There is an “A” or a “B” on a knee protector’s label — and it is not the protection level. It is the coverage size: Type A is smaller, Type B is larger. For scooter riders, that single letter often matters more than the level does.
Where knees and elbows hit in a scooter fall
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In a slide, knee, hip and elbow are the first areas to reach the ground. But the exact contact patch is not the same on a motorcycle as on a scooter.
- On a motorcycle, the leg is bent and the knee points forward and slightly outward. The contact area is usually the front and outer edge of the knee.
- On a scooter, the legs are stretched forward and the knee barely bends. When the machine goes down sideways, the area that tends to strike is the outer edge and the zone just above the kneecap — and the leg often ends up under the bike.
That is why coverage area matters as much as thickness: a small pad centred neatly over the kneecap may miss the part that actually takes the impact.
Strap-on guards vs armour in clothing
Armour fitted inside trousers has the advantage of nothing extra to carry. But it grips the trousers, not the leg — so when the trousers shift, the armour shifts with them.
| Armour in trousers | Strap-on guards | |
|---|---|---|
| Holding position | Follows the trousers | Grips the leg directly |
| Works with ordinary trousers | No | Yes |
| Taking it off at a stop | Change trousers | Off in seconds |
| Airflow | Depends on the trousers | One more layer clamped to the leg |
For someone renting in Hanoi this is usually the most realistic option: strap-on guards worn with ordinary long trousers — no dedicated riding trousers to buy, and nothing you have to keep on all trip.
CE EN 1621-1, Type A and Type B
A certified limb protector’s label carries four pieces of information, and they answer four different questions:
| On the label | Question it answers |
|---|---|
| EN 1621-1 | Which standard was it tested to? |
| Zone letter: K knee, E elbow, S shoulder, H hip, L lower leg | Which body part was it tested for? |
| Type A or B | How much area does it cover? |
| Level 1 or 2 | How much force does it take out? |
The third row is where most people go wrong. Type A is the smaller pad, Type B the larger one — that is size, not quality. So an A Level 2 pad reduces force harder but over a narrower patch than a B Level 1 pad.
The basic test: a 5 kg weight dropped from 1 m onto the protector, with the force transmitted through it measured. The thresholds for Level 1 and Level 2 are set out in the article on CE Level 1 vs Level 2 armour.
Pending verification: we could not confirm the dimensions in millimetres that the standard sets for Type A and Type B, so this article gives no figures.
Cheap guards on marketplace sites
The simplest test is still the label. A certified protector prints all four items above on the pad itself — not on the packaging, not in the product description. If the listing photos do not show the inner face of the pad, ask the seller for a picture of it.
An item marked only “CE”, with no standard number, zone letter or level, is not enough to treat as armour — however sturdy the moulding looks.
Off-road hard shells vs soft road armour
These two look alike in photos but are designed for different jobs.
- Hard motocross-style plastic is often a roost deflector rather than an impact protector. It is good against flung gravel and branches, but that is not the same as meeting EN 1621-1.
- Soft road armour uses material that stiffens on impact. It sits flatter under trousers and is easier to keep in position while seated.
The way to tell them apart is the marking, not the feel: no EN 1621-1 line means it was not tested as an impact absorber, no matter how thick the shell.
Comfort in heat and rain
A knee guard wraps the leg, which means it blocks airflow exactly where you sweat. What helps:
- Outside the trousers in real heat, inside them for touring — outside is cooler but the straps catch on things.
- Choose a mesh-backed design with vent holes rather than solid closed-cell foam.
- Wet guards slip more. Re-check the tension once the rain stops.
- Dry them every evening. A damp lining left overnight in this climate smells within a day.
Stopping guards from sliding
A pad that has crept down to the shin is worth nothing. What to check:
- The upper strap belongs on the thigh muscle, not directly over the knee joint. Sitting on the joint, it slides every time you bend the leg.
- Two straps minimum, above and below the knee. A single strap will almost certainly rotate.
- Test it sitting on the bike, not standing in the shop. Sit down and stand up a few times and see whether the pad is still in place.
- Sweaty skin reduces grip. If your guards rely on tension alone, check them again after an hour of riding.
Pairing with jeans and a mesh jacket
This is the most sensible combination for hot humid conditions, and also the cheapest:
- A mesh jacket handles airflow and whatever abrasion class it carries — see the article on leather vs textile vs mesh.
- Long trousers (ordinary jeans will do) handle basic coverage — see the article on riding jeans and trousers.
- Strap-on knee and elbow guards handle impact at the two joints that reach the ground first.
It is not the equal of a full Class AA outfit, but it has one enormous practical advantage: you will actually wear it at 35°C.
If you are renting for a few days, what the law requires is still a correctly fastened helmet; guards are an extra, and they pack small enough to travel with. Before you travel, ask Mr Tú – Old Quarter Motorbike Rental what comes with the rental so you only pack what is missing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Type A and Type B?
It is coverage size: Type A is smaller, Type B is larger. It says nothing about force reduction — that is what Level 1 or Level 2 tells you.
A Level 2 or B Level 1?
It depends on the machine. On a scooter the contact patch tends to land off-centre from the kneecap, so wider coverage is a trade-off worth weighing.
Are cheap guards genuinely CE certified?
Ask for a photo of the inner face. A certified pad prints EN 1621-1, the zone letter, the type and the level. “CE” on its own is not enough to go on.
Can I use motocross guards on the road?
Many hard shells of that kind are roost deflectors rather than impact absorbers. Without an EN 1621-1 marking, the pad was not tested for that role.
Over or under the trousers?
Over is cooler and easier to adjust; under is neater and snags less. Either is fine, as long as the pad sits in the right place when you are seated.
Is it a nuisance to pack guards?
Hardly — a pair of soft guards packs far smaller than riding trousers, and works with the trousers you already brought.
Do I need them for slow city riding?
Not legally. But most urban drops happen at low speed, and that is exactly when the knee is the first thing to reach the road.
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