7 Protection Control Knee Pads Review

7 Protection has some of the most advanced high end mountain bike protection on the market. From lightweight soft foam to hard shell full protection products, their pads span a wide variety of off road protection while all meeting and exceeding CE standards. With everything from joint protection, helmets, chest and back protection, to gloves, 7iDP covers it all. They are known for their innovative design, durability, quality and comfort. Here in this review, we are taking a closer look at the 7iDP Control Knee Pads. The Control pads are built for the ultimate protection, designed to be used for both downhill and enduro racing. Utilizing a recycled polymer hard shell with a rounded shape, the Control pads are designed to glance off rocks and roots. 

The Control knee pads are the strongest and most protective pads from 7iDP. Inspired from a traditional bmx hard shell pad, the Control pad uses additional side protection, a smart strap system, and specific joint mobility details to ensure a pedalling efficient pad.

Pedal Flex Mobility

• Speed is the priority for racing. To gain that speed, efficient pedalling is key. The Pedal Flex panel stretches and contracts giving the freedom of movement needed to maintain fluid pedalling when pushing against the clock.

Curv Cap

• Manufactured using a recycled polymer then moulded into our custom cap, Curv is the only answer for a race pad. Designed to slide over and glance off rather than grip any surface a rider meets at flat out race speeds.

Centre and Calf Straps

• To remove any bias from a side loading strap our centre strap system is designed to apply even pressure around the lower thigh. A fixed strap sits above the calves’ widest point to avoid any chance of the pads slipping down.

Price: $109.99

Weight: 180g per side 

The Good and The Bad

• The stretch panel keeps the thigh strap in the same place while riding, no matter if you were in a standing or squatting position. This kept the pads from feeling big and bulky when pedalling. These pads were very comfortable to pedal in, especially in a race setting where standing up and sprinting is the only way. 

• The hard shell took plenty of hard impacts and always remained intact. Some other pads would have cracked or broken in two, but not the Control knee pads.

• Both the Centre Strap system and the upper calf strap kept the pads locked in to place. The back of the pad uses a compression stretch material that was very breathable and comfortable on the skin. 

• Throw these pads right in the washing machine or hose them off and they will dry in no time. Using smart materials means the Control pads would dry out much quicker than other pads that provide the same protection. 

• After riding in the Control pads all day long, they created a pressure point on the front of the shin. It seems like a softer material on the inside of the pad down by the shin would make these much more comfortable. This might also have to do with the preformed bent shape of the pad; great for riding with a deep bend in the knee and not as nice to walk around in. 

What's The Bottom Line?

The Control knee pads didn't slide down or migrate what so ever while riding. The calf strap kept everything where it was supposed to be. The curved shape of the hard knee cap was comfortable and felt natural when bending the knee. I am riding in a size medium pad and they did seem to fit tighter around the calf than they did around the thigh. After wearing the pads all day long, they did start to dig in to the fronts of my shins. Overall I would give the 7iDP Control a 7 of 10. They are engineered for the ultimate protection but the fit can be a bit uncomfortable when wearing them all day. 

About Me

Max Morgan is 25 years old, and lives in Brevard, North Carolina. Max grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and started racing downhill at the age of 15. He has now been racing professionally for the last 7 years, competing in the U.S. Pro GRT series and UCI World Cup series. Check out Max's rider spotlight here! 
Instagram: @mxmorgan77

Max Morgan Racing in the Control Knee Pads - Mountain Creek Pro GRT 2016