iXS Carve Race Knee Guard

Afew years back, we rounded up a bunch of knee pads in different categories (links HERE and HERE) to help our readers and viewers figure out what’s what. iXS had a couple of contenders in the mix back then that we got on well with, so when the company recently released two updated versions, we were eager to give them a try. Read on to find out how we got along, and you can also check out the Gear Show coverage to see the guards in action (jump straight to 4:56 for the relevant segment).

Initial Impressions

The Trigger and Carve have been in the iXS catalog for a while already, but now they are joined by a “Race” version of each model, featuring added external hard shells for extra protection. Both protectors fall into the aggressive enduro or DH categories, with enough protection for pretty much all types of riding, yet with enough comfort for all-day wear-ability.

They are built around an “X-Matter” pad, which is iXS’s take on a visco-elastic material that hardens up under impact to help re-distribute impact forces. Both feature a wrap-around soft shell with extra padding on the side and top of the knee, and two straps to help secure the guard on the knee. The inside is very soft to the touch, and the straps offer a good range of adjustment. The Carve is about 30 grams lighter than the Trigger, courtesy of a slightly smaller X-Matter pad and a smaller hard-shell cap. The internal X-Matter pad can be removed for washing the guards.

On The Trail

Similar to the previous iXS protectors we’ve tested, both these new models feature a snug fit with a high degree of comfort provided by the soft materials. The sizing is pretty much spot-on compared to most guards on the market, although if you are at the upper end of a given size range you might want to try both to be sure. Both the Trigger and Carve are very supportive of the whole knee joint, without being overly restrictive. The Trigger is a little bit taller and will protect a little bit more of the shin, extending down just shy of an extra inch.

The generous silicone strip in the top hem coupled with the two Velcro straps make sure that the protectors stay in place no matter what, but they remain comfortable enough to pedal around in for hours on end too. We’ve managed to take a few tumbles with the Carve Race, it stayed in place and kept our knee out of harm’s way during a pretty involved crash and a couple of more minor incidents. On the flip side, both of these guards do tend to run pretty warm, so take that into account as well if that is an issue where you ride.

What’s The Bottom Line?

The “Race” version of the Trigger and Carve build on a very good base, with added hard-shell protection for extra peace of mind. Both are very supportive and will do a good job of protecting you in a crash, yet remain comfortable enough for long days out in the saddle. If you like the idea of hard shell protection that doesn’t look or feel like storm trooper armor, you should give these a serious look.

Visit bike.ixs.com and thegravitycartel.com for more details.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 47 // Years Riding MTB: 15 // Weight: 190-pounds (87-kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Johan Hjord