POCJoint VPD 2.0 Elbow Guard
Item # POC0184
Protection without the pain.
POC designed the Joint VPD 2.0 Elbow Guard to take the pain out of
wearing armor. POC's VPD material is lightweight and flexible, so the
elbow guard is comfortable to wear, even on long XC epics. The Joint VPD
2.0 is also well-ventilated to keep you dry and cool. Body armor
doesn't have to be uncomfortable–POC has proven it.
Generally speaking, there are two types of body armor: soft, flexible
armor that's designed to be comfortable and hard-shell armor that's
designed to absorb huge impacts. As logic would dictate, the soft stuff
doesn't protect as well and the hard stuff isn't as comfortable. Well,
now there's a third kind of armor–POC VPD. As far as we can tell, it's
magic. VPD is a soft, flexible foam material that conforms to the
contours of your body. However, in the event of an impact, it hardens
instantly to provide the protection of a hard shell. It truly is the
best of both worlds. Not only that, but VPD is a true multi-impact
armor, so the protection level during your 20th crash is the same as it
was during your 1st. This is especially important because a fall can
often involve several impacts. You don't want your protection level to
drop off over the course of a fall, because that last hit might be the
hardest.
VPD is lightweight, soft, and flexible, so it's some of
the most comfortable armor that we've tried. Another reason that VPD is
so comfortable is efficient airflow. POC riddles its VPD material with
vents so air flows freely in and out to keep your skin dry and cool, so
you don't roast in the heat of the summer and get that nasty, clammy
feeling under your pads. The main body of the elbow guard is
abrasion-resistant Kevlar-reinforced stretch fabric. POC also uses a
static Crash Retention Strap to keep the guard from slipping out of
place. At the elbow itself, POC covers the VPD with a flexible hard
shell cap to make the Joint VPD 2.0 DH Elbow Guard tough enough to
handle the most brutal digger.
The POC Joint VPD 2.0 Elbow Guard comes in Black and is available in Small, Medium, and Large.
- VPD armor is soft until impact, then hardens to protect
- Spandex sleeve
- Hook-and-loop straps top and bottom for extra security
What do you think about this product?
View
January 11, 2021
When in between sizes is it better to go with the larger or smaller size?
2002superhawk
September 8, 2018
Saved my Elbow
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
These are probably the best looking pads out on the market and they saved my elbow on a fall. Unfortunately I didn't have any protection on my wrist but that's a story for another day. They can feel a tad wonky on the arm at first but once you get riding they seem to adjust to the comfortable spot. Make sure to size them correctly. I'd recommend getting two sizes and seeing which fits best because everyone's arm is dfferent.
Harrison Burns
April 22, 2017
The swedes got this one right!
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
Simplicity and cleanliness matched with a great fit and design make these pads a win win for everyone! Can't go wrong here, fit is great for me and love the look, style and comfort. Grabbed the knee pads to match as well.
Kyle Laudenslager
November 20, 2016
Excellent Quality, Needs Refinement
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
I decided to pair these with the POC VPD 2.0 Extended Knee Pads to have an equivalent element of protection above and below the waist. While these are awesome elbow pads, POC needs to refine the design: - The velcro portion of both straps comes up far too short to provide a secure fit. The straps are too short and need to be made of a longer cut of elastic material. For the cost, I would have expected a larger length for the straps. The pads are comfortable, and offer protection that extends slightly beyond the elbow: along my triceps and forearm extensors and flexors. VPD 2.0 material is somewhat rigid at first but it softens up to a supple feel once it warms with your body heat. I must say that POC makes the best looking protection equipment with their VPD 2.0 line, as I don't like the loud graphics on other similar products from other brands. POC VPD 2.0 is the way to go if you want quality protection and a simplified design.
Erick Rodriguez
March 23, 2016
2.0 Elbow Guard
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
I got a medium and these fit me pretty well. They are comfy and the VPD padding is great. Great pads!
Tj Johnson
June 22, 2015
Great protection, but not the best fit..
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
These worked great on cross country, but kept slipping when I went riding a true downhill course at Sunrise Ski Park, AZ. I had to stop all of the time to readjust. The only time I got them to stay up, the forearm part cut off blood circulation, then my hands and arms would go numb. The forearm straps are the problem. They are in the wrong place ( too far down the arm) and not flexible - and are also awkward to tighten because they have no give, and are poorly designed. What's interesting is that, unlike the forearm strap, the bicep strap is designed to flex, but is too long and cannot be tightened enough. So, why rate them 3 stars? Well, because I did crash 3 times, and my elbows were totally protected, but lucky, I readjusted these right before each crash.
mike W.
Peter K.
April 22, 2018
Did you try sizing down? I’m just into the L size range and the pad feels snug on my elbow when putting them on but they rattle loose on rowdy descents. I guess the only way to know for sure is to buy a pair of M and go ride but I figured I’d ask if you found a solution first :)
Jeffrey E.
December 16, 2020
I think the forearm straps are actually there to keep the pad from sliding up your arm during a crash. But yeah I have the same complaint. I think sizing down would help. The bicep strap is actually the one that keeps the pad in place.
April 13, 2015
Runs small, funky fit for women
- Familiarity:
- I returned this product before using it
Couldn't make this work. Ordered size S per size chart, but too snug to pull up my arm. I'd blame all the arm wrestling, but the Six Six One Rage size S was way loose on these guns.
Mary Real Good
B.F.
April 24, 2015
Why didn't you try a medium?? To busy arm wrestling?
Mary Real Good
May 11, 2015
Blergh. Good Q. After ordering and returning a slew of too-big smalls in other brands, I lost some momentum. Then I went to an actual store and tried on actual pads! And I got myself a pair of size S G-form that resulted in world peace.
May 12, 2014
Good quality
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
I'm right at the end of size large. They fit Ok but not very comfy. They stay on well even w/o straps. A bit thigh fit but better this way than having the XL sliding down. I did try the XL to, but although comfy I had to pull the straps to the max. With wear they would have become too large anyway.
Doru N.
November 26, 2013
Confidence Booster
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
I feel pretty bulletproof with these on. I've tested them on several crashes, and have walked away from a couple big ones with scratches or less by simply taking the impact with my elbows. Much more comfortable than using hands or shoulders. The mediums fit me very well (bicep 13", forearm 11") with little tendency to slip during riding. I've worn them on trails with up to 2500' continuous downhill (Dr.'s Park in Crested Butte, Porcupine Rim) and never had to stop to adjust them - granted, I did adjust them when stopped for other reasons. I don't like to wear them on long uphills because collecting sweat is inevitable. Not de-rating because they vent better than I expected.
Gregory T.
October 15, 2013
Is this a set of two?
Is this a set of two?
Sam W.
Arthur Debowski
October 16, 2013
IT is indeed a set of two.
September 30, 2013
Big forearms
i'm a climber and have some bigger forearms. i can close these securely enough, but even with the largest size, there's only barely enough overlap.
Chris Huntley
August 30, 2013
Well Protected
I use my knee pads more frequently than these, but they're great to have in my car or pack when needed. I think that difference really has to do with my style of riding and the terrain I ride (nothing too intense: XC and lift-accessed intermediate to advanced trails, but few jumps or features). My elbows just don't feel as exposed as my knees, but I'm sure that will change as my riding progresses. The pads themselves fit great and the VPD technology is particularly impressive.
Than Volk
August 26, 2013
Invest in your Joint Health
A lot of people that wear knee pads don't wear elbow pads, and i guess that's cool for them. I like the extra piece of mind having elbow pads. Also, I scrape my arms up often enough in a crash that I figure it's only a matter of time before more than a scrape is coming. POC VPD material is really cool. it's flexible and actually conforms to your body after it warms up. However, in the split second of an impact, it firms up and deflects/absorbs the blow. I've only had one casual wreck with them, but my elbow felt great. I have confidence these will protect from anything short of hitting a sharp point of a rock straight on. I figure they breathe a little better than the DH version because they don't have the hard plastic layer. Only reason they get 4 stars is because they're warm and i'm holding out for more breathability. Some day...
Chris Huntley
Windy S.
May 21, 2020
I assume these come as a pair, correct? Or sold separately?