Tech

Review: Leatt Airflex knee and elbow guards

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 2 comments

Airflex is Leatt’s first level of protection for your knees and elbows. The Airflex range is designed to be lightweight and offer pedalling efficiency. These types of flexible, all-day comfort guards are extending the scope of protection to more pedal intensive forms of mountain biking.

Leatt Airflex guards 1.jpg

While incorporated in the States, Leatt is a South African based company which began with the invention of the Leatt-Brace for motorcycling. Since then Leatt have been aggressive in developing new products, including an ever growing selection of mountain biking equipment. Most of the research and development happens in their state-of-the-art lab in Cape Town.

Features

The Leatt pads are constructed from two fabric panels: the front panel being stretchy spandex with a moisture cool wicking fabric rear panel. The flexible pad that provides protection is sewn into place on the front panel. Elastics are used on either end of the pads, these along with the spandex panel, fasten the pads in place. The upper elastic features silicone grips while the lower is simply an elastic band sewed into the hem. There are no straps or clips, so correct sizing is vital for a comfortable and secure fit.

Leatt Airflex guards 9.jpg
Leatt Airflex guards 10.jpg

The sock-like design of the Airflex guards means that they simply slide onto the leg or arm. The guards have circular cut outs on the inside of the joints which goes a long way in reducing friction on the skin when bending the arm or leg. There are also silicone patterns on the inside of the pads to hold them in the correct position.

The key to the flexibility and thinness of the Airflex pad is Armourgel. Armourgel is a non Newtonian gel that locks up the molecules and becomes hard on impact. In other words, the pad is supple when being ridden but should you fall and apply force to the Armourgel, it will become firm and offer more protection.

Leatt Airflex guards 2.jpg
Leatt Airflex guards 3.jpg

The 2016 Airflex Pro knee guard we have on test features additional protection above the knee cap and on the sides of the leg. This added protection is aimed at reducing impact when the bike and knee collide in a crash.

If you’re unsure about what level of protection you require, Leatt have their own rating system which you can use to compare the safety of each of their products.

Specifications

Knee Guard Airflex 3DF Pro
  • CE tested and certified as impact protection; Knee EN1621-2
  • Total Leatt protection score of 15 points
  • 6mm CE impact certified profile
  • Side & upper knee impact protection
  • Silicon printed cupped knee grip
  • Single sizing for perfect fit
  • New MoistureCool & AirMesh fabrics: wicking, vented & antimicrobial
  • All protection materials perforated for ventilation
  • Silicone printed non slip cuffs
  • Pre-curved 3D design for better fit & function
  • Weight: 300g (pair)
  • Sizing: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Price: R 1,095.00

Elbow Guard Airlex 3DF
  • CE tested and certified as impact protection: Elbow EN1621-2
  • Total Leatt protection score of 11 points
  • 6mm CE impact certified profile
  • New MoistureCool & AirMesh fabrics
  • Wicking
  • Anti-microbial
  • Silicone lamination & non slip cuffs to keep protector in place
  • Silicone printed cupped elbow grip
  • Our 3D design ensures a great fit that is very comfortable
  • Weight: 240g – 0.5 lbs (pair)
  • Sizing: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Price: R 799.00

Comfort and fit

Leatt Airflex guards 11.jpg
Leatt Airflex guards 12.jpg

Leatt have done an exceptional job at making the Airflex pads comfortable for all day adventures. The moisture cool wicking fabric seems to do the job, as the pads breathe well and at no point did they feel uncomfortably warm. The Airflex varies slightly to better fit each side of the body. So each pad is labelled with either left or right side. The circular cut outs were excellent for keeping the bend in the knee and elbow joint free of irritation.

My only (minor) complaint is some mild discomfort with the elasticated cuff being too tight and digging into my lower leg when pulling off the pads after a full day’s riding. The Airflex is made in different sizing, so make sure to get the size that fits best for you.

Leatt Airflex guards 4.jpg
Leatt Airflex guards 5.jpg

Quality

Considering the abuse that I’ve administered to these Airflex guards, it’s obvious that Leatt have used top quality materials. The guards feel premium throughout and, aside from an understandable tear in the spandex from a big crash at the bottom of a large drop, there is little sign to indicate the extent that they have been used. The guards are easily washed in an automatic washing machine and dry relatively quickly.

Leatt Airflex guards 7.jpgA substantial crash caused these small tears in the Leatt Airflex elbow guards. There has been no sign of the tears growing after subsequent use.

Protection

Fortunately, for the thoroughness of this review, I fell a lot while wearing the Leatt Airflex. Everything from embarrassing topple-overs, to bike and kit breaking slides along the ground.

Leatt Airflex guards 6.jpg

It must be noted that the Airflex is primarily designed for smaller collisions and is masterful at preventing bruises, grazing and cuts.

The padded area is very flexible and there was little impact on my pedalling efficiency or manoeuvrability on or off the bike. To allow for movement, the pad is divided into segments. We’ve tested other guards that use the same technique and found that it can be painful if an object manages to connect in between these segments on impact. I had no such experience with the Airflex.

The Leatt pads are very capable but don’t expect them to cover your behind when riding outside of their intended use. I ended up in a substantial crash coming off an overhead sized drop. The elbow guard was ripped from its position on impact exposing me to the sandpaper-like landing. The pad and I walked away with some damage. The knee pad did surprisingly well but still left me with some friction burns.

Although a seemingly minor touch, the additional prtoection above and to the sides of the knee proved to be very useful, particularly when bashing into the frame or handlebars. Definitely worth considering this upgrade if your looking at getting a pair of Airflex guards.

In the end

The Airflex are supremely comfortable while the armourgel technology works as promised to protect the knees and elbows. The comfort and lightweight means that they will suit riders that pedal frequently and don’t usually find themselves in situations where bigger or hard shell guards would be more suitable. These guards are will suit cross-country and trail riders, I even found them suitable for South African enduro racing. The Ariflex guards are now an essential riding item in my pack whenever trail fun is the order of the day.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Never felt too warm
  • Good level of protection within boundaries of intended use

Cons

  • No adjustable retention system so sizing is important
  • Not the cheapest of the pedal friendly pads
  • You’ll want to grab something more substantial for all mountain and downhill days

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Comments

nonky

Dec 14, 2015, 1:57 PM

After putting myself out of action for weeks - and gaining a few stitches - by overcooking/underskilling a berm at Heia, I am seriously looking at buying something like this.

 

A tiny but sharp stone sliced open my knee during a relatively innocuous fall, which would've been prevented by any type of knee protection.

 

To put the price in perspective, the kneepads are cheaper than a single visit to your local ER (and that's excluding antibiotics; tetanus and/or pain meds). 

AdamA

Dec 15, 2015, 8:50 AM

Where are the Pics?.... of the stitches

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