7iDP Knee Pads: Review by [R]evolution

You’ve probably noticed 7iDP pads appearing across the pages of [r]evo for a very long time. The pads have been a regular go-to for our staff here at the mag over the years.

The UK-based brand offer a wide range of MTB protection products but in our opinion it’s their knee pads that really excel.

We’ve tried quite a few different 7iDP knee pad models and they always seem to feature great design and reliable performance – they don’t slide whilst you’re riding or crashing as we’ve experienced firsthand a whole lot of times!

Today we’re comparing 7iDP’s most affordable knee pads vs their most expensive which are separated by one hundred bucks. Let’s get started.

Project Knee Pads

These pads are absolutely packed with fancy tech and features which combine the comfort of a slip-on sleeve design with the impact protection of a hard-shell pad.

7iDP actually claim that the Project Knee is the most technically advanced knee pad on the market today and that is largely due to the unique ‘ProKnit’ chassis design.

Whilst on your leg, the ProKnit sock provides a ‘compression like fit’ which we found nice and comfortable.

The fabric itself is lightweight and breathable and features different stretch zones to help distribute pressure while providing a secure fit. The top of the pads feature a clever dual side strap system which has been designed to apply even pressure around the lower thigh.

You’ll also find that both the upper and lower cuffs have silicon grippers which again help to ensure the pad doesn’t slide around.

The main protection barrier of course comes from the flexible, hard top cap over the knee. We found that the Project knee pads offer quite a lot more padded coverage than the Transition knees guards.

These pads are very comfortable, and we really like the amount of fine tune adjustment that comes from the elastic double strap system.

All in all, these Project pads have a pedal-friendly design and DH level protection levels offered by these pads make them the perfect choice for enduro racing and aggressive riding.

Transition Knee Pads

Whilst these pads appear to be quite basic in design, they’re actually really technically advanced. They’re the perfect balance of lightweight knee protection that you can comfortably wear all day and trust to provide reliable protection when you need it.

The pads feature a slip-on design utilising a Polyester and Spandex blended material with 4-way stretch mesh panels. The top hem extends higher up the thigh than most knee pads and uses an internal silicone strip to keep them from slipping down.

The breathable mesh back panel helps keep you cool, and the design of the pads allows for complete freedom of movement without any friction or discomfort.

The knee shell protection is made of a pretty awesome foam material which is flexible so that it conforms to the shape of your knee for a perfect fit but upon any impact the foam instantly goes rock hard. In that sense it is similar to the D30 material, but unique to Seven.

One thing that is important to note about the Transition knee pads is that they don’t feature any straps of fasteners to help hold the pads in place which means it is really important that you select the correct size pad to suit your legs.

That said, the Transition knee pads are available in Small to XL sizes and there’s even a youth version, so plenty of sizing options.

We reckon these pads are trail riding and even some mild enduro racing. We found that their lightweight design is very pedal friendly but can also be relied upon to protect your knees and stay in place during those inevitable crashes.