Fox Racing Launch Pro D3O Review

Protection

The Launch D3O Pro pads deliver excellent levels of protection. The real story here is the quality of protection Fox has delivered while retaining a comfortable and relatively trim package. Oftentimes, high levels of protection are associated with large and bulky knee pads, the Launch D3O Pro is the exception and quite beautifully balances protection and a just a bit more sleekness than some other pads.

The majority of protection comes from the soft and plush D3O material. This magic material is soft and flexible to the touch but firms up upon impact and distributes the forces of the crash. This material runs from above the knee near the top of the sleeve and down to the high shin region. The D3O patch is fairly broad and begins to wrap inward to the inside of the knee.

The big story about these pads is the hardshell protective cap on the front of the pads. This piece of hard plastic protects the knee in the single area that is most vulnerable to impact. This added layer of protection is really what makes these pads stand out from heavier mid-duty knee pads and distinguishes them as ideal for gravity riding. In addition, the hardshell protective cap helps prevent these pads from tearing or ripping from repeated crashes in this high-impact area. It should also be noted that this hardshell protective cap is removable and secures to the body of the knee pads with velcro. We didn't find any reason to remove these protective caps at any point during testing.

Fit and Comfort

While the protection levels are a big part of what we loved about these pads, the fit and comfort levels were outstanding. No, these are clearly not the pads you'll want to be pedaling with for hours. Still, they are definitely comfortable enough to wear all day long at the bike park or ripping shuttle laps.

The main sleeve is constructed with Ariaprene Neoprene which has some stretchy characteristics. The material is very soft and pleasant against the skin regardless of the temperature. The rear of the pads utilizes a significantly thinner, moisture-wicking material to help keep things dry. The fit is very consistent throughout the sleeve and there are absolutely no pinch points or tight spots. In addition, there are no areas of bunching or excess material. The pad is secured by two straps, one at the top of the sleeve and one at the bottom. These velcro straps are very intuitive and allow you to fine-tune the fit.

Pedal Friendliness

The Launch D3O Pro pads earned our Top Pick for Downhill Riding. As a result, it should not come as a surprise that pedal-friendliness wasn't a particularly strong metric for these lovely pads. They feel fine when turning the pedals but if you are looking for a set of pads for daily trail riding, there are far better options available.

The sheer thickness of the padding is the main attribute that detracts from pedal-friendliness. Simply put, the level of protection that makes these pads so great also keeps them from being wonderful pedaling pads. The pedaling motion is absent of any hitches and there were no areas of irritation. The general heft and burliness of the pad simply felt a bit too cumbersome and warm to recommend for rides with any significant pedaling.

To be fair, the Launch D3O Pro does a significantly better job in the saddle compared to most of the most robust and heaviest pads in this review, but they can't match the pedal-friendliness of the true middleweight options.

Ventilation and Breathability

Despite our infatuation with these pads, they don't breathe particularly well. The same characteristics that kept them from being pedal-friendly also detract from ventilation.

The thick padding and hardshell protection don't allow much air to pass through the front of the pads. In addition, it prevents heat and moisture from escaping. Every time we took these pads off after a ride, whether it was 50 degrees or 90 degrees, our knees were sweaty and the pads were definitely wet.

The rear of the pads features a much thinner wicking material designed to pull moisture away from your leg. While this area was definitely cooler than the front of the pad, it didn't provide a substantial amount of relief.

Durability

Throughout testing, we observed no signs of premature wear or material breakdown. The stitching is still intact and there are no signs of the velcro patches failing. We expect these pads to have a reasonably long life.

The hardshell cap is an excellent feature designed to increase durability along with the protective benefits. The cap is placed on an area of the pad that is likely to take some abuse. The hardshell construction should help prolong the life of the pads as it adds an extra element of durability. Pads that utilize a soft material on the front of the pads are prone to tearing when being dragged across the trail at speed and this hardshell construction should combat this.

Should I Buy The Fox Racing Launch D3O Pro?

It is pretty easy to nail down the best application for these knee pads. They are designed for gravity riders who prioritize protection and comfort above all else. If you want a set of knee pads for burly shuttles, freeride shenanigans, downhill racing, or bike park laps, we highly recommend purchasing the Fox Launch D3O Pro. While there are beefier and bulkier options available, we believe these pads offer the best blend of all-day comfort, fit, and protection while retaining just a bit of pedalability.

What Other Mountain Bike Knee Pads Should You Consider

If you love the idea of an aggressive set of knee pads but don't want or need the hardshell cap protection on the knee, the Fox Racing Launch D3O is identical to the Pro model minus the hardshell protection. They are comfortable and protective and feature a great fit.

In search of an all-around knee pad suited for shredding gnar and pedaling, the Leatt Airflex Pro are much sleeker and lighter compared to the Launch D3O Pro. These offer a perfect blend of pedal-friendliness while retaining a nice level of protection.