The Enduro D3O Elbow Guards from Fox aim to succeed where many others have failed. It’s shockingly difficult to find elbow guards that are light, low-profile, and stable on your arm — all while offering the protection you need on the trail.
To check all those boxes, the Enduro D30 Elbow Guards incorporate D3O material, which is flexible right up until the moment it faces an impact. Then, it hardens to protect you and disperse all that impact energy.
Quick Specs:
- $80
- Removable D3O insert
- Machine washable
- Highly compressive sleeve with breathable mesh
- Silicone grippers at hems
Enduro D3O Elbow Guards: construction
The removable D3O pad slides into a compressive sleeve that wraps snugly around your arm from about mid-forearm to upper bicep. The sleeve features an open-mesh design on the inside of the arm, and it is machine-washable once you remove the D3O insert. The sleeve itself is moisture-wicking and the open-mesh should make these guards plenty breathable.
That D3O insert provides protection, but the real treat of it is its flexibility when it’s not being impacted. That means you should get plenty of mobility while you’re riding, without the restrictions of harder shell materials.
Cordura fabric lines the outside of the Enduro D3O Elbow Guards wherever they’re likely to encounter impacts and abrasions. Cordura is super tough and should resist tearing and overall wear for a good long while. (My test sample did not include the Cordura outer material.)
Testing the Fox Enduro D3O Elbow Guards
I’ve struggled like mad over the last several seasons with elbow guards in general. Many brands have already incorporated D3O into their designs, which is great because it offers the best balance between flexibility and impact resistance.
But most elbow pads fail when it comes to staying put. They tend to creep down as you ride. I spend more time pulling the things back up my arm than is worth it for the protection they offer. And they don’t do a whole lot of good when they’re covering your wrists rather than your elbows.
So when testing the Enduro D3O elbow guards, my primary concern will be with the stability of the sleeves. The Enduro D3O guards rely on the compression of the sleeve to hold themselves in place, and some silicone dots at the top hem. That’s advantageous because it keeps bulk to a minimum — as opposed to guards that use velcro straps to secure the ends of the pads.
Testing the impact protection of the Enduro D3O pads could be a bit trickier. I don’t have a strong desire to crash, whether by accident or on purpose. So I’ll rely on the data to ensure that my elbows will be safe in the event of a crash. (If I do happen to hit the deck, rest assured I’ll have plenty to say about it…)
That said, I have indeed crashed with D3O inserts before, and I’m happy to report they performed as advertised. The pads do harden on impact, saving you some skin in the process.
So much of my testing will instead focus on comfort, stability, breathability, and mobility.
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