[jonKranked]

my son is getting good on his balance bike. he's coasting along now, but he's also crashed a couple times and skinned his knee. my wife insists on getting him knee pads. i reluctantly agreed, but stipulated that i get to pick them out. i've done some looking, one of the requirements is that they are NOT hard shell. MUST be youth size.

The brands I've looked at so far:
G-Form
TLD
Leatt

These all look great, but are $50 and up. wondering if anyone knows of other options out there.

 

[canadmos]

I'd say ignore the cost and get what fits him best.

Kind of related, but I rode by this couple and their son the other night on the trail. The kid was maybe 5 or 6 and tiny; he was decked out in all sort of gear and had a small full face on. I bumped into them again at the top of a ridge and the kid was FLYING haha. His mom lagging behind didn't seem to thrilled with trying to keep up with the pace of the kid and dad.

Useful post, I know.

 

[jonKranked]

i generally ride my bmx bike when he's on his balanace bike. he's been learning FAST. he's at the point if i'm running i can't keep up.

 

[Nick]

he's at the point if i'm running i can't keep up.

maybe you should skip the french fries and beer

 

[jonKranked]

maybe you should skip the french fries and beer

i generally already skip the fries and go straight for wings. esp now that i have an air fryer.

 

[KenW449]

Why not go with the timeless solution?

DH Edition

 

[FlipSide]

I'm in the same boat. My 7 y.o. is using my wife's elbow pads (POC 2.0 something or other - Size Small) and it's good for him. He doesn't have knee pads, but he will need some. He had a nasty crash resulting in a bloody knee with blood flowing down to his ankles last weekend. After a short crying session, he just resumed the ride and didn't even mention that crash afterwards. Good boy!

I am thinking about trying my POC air elbow pads as knee guards for him. I've heard many people are using adult elbow pads for a kid knee pads. If it doesn't work, I saw these at the shop yesterday:
https://www.foxracing.com/youth-launch-pro-knee-pads/02108.html

Another option for you to consider.

 

[jonKranked]

No.

 

[jonKranked]

I'm in the same boat. My 7 y.o. is using my wife's elbow pads (POC 2.0 something or other - Size Small) and it's good for him. He doesn't have knee pads, but he will need some. He had a nasty crash resulting in a bloody knee with blood flowing down to his ankles last weekend. After a short crying session, he just resumed the ride and didn't even mention that crash afterwards. Good boy!

I am thinking about trying my POC air elbow pads as knee guards for him. I've heard many people are using adult elbow pads for a kid knee pads. If it doesn't work, I saw these at the shop yesterday:
https://www.foxracing.com/youth-launch-pro-knee-pads/02108.html

Another option for you to consider.

should mention my son is only 3, but he's a big dude. already three and a half feet tall, weighs about 45lbs.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I'd say ignore the wife and let him get scraped up.

Fixed!!

 

[jonKranked]

Fixed!!

i've been trying. at this point it's more i just don't wanna hear about it. plus it's an excuse to buy bike gear.

 

[Gary]

MUST be youth size.

How old/big is he?

 

[jonKranked]

How old/big is he?

listed above, but he's 3 but a huge dude. 3.5' tall, about 45lbs.

 

[SkaredShtles]

i've been trying. at this point it's more i just don't wanna hear about it. plus it's an excuse to buy bike gear.

Get a super-cheap pair of pads at the sporting goods store and wave them at the wife when you go out. Then make up shit to explain all the scrapes, bumps, and bruises when you get home.

Are you brand new at this Dad'ing thing, or what??

 

[jonKranked]

Get a super-cheap pair of pads at the sporting goods store and wave them at the wife when you go out. Then make up shit to explain all the scrapes, bumps, and bruises when you get home.

Are you brand new at this Dad'ing thing, or what??

i'm starting to think you might have brain damage.

 

[SkaredShtles]

i'm starting to think you might have brain damage.

Starting?!?

 

[Gary]

Ah... sorry. missed that post. so he's about the size of a 4.5yr old. I don't think youth sized pads will fit very well.(unless youth sizing is a different thing where you are). here I think it'd be "junior" sizing for that age/size
My youngest (tall slim 8yr old) has worn a cheap set of generic Bell knee and elbow pads we picked up from wallmart since around 5yr old. She was on a balance bike at 18months and pedals at 24mths so too small for anything useful at that stage. We actually bought the pads for rollerskating when she was around 3 but she still uses them for BMX racing. They are hard shell but pretty small/minimalist... with just two velcro straps but stay on fine.

You're probably looking for something more technically advanced but it might be worth taking the little guy to some generic toy shops/department stores to see what they have and try them on anyway.

 

[slyfink]

I'm with Gary and Skared on this one. I started my boys off with my elbow guards. I think one pair of Fox (hardshell with kevalr fabric over the top as I recall?), and a pair of really (really really really) really old Roach elbow guards. that way it was full lower-leg protection! But that was only the first few days they were on their pedal bikes.

Now that they're both stable on their bikes (at 5 and 7), I don't bother with pads. Just gloves so they don't scrape their palms when they go down.

 

[jonKranked]

I'm with Gary and Skared on this one. I started my boys off with my elbow guards. I think one pair of Fox (hardshell with kevalr fabric over the top as I recall?), and a pair of really (really really really) really old Roach elbow guards. that way it was full lower-leg protection! But that was only the first few days they were on their pedal bikes.

Now that they're both stable on their bikes (at 5 and 7), I don't bother with pads. Just gloves so they don't scrape their palms when they go down.

that's great and all, but my elbow pads would probably still be too big for him to use as knee pads.

 

[slimshady]

Grab a set of cheap Junior airsoft/paintball protections. They are lightweight, soft, and the elbow pads will surely fit him as knee pads. That's what I did when my son started jumping off stuff with his strider:

(he used to wear them below his pants since he said they "ruined his style" because the pads were green )

This list from eBay will give you a ton of options:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Paintball-Elbow-Knee-Pads/159065/i.html?_fsrp=1&Age=Youth&_dcat=159065

EDIT: The ones we got him were similar to these ones:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tru-Spec-By-Atlanco-Tru-Neoprene-Elbow-Pads-Use-In-The-Tactical-Response/152283665326?epid=1600200091&hash=item2374d053ae:g:sZUAAOSw~bFWMvLO

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Wrap the kid in duct tape.

 

[sbabuser]

Fox Titan are good cheap pads for kids. https://www.foxracing.com/peewee-titan-elbow-guard-[black/silver]-os/08038-464-OS.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-JvaBRDGARIsAFjqkkp8PmBImvwUsnq_863uCKoPmViYam3WizdsndhAGQmVPPZvfS-vnJkaAltTEALw_wcB&source_FoxCampaign=UniShop

Once they outgrow those, I switched to small adult elbow pads for the knees (too bad the 661 2x4 ones aren't around anymore, they worked great). I just upgraded my son to Fox Launch pads, and they seem to fit well.
https://www.foxracing.com/youth-launch-pro-knee-pads/02108.html

To keep my kids riding after a fall, pads are mandatory.

 

[jonKranked]

Fox Titan are good cheap pads for kids. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1440&bih=843&tbm=shop&ei=ZuVHW9CQCIOwjwTs95jYBw&q=fox+titan+pads&oq=fox+titan+pads&gs_l=psy-ab.3...9785.12436.0.12535.10.10.0.0.0.0.171.874.8j2.10.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..1.1.120...0.0.pX9I2UiB7Cc#spd=6012142417860541322

Once they outgrow those, I switched to small adult elbow pads for the knees (too bad the 661 2x4 ones aren't around anymore, they worked great). I just upgraded my son to Fox Launch pads, and they seem to fit well.
https://www.foxracing.com/youth-launch-pro-knee-pads/02108.html

If you want your kid to keep riding after a fall, pads are mandatory.

Clearly haven't read. I said no hard shell pads. And my kid wanted to keep riding after he fell last night without even being asked.

 

[sbabuser]

I grabbed the wrong link - fixed it now. My kids pads have all been soft shell.

And I made my last comment more specific. If your kid is tougher, props to him. Or it may just mean he hasn't fallen hard enough yet.

 

[jonKranked]

I grabbed the wrong link - fixed it now. My kids pads have all been soft shell.

oh nice. price is right too. elbow pads sorted. just need knee pads. seems like all the non-hard shell knee pads are in the ~$50 range.

 

[Gary]

Why non-hard shell?

 

[jonKranked]

Why non-hard shell?

because hard shell ones generally don't stay in place and have poor articulation (if any). especially when they are designed / sized for a kid.

 

[Gary]

Ok. Thanks for explaining.

But... Just so you know... in the case of those cheapie BELL hard shell knee pads I posted a pic of above you're actually wrong on both counts.
Sophie (my youngest) finds those knee pads absolutely fine in both respects but almost never wears the elbow pads (you can see this from their general condition) as she does feel they restrict her elbow movement and just doesn't like wearing them. TBF I feel exactly the same about pretty much every set of elbow pads I've ever worn too (soft or hard shell). Just like me she's also quite fussy about stuff that doesn't fit/feel good in all the sports she does.

 

[jonKranked]

almost never wears the elbow pads (you can see this from their general condition) as she does feel they restrict her elbow movement and just doesn't like wearing them.

this is pretty much it. i remember when i was a kid having hard shell pads like that and just hating wearing them. would rather not put my kid through that if possible.

plus, for the skill level he's at i'm really just interested in preventing scrapes and cuts

 

[StiHacka]

Wrap the kid in lizard skin.

Ftfy

 

[dump]

What about just wearing pants? Some pants have a reinforced knee. Might be enough to prevent a skinned knee in most situations. My guy is also 3 and so far doesn’t crash enough to warrant any pads.

 

[jonKranked]

What about just wearing pants? Some pants have a reinforced knee. Might be enough to prevent a skinned knee in most situations. My guy is also 3 and so far doesn’t crash enough to warrant any pads.

not when its ninety fuckin' degrees out.

 

[boostindoubles]

Yesterday I bought the XS G-form elbow pads and we are using them as knee pads on a 4yr old.

 

[FlipSide]

I am thinking about trying my POC air elbow pads as knee guards for him.

Well, that didn't work. He tried them on and wanted to remove them RFN. He was very uncomfortable.

 

[Nick]

It’s never a good idea to underestimate the importance of safety gear. It is equally valuable in extreme sports or hobbies like biking. The best socks provide the support feet need as riders cruise, and perform tricks. While it’s tempting to wear a good old pair of socks, they tend to sag and crumple, resulting in pain and blisters.

I'm sorry, what's that about socks now?

 

[slimshady]

It’s never a good idea to underestimate the importance of safety gear. It is equally valuable in extreme sports or hobbies like biking. The best socks provide the support feet need as riders cruise, and perform tricks. While it’s tempting to wear a good old pair of socks, they tend to sag and crumple, resulting in pain and blisters.

Have you and your socks ever been to a Turkish prison?

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Have you and your socks ever been to a Turkish prison?

Socks to be him...

 

[bullcrew]

Shit I wear black socks and converse half the time, I'd ride naked if my balls didn't get stuck in rear wheel and seat stay......gear wise i make my kid wear leatte neck brace, full face and knee pads at resort...for the most part he's in a hucker lid like me, gloves and knee pads...
We made him wear a helmet on his skuut bike and made him shuttle his own rig to the school to huck 6" curbs

I think socks is overthinking it, if your socks are bacon socks and rippled, falling down it may be time to get a new pair of socks at store...they come in a nifty 6 pack now....lol