Many cyclists wonder when to wear knee or leg pads, what are the differences between the two and also, how to wear them? In this article I will answer these questions and try to reveal to you all the secrets of the cycling leg and knee pads.
Corsair VS shorts + knee pads/leg pads
It is legitimate to ask the question: why wear knee pads or leggings when you have tights or a bicycle capri? Two possible answers: The first: you love your shorts and don't want to take them off and that's understandable! The second: their practicality. I explain to you. Imagine, during mid-season, you go on a corsair because it's cool. But as you go out the temperature rises and you start to get hot. What do you do ? You're not going to finish your race without stockings?! Consequence: the discomfort linked to the increase in temperature will make you enjoy your outing less. While opting for the combination of shorts + knee pads/leg pads, you can, thanks to the pockets of your jersey, remove or put on these accessories during your outing according to the temperatures and your comfort.
When and how to wear them?
As you will have understood, these accessories are rather useful when the temperatures are likely to vary during an outing, which makes them ideal to wear during the mid-season: in spring and autumn. It is important for the practice of cycling to pamper your knees, you know how fragile they can be.
Thanks to their minimal bulk, if you are a fan of ultra-distance, you can take them with you and wear them at night. This will keep you warm and ready to continue your adventure the next morning.
Putting on your knee or leg pads is easy. Put on your shorts and socks first, then fold over the bottom band of the shorts. Put on the leggings/knee pads so that the top band is at mid-thigh or slightly higher for the leggings. Then roll the shorts down. The two pieces should overlap enough to help hold the leg/knee pads in place. In the case of leggings, the socks can be worn under or over the leggings, depending on your preference!
The Difference Between Cycling Knee Pads and Leg Pads and How to Choose Them
Between these two accessories, the difference is simply in their length! The knee pads will cover the lower half of the thighs up to the calves. The leggings go down to the ankles.
As with all technical clothing, the material plays an important role. To keep you warm, prefer a warm inner material like fleece. The fabric must also be flexible to give you great freedom of movement when pedalling. In order to optimize your comfort, check if they have a silicone band at the top so that the support on your thigh is ideal.
Discover our selection of cycling knee pads and leg pads.