The Bliss Protection ARG Vertical Extended Kneepads are as long as the name, providing ample protection for the pins. These mid-range pads have a sleeve design which is generally very comfortable, although they can wrinkle at the top and the pad isn't as well moulded as the competition.
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Long enough to cover the knee and a large portion of the shin, the Bliss ARG Vertical Extended Kneepads (were they worried we'd think they were extended horizontally if they didn't say?) will suit taller riders well. They sit in the trail and enduro category of knee pads, making them breathable and easy to pedal in too.
The pads feature a preformed protective inner made from Armourgel (ARG). This material stiffens upon impact for protection, but for the rest of the time stays soft and malleable.
For the most part it works well, and it certainly covers the knee effectively, but the internal shaping isn't the best on either the kneecap or shin. It's not as well moulded as either the Alpinestars Paragon Plus pads or the 7iDP Sam Hill knee pads, for instance.
The outer sleeve has a tough kevlar covering which fends of abrasions well, plus it's easy to clean too. The sleeve itself is breathable, stretchy and comfy, while the upper section features a large velcro strap to secure it.
Even so, I found the upper portion likes to slip down when pedalling, which then folds the kevlar into the area above the knee cap. Although this didn't cause any rubbing, I found it a tad annoying. The Bliss pads would benefit from a slightly longer upper thigh section.
At £54.99, the pads are a good chunk cheaper than our other favourites which you can find here in handy list form, but they aren't as cheap as the Alpinestars Paragon Plus Knee Protectors with their similar aesthetics (and faults).
Given the Bliss ARG Vertical Extended Kneepads' (slight) issues, you're better off looking elsewhere in the Bliss range – such as the ARG Minamalist+ – for serious pedalling duties, and leave these for hot bike park laps.