The Dagger kneepads from iXS definitely have old school looks, but their construction, fit and details prove they are well up to date.
The plastic knee cup offers decent coverage over and around the knee, with the pad extending up and over the lower thigh. The upper velcro strap and silicone print on the inside does a good job of keeping the pads in place.
On either side of the plastic knee cup there's a section of formed, easy to articulate foam, which adds even more protection. There's even a decent amount of upper shin protection and a well positioned strap that doesn't ride up into the back of the knee.
The Daggers' flexibility is impressive too. The Squeezebox knee cup is shaped to articulate with the knee joint and helps to make the pad comfortable to ride it. It helps keep the pad sat exactly where it needs to be too. Venting isn't amazing, but the fit and comfort when pedalling more than makes up for this.
The solid build quality means they've stayed in one piece after a good few months of abuse – both on the trail and in the washing machine.