Knee braces cost $800. Knee pads cost $30. The Dual Axis sits in the golden middle ($99) and offers 90% of the protection you actually need for trail riding. The dual-pivot hinge mimics your knee's movement perfectly, so they don't slide down your shin 10 minutes into a ride—a plague common to cheaper guards. They fit inside almost any motocross boot and take a beating; we've smashed these into rocks and come away with nothing but scratches on the plastic. The ventilation is surprisingly good thanks to the open-back design, though the straps can bite a little on long days if you over-tighten them. Unless you have prior ACL injuries and need medical-grade stabilization, this is the smartest hundred bucks you can spend on leg protection. Essential equipment.