded protection you’ll find a cushy memory foam that is very porous to allow huge amounts of airflow through the padding. Compared to the previous Trail Skins, the 2 uses a premolded shape that is super flexible for a better fit around your knees and elbows and it allows the protection to move with the pad.
Available in both knee and elbow pads, the knee pad includes additional Crash Absorb panels on the sides for increased impact protection. Both the knee and elbows use extra wide elastic bands with silicone grippers and velcro adjusters for improved fit. Pricing is set at $84.99 for the Knee and $74.99 for the Elbow in S-XL.
That same protection can be found on the new Trailknit Pro Armor Tee which builds in back and shoulder protection into a functional base layer. The Tee uses a seamless construction with bacteria and odor resistant hypoallergenic fabric that is also abrasion and tear resistant. The CE level 1 back protection can be removed from the Tee as well as the Pro Armor pads in the shoulder for a customizeable fit. Also offered in a short, the Trailknit Pro Armor Tee will run $189.
Further protection is offered through the new Rhyolite 2 safety jacket which adds CE level 2 back protection with a Flexagon 2 layer insert. The hexagon shapes allow the panels to conform to your back while creating gaps for ventilation and the two layers are allowed to move independently which helps them cover your back as you stretch out and lengthen your torso in the riding position. Flexagon protection is also used on the rib and chest area while the zip off sleeves include the new Pro Armor padding for the shoulder and elbow. Meant to be worn under your jersey so you can avoid the “gladiator” look, the Rhyolite 2 will sell for $299.
Continuing the Fractal concept, the Tactic gloves add a flexible micro-injected knuckle protector right where they see most of the impacts to your hand. Thicker in the center between the two knuckles, the padding is super thin and shouldn’t affect the feeling of the gloves. There is also a bigger than normal printed silicone gripper on the palm for increased grip, with the glove retailing for $44.99.
Finally, while the Armoform hardshell knee pad doesn’t change, there is a new Armoform Lite which includes a shin extension for increased coverage. Rather than a full sleeve, the Lite uses three elastic velcro straps to allow you to put it on without taking off your shoes, and the pads are actually cheaper at $84.99.
