TESTED: Kenny Racing Proflex Knee Pads

Words and photos: Georgina von Marburg

Kenny Racing has recently been imported by local distributor KWT Imports. They’re French by origin and design, and like many big apparel brands, specialised in moto gear before branching into mountain biking. The Proflex knee guards are one of their burlier models, offering a huge range of protection around the kneecap, hence the chunky appearance. 

READ: AMB's Trail Knee Pad Group Test

These guards feature a super sticky silicon gripper around the upper thigh, and two Velcro straps that wrap around the thigh and calf. Aside from the main knee piece, the Proflex has further padding which wraps around the sides of the knee. 

$129.95
kenny-racing.com.au

Hits
Super comfortable
Minimal movement
Protection on side of knees
Don’t need to remove pads to wash
Misses
Logos are a little dated
Some may prefer D30

Kenny use their own impact absorbing insert – i.e. not D30 – and the insert is not removable. While some prefer to remove their knee insert for easy washing, the fact that this is not made of D30 means you can throw the whole guard into the washing machine. D30 requires you to tediously remove and reinstall inserts before washing, so for those who wear their guards often, Kenny’s in-house design is a huge benefit. 

On the trail

I was quick to judge these by their chunky aesthetic, and therefore I expected them to feel quite cumbersome. But after sliding on the medium Proxflex knee guards, I was instantly surprised by their comfort. The material used is incredibly soft, and the extra padding around the sides pulls the main guard into shape. Once they’re on, the Proflex are actually a well tapered pair of guards. 

I did several long enduro rides in these guards during autumn and the breathability was impressive for a gravity oriented knee guard. The mesh panel at the rear definitely assisted with this, as did the perforations throughout the main kneecap guard. Sometimes wide Velcro straps can cause irritation, but I didn’t have any issues with the Proflex straps as they sat flush against the fabric. Pedalling was a breeze, and the guards barely moved throughout the rides – a win over some of the lighter sleeves I typically use. 

Our take

I haven’t had the chance (or bad luck) to crash in these yet, but the presence of the extra padding on either side of the knee makes me feel that little more secure. Don’t be put off by the wide kneecap – Kenny Racing have produced a supremely comfortable and functional guard for everyday use and beyond.