Ion Arcon Lite SQ Knee Pads

    These knee pads don't bunch or constrict movement at all.

    Ion Arcon Lite SQ Knee Pads Lightweight comfort.

    Words and Photos by Cy Whitling

    While the brand might not be on the tip of North American riders’ tongues, Ion has been putting out excellent bike pads, apparel, and accessories for quite some time. The Arcon Lite SQ Knee Pads are Ion’s latest foray into the world of lightweight “trail” rated knee protection, and feature a collaboration with sister company SQlab to help dial in the sizing.

    We’ll get into all the details lower down, but the short version of this review is: if you’re looking for lightweight, breathable pads that are comfortable to pedal in, the Arcon Lite should be high on your list.

    Ion Arcon Lite SQ Knee Pad Details

    • Sizes available: S-XL in long and short variants
    • Protection: RE ZRO inserts  for EN1621-1 Level 1 CE Certification
    • Size tested: Large
    • Price: $89.99
    Ion collaborated with SQlab to dial in the sizing.

    Pad Fit

    One of Ion’s big talking points with the Arcon Lite SQ is its fit, so it deserves some extra attention. You can either take your own measurements with a sewing tape measure, or order a free measuring kit from Ion. Unlike most kneepads, Ion’s collaboration with SQlab means that you don’t just measure circumference, you’ll also get a recommendation for “short” or “tall” sizes. Initially I thought this was a big gimmicky, but instead I’ve come away quite impressed.

    I’m pretty much always a “Large” kneepad guy, at 6’2” and 210 pounds with proportional legs. So it wasn’t surprising when the sizing tool indicated that I should rock the “Large Tall” Arcon Lite. But Ion also threw in a set of “Large Short” kneepads as well. My partner is much smaller than I, with female cyclist legs, which means she usually falls between a medium and a large in kneepad sizing. She’s been on a bit of a journey to find kneepads that actually fit and stay comfortable over long rides since typical size charts usually lead her to uncomfortably tight, or too-baggy options. For her, the Ion Arcon Lite in the “Large Short” size combination is by far the most comfortable knee pad she’s owned.

    The Short version’s upper cuff ends nine centimeters above the top of the pad, while the Long has an extra two centimeters of stretchy material. That makes a big difference when it comes to fit, and I’m stoked Ion is offering both options.

    Grippers help the cuff stay up.

    RE ZRO Protection

    Inside the sleeve, the Arcon Lite uses RE ZRO pads. These are fancy-looking molded panels of a non-Neutonian material that RE ZRO says does a much better job of absorbing impacts than traditional foams or plastics. They’re quite lightweight and flexible, and allow for a lot of airflow. They’re also very easy to remove from the sleeve for cleaning and are purple, which gives the added bonus of looking cool when you’ve got them taken apart.

    The RE ZRO inserts are very breathable.
    It's easy to slip these out and wash the sleeve.

    Performance

    The Arcon Lite is meant to be a very lightweight, breathable pad that’s comfortable enough that you’ll slip them on for rides where you might not usually bother to pad up, and it fits that bill very well. Although they both have the same safety rating, the Arcon Lite feels significantly lighter and more breathable than the Fox Enduro Pro Knee Guard that I gushed about last year.

    A lot of that is due to the materials used. The Arcon Lite’s sleeve fabric is much lighter than the Enduro Pro’s and, thus, is less prone to bunching and runs cooler. The flipside is that, for my legs at least, the Enduro Pro stays up a little better and gives the (probably false) sensation of offering more protection.

    The Enduro Pro also has an extra layer of fabric between the pad and your skin, which makes it much more difficult to take out or install the pads when you’re washing them. In contrast, it’s much easier to pull the Arcon Lite apart, wash it, and get back to riding.

    For summer riding, the Ion Arcon Lite is significantly more comfortable than the Enduro Pro, and is one of the lightest and most breathable knee pads I’ve ever worn. That means it’s a great choice when I’m riding a cross-country or trail bike, and don’t really plan on taking any risks. The Arcon Lite is comfortable enough that it’s easy to justify as extra insurance, just in case I do crash. Would I reach for these on gnarlier enduro rides, or when I’m shuttling or riding bike park? Absolutely not. Ion makes burlier pads for those scenarios. But for any sort of trail ride, the Arcon Lite is incredible.

    I dig the little pop of color these tags give.

    For Now

    Ion’s new Arcon Lite SQ Knee Pad is one of the most comfortable and breathable knee pads I’ve ever used. It’s lightweight, affordable, and easy to wash. What more do you want from a knee pad?

    Learn more: Ion