EVS TP199 Knee Pads — First Ride Review

EVS TP199 Knee Pads — First Ride Review

I'm Jeff Emig, and I put the EVS TP199 knee pads to the test for the very first time. In this hands-on review I walk through fit, construction, how they feel on the bike, and how they compare to the knee braces I've ridden in since 1988. If you're weighing a lightweight knee pad versus a full brace, read on — I'll give you my honest, track-tested take.

Outline

• Unboxing & first impressions
• Construction and features
• Fit inside your moto pant
• On-bike impressions from the first ride
• Protection: knee pad vs knee brace
• Who the TP199 is best for
• Where to buy and final thoughts

Unboxing & first impressions

The TP199 I tried is a small/medium — the size I chose because I wear a size 30 moto pant. Right out of the box they felt pretty snug, sitting tight under the knee and on my calf so the pad should stay put and tuck neatly into a boot.

There’s a sleeve on the inside that helps keep the pad in position, and the overall fit felt secure without excessive movement. If you want a snug, low-profile knee pad that won’t slide down or bunch up, these hit the mark on first glance.

Construction and features

The TP199s have a decent amount of padding around the kneecap and what feels like a plastic-style shin guard in front. There are straps on the rear to help lock them in place, and some neoprene behind the knee for comfort.

Overall construction looks and feels like a serious knee pad rather than a fashion piece. It’s designed to be lightweight and flexible — exactly the type of guard riders choose when they want more freedom of movement.

Fit inside your moto pant

I expected the pant to feel looser with pads versus braces, but there’s actually quite a bit of volume with the TP199. Between the straps and neoprene, there’s material behind the knee that you might not expect.

Because of that material, the flexion didn’t feel dramatically easier than my knee braces. In short: they’re less bulky than a full brace, but not dramatically slimmer in every situation — it depends on how you wear them and the pant cut.

On the bike — first ride impressions

After my first ride in the TP199s I noticed a few clear differences:

• Looser feeling at the knee: you get more natural flexion and mobility.
• Better contact with the bike: when squeezing the machine I could feel the contour of the frame through the pad — that improved feel is a real benefit for some riders.
• Not naked-feeling: surprisingly, I didn't feel exposed without my braces on. It wasn’t a big deal to ride with pads instead.
• No lockout tension: with my knee braces I feel a bit of lockout on full extension; the pads remove that tension so extension feels free.

My overall impression on the bike was that the TP199s do exactly what they’re supposed to: they free up movement and improve feel without leaving you feeling exposed.

Protection: knee pads vs knee braces

This is where the tradeoff becomes obvious. Knee braces often include carbon fiber and titanium elements that wrap much higher up the thigh and provide rigid protection and structural support. The TP199s only come up about 2–3 inches above the kneecap, whereas a typical brace extends roughly a third of the way up the thigh.

That difference matters in two ways:

1. Braces offer superior protection from twisting and hard impacts because of the rigid materials surrounding the joint.
2. Braces protect more of the outside thigh/knee area — helpful if you clip bars, rub another rider, or plant your knee on the bike in a crash.

With pads, you gain flexibility and feel but sacrifice some of that wrap-around hard protection. For riders who bang the inside of their knees on the bike or need maximum lateral/rotational support, a brace is still the safer option.

Who should consider the EVS TP199?

If you want freedom to bend and contort like a freestyler (think Travis Pastrana), the TP199 is made for that style of riding. The flexibility and contact feedback are genuine benefits for aggressive, mobile riding.

For pure motocross riders like me — someone who’s worn braces since 1988 — I value the structure and rigidity of a brace for protection and peace of mind. So personally, I’ll be sticking with braces for my riding. That said, if you want a lightweight, low-profile pad with excellent feel, the TP199 is worth trying.

Where to get them

The EVS TP199 knee pads are available at MX Locker. You can find them on the MX Locker app or the MX Locker website. If you’re curious, give them a test run and see how the increased flexibility and contact feel suit your riding style.

Conclusion

EVS and Travis Pastrana helped design a thoughtful, well-executed knee pad in the TP199. It does what it promises: more mobility, better feel on the bike, and a snug fit that tucks into your boot. The tradeoff — reduced rigid protection compared to a carbon/titanium knee brace — is real and something to weigh based on how and where you ride.

"If knee pads are something that you're looking for, definitely try out this EVS TP199."

Bottom line: great option for riders prioritizing feel and flexibility; if you prioritize maximum protection and structural support, stick with a full brace.