LP (Lp Inc) · Sports Equipment Padding
OMP Kart Knee Pads
Unknown water-resistant treatment; insufficient disclosure on PFAS risk.
OMP kart knee pads likely include water-resistant coatings on padding or fabric, a common PFAS concern. Brand provides no PFAS information, making assessment difficult without testing.
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Material
foam padding, fabric, likely water-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
OMP Kart Knee Pads consist of foam padding (likely EVA or polyurethane) bonded to a fabric shell with a water-resistant surface treatment. The foam provides shock absorption and comfort during impact, but degradation over time releases microparticles. The water-resistant coating is the primary unknown: LP has not disclosed whether this uses PFAS (fluorinated compounds) or PFAS-free alternatives, which is the safety gap here. Abrasion during use, heat exposure, and laundering can compromise both coating and foam integrity.
The brand's record and disclosure
LP (LP Inc) produces motorsport and athletic protective gear but maintains minimal public disclosure on hazardous chemical use or testing certifications. No published statements on PFAS avoidance, formaldehyde control, or dye safety were found. The brand does not advertise third-party certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, or OEKO-TEX) that would signal chemical compliance. This silence is typical of smaller protective equipment manufacturers but leaves users without independent verification of coating safety.
How it compares in its category
Athletic knee pads vary widely in coating strategy; premium brands (like 3M-backed or European motorsport manufacturers) increasingly disclose fluorine-free water repellency or avoid claims entirely. LP's product sits in the mid-market segment where water resistance is standard but sourcing is not transparent. Competitors often state Teflon-type coating-free status or use wax-based treatments; OMP's silence suggests either legacy formulation or lack of investment in documentation. For kart-specific use, durability matters more than maximum protection, so material transparency becomes the differentiator.
If you buy it
Hand-wash in cool water with mild detergent to preserve the water-resistant coating; avoid machine drying and high heat, which accelerate foam breakdown. Inspect foam for cracking, compression loss, or shedding every 3-6 months of regular use; replace when cushioning noticeably decreases. Do not expose to prolonged sunlight or automotive fuels (common in kart environments), as both degrade foam and coatings. Store dry and separately from wet gear to prevent mold, which can migrate to the padding.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Water-resistant coating (PFAS status unknown)
The water-resistant finish is not disclosed by brand. If Teflon-family coating-based (Teflon-type coating, PFC), it poses inhalation risk if heated and bioaccumulation risk via skin contact and laundering; if wax or silicone-based, risk is minimal. Insufficient information prevents definitive classification.
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
EVA and polyurethane foams used in protective padding fragment under friction and heat stress. Kart-racing environments combine abrasion, sweat, and engine heat, accelerating breakdown; shed particles can be inhaled or absorbed through abraded skin during impact.
Azo dyes in fabric shell
No certifications provided; standard athletic fabric often uses azo-based colorants that can release aromatic amines under sweat or laundering. Direct skin contact during high-friction use increases dermal exposure if low-quality dyes are used.
Adhesive residues between foam and fabric
Foam padding is typically glued to the outer fabric using polyurethane or neoprene-based adhesives. As the pad degrades, these adhesives can leach into sweat, especially in warm kart-cockpit conditions. LP has not disclosed adhesive sourcing or VOC limits.
Formaldehyde resin in fabric finishing
Wrinkle resistance and water-resistance treatments on athletic textiles sometimes use formaldehyde-releasing resins. New pads may off-gas slightly; no testing data is available for OMP's production batches.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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More sports equipment padding grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.