7iDP Project Knee Pad

The good folks at 7iDP have always been at the forefront of innovation, never quite happy to settle for the status quo or make me-too products. Driven by the ever-growing need for near DH-worthy yet pedal-friendly knee protection, they once again set out to seek a novel approach – Project Knee is the result of that endeavor. Combining the comfort of a slip-on sleeve design with the impact protection of a hard-shell pad, this all new protector also features a knitted fabric that will please those who are sensitive to neoprene or spandex. We’ve had an exclusive opportunity to test this new product ahead of it hitting the stores later this spring, and we’re here to tell you all about it.

7iDP Project Knee Highlights

• “Pro Knit” main chassis
• Top and bottom internal silicone gripper print
• External silicone logo print to grip on to lycra shorts silicone gripper print
• Variable fabric stretch zones for secure and comfortable fit
• Center strap system – adjustable thigh straps
• Flexible external hard cap bonded into the fabric
• Sas-Tec kneecap pad
• High ride tube main body for secure fit all day long
• Exceeds CE1621-1 safety standards
• Precurved fit to eliminate side of knee fabric bunching
• Sizes S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 434 grams (pair, size L, verified)
• MSRP: $119.99 USD

Initial Impressions

Traditionally, knee pads fall into one of two major categories: the full-on, heavy-duty pads often seen in bike parks, and the lighter, more pedal-friendly options that people tend to wear for trail riding or longer, back country epics. Now, “trail riding” has come a long way in the last few years, which increasingly means that people are looking for protection that can do both - the enduro racing format is obviously also to blame here. As the crew at 7iDP sat down to work on the next generation of knee protection, they really wanted to find a way to offer DH-like levels of protection in a more pedal-friendly package, and so they began to experiment with new materials and construction techniques. Based on a knitted “sock” and featuring a viscoelastic kneecap pad coupled with a bonded external shell, the Project Knee looks like nothing we had seen before.

When it comes to comfort, the Project really ticks all the boxes.

The fit and sizing are spot-on, and we noticed that the Project would stay in place even on long rides – and if you should happen to run a short liner with legs that overlap the top of the Project, you can forget about them ever moving around. The knitted fabric of the Project is very comfortable on the skin, and it also appears to breathe very well. Whilst we have yet to test these in the height of summer, a few warm desert rides have already allowed us to appreciate this quality. When it comes to comfort, the Project really ticks all the boxes.

The main job of a knee protector is obviously to protect your knees. The principal kneecap pad of the Project is made from Sas-Tec, a viscoelastic material that is soft and malleable in its resting state, but which stiffens up under impact to absorb and redirect the impact energy. The Project is rated EN1621-1, the basic energy transmission standard that all knee protectors must conform to (although 7iDP claim that their pads actually test beyond this standard as well). We’ve yet to take a major digger with the Project, but some basic “tumbling tests” point to good results. We also appreciate the addition of the hardshell cap, which will let the Project slide off obstacles a bit more easily and thus avoid hanging up and/or shifting the protector out of place upon impact. On that topic, previous experience with Sas-Tec or other similar materials has proven them to be fully up to the task even for major stacks.

We tested the Project in size L. For reference, here are relevant leg measurements of this tester: Thigh circumference (measured 15cms above the knee): 470mm, calf circumference (measured 10cms below the knee): 380mm.

Things That Could Be Improved

Over the course of the development of the Project and based on feedback from their testers, 7iDP moved more and more towards the pedal-friendly side of the equation. This led them to minimize the amount of padding found around the sides and the top of the knee, which we think creates a bit of an identity crisis here. The main kneecap pad is DH-worthy, yet the side of the pad lacks protection. Whilst we appreciate how comfortable the Project is for long days out in the saddle, we’d love to see a little bit more impact protection added to the sides, much like on the new Sam Hill protector we recently tested.

Long Term Durability

The Project is a brand new protector, and we’ve only managed to rack up a couple of months’ worth of trail time with it so far. In terms of general construction, the Project is holding up great. All the stitching is still in place, and the fabric seems to resist tears and scuffs very well. We’ve done some basic “fake crashing” to attempt to evaluate the resistance of the main kneecap pad, with equally good results, and although we’ve not taken any major slams with the Project yet, years of experience with the Sas-Tec material has taught us that it works very well. Being able to easily remove the Sas-Tec pad and throw the Project in the washing machine also bodes well for the pleasantness of your long-term ownership experience.

What’s The Bottom Line?

“DH-worthy in a pedal-friendly package” – we might as well be describing a modern enduro bike, and that is precisely what 7iDP were aiming for with their new Project Knee. Combining a novel knitted chassis with both a viscoelastic pad and an external hardshell in a lightweight and breathable protector, the Project is a fresh new approach that should satisfy those looking for all-day comfort and a little extra peace of mind. We love this kind of innovation, and we think 7iDP is definitely onto a winning formula – we’d just like to see a little bit more protection around the sides before calling it a winner outright. 

More information at: www.7protection.com.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 44 // Years Riding MTB: 12 // Weight: 200-pounds (90.7kg) // 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 Nils Hjord and Johan Hjord