Submitted by
Bad Radiation
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008
Strengths: Light, strong, easy to get in and out of, Foam inner kneepad is removable for easy washing. Splendid knee articulation
Weaknesses: Compared to previous products? None. Slightly wider shin foam - even ½" would be good. How long with the velcro last?
Bottom Line:
The Core Rat leg armour is the bomb. Separate shin and knee pads stay where you put them. Even with deliberate "too loose" strap settings.
Delivery was delayed and Angie called me to explain this and offer apologies.
I will buy these again. In fact I will probably buy a second set just to make sure I can still get them.
Similar Products Used: Mace Tectonic knee/shin combo. Raceface/Roach FR knee/shin combo. Bare skin and hair (the least effective)
Bike Setup: Wheels gears and something to sit on.
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Submitted by
Alexis Artwohl
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson AZ
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008
Strengths: lightweight, cool, smaller version for women, adjustable, comfortable, great for trail riding
Weaknesses: expensive, unattractive
Bottom Line:
As a small woman rider it's always hard to get gear that fits. However, these are highly adjustable and come in smaller version for small riders. (Corerat is owned by a woman named Angie). I found the straps to be sturdy and adjustable and they are thoughtfully extra long so they can be cut to size. They are lightweight and relatively cool. After talking with Angie I got the heavier duty Burly Knee Pads and they are not bulky - just right for trail riding. I also got the shin pads which I like because they are covered with hard plastic with no vent holes and no fabric. (Vent holes sound good but are not desireable on trails surrounded by vicious cacti. Ditto any kind of fabric.) It's nice that the knee pads and shin pads are separate so you can ride with the knee pads only if you want. They are a bit expensive but will be worth it if they hold up over time. They are not attractive but as long as the rest of me looks sharp I don't care.
Weaknesses: Cheap Velcro straps. Too expensive for the quality.
Bottom Line:
When I first got these I was highly disappointed. They are obviously a home made product. Compared to the professionally made products I have looked at they look sooo cheap.
With all that being said I have to say that these are a pretty good product. They are light weight and comfortable. I ride every ride with them and rarely notice that I have them on and I like that. They have saved my knees and shins a few times. The Velcro straps are too long but a pair of scissors fixes that easy enough. These are a light weight minimal protection product. Which is exactly what I was looking for. I do think that they are over priced for the quality though. I also bought the elbow pads but they don't fit me very well and keep rotating on my arm so I don't use them.
My only complaint really is that they are overpriced. If you are looking for something light weight and comfortable and are not looking for heavy duty protection and don't mind paying a premium price then you should be happy with these.
Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from Whistler
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2005
Strengths: these things rock. I purchased the burly version, and they are bomber. big knee cushions, and lots of coverage. the molded knee cup works great and stays in place. problem is you get a little too cocky thinking you are impenetrable... the straps are adjustable, and you can wear just the shin guards or the knee pads, or both. easy to separate the padding and the hard shell when you need to wash them. awesome!
Weaknesses: the burly versions look a little warmer due to the extra padding, but that is what you bought them for – to protect your legs. if you are an agressive xc rider only, the lighter versions looked a little less bulky.
Bottom Line:
these are awesome protective gear for your legs. light, well constructed and they stay in place - all while not restricting your motion or being excessively hot. they are competitively priced - not much more to ask for. I liked the fact they were made locally, and the service was exceptional, which is not something you can state too often these days.
thanks to Angie for the quick service, quick responses to my questions, and prompt shipping with a tracking number and an e-mail that my order had been recieved.
5 chilies for these - without a doubt, and hats off to Angie for the great customer care
Similar Products Used: tried some kona pads but they were one piece jobbies and were not really that comfortable or flexible when riding. used some fox pads but those worked better for motocross or heavy duty riding.
Bike Setup: giant reign 1 - freeride setup
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Submitted by
Lawrence Waters
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonds, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2005
Strengths: Stays in place, mostly (have had the knee portion slide down a bit when I slid belly down along a gravel trail; can remove the top portion for cooler climbing, durable, washable. Looking at the pics of the new ones, it looks like they have solved that problem. They work.
Weaknesses: None that I have noticed.
Bottom Line:
I will likely get another pair when I wear these out or want to try the newer model.
Strengths: Light, strong, comfortable, and they don't make your legs overheat.
Weaknesses: Only last 2-3 years. J/k, that's really not a weakness. That's a long time for the abuse they've been given.
Bottom Line:
These shin pads rock. I'm buying my second set today because they do what they should, protect your shins and do it well.
The ony way I'd switch to another shin pad would be if I went full on DH. For XC, trail riding, and light FR -these things are perfect.
I really like having detachable knee armor. For 99% of my riding I only want shin protection, but its good to know I can slap of the calf and knee guards.
Bottom line: You will not be disappointed with this product.
Angie hooked me up with their old style kneepads because I have skinny legs. Other pads were too big for pedaling or had too much extra strap. Several corerat emails later Angie hooked me up an excellent pad that isn't hot and stays put when pedaling. Excellent knee only for xc, all mountain, freeride-lite.
Submitted by
Andrew M
a
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005
Strengths: They still work like the day I bought them.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my last review back in '03. I figured since I was (finally) posting reviews of some other Corerat gear I'd post this too.
So yeah... my pads are still going strong. The molded plastic bits (which you'll note a lot of other companies are doing now) are pretty scratched and pitted but they don't seem to protest when I strap them on a few times a week all year round.
I switched back to clipless pedals about a year back, so for the most part I have just been running the knee pads since then (one of the best features is being able to choose to use the whole set or just the knee). I haven't found anything out there I like as much.
I think next year I'll probably switch to the new burley knee pad simply for the extra support, but otherwise I'm still 100% satisfied with this product.
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, WA USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004
Strengths: Great protection, well-thought out design, comfortable.
Weaknesses: Had to re-sew some of the straps to fit my skinny legs. But once I did...a perfect, "custom" fit.
Bottom Line:
I really like these pads. With the shin and knee combo in place, I feel indestructable. Very comfy. Last weekend I hit some forest trails, just loosened up the knee pads a little and I didn't even feel them...even on the uphill parts. I thought that the pads might slip because I was wearing them looser than normal, but after a sliding crash, no pad movement at all. Super cool.
It might take a bit of monkeying to get the pads dialed in, but once you do, oh man, your knees and shins will thank you...but your doctor will probably curse the name Core Rat...
Similar Products Used: Homemade shin gurads, long pants.
Bike Setup: Kona hardtail.
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Submitted by
Justin Johnson
a Downhiller
from langley,BC,North America
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004
Strengths: They are light weight and very durable and is the best for having a moveable knee and after trying on almost every leg pads the instant I put them on I could tell they were the absolute best. Also the knee and shin velcro together fro an easy way to put them in a small pack.
Weaknesses: None at all
Bottom Line:
Out of all the knee pads I have tried these have been the absolute best and will keep using them because they stay in the same place so no eritating rash and are down right comphy.
Strengths: Knee and shin pads can be worn separately or together, & removable, washable inner pads.
Weaknesses: a little chafing, but that can easily be solved by tightening the straps
Bottom Line:
This is my first pair of leg armor, and am very happy with them so far. One of the main reasons I chose to go with Core Rat (after a lot of reserch), was because of the detachable option. I wanted some armor that could be worn for any type of riding. You can attach and detach the shin guards on the fly. This armor is very comfortable, stays put while pedaling, and never gets in the way. I would highly recomend these guards to someone who wants an option as to what goes on their legs.. from street riding, to agressive XC, and maybe even some FR... as for more agressive FR or DH, I'm not sure, but they can take a hell of a beating!
Strengths: Quality of construction. Pads can be taken out to be washed. Seperate knee and shin pads.
Weaknesses: Top support strap falls into the back of the kneecap and can rub. Inner wide support straps of the knee pad also fall into the back of the kneecap and rub (don't need these so I adjust them to keep out of the way).
Bottom Line:
These pads rock. Once I did a little tinkering with them I fell in love with them. Provide lots of protection (my knees and shins thank me after every ride). I'm lucky, they are the perfect size for my knee/leg length so they never fall down a bit while riding (maybe the knee pad a tiny bit but I never have to adjust it).
Small adjustments - the knee pad comes with straps for above the knee and below the knee. Each position has an inner wide strap and an outer thin strap. The problem lies in that the straps tend to jam up behind your knee. I don't even use the wide strap (just position or roll them up so they are out of the way, may even cut them off eventually). On the top strap I sewed on (ok, my mom did) a hook and fastner so it attaches to the bottom of my riding shorts. Works sweet, nothing gets in behind the knee, and every thing is nice and cool back there. I love'm now.
Submitted by
Richard
a Downhiller
from Richmond,Va.
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2004
Strengths: The outer shell holds up under alot of abuse,pads can be taking out to be washed,you can use in different opitions(keenpads by themself,shin guard by itself.
Weaknesses: Top support strap falls into the back of the keencap and can rub.
Bottom Line:
Overall its a GREAT product,and is worth the investment of less then a $100.00
