TECH CHECK

DHARCO & RHEON-EQUIPPED BODY ARMOR

SCIENCE OF SLAM

November 30, 2025

If you’ve been mountain biking for a long time, you will remember what a pain knee and elbow pads used to be. They were bulky, hot, stiff, and often-thought about and begrudged. With so many impressive scientific advancements in impact-absorbing polymers, riders have been lucky to get better and more comfortable protection in recent years. While consumers (and professional gear testers) have developed a bit of callousness towards marketing claims “backed by science”, we have been intrigued by RHEON’s “Metamaterial” claims.

Apparently, by using their patented computational design techniques and the creation of new properties that were “previously thought impossible” with conventional materials, RHEON have created something special of their own. Now, we’re not here to deny science or check for patents, but will happily test these things out and see how they actually perform on trail.

DHaRCO, a brand long-known for their stylish and unique apparel, entered the protection space not too long ago. To ensure stellar performance that met their demands, they teamed up with the crew of rather savvy whitecoats at RHEON Labs. The goal? To make pads that are comfortable when you move, and smart when you slam. RHEON Labs have managed to offer some incredibly comfortable and useful protective inserts with their energy-absorbing super-polymer, and DHaRCO has produced a full line of body protection equipped with them.

RHEON WHAT?

For the real nerds out there, here’s a bit of trivia; Rheology is a discipline of science that explores the flow of matter and how that matter reacts when force is applied to it. RHEON apparently likes this science so much, they named their brand after it! DHaRCO did good in seeking them out as the provider of their protection.

HOW RHEON™ WORKS

Born fromNASA, refined for riders
RHEON™ started in aerospace, and has been adapted and evolved to work on the trail. After 15 years of refining at Imperial College London, this material went from astronaut gear to body armor that offers a truly impressive blend of performance.
Soft until it senses trouble
When you’re pedaling, RHEON™ flexes with you—pliable, comfortable, and barely there. However like other non-Newtonian products, it stiffens up to absorb impacts when needed. It does this in a slimmer, more breathable profile than other popular products, which is something we always appreciate.
Geometry meets chemistry
It’s not just about the squish—it’s inside-job smart. Patented 3D designs combine with the polymer’s rate-sensitivity to reduce energy transmission to the wearer.
More energy handled, less weight added
RHEON™ can soak up four times more impact energy than standard TPEs, all while staying slim enough not to look like you’re a goalie on a hockey team.

THE DHARCO PROTECTION LINEUP

DHaRCO took their time in creating their protection line, not wanting to just rush and stamp their logo on any set pads. After finding the right protection partner in RHEON, they tested and developed their lineup extensively with their athletes and in-house team, and now it’s ready to buy.

DHARCO LIMB PROTECTORS

The DH knee pads are Level 2 certified, and feature a breathable airprene wrap with mesh back panels for airflow. A Velcro adjusters around the thigh ensures a secure fit that won’t budge in a crash. The DH pads also have extra padding above and around the sides of the knee for added coverage.

The Gravity knee pads (our favorite) are Level 2 certified, and offer a great blend of comfort and protection. These pads have a comfortable leg sleeve that slides well over the thigh and stays put nicely thanks to the silicone grippers. The pedal-friendly Gravity pads also have extra side padding for more coverage, and an ergonomic pre-curved fit.

Trail Knee pads feature a Level 1 CE-certified pad and are the slimline, trail-rider’s pick. They have a breathable nylon front fabric, mesh back panel and laser cut holes for even more ventilation.

Gravity Elbow Pad is a comfortable Level 1 certified arm sleeve, made from a lightweight nylon and elastane material. DHaRCO give them a minimalist design for both looks and comfort beneath a jersey or out in the wild.

DHARCO UPPER BODY PROTECTION

Body Armor - DHaRCO offers a men’s and women’s Body Armor in a short and long sleeve version. These both feature Level 1 certified back, chest and shoulder protectors that are removable for easy washing. The long sleeve version features additional elbow protection built into the sleeve. They are built from breathable and quick drying nylon / elastane mesh, and designed to be worn under a jersey. Ideal for those looking for slim, low-profile body protection.

Gravity Vest - Also available is the Gravity Vest, which can be worn over or under your jersey depending on your style. This vest also features Level 1 certification for the chest and back, with laser holes and mesh panels for airflow. It is constructed of molded soft EVA, with polyester and elastane materials. One notable feature is the magnetic Quick Snap Buckles, making it much easier to fit and remove than a typical buckle.

DHARCO YOUTH PROTECTION

For all the young shredders out there, DHaRCO also offers a line of Youth pads with their DH and Trail knee pads, and Gravity elbow pads.

THE LOAM WOLF FIRST IMPRESSIONS

DHaRCO’s RHEON collaboration seems to have knocked it out of the park when it comes to comfort, breathability and looks. Time will tell on how it actually works under massive impacts, actually we hope it doesn’t! So far, we have taken a few minor crashes in the knee pads, body suit and chest protectors, all with impressive results so far. So, from a material standpoint, the RHEON claims seem to be holding up in real world testing.

As far as the wearer’s experience goes, our crew has been very pleased with – dare we say in love with – the majority of products in the lineup. While this is a paid feature and we typically only share our first impressions in such marketing-forward content, we have put several months of testing into these units already and have a pretty solid feel for them.

The Gravity knee guard has seen some serious trail time by three of our crew members, who all really like them. Perhaps our favorite pedal-friendly Level 2 pad of all time? We have spent multiple long days pedaling in these pads without any discomfort at all, staying put well and fading into the background.

The DH pads don’t have a long enough sleeve over the pad to totally stoke us out. Compared to the rest of the line, they just haven’t delivered the comfort and stability that we’d love. The construction quality and protection are there, but compared to the Gravity pad we’re just not as enamored.

Robert and Cole have both been spending time in the body armor and chest protector as well, and have commended how light and comfortable both of these are. While the Level 1 protection may not quite offer the safety of some bulkier Level 2-equipped body protectors, the wearability of both of these means we’re more likely to use them on everything from pedal-fed enduro shredding through to bikepark laps.

We will keep these units in rotation as we work on long term reviews and some group comparisons later this year. Until then, we’d feel pretty confident in saying the DHaRCO Gravity guards would be a solid buy for aggressive trail to light gravity riders who want a breathable, super comfy knee pad that stays put and looks slim. And the Gravity Vest is another solid option for those looking at upper body armor that breathes well and is comfortable.