Chromag has launched the Shift Protection Series, a new set of trail-focused knee and elbow pads aimed at riders who want protection they can actually leave on for the full ride. The headline is certification: the Shift Knee is rated to EN 1621-1:2012 Level 2, while the Shift Elbow is EN 1621-1:2012 Level 1. For UK trail riding, that combo makes sense, beefier impact performance where you tend to hit hardest (knees), and a lighter, more mobile pad for elbows.
Chromag says the Shift pads use RHEON inserts, which are designed to stay flexible for pedalling and movement, then firm up under impact. If you ride eMTBs, this is the style of protection that typically gets worn more often, because it is aimed at comfort on long climbs and repeated descents, not just uplift laps. It also sits neatly alongside the kit selection in our Best eMTB protection 2026 guide, where comfort and stability are as important as impact ratings.
Key details that matter on real rides
Chromag is pushing fit stability as a core feature. On the Shift Knee product page, it highlights a tall upper cuff with segmented silicone print, plus an internal bracing layer and calf wrap intended to reduce pad migration. That is the stuff that decides whether pads stay centred when you are sweaty, moving around the bike, and driving hard into compressions.
Breathability and mobility are also a focus. Chromag describes an updated sleeve fabric and a 3D-shaped insert that contours around the knee for a low-profile fit. In MTB language, the goal is simple: fewer hot spots behind the knee, less bunching, and less of that “I cannot wait to rip these off” feeling halfway through a pedal mission.
Who these pads are actually for
The Shift Protection Series is clearly aimed at trail and enduro riders who want a pad that feels pedal-friendly, but still gives credible impact protection when the trail gets rowdy. If your riding is a mix of UK trail centres, natural descents, bridleway links and the odd bike-park day, this is the category that tends to make the most sense.