Troy Lee Design’s kit combines slick design with thorough testing and dose of moto style. The new Raid pads have won us over this year but have had tough competition from favourites such as the Scott Grenades – a pick in the last few Dirt 100s.

‘Bike test editor Steve Jones has practically lived in these for the last six months…’

As with the Scott Grenades, these Raid pads give plenty of security for DH action but have the easy pedalling nature and unrestricted comfort of lighter duty trail pads. It’s a hard act to pull off as so may pads feel fine at the start of the ride but either move around, rub badly or restrict movement. Many are simply too bulky or overbuilt.

What features and qualities have these Troy Lee Designs kneepads got which sets them apart from the competition?

Impact protection is from the now established D30 technology – hardening on impact and returning back to the previous form afterwards. D30 is both effective and lightweight and is used on many of the best pads.