They say dress for the crash, and that's true, but another consideration is how unobstructive your armor is before that dirt sampling. These $65 Kali knee pads can't claim the same protection as a set of knee braces, but they excel in areas regular knee pads usually don't.
The Aazis pads are full wraparound pieces that slip on then tighten with two hook-and-loop straps. They have a hard plastic cup that covers the knee and soft padding under and on both sides. The pads feel great when you first slip them on and are in nearly, if not precisely, the same place after a long moto. The inside padding is great at keeping that connected feel when you squeeze the bike, and at the same time giving a little cushion against any hard edges.
I thought the Kevlar weave covering (and price increase it necessitates) was overkill, but I managed to burn an exhaust header through a pair of pants when pulling myself out of trouble, and the Kevlar looks fine, except for the bit of blue pant melted to it. The pads come in four sizes. I tried the small and found the straps a bit too long. Also, if I'm being picky, I would like to see the hard plastic extend farther down. After about 10 rides everything is holding up well, except that the perforation holes are starting to fray a bit. The Kali knee pad is a great option for those who find the restriction of full knee braces (and the irritation of many knee pads) too distracting.
-Pete Peterson
| GEAR | 89.0 |
| Style | 18/20 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Function | 47/50 |
| Wash/care | 9/10 |
| Price | 6/10 |