German manufacturer ION has its roots in the water sports sector, where it’s known primarily for wetsuits. However, in 2012 they added an entire bike line to their product range, which includes clothing, accessories and protection. For 2022, the K Lite was redeveloped from the ground up and designed to offer medium impact protection for enduro oriented riding – which makes it a perfect match for this test! A medium strength material lines the side panels of the pads while a thin mesh patch covers the back of the knee.
Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test
Fastening System Velcro strap on the thigh end and at the back of the knee
Lab Test Results 21 kN at 3.0 ms | Manufacturer’s website
At the front, a sturdy-looking fabric encloses a removable Polyamide/Elastane insert. Moreover, a thin abrasion resistant plastic layer enhances the sliding properties of the pads, preventing them from riding up when you hit the ground. Although the K Lite is Level 1 certified, measuring 21 kN at 3.0 ms it offers the least protection in the entire test field. Tipping the scales at 168 g, it places it in the midfield for weight while the € 99.99 price tag is just above average. The K Lite combines a Velcro strap on the thigh and one in the hollow of the knee.
The ION K Lite on the trail
The ION K Lite is easy to put on and the Velcro fasteners are pleasantly stiff, allowing you to secure the knee pad firmly to the leg. However, the strap at the back of the knee is quite long, making it hard to tighten it properly. Nevertheless, the ION K Lite doesn’t slip and stays in place in all conditions and terrains. The thin insert ensures excellent flexibility and makes you forget you’re even wearing pads. The thigh end of the sleeve is rather short and extends only a few centimeters above the knee, but the compact dimensions don’t have a negative effect on wearing comfort. That being said, the sturdy material makes it one of the warmest pads in this group test.
Tops
- Good fit
Flops
- Not the highest protection level
- Quite warm
You can find out more about at boards-more.com.
The test field
Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test
All kneepads in test: 100% Teratec Plus (Click for review) | Alpinestars Paragon Plus (Click for review) | AMPLIFI Havok (Click for review) | Chromag Rift Knee Guard (Click for review) | Fox Launch D3O (Click for review) | Ion K Lite | iXS FLOW EVO+ (Click for review) | Leatt AirFlex Pro (Click for review) | Ortema GP5 Knee Protector (Click for review) | Pearl Izumi Elevate Knee Guard V1 (Click for review) | POC Joint VPD 2.0 Knee (Click for review) | Rapha Trail Knee Pad (Click for review) | Scott Soldier 2 (Click for review) | Troy Lee Designs Stage (Click for review)
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Mike Hunger
