Troy Lee Designs (TLD) has been in the business of making protective wear for a number of years now. Time and time again TLD have proven themselves by setting industry benchmarks in almost all product categories they participate in. TLD have put so much effort in producing a great quality brand that anyone tell you each time TLD set out to make a product they make sure it’s right the first time.
Blowing wind in strange directions aside, today I am reviewing Troy Lee Designs’ elbow guards.
I don’t know about other people, but typically I don’t like wearing elbow armor. They restrict movement, have bad ventilation, get stuck to the Velcro on your gloves, increase arm pump and can give you strange rashes. I wear elbow armor on some tracks (rocky/high speed/trees), but generally I ride without.
Up until now I have been using fox elbow guards. They have 3 straps, ample protection (saved my arms a couple times) and do pretty much what I want them to do. They do have their downsides (see above), which seem to be fairly standard across most other elbow guards out there.
Initial Impressions
When the TLD guards arrived I was a little baffled. I thought that someone had made a mistake and put the straps on wrong. There are two adjustable straps that cross at the centre (see picture). After some quick research I found that they were in fact correct. I must admit, I had serious doubts about how well the pads would remain secured on elbows with this different approach. Most other pads have 2-3 straps that go straight around the circumference of lower and upper arms. TLD’s approach sees both straps cross before the elbow joint in one area.
Comfort/Fit
Putting the pads on was simple enough; there is no Velcro, which makes a nice change. I’ve noticed while doing shuttles they’re quicker to get on and off than the standard Velcro jobs. Comfort-wise, the pads are actually the most comfortable I’ve worn to date, with a fairly loose feel that has you almost wondering if they’ll stay on. Bumping them around the house in football thug style (as you do) gave me a little more confidence in them, as they didn’t budge.
Riding Test
Riding in the pads is where they shine. After about 5 minutes you’ll forget they’re there (not the same with other pads as you’re constantly pulling them up or something). They don’t restrict movement, have reasonably good airflow, fewer straps and don’t seem to cut off the blood circulation as much as other pads.
Protection
In this test I was fortunate enough to not require the protective services of the pads so I can only speculate. I am pretty confident in saying that the pads will protect you for at least an initial impact. I do however think that after the initial impact the pads may move because they aren’t locked on like a vice (like some other pads are). In most cases that I can think of this is fine, because the first impacts are the big ones. The later impacts usually result in smaller injuries or just scratches (from my experience).
The Verdict
In all I think TLD have got yet another great product in their line-up. From a racers point of view I think these are the pads of choice. They are very comfortable, don’t restrict movement and most of all don’t slow you down. However, if safety's number one on your list (and not performance) then your purchase decision may require a little more deliberation. I’m going to keep wearing these pads simply because they suit me better than any other elbow-pad I have tried.
*UPDATE:
I am happy (well at least I think I am) to say that I can now say that these pads do not budge even in a big crash. Last weekend saw two crashes that required the services of arm armour. The TLD pads held up as well I could have wished. I now recommend these pads to anyone period.
Score: 9 / 10 (you can't give pads 10/10, you just can't)
Thanks to Steve Cramer Products for supplying us with the review item.
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