The Kali Strike utilizes the 3D molded Xelion for its central front pad which is highly perforated for excellent ventilation, and it has additional EVA padding along the sides in critical areas for added protection. It has elastic cuffs on the top and bottom with non-slip bands to prevent slippage and keep them in place during usage. The knee version has a Velcro adjustment on upper cuff for more tailored fit. It has a CE EN 1621-1 certification, a breathable mesh backing and they’re machine washable for convenience.
It comes in S, M, L and XL sizes, one color schemes (Black/Grey) and should retail for $85.
For further information refer to kaliprotectives.com.
Xelion
“The main protective pad of the Strike armor is made of Xelion, an advanced nano-carbon elastic compound. It absorbs impact energy by instantaneously converting it into heat, which is then dissipated across the entire pad. It is so efficient at dissipating energy, and it can be molded into very low-profile perforated designs without sacrificing protection. Xelion also remains effective at extreme temperatures compared to NBR, TPR, or PU foams, ensuring flexibility and protection in even the harshest riding conditions.”
Impressions
The Xelion knee cup utilizes a pre-curved 3D design for better fit and function, and keeps them in place during a crash, tumble and while pedaling. The Xelion material provided a decent amount of ventilation and air movement due to the perforation of the honeycombed design, and even with its internal softly cushioned memory foam backing which also is perforated, they didn’t feel too warm, even on the hottest days. The perforated memory foam that sits behind the Xelion is exceptionally comfortable and pliable, significantly adding to the pedaling characteristics and plushness of the armor.
The Xelion material offered better protection and shock absorption during my few tumbles that I had, though they aren’t meant for full on downhill use. The EVA side pads have two outer pods and two inner pods which offered increased impact protection, and they were functional when taking a sliding digger during a crash, hitting the top tube of your bike with your knee, and when bashing through bushes. One issue that does happen is that dirt can get lodged into the honeycombed Xelion lattice, though it was never that bothersome and didn’t cause any problems with their safety characteristics, and a simple washing or hose off removed any debris.
The pull on armor has comfortable elastic cuffs at the top and bottom with broad sticky silicone gripper bands to help keep them in place, and even after long pedaling sessions rarely drooped downwards slightly, and a simple tug would quickly bring them back into position if it happened.
The Velcro adjustment at the top offered lots of fine tuning, and I found it comfortable without any binding and pinching.
The light, stretchy material of the front body along with the highly breathable open weave back, provided superior ventilation and comfort, so I didn’t feel like they got very damp, even after a long ride, and they dried quickly.
They’re comfortable and flexible making even long pedaling sessions pleasant, and they almost feel invisible while wearing. I sometimes would carry these on my pack when climbing long fire roads and put them on at the top of a climb, but I tended to wear them throughout my rides due to their comfort level. The only oddity is on cold days the Xelion gets a bit stiff and they lose some pliability, but I usually am not wearing them as much on those colder days.
They haven’t shown any undue signs of wear and tear and have been extremely durable, and even with my occasional washing and drying of them, some crashes and kneeling on the ground when doing stuff in the field they’ve been resilient.
Bottom Line
I found the Kali Strike knee guards to be extremely comfortable and flexible and breathable, and the innovative Xelion material provided crash-worthiness and impact absorption during my rare tumbles and fall over’s and crashes, and I didn’t suffer any unnecessary injuries, which highlights their adequate protection. The pre-bent shape of the knee cup and the sticky silicone grippers on the hems kept them in place without any excessive movement, and the single upper Velcro adjuster worked fine and didn’t cause any irritation issues. I didn’t find them overly hot, even when it was sweltering out, and they felt more like I was wearing a pair of knee warmers. I could pedal all day without any problems, and they almost felt invisible while wearing them, yet they still provided adequate protection and supreme comfort. They only nitpick was that the Xelion material got stiff when the temperature dropped.
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