Utilising all of Leatt’s most modern technology, the 3DF 5.0 Knee Guard EVO brings protection and comfort in equal measures, making it a solid option for big days on the uplift or on the pedals. That said, it’s not perfect as the pad isn’t without minor durability concerns, it can get rather warm, and there is some bulk present.
- Best MTB knee pads 2025 – tried and tested leg protection for demanding trails
- Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads review
- Knee pads – everything you need to know
Leatt 3DF 5.0 Evo knee pads – Technical details
Over recent years, Leatt has invested an awful lot into developing its own technologies, and many of them are present in the 3DF Evo. Providing the protection is a 3DF protective insert, which isn’t too dissimilar from the likes of D3O as it absorbs energy during impact, but in comparison, it’s very soft and very flexible. That insert is then joined by a few extra foam pads that sit around the upper of the knee, with another sat below the main insert, all to boost protection that bit more.
As for the chassis itself, Leatt says it’s thinner than previous designs, and it benefits from the brand’s MoistureCool and AirMesh fabrics to encourage breathability and moisture wicking. The sleeve is then pre-curved to help the pad conform to the knee in the usual riding positions.
Providing pad security is a silicone printed brand around the upper, which is paired with a hook and loop calf strap.
Available in sizes S up to XXL, the 3DF Evo certifies to KN 1621-1 Level 1 impact protection. It also scores a 13-point protection score on Leatt’s scale, with the highest scoring product receiving 25 points, for reference.
Leatt 3DF 5.0 Evo knee pads – Performance
For my test with the Leatt pads, I went for a large, as per usual, and the fit is right on the money. It’s not too long, and certainly not too short. There are no tight spots around the pad, and the strap that runs around the calf adds a useful hint of security. When in the pad, that insert gets covered with an outer coating using a Deflextion material on the pad’s sleeve. It’s a four-way stretch fabric that’s designed to bring durability to the pad, helping it hold up to multiple scrapes.
Leatt’s own insert, crafted and shaped for this pad, then provides loads of coverage. It wraps around all of the important bits of the knee and stretches down plenty of the shin, all while wrapping around the bone. Good stuff. Though, because the insert itself is quite wide, it does make the pad rather bulbous. This didn’t really pose an issue when wearing trousers, nor shorts, but the slower seams of a shorts’ leg can sit on and in the creases just above the protector. Again, there are no real issues here, just some may find fitment issues if you’re wearing particularly slim trousers, and you’ll notice the bulky pads under even baggier trousers.
It is a good thing that a single insert provides so much coverage, as the brand hasn’t had to resort to masses of orbital protectors around the main protector, only a few smaller ones. This makes for a simpler design that avoids awkward bunching and placement that can occur when pads use more than one insert to add extra coverage.
As such, the Leatt pad is remarkably comfortable, given its burliness. I’ve been rather happy wearing these non-stop on long uplift-assisted days, as well as big efforts on the pedals. The pads don’t restrict movement, and there’s no harsh rubbing as the inserts are comparatively soft, especially when compared to the thicker inserts from rival brands. That bit of bend also aids the pad’s overall maneuverability, as it can flex and form over the knee during all of the movements the knees would go through when riding. Despite the chunky design, it’s easy to forget that you’re wearing them.
They do get warm, though, both when ridden under trousers and shorts. Airflow isn’t the Leatt pad’s strong suit, but with protection being the name of the game, it is somewhat to be expected from a pad like this. Though other level-1 protectors encourage better airflow. For bike park days, it’s adequate, but when pedalling around for hours, a bit of extra cooling wouldn’t go amiss.
As for durability, it’s a mixed bag. Having crashed in the pads, the Deflexion cap has shrugged off the spills to fight another day, but the elastic at the upper of the pads looks as if it’s seen better days. Although the fit is very good, it looks like they’ve been overstretched after months of use. This does indicate that the overall security of the pad will likely give in at some point, so while they’re looking a little worse for wear, the silicone-coated elastic bands are holding on and performing.
Leatt 3DF 5.0 Evo knee pads – Verdict
Coming in at £100, the 3DF 5.0 Evo’s value is mighty competitive. Others at the price point come in the form of EVOC’s LS Flex Enduro Knee at £110. It’s a little more faffy when cleaning due to the strap that goes through the insert, and the pad isn’t quite as comfortable as Leatt’s offering.
Fox Racing’s Enduro Pro Knee guards are slimmer, cooler, and equally as comfortable, but the Koroyd insert doesn’t provide nearly as much coverage. This pad will set you back £90. Another pad from Fox to consider is the Launch D3O. It’ll set you back £85 and it’s a comfortable pad, but like the 3DF Evo, breathability isn’t its strong suit, and the sizing is a little off. The Leatt pad is considerably more comfortable, too.
When it comes to comfort and coverage, few do it quite like the Leatt 3DF 5.0 Evo. There’s plenty of both, if you can put an amount on comfort. It’s just held back slightly by the durability of its elastic cuffs and its somewhat lacking breathability.
All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.
