Monday, October 17, 2011

661 Kyle Strait vs Fox Launch Pad Pro (updated)

Pretty much every rider that wears knee pads know the 661 Kyle Strait, its been here for years, and enjoys the title of being one of the best knee pads out there. It fits the knee well, and protection is good.

The relative newcomer to the "Kyle Strait'ish" knee pad segment is the Fox Launch Pad Pro. Fox is a well established brand, and they have a tendency to do things right, but getting into the knee protection segment, where the 611 Kyle Strait is dominating is definitely not an easy task. I have an impression that Fox took a really long and hard look at the Kyle Strait pad, and began improving upon it.

Let me say this right away; Both pads are very good. There, had to get that off my chest. There is a difference however, have a look:

661 Kyle Strait vs Fox Launch Pad Pro. 
(Click to enlarge)

Comfort:
661: 5/6
Fox: 6/6
Whereas the 661 is less prone to cloth chafting, the Fox sits better on the leg, the Fox pad is also very resistant to unwanted movement because of a silicone strap. The Fox is also 25% lighter, this adds to comfort. Note that the Fox Launch Pad Pro takes considerable more time to "bed in".

Protection:
661: 5/6
Fox: 6/6
Fox has a superior protection in the upper and lower front, the padding on the sides is a bit more thick as well. The front itself, and the sides is almost identical to the 661 offering.

Ventilation:
661: 4/6
Fox: 4/6
I don't feel any difference between the two. I do however think that there is room for improvement, for both brands. They do get hot in the summer.


Durability:
661: 5/6
Fox: 6/6
Both are pretty tough, I do however see that the Fox holds up a bit better. Its not as torn after months of hard use.


I have been using the 661 Kyle Strait for years, and they have served me well.
(Click to enlarge)

The Fox Launch Pad Pro however is new to me, but im really surprised by its quality.
(Click to enlarge)

489g
(Click to enlarge)

382g.  Less weight, more protection, a win-win situation?
(Click to enlarge)

The additional protection the Fox Launch pad offers is mostly in the upper and lower section of the pad. Pads in the sides are a bit more fat as well.
(Click to enlarge)

Final conclusion:

The 661 Kyle Strait is very comfortable to wear, cloth chafting is very rare, and you are most likely to forget that you are even wearing them. The protections is there, albeit inferior to the FOX. You might get some issues if you walk around alot while, say, sessioning, as the 661 tends to slide down the leg a bit. It may, or may not annoy you.

The Fox Launch Pad Pro is more prone to cloth chafting, particular the first few months. But after that, they fit like a glove, and stay where you put them, partly because of the silicon strap. Protection is superior, and its more lightweight.

Should I choose between the Fox Launch Pad Pro and the 661 Kyle Strait, then I would have gone with the FOX offering.

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review! I think 661 one's fault without the silicon strap. I have a pretty scar in my knee made because the knee protector slippered when I crashed. And for that, I have to blame the 661 product, wasn't there when i needed.
    Although they are very nice knee protectors, failed me once in two years.

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  2. Thanks. I really appreciate the silicon strap on the Fox Launch pad, so yearh, I definitely agree that 661 should have implemented one a long time ago, on the Kyle Strait model.

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  3. I have to agree that the Fox Launch Pro are amazing pads. I own them for more than a year now and wear them on every ride. Since I strap my elbow pads in to my pack, I wear the Fox pads even on the uphill. Never had any discomfort, even though they slip a bit once I start sweating. But the slip is so minor, they would still offer protection if not adjusted back. I wore them for a 40+ km ride and at the end they started to get little hot. But no complains and I love them. Also have the Fox launch pro with shin protection and I don't know what Fox did, but they slide down on every bump and don't offer same thick protection. Two different products! Keep up the good work V.P.! Matej

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  4. Hi Matej, I have to agree with you that the version with the shin protection is sub standard. I actually mention them in this post:
    http://all-mountain-next.blogspot.com/2011/09/harz-mountains-trip-number-492.html

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  5. 661 Kyle pads are comfortable, good protaction, but ventilation is too poor. I hope Fox made smthng better)

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  6. The Fox pads are overall better, but ventilation is almost the same imo.

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  7. Thanks alot man for a quality review.

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