Msr V-Top Moto Shinguards

MSR V-Top Moto Shinguards

CW EVALUATION

On your knees, please

USED TO BE WHEN YOU BOUGHT A new pair of motocross pants, you also got a set of knee/shin guards. Cool, even if the quality was suspect. These days, though, knee/shin guards are usually sold separately, and run the gamut from full-fledged prescription knee braces to strap-on plastic cups with cheesy foam.

MSR’s new V-Top Moto Shinguards fall into the high-end category. Despite their simple styling, they’re loaded with protective features. Most noticeable are the above-the-knee plates, which distinguish the V-Tops from conventional guards. Below that are plastic knee cups and shin plates. All are backed with lycra-covered, highdensity foam padding. An additional, removable pad attaches inside each knee, and adjustable velcro bands secure at the calves.

Designed for specific leftand rightside use, they fit comfortably. The straps keep them in place, as does boot pressure on the shin plates. Most boot closure systems will need readjusting to accommodate the V-Tops, but the guards fit under every pair of MX pants we tried.

Crash protection is first rate, and the upper flaps protect the vulnerable, tender area above the knees-you know, the part of your leg that always bumps the handlebar when cornering. We even bailed hard enough to crack the plastic knee cup, and didn’t realize it was broken until undressing later.

Short of a bonafide knee brace, there aren’t many knee/shin guards out there to match the V-Tops in overall protection. And they come in children’s, junior and adult sizes, to boot. □

DETAILS MSR 252 Granite Street Corona, CA 91719 909/340-3301 Price $60 A Upper-knee flaps are worth the price alone A Double padding at knees aids bump absorption `~owns v Pricey v Bulky shin plates

$60