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The Speed Pro knee guards from Troy Lee Designs are built for trail riding with the aim of maximising comfort and movement, along with providing enough protection to take the sting out of falls.
The D30 protective insert is rated to CE Level 1, meaning the bulkier, slightly heavier Stage Pro pads offer a little more when it comes to looking after your knees.
With no straps and a minimalist design, the Speed Pros have proven to be comfortable in use. But compared to the latest offerings from the likes of Fox, they fall short in some areas.
The Speed Pro guards are priced at £89.99 / $110.
- Read more: Best mountain bike knee pads in 2025
Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro knee guards details
At the heart of the Speed Pro pads is a D30 Diablo protective insert, rated to CE Level 1 (Level 2 is more protective).
Holding this in place is a Lycra sleeve, which fits snugly to hold the insert exactly where it needs to be, with air channels at the rear for ventilation when you're working hard.
To prevent these knee guards drooping, Troy Lee Designs has included silicone print at the top and bottom openings.
On top of those, there’s reinforcement across the rear of the sleeve, which helps pull it tight across the top of your calf, adding more security.
The Speed Pros come in three sizes (XS/S, M/L and XL/2XL), with my M/L pads weighing 272g.
Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro knee guards performance
The lack of straps makes getting the Speed Pros on quick and easy.
Although the Lycra sleeve is snug, the smooth finish feels nice against the skin, while the elasticated openings are deep enough so they don’t feel overly restrictive or tight.
Unlike the Fox Enduro Pro knee guards I've also reviewed, the top of the Speed Pros' sleeve only stretches about a third of the way up your thigh. This is comfortable, but it doesn’t feel as secure or locked in as the Fox guards.
Although the Speed Pros stay put, I found myself re-adjusting the upper part of the pad on occasion. We’re not talking a huge amount, and I only found the need to do this when wearing the pads with shorts, but a longer sleeve could resolve this.
Trousers, on the other hand, seemed to keep things more secure, to the point that the pads didn’t ever feel as though they needed adjusting.
Coverage is good, especially considering how light these pads are. The protective D30 insert covers the knee – across the top and wrapping the sides – and extends down the upper shin for a little extra peace of mind.
They’ll take a knock, too, but remember, these aren’t bulky pads designed for enduro or downhill riding – they’re there to help ward off scrapes and bumps rather than bigger impacts.
While the insert is pre-shaped, since it’s quite thin, it can feel as though it floats over the knee while you're pedalling. It feels as if it could be pulled tighter over the knee by the sleeve to ensure it holds its shape better.
It’s a minor quibble because this issue can be resolved by wearing a pair of mountain bike trousers that help pin the insert in place.
The comfort can’t be knocked, though, even when lapping trails for hours on end, where the Speed Pro articulates well, flexing in all the right areas.
I never once suffered any discomfort from the silicone-backed grippers, or ended up with any sore points around the tops of my knees, where some pads often rub on longer rides.
Troy Lee Designs Speed Pro knee guards bottom line
The Speed Pro knee guards are not perfect, but their comfort is hard to knock, especially on longer rides.
Although I’d prefer a longer sleeve that holds the protective insert a little tighter across the knee, they work pretty well as they are, especially under trousers.
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