ION Products K-Pact Amp HD 2023
Reviews / Body Armour
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The K-Pact Amp HD is the top-tier knee pad of ION. The SAS Tec pad is extended lower down onto the shop and the Power_slide caps on the knee enhance durability. The angular cut and pre-shaped ergonomic fit enhance comfort. On top, the strategically placed Ergo_Strap Velcro above the calf muscle allows you to find the perfect fit. Price: EUR 169
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The product
ION makes some very high quality protection and their top of the range K-Pact Amp HD is the creme de la creme when it comes to knee protection. With a slightly longer fit compared to the regular K-Pact pads, they offer more protection to the upper part of the shin.
Your kneecaps are protected by the Power Slide caps, a hard plastic material that reduces friction when you crash. To make sure they stay in place no matter what there are velcro straps on the upper leg as well as just above the calf.
To keep the blood and air flowing, the pads have a mesh section in the back and the entire pad is ergonomically shaped for comfort.
Out on the trail
The K-pacts are a longtime favourite here at IMB and after running both the lightweight K-Lite and K-pact Zip pads for several months we were eager to get our hands on (or legs in) the AMP HD’s.
Built for the gravity fed rider, they have a bit more coverage and a harder shell to protect your knees from impacts. The added shin protection is definitely a plus, but with all padding the real question is how comfortable are they?
Fit is spot on for the L sized pads compared to their sizing chart, but people with big calves best size up. The calf strap holds the pads in place and we love the sliding knee protection. The smoothness of the material really makes you slide more on the terrain, preventing injury and keeping the pad in place better.
The mesh rear brings plenty of fresh air and with the ergonomic shape, pedalling is quite comfortable. On the inside, the seams are well finished, making sure there are no pressure points or areas that rub.
Material choice and quality are second to none, and you can be sure that you will have these in use for a long time. They're easy to clean and can be hand washed to remove any funky smells after regular use.
Verdict
ION protection is super high quality and their K-Pact AMP HD is no exception. If you’re a gravity-fuelled rider doing shuttles or bikepark riding these pads will offer a great amount of protection, while still being very comfortable. If you spend the majority of your ride pedalling, you will be better off with the lighter and more breathable K-Lite pads. Either way, thumbs up from the IMB team!
This review was in Issue 76 of IMB.
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By Jarno Hoogland
Jarno's life has revolved around two wheels ever since he swung a leg over his first BMX at age 4. After a BMX and DH racing career, he moved on to work for bike shops, distributors and brands before ending up in the editors seat at IMB. Based in the ultimate testing ground in the Swiss mountains, he runs his guiding operation and makes sure every IMB issue is filled with top notch content.
