Troy Lee Designs have long held cult status amongst motocrossers and mountain bikers, manufacturing high-quality helmets and body protection with flashy designs and bright colours for over four decades. Against all odds, the Stage knee pad enters our comparison test with a discreet look and simple slip-on design without Velcro fasteners. As a result, the TLD Stage tips the scales at just 154 g, which makes it the lightest pad in the entire test field.
Click here for an overview: 14 trail knee pads in test
Fastening System Elastic Strip | Lab Test Results 20 kN at 2.8 ms | Manufacturer’s website
The CE EN1621 Level 1-certified D3O® insert is firmly sewn into the sleeve, providing 20 kN shock absorption at 2.8 ms, which is average in this test field – as is the € 90 price tag. The TLD combines a thin sleeve material with light mesh at the back of the knee and a slightly firmer, abrasion-resistant material protecting the front panel.
The Troy Lee Designs Stage on the trail
The soft, flexible material makes it easy to slip the Troy Lee Designs Stage over the leg. However, the long sleeve extends far over the thigh and calf, making it harder to put on the pads when you’re already wearing shorts. On top of that, the elongated shape makes for a strange look in combination with long socks. The long knee pad transitions straight into the sock, making you look as if you were wearing leggings. The absence of straps ensures a comfortable fit but the Stage still stays in place on all kinds of descents. When pedalling, the thin, lightweight material makes you forget that you’re even wearing knee pads – albeit ventilation could be slightly better!
Tops
- Lightweight
- Excellent comfort
Flops
- Not the best ventilation in this test
- Long sleeve makes for a weird look
You can find out more about at troyleedesigns.eu.
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 (Click for review) | 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
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Mike Hunger
