Scott’s Grenade Evo Zip knee pads are a burly set of knee guards that pack heavy-hitting protection credentials, whilst supremely comfortable to pedal in thanks to a Scott-designed D3O pad. They may sit at the pricier end of the spectrum but their delivery of awesome comfort and protection more than justifies the cost, making them a serious dark horse among the best MTB knee pads.
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Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads – Technical details
With its range of super techy mountain bikes such as the Genius and the Spark, the latter of which has taken Nino Schurter to his 34th World Cup win, Scott isn’t the first name you would think of when it comes to protectives. However, in creating the Grenade Evo Zip knee guard, it’s no surprise that the brand has taken full advantage of its technical knowledge in this space.
Such attention to detail is glaringly clear in the Grenade Evo Zip as Scott has collaborated with the guys at D3O to put together an impact-dissipating pad inside this guard. Instead of an off-the-shelf slab of D3O which we’ve seen on many knee and elbow guards, the pad used here has been designed to be super flexible, without compromising its protective quality, certifying to Level 1 of EN1621-1. So this slither of D3O is built with a hexagonal pattern that allows it to bend and conform while shrugging off knocks and scrapes.
Speaking of scrapes the pad features an abrasion-resistant front panel to increase durability along with reinforcement printing and there are non-D3O pads at the sides of the guards to stretch protection further around the knee.
The perforation-ridden neoprene construction is complete with a stretchy back panel and joined together with a zip. While this doesn’t help with putting the pad on, it makes it quick and easy to take them off post-ride.
At the top of each pad is a large hook and loop straps with ‘left’ and ‘right’ lawn mowered into the hook side, so you’ll never forget which knee each pad goes on. There’s then silicone printing at the top of the pads to help them stay right in place. At the lower of the pads, there’s a smaller hook and loop closure to help keep the zip from undoing itself.
Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads – Performance
The Grenade Evo Zips fit properly without rubbing and offer a decent level of protection – they’re true to their size. I always pick a medium pad and these fit perfectly, without any tight spots. Compared to many, they’re on the shorter side as they don’t reach high up the thigh but, in practice, I’ve had no issues with this.
While there are many things to enjoy about these pads, it’s Scott’s special D3O that makes them so comfortable. Unlike the off-the-shelf options that D3O offers found on pads such as the 661 DBO and Troy Lee Designs Raid, the Scott-designed pad is super flexible which allows it to conform to all of the knee’s contours. But importantly, it doesn’t dig into my shins as I pedal – an issue I face with loads of pads. Instead, this part of the pad is allowed to sit flat against my shins which reduces harsh rubbing to a minimum. Of course, as the material warms with body heat, it only gets more comfortable. Supreme comfort extends well into longer rides too, as the pads are stable and show no signs of slipping while pedalling.
It’s not a perfect pad, however. There are a few perforations to allow some airflow but ventilation is not its strong point. Adding a few more would make the pad more breathable but this will likely come with the expense of the level of protection it offers.
But then, it’s not meant to be overly airy as it focuses more on all-out protection than it does breathability. And that’s something the Grenade Evo does very well. Both due to well-placed auxiliary pads at the side and just a well-designed bit of D3O, I’ve taken knee-first tumbles without any bruising or damage. All of the bony bits are covered and the knee guards have shrugged off all of the knocks too, without being shifted around on the knee.
The neoprene used for the construction of the bulk of the pad is perforated which encourages some cooling and, of course, the mesh back does even more to aid the cause.
Thanks to removable D3O inserts, the Grenade Evo Zips are easy as it gets to wash and after several cycles through the washing machine, they’re looking as good as new. The hook and loop system is holding up well, too, and the inclusion of a zip is hugely valuable. While it doesn’t do anything when putting the knee pad on, it makes whipping them off as quick as can be, and after sopping wet rides, it reduces gross faff to a minimum.
Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads – Verdict
At £110, the Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee pads represent quite an outlay, especially with many great offerings available for less, but these pads justify that price tag thanks to their comfort and performance.
The SixSixOne Recon Advance knee guard is another that I got on with in terms of comfort which is a bit cheaper at £100. However, their build quality doesn’t match that of the Scotts, with the rear mesh panels becoming mincemeat after a couple of clashes with my pedals. They certify to the same protective rating, however.
Endura’s MT500 Hard Shell knee guards give the Scott Grenade Evos a real run for their money as they’re £90 and are arguably more protective, thanks to a pair of hard plastic caps. In our test, we found these comfortable if placed properly but lacking a bit of airflow, even more so than the Grandes but generally, they’re good value for money.
If comfort in a package that can offer a lot of protection is key, the Scott Grenade Evo Zip knee guards are a stellar choice. Few pads are as comfortable while being as protective and of course, the zip provides a convenience that many others don’t. They’re on the spendy side, but they’re far from disappointing.
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Product purpose:
Build extra:
Full-zip closure
Localized side padding
Abrasion resistant front panel with reinforcement printing
Perforated neoprene construction with stretch back panel
Ergonomic positioned straps
Removable D3O® pads for washing
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Product performance
Product performance extra:
Product durability
Product durability extra:
Product comfort
Product comfort extra:
product value
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