If you’re considering whether to buy dirt bike knee braces or just knee guards, keep in mind the extra cost of good knee braces is money well spent. Here’s a look at 10 of the best knee braces and knee guards for dirt bikes.
When you consider the cost of surgery, time off work, loss of riding time, or living with a long term knee injury, the cost of a brace is a small price to pay.
Knee injuries can happen so easily. You don’t even have to be going fast or come off the bike. Simply dabbing your foot on the ground at the wrong angle can do enough damage to give you years of pain.
A lot of riders wait until they have had a knee injury and then go out and buy a knee brace to protect the damaged knee.
Remember knee braces are designed to prevent knee injuries from happening in the first place. Statistically, they have been shown to at least half the risk of injuring your knee.
If you’re serious about racing, then a motocross knee brace is a must, but even the weekend warrior needs good protection. Remember “Dress for the slide, not the ride”.
Knee guards should be the absolute minimum protection for any dirt bike rider or adventure rider.
Quick Summary
5 Of The Best Dirt Bike Knee Guards
1. Fox Racing Titan Pro Knee/Shin Guard – Best Bang For Buck
2. Leatt Dual Axis Knee Guard – Top Pick
3. Shift Racing Enforcer Knee/Shin Guard – Best Budget Guard
4. Fox Racing Titan Race Knee/Shin Guard
5. Alpinestars SX-1 Knee Guard
5 Of The Best Dirt Bike Knee Braces
1. Leatt C-Frame Pro Carbon Knee Brace – Best Bang For Buck
2. Mobius X8 Knee Brace – Top Pick
3. EVS Axis Sport Knee Brace – Best Budget Brace
4. EVS Axis Pro Knee Brace
5. Leatt X-Frame Knee Brace
Most Common Knee Injuries
Research has shown that knee braces at least half the risk of knee injuries and they provide way more protection than just a knee guard.
1. The most common injury at 43% is to the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) which joins the Tibia and Femur. It is usually injured through twisting and/or hyperextension during cornering, putting a foot down, jumping or slipping off the peg.
2. The second most common injury at 20% is the Meniscus, the cartilage that absorbs shock in the joint, It can be injured when dabbing the foot on the ground with force.
3. The third most common injury at 15% is the MCL (Medial Cruciate Ligament). The MCL limits sideways movement in the knee.
Video Credit: crosstrainingenduro.com
Knee Guards Or Knee Braces – Which To Choose?
A lot of riders are confused about the difference between a knee guard and a knee brace.
Some think it is only people who have already suffered a knee dislocation that needs to wear a knee brace.
To complicate things further, there are also manufacturers selling knee guards and calling them knee braces.
So to clear things up, here are the differences between knee guards and braces:
Knee guards: are designed to reduce the severity of an impact or abrasion to the riders’ knee and shin during a crash.
Knee guards won’t protect you from hyperextension, twisting, or jolting of the knee.
They’re generally made of a hard plastic shell and foam padding. They slip inside your boots and are designed to be worn under your riding pants. The price starts at around $30 for a cheap set.
Knee Braces: are designed to protect the rider from lateral trauma and hyperextension-type injuries. They also have knee and shin padding, but their main objective is to protect the riders’ knee joint from dislocation.
They are made from a range of materials depending on the brand and commonly have a solid external frame with a hinge at the knee joint level.
Beware Of Knee Brace Imitations
There are some knee guards on the market which claim to be knee braces. They are basically beefed-up knee guards with hinges on them.
Some examples of these are:
While these may be fine as knee guards, they do not have the features required as below to qualify as a knee brace.
Things To Look For In A Knee Brace
- Hinge and Arms: A strong hinge with two pivot points that follow the knee’s natural range of movement and long sturdy arms for strength. Good braces have padding on the inside of the hinge also.
- Overall length: It should be long enough to provide adequate grip to the leg to minimize twisting and hyperextension. It should fit into your boot to protect your lower leg.
- Good strapping: A good brace always has two straps above and two straps below the knee that don’t stretch. Some even have a pad on the lower calf strap for comfort and silicone to prevent movement.
- Adjustable extension stops: Strong stops that can be adjusted to suit the hyperextension of the leg.
- Knee Cap Protection: A strong patella cap for impact protection. It should be well-padded and extend above and below the patella.
A Rough Knee Brace Price Guide
- Entry Level: US$400-$600
- Mid Level US$600-$800
- Top off-the-shelf: US$900+
- Custom braces: US$1700+
Some of the most popular brands of knee braces are the POD, Leatt, Mobius, and Alpinestars. Others from Asterisk, EVS, Troy Lee Designs, and Matrix are producing great braces offering varying levels of protection and safety depending on what they are designed to do.
As with most products, you’re going to get what you pay for, so the top-of-the-line knee braces will come at a higher price.
When you consider a joint as fragile and important as the knee, the cost of a brace is far outweighed by the cost of medical bills, time off work, and possibly living with a knee injury for the rest of your life, and not being able to ride your dirt bike!
If you can afford any of the mid-level to higher-end knee braces from US$600 and up, then a good fit is far more important than the brand. A poor fit will only half protect you.
Each manufacturer designs their brace to fit what they think is an average leg, so the less average your leg, the worse the fit is going to be.
If you have thin, stocky, or very muscular legs, you may find that none of the off-the-shelf braces will fit, and you may have to look at custom braces.
Custom Knee Braces
Should you get custom knee braces? They are more expensive than off-the-shelf knee braces, but if you’ve got the money, they will give you the best possible protection.
If you have an existing knee injury then it makes sense to get the best brace you can. Similarly, if you can’t find an off-the-shelf brace that fits correctly, or if you’re over 40 and your knees are just not what they used to be, a custom brace is the way to go.
CTi knee braces are used by top MX riders like James Stewart (USA), Kirk Gibbs (Australian MX champion), and Toby Price, desert racer and two-time Dakar champion.
Note: If you have an existing injury, sometimes you can claim an orthopedic brace like the CTi custom against your medical insurance.
You may also be able to claim some tax benefits depending on your job, you will need to talk to your accountant about that.
Tips:
- Don’t wear two layers under your brace, they will move against each other and allow the brace to move.
- You may need bigger pants to fit over some braces
- Make sure the velcro straps don’t catch on your pants when taking them on or off.
- Take your boots along when trying knee braces for fit.
Let’s look at 5 of the Best Knee Guards available today, then 5 of the Best Knee Braces.
5 Of The Best Dirt Bike Knee Guards
1. Fox Racing Titan Pro Knee/Shin Guard
The Fox Racing Titan Pro is one of the most popular under $100 guards on the motocross knee guard market. It is designed to give you good shin, knee, and lower thigh coverage.
While it’s not technically a knee brace, it has a 3-piece hinged and floating knee cup that is seamlessly joined by a dual pivoting bio-mechanical hinge.
It is secured by a Pos-Lock buckle system which features a one-time strap adjustment that is designed to keep it in place throughout the whole range of leg motion while riding.
Features:
- 3-piece hinged, floating knee cup
- Complete plastic knee, shin, and lower thigh coverage
- Asymmetrical left and right design for an optimum fit
- Soft vented bio-foam chassis keeps you cool and comfortable
- One-time adjust Posi-lock strap system
- One size fits all
Currently unavailable on Amazon. Alternative link to Fox Racing
2. Leatt Dual Axis Knee/Shin Guard
The Leatt Dual Axis Knee and shin guards are a comfortable and well-ventilated knee protector with two pivot points that allow them to bend with the knee’s natural movement in a similar way to knee braces.
They are designed to cover the knee, even when fully bent, as well as the lower thigh and most of your shins.
Like most of the Leatt products they are CE certified for impact protection and score a total of 25 points on Leatt’s Total Protection rating system.
They are also CE-certified for abrasion resistance.
The strap buckles won’t catch on your riding pants due to their low-profile design, a common complaint with knee guards.
The straps themselves have a soft vented ‘airprene’ backing material that makes them more comfortable and resistant to slipping, an important factor as they can’t work as designed if they slip out of place.
Features:
- CE tested and certified as impact protection: Knee EN1621-2
- Total Leatt protection score of 25 points
- Anatomically correct pivoting design
- Hardshell deflecting and sliding surface
- 3DF impact-absorbing body made from High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) with washable Leatt foam
- 3D design for optimal fit with specific left and right sides
- Vented plates to allow maximum airflow for cooling
- Slim shin plate that fits inside the boots
- Strap system that resists binding with your riding pants
- Weight: 850g (1.9lbs) pair
- Colors: Black, White, Lime/Blue
3. Shift Racing Enforcer Knee/Shin Guard
Since Shift stormed onto the motorcycle scene it has become an international brand known for producing innovative riding apparel using progressive designs, premium materials, and advanced construction methods.
The Shift Racing Enforcer Knee/Shin Guard is at the budget end of the knee/shin guard scale, but they provide excellent knee and shin protection.
They are used not just for dirt bikes, but for most forms of motorcycling, ATV, as well as ice hockey, baseball, and any other outdoor activity requiring knee impact protection.
They are suitable to be worn under or over pants and are marked left/right, although it’s hard to distinguish a difference.
They are a well-constructed multi-purpose knee/shin guard at a fraction of the price of other guards that offer no more protection.
Features:
- High Impact plastic shell for maximum protection
- A two-piece pivoting design that conforms to rider movement
- Ventilated foam padded backing with abrasion resistant binding
- Dual elastic straps with hook and loop closures for a secure fit
- Size: One Size fits most
- Color: Black
4. Fox Racing Titan Race Knee/Shin Guard
The Fox Racing Titan Race Knee/Shin Guard is another popular product from Fox Racing.
It now incorporates a Posi-Lock buckle system which features a one-time strap adjustment that is designed to keep it in place throughout the whole range of leg motion while riding.
I have used an older version of these guards for several years, and I have had many stacks and landed heavily on my knees. They have worked every single time and still show no signs of falling apart.
They are well vented and give you full knee and shin coverage.
Features:
- One-time adjust Posi-lock strap system
- Soft vented Bio-foam chassis which helps keep you cool and comfortable
- Elastic straps with velcro adjustment
Currently unavailable on Amazon. Alternative link to Fox Racing
5. Alpinestars SX-1 Knee Guard
The Alpinestars SX-1 Knee Guard is a CE-certified knee protector. While it has the Alpinestars Dual Gear System (DGS) dual-pivot design, it is not a brace.
The upper and lower frames are constructed from a high-performance polymer blend which gives a high level of flexibility and strength and is extremely light.
The polymer plates are well perforated for maximum breathability and air ventilation.
The SX-1 features an asymmetrical and slim profile design which gives you a personalized and tight fit while still allowing you plenty of movement.
Features:
- CE certified to the latest EN 1621_1:2012 K Type A (Level 1)
- Extended upper frame for increased thigh protection without compromising mobility
- Innovative patella construction features a ‘floating’ protection cup which gives you continuous coverage and mobility regardless of your leg position
- The patella cup is constructed from impact-resistant PU foam that is CE certified to Type A
- The patella cup is backed by a soft, viscoelastic padding and breathable air mesh for comfort and ventilation
- High abrasion-resistant fabric over a TPU frame structure on the outer central knee-cup area for impact resistance
- Alpinestars Dual Gear System (DGS) is a dual pivot design with an integrated hinge gear system for a dynamic fit for mobility
- Thermoformed foam backing for excellent comfort against your skin
- Frames are asymmetrical and feature a slim, ergonomic design for comfort
- Velcro and TPR dual strap closure system for easy in and out and a personalized fit
- Straps feature ‘airprene’ for optimized comfort and airflow
5 Of The Best Dirt Bike Knee Braces
1. Leatt C-Frame Pro Carbon Knee Brace
The Leatt C-Frame Pro Carbon Knee Brace is a mono-hinge knee brace, there is no hinge on the inside. This is to give you a good feel of your motorcycle.
It is a medically certified knee brace and CE certified for impact protection.
The hinge on the outside is a very robust metal gear hinge that is designed with two pivot points that allow the brace to replicate the knee’s natural motion.
Leatt uses what they call the ‘3 Point Force control’ which means the brace uses 3 contact points on your leg, the upper outer thigh, inner knee, and outer calf to control the knee.
It is designed with lab-tested engineered breakaway points to prevent possible fractures to the Tibia and Femur.
The C-Frame is a medically certified knee brace. The Patella cup is CE certified for impact and there is a handlebar protection plate just above the Patella cup. The shin plate is very low profile so that it can easily fit inside your boots.
A nice bonus is that Leatt also provides knee brace sleeves to wear under the braces, so that saves you a bit of money not having to buy them separately.
Features:
- Three-point force distribution with a super stiff forged C-arm mono hinge construction
- Reduction of forces which helps to limit knee injuries to your ACL, Meniscus, and MCL
- Certified as a medical device: EU CA14741, USA FDA 10048761
- CE tested and certified as impact protection: Knee EN1621-1
- Hyperextension limitations 5, 10, 15, and 20 degrees for ACL injury reduction
- Metal geared outer hinge for precise movement and durability
- Engineered and lab-tested built-in fracture points
- The C-Frame chassis is designed to break before injuring your shin bone (Tibia) and Thighbone (Femur)
- Very low profile inner knee for superior bike feel and control
- Comfortable, low profile shin bone plate with load distribution pad that fits inside all boots
- Sizing: They come in three sizes: Small/Medium, Large/X-Large, and 2X-Large,
2. Mobius X8 Knee Brace
The Mobius X8 Knee Brace is unique in that it uses the CCRS (Continuous Cable Routing System) to externally reinforce all of the cruciate ligaments.
The closure system securely and comfortably holds the brace in place and provides reliable tension and a repeatable amount of pressure on the front and rear of the knee, whether your knee is bent or extended.
It was developed by Engineer Darren Fleming, who had suffered a repetitive knee injury, and sought to find a knee brace solution that was unlike anything on the market.
He sought the help of nine-time AMA MX/SX champ Ryan Villopoto, who had suffered from multiple knee injuries himself. Ryan was an instant believer in the design and joined the development team to turn Fleming’s vision into reality. Another MX/SX Champion Ryan Dungey is also backing the product.
After seven years of research, development, and prototyping they created the X8, one of the most advanced knee braces available today.
The X8 is designed to give you full overlapping coverage from the bottom of your shin to the middle of your thigh. It also gives you protection from rotation, hyperextension, and bending that can cause severe knee injuries.
A great feature is the numbered velcro straps to help you tighten the straps in the correct order to ensure you get proper fitment, an important factor in the brace working as designed.
Features:
- The CCRS (Continuous Cable Routing System) adjusts the fit with a simple turn of the locking CNC Forged 6061-T6 anodized aluminum dial
- Plush molded EVA foam and impact absorbing rubber internal padding
- Overlapping patella area with zero degrees CNC Forged 6061-T6 aluminum stop which leaves no gap exposed no matter how far the knee is bent
- The Figure-8 cable behind the knee adjustment pad is designed to strengthen the knee joint yet work as freely as your body’s own ligament system. There is a patent pending on this design
- The shell is a lightweight PIM glass-filled Nylon that conforms to your leg’s shape to give you 360-degree protection and will not rotate or slip out of place
- CNC Forged 6061-T6 anodized aluminum hinge plates
- Large velcro straps with TPR pull tabs that are numbered in the order that you tighten them to ensure you get a proper fitment
- Colors available: White/Yellow, Grey/Red, Storm Grey/Crimson, White/Acid Yellow
- Sizes available: XXS, XS, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large
Measure 6″ (15cm) up the thigh from the center point of the knee cap, then measure the circumference of the thigh. - XX-Small: 13″-15″ (33cm-38cm)
- X-Small: 15″-17″ (38cm-43cm)
- Small: 17″-19″ (43cm-48cm)
- Medium: 19″-21″ (48cm-53cm)
- Large: 21″-23″ (53cm-58cm)
- X-Large: 23″-25″ (58cm-63cm)
- XX-Large: 25″-27″ (63cm-69cm)
3. EVS Axis Sport Knee Brace
The EVS AxisSport Knee Brace uses hybrid technology that combines an aluminum chassis and a reinforced nylon chassis.
The Axis Sport Knee Brace is modeled after the higher-end EVS Axis Pro (At No. 4 below) for lightweight comfort and flexibility.
It utilizes reinforced nylon injected upper and lower cuffs, and the monocoque hinge allows for a low profile structure. The result is a lightweight, comfortable, and rigid brace.
The Tru-Motion 2.0 hinge is designed to mimic the knee’s natural range of motion so that the brace works with you when riding, and it is aluminum construction so it’s very lightweight and durable.
The hyperextension can be adjusted from 0 to 30 degrees with the six replaceable stops that are provided with the brace, so you have a lot of adjustability there. Great if you have a previous knee injury and need it to lockout earlier.
It also comes with extra hinge pads of different thicknesses so that you can adjust the fit to the width of your knee.
Features:
- Hybrid Technology Construction
- Lightweight and strong reinforced nylon injected upper and lower cuffs/aluminum construction
- Articulated patella System
- Dual Defense total tracking knee cup for full-time protection through total knee motion
- Tru-Motion 2.0 Anatomically correct hinges track natural knee movement
- Adjustable hypertension lock-outs which allow a personalized fitment
- Dual-adjustment strapping system
- Thermofit lining that keeps your skin from getting chaffed
- Adjustable on the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) sides of the brace
- ‘Perfect FormFit’ Frame to fit all leg contours for the most comfortable fit
- Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large – Measure calf and thigh circumference 8″ or 20cm above and below the center of the knee
Small: Calf 23-30cm (9-12″) Thigh 38-46cm (15-18″)
Medium: 30-36cm (12-14″) Thigh 46-51cm (18-20″)
Large: 36-41cm (14-16″) Thigh 51-58cm (20-23″)
X-Large: 41-46cm (16-18″) Thigh 58-66cm (23-26″)
4. EVS Axis Pro Knee Brace
The EVS Axis Pro Knee Brace uses hybrid technology that combines an aluminum chassis and a carbon fiber chassis.
The main difference between the Axis Sport and the Axis Pro is in the construction materials. The Axis Pro uses carbon fiber for upper and lower cuffs, whereas the Axis Sport uses reinforced nylon, which flexes more than the carbon fiber.
Like the Axis Sport, it uses the Tru-Motion 2.0 hinge which is designed to mimic the knee’s natural range of motion so that the brace works with you when riding, and it is aluminum construction so it’s very lightweight and durable.
It also features the Dual Defense total tracking knee cup which gives the knee full coverage full time through the total knee motion, so in the event of an accident, if your knee is bent, the knee is still protected above the knee cap from handlebars or levers that may cause injuries.
The brace is also designed with crumple zones so that it will absorb the impact and prevent a possible fracture to your Femur (Thigh) or Tibia (Shin).
The hyperextension can be adjusted from 0 to 30 degrees with the six replaceable stops that are provided with the brace, so you have a lot of adjustability there.
The neoprene liner is removable so that you can easily wash it to keep it fresh. Fitting is easy with two velcro straps above and two below the knee.
Features:
- Hybrid Technology Construction using aluminum/carbon fiber
- Twin wall carbon fiber for maximum strength and rigidity
- Patented Tru-Motion anatomically correct dual alloy hinges
- Dual Defense total tracking knee cup for full-time protection through total knee motion
- Tru-Motion 2.0 Anatomically correct hinges which track natural knee movement
- Adjustable hypertension lock-outs allow a personalized fitment
- ‘Perfect FormFit’ Frame to fit all leg contours for the most comfortable fit
- Sharkskin neoprene liner reduces brace migration
- Synthetic leather modular strapping system
- Compression comfort cuff
- ‘Perfect FormFit’ Frame to fit all leg contours for the most comfortable fit
- Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large – Measure calf and thigh circumference 8″ or 20cm above and below the center of the knee
Small: Calf 23-30cm (9-12″) Thigh 38-46cm (15-18″)
Medium: 30-36cm (12-14″) Thigh 46-51cm (18-20″)
Large: 36-41cm (14-16″) Thigh 51-58cm (20-23″)
X-Large: 41-46cm (16-18″) Thigh 58-66cm (23-26″)
5. Leatt X-Frame Knee Brace
The Leatt X-Frame Knee Brace is one of the more affordable knee braces from Leatt, well known for its quality protection from neck braces to knee braces.
The X-Frame is not their high-end knee brace, but it still features a carbon composite frame for lightness, metal-geared hinges, and a lot of components from the high-end brace.
Like most Leatt products, it is medically certified and CE certified for impact protection.
Where the Leatt C-Frame has only one hinge on the outside of the knee, the X-Frame is a more traditional brace with asymmetrical hinges on the inside and outside of the knee.
The hinges are a very robust metal gear hinge that has two pivot points that allow the brace to replicate the knee’s natural motion.
The medial hinge (inner) is 40% thinner to give you that good control and feel of your bike.
The Patella cup is CE certified for impact and there is a handlebar protection plate just above the Patella cup.
Hyperextension can be adjusted between 5 and 20 degrees with the interchangeable extension stops provided. There are also interchangeable hinge pads so that you can get the perfect fit to your knee.
The strapping is numbered 1 – 4 in the order that you tighten them to ensure you get proper fitment.
Like the C-Frame, Leatt also provides knee brace sleeves to wear under the braces, so that saves you a bit of money not having to buy them separately.
Features:
- Injected Carbon Composite Frame
- Asymmetrical Hinges
- 40% slimmer inner hinge for superior bike feel
- Metal geared outer hinge for precise movement and durability
- Reduction of forces which helps to limit knee injuries to your ACL, Meniscus, and MCL
- Certified as a medical device: EU CA14741, USA FDA 10048761
- CE tested and certified as impact protection: Knee EN1621-1
- Hyperextension limitations 5, 10, 15, and 20 degrees for ACL injury reduction
- Fixed hyperflexion stoppers for meniscus injury reduction
- Low profile shin bone plate with load distribution pad that fits inside all boots
- Comfortable and easy fitting strap system with 2 straps above and two below the knee
- Customized fit with interchangeable hinge padding sizes
- Sizing: They come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large.
Conclusion
As dirt bike protective gear is getting lighter and better designed, we are seeing more and more gear that was once considered just for motocross racers being used by enduro, trail and adventure riders.
Right after a good helmet and boots, knee braces, neck braces, and body armor are becoming the norm for all dirt bike riders.
This post has looked at the 5 of the best dirt bike knee guards, and 5 of the best dirt bike knee braces.
At a minimum, knee guards are a must for any off-road rider. All of the guards in this review are excellent at what they are designed to do.
Knee Guard Top Pick: Leatt Dual Axis Knee and shin guards, due to the CE impact certification, and the full coverage they provide for the lower shin, knee and lower thigh.
Knee Brace Top Pick: Mobius X8 Knee Brace. It is a unique design with its CCRS system and used by top professionals like Villopoto and Dungey who wouldn’t trust the protection of their knees with anything but the best. They could use any brace they want, money no object but chose Mobius.
The knee braces looked at here are all at the more affordable end of the pricing scale, but they are all excellent knee braces. Any of them would be a good choice.
Everyone is different, so it comes down to getting a good fit, which is vital to the brace working as it’s designed. All of these braces give detailed sizing requirements so that you can pick the right size for you.
A Custom Knee Brace is the ultimate in protection. If you have a previous knee injury, you can’t find an off-the-shelf brace to fit correctly, or you simply want the best possible protection and the price isn’t an issue, the CTi custom knee brace by Gall Bros. Medical is the best of the best, used by top racers worldwide.
This post is provided as a way of raising awareness of the use of dirt bike knee braces and guards. It is recommended that if you are considering purchasing any safety equipment, you carry out your own research and consider all data available to allow you to make an informed decision.
Some interesting reading:
Knee Injuries and the Use of Prophylactic Knee Bracing in Off-road Motorcycling 2011
The incidence of motocross injuries: a 12-year investigation.
Sports injury or trauma? Injuries of the competition off-road motorcyclist 2003
Related Posts
Dirt Bike Safety Tips – How To Avoid The Dangers
Best Neck Brace For Dirt Bikes 2019
10 Best Body Armor For Dirt Bikes
Do you use a knee guard or a knee brace? Please feel free to share your thoughts on what is working for you.
Thank you for this wonderful post, you must have put a lot if energy into this, I think knee braces and guards help lessen the effect of serious injuries. It gives protection to the biker and also making bike less risky. From your review I think I will go for the Fox Racing Titan Pro Knee/Shin Guard because tt is less expensive and fit well for all.
Hi, Clement. Fox Racing are well known for good quality gear. It is the sort of knee guard I use, and while it isn’t a knee brace, still offers good protection from impacts.
Thanks for dropping in.
Greg