There are many options for knee protection for motocross and off-road motorcycle riding. You can choose simple knee pads that cost less than $20 a pair all the way up to carbon-fiber knee braces with a price tag over $800 per pair. While knee braces provide a lot more protection for your knees, reducing the chance of hyperextension and ACL, MCL, meniscus injuries, they come with a high price tag and for many are not very comfortable. The lack of comfort is more noticeable if you are riding all day, which is common for off-road riding. If you are looking for a knee brace that is more comfortable and will not break the bank, the Leatt Z-Frame may be a good option for you.
Leatt Z-Frame Knee Brace Lowdown
List Price: $299.99 (pair)
Standout Feature: Good knee protection at a reasonable price.
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More comfortable than typical knee braces |
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More protection than knee pads |
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Reasonable price tag |
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They don’t feel as protective as a more rigid knee brace (but the tradeoff in comfort may appeal to people that don’t like more rigid knee braces) |
Leatt Z-Frame Knee Brace Rider Analysis
Leatt offers three models of knee braces; the unique single-side-hinged C-Frame Pro Carbon that cost $529.99 per pair, the X-Frame that cost $469.99 per pair, and now they have the Z-Frame, which cost $299.99 for the pair. The Z-Frame braces are CE certified as a medical device (this may allow you to get them paid for through insurance) and for impact protection.
We have many hours on the Z-Frame braces and have been happy with the comfort and ease of putting them on. They have two straps on the lower leg and an X-pattern single strap on the upper leg. All the straps have Velcro adjustments and, once you get them set, you can leave the Velcro and use the four clips on the outer side of each leg.
The frames are made of glass-filled nylon, which is not as stiff as the higher-end knee braces, but that improves comfort. It seems that this flexibility would reduce the effectiveness of the braces in preventing knee injuries, but if the improved comfort makes it possible to wear them all day, that may be a trade-off worth considering. They have a relatively low-profile fit and the knee cup is also much lower profile than typical knee braces. The lower leg extends well down the shin to provide some added protection, and that low-profile design allows it to fit nicely into your boots. Overall, the Leatt Z-Frame knee braces provide a comfortable fit with far more protection than knee pads with a very reasonable price tag. CN
For more information, visit www.leatt.com
Click here to read the Leatt Z-Frame Knee Brace Review in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
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