For 25 years, EVS has had a tradition of making protective gear and an idea for a knee brace is what started it all. Building a brand is what they have done, thanks to some quality products and teaming up with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Travis Pastrana, they have built a solid reputation for protection. Who is better to team up with than Pastrana when it comes to safety gear?
The RS8 Knee Brace is an extension of the product line which already includes the high-end Web Knee Braces and shares some of the same principals and components, while maintaining a reasonable price point. Since not all of us are factory sponsored pro riders, making a reasonably priced product that offers a high level of protection is a great way to get the average rider into adequate protection. EVS has taken advantage of some of the high-end components that they use on their Web line of knee braces including anatomically correct hinges. These are an important part of the RS8 and one of the keys to making the braces comfortable to wear.
The design of the hinges is specific to the movement of the actual knee joint and when the brace is in the proper position the knee moves freely and without restriction. I have had no issues with the movement of the brace and once I set the hinges with the proper extension stops, it was like it was a part of my body. To add to the comfort factor of the RS8, there is a Dry-Suede comfort liner that is removable and washable. This is an important feature for something like a knee brace, especially with the amount of sweat that it is going to absorb on hot days.
The wraparound plastic body of the RS8s are flexible and mould to the shape of the rider's leg when the straps are fastened. Each of the three straps is adjustable via Velcro and holds the leg in place with quick release clips. The adjustment and fastening system was easy to fit and adjust, but on the odd occasion the top strap would come undone while riding. I found that if the strap was adjusted a bit tighter it prevented the strap from coming undone.
For added protection, EVS has included a dual defence total tracking knee cup design that offers impact protection regardless of the position of the knee. For more information, visit www.evs-sports.com. MSRP USD$349.99 per pair.
