knee wing plastic: what's the point?

[c0nquistad0rian]

I noticed that Vorteks have plastic loops which the pad straps pass through sewn into the knee wings. I imagine that this is just to keep the straps in place, but the velcro pockets on the backs of the knee wings could do that job on their own. I'm personally not a fan of having breakable hardware sewn into areas of a pad.

Also, the pad straps themselves have an extra tri-glide on them in that area. I just don't see any point for these at all.

It all just seems a bit unnecessary to me. Extra hardware in an area that takes a lot of abuse. I just don't see any reason for it to be there.

Can someone elaborate on what all of this extra plastic hardware is for?

[MrMikeEMike]

I know on the VK5's, the one tri-glide is there to help adjust the tension on the knee wing. You can tighten the tri-glade to help keep the wing tight, while keeping the strap loose on your leg. I believe that was covered in a different thread. Dunno about the plastic in the slot for the knee strap, and don't even have my pads here to check, so I'll have to let Marc field that one.

[Keeps33]

In my experiences with tri glides i find that they help keep the strap secure in the position that you adjust them to, with out them i have found that the straps have a tendency to slip.