The Fox Enduro D30 knee guards are lightweight, offer excellent coverage, and a decent level of impact protection for trail riding while remaining comfortable on full days out. Despite the name, if you are riding or racing proper enduro gnar, you may want to look for burlier protection.
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The slip-on style Enduro D30 knee guard uses CE certified D3O® impact-absorbing inserts. D30 technology offers enough flex for unencumbered pedalling while offering protection for involuntary dirt naps. There is a wide mesh panel at the back of the knee for breathability and Cordura® fabric over the front for abrasion resistance.
These pads are available in four sizes, from Small to XL, covering a thigh circumference from 39.5cm to 49.5cm and a calf circumference from 34cm to 40.5cm. For the past 12-months, I’ve been testing a medium size pair, and trust me, they’ve been through a lot.
How they’ve performed
Over the last year of wearing, pedalling, falling and washing, the Fox Enduro D30 Knee Guards are still going strong. The first thing that I noticed about them is just how long they are, which is great! There is absolutely no chance of the dreaded thigh gap with these unless you ride in your pants. Extending comfortably up the thigh, these pads sit low enough on the calf to offer full knee coverage, and a little more.
When it comes to pedalling, the D30 does great to bend and flex with your movement, so there are no restrictions there. The snug band lined with silicone on the top cuff securely stays in position. I’ve never had them slip or twist from pedalling, so for me, they’ve been very much a wear-and-forget piece of kit. Furthermore, the mesh panel behind the knee area is really stretchy and thin, so it breathes really well. I can’t recall ever feeling stifled or accumulated an abundance of knee sweat throughout my experience riding in them. The meshing may feel thin and almost fragile, but despite wrestling with the ground and occasional bush, I’ve not ripped or snagged this material whatsoever.
Saying that, however, they do get sweaty and dirty. Fortunately, the D30 inserts are removable, leaving the flaccid tubing ideal for the washing machine. There have even been times where I’ve forgotten to remove the inserts, and the knee guards have still washed really well without deforming or ruining the protection. As I have washed mine a fair few times, I have noticed that the printed info on the inside cuff has broken and peeled away, which isn’t a disaster. Rather than looking inside to remind myself which is the left and which is the right, I now check that the orange D30 is on the outside.
When it comes to impacts, these guards have taken their fair share over the last year. Despite the name suggesting these pads are ideal for ‘Enduro’, I would say they’re more suited to all-mountain trail riding. There isn’t heaps of protection around the sides of the knee area, and if you are looking for a harder or thicker pad, then you may want to consider something burlier like the Fox Launch D30 knee guard, which has significantly more side protection.
Value and verdict
The Fox Enduro D30 knee guards retail for £75 on the Fox website, which puts them well-placed amongst similar style knee guards such as the Race Face Indy D30 knee guards at £70, which Rachael really rated. Similarly, the Scott Soldier 2 Knee Guards at £73 use D30 inserts also; however, they don’t have the length that the Fox guards offer. Then for £45, there is the lesser rated Alpinestars Paragon Plus Knee guard, which is similar but lacks D30 technology.
After 12-months of testing, the Fox Enduro D30 knee guards are still riding strong. They’re comfortable to wear on long days out; they offer great coverage and wash well thanks to the removable inserts. However, if you’re riding or racing proper enduro, I would look for a more robust guard with more side protection
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