Mizuno Elite 9 SL2 Review

Comfort: 8.5

Durability: 7

Cushioning: 8

Profile: 8

Review:

The Mizuno Elite 9 SL2 is a performance profiled knee pad that maximises mobility. The use of very breathable material makes for a nice light feel that is extremely comfortable on the skin. This knee pad has great elasticity but because of the thin material, the elasticity begins to loosen over time as well as forming occasional tears. The cushioning is slightly softer than the Mikasa 830/832 but also a little thicker. It offers good protection to the knee cap and the sides of the knee which is great for not only diving forward but also lateral roles. The profile is simple and slim allowing great mobility and speed around the court. Some knee pads feel very noticeable when playing in them, but not these. Their lightweight nature makes it feel like you don't actually have them on. For someone like myself who doesn't enjoy the feel of knee pads but needs the protection, these were great. Mizuno offers these in a small, medium and large which gives all athletes of different sizes a great fit.

The main issue I found with these knee pads was their durability. Because of the lightweight material I noticed some tears on top of the padding a little sooner than I would have liked. Also after a while the elasticity began to loosen causing the fit of the knee pad to change and a little more movement occurring. However, the breathable nature of the material meant that it took a lot longer for the knee pads to smell which was quite pleasant for a change, and meant I didn't have to wash them as often, which helped prolong the deterioration of the elastic.

Overall I think these are a very solid knee pad that offers a good amount of protection while maintaining its comfort and performance.

Rating: 7.8/10

Pros

• Great profile for maximum performance while maintaining great levels of comfort

• Good amount of cushioning throughout the knee pad

Cons

• Tears & stretching can sometimes appear because of the thin material

• Slightly more expensive than Mikasa knee pad but still quite cheap

My verdict: These are an extremely comfortable knee pad with good protection, a slim profile and great breathability. Their material is extremely soft which makes it very comfortable, but it is also prone to some small tears or stretching over time.

Value: $60 AUD - A reasonable price for a good knee pad, but slightly more expensive than the Mikasa 830/832 knee pads.

Questions?