Kneepads are an important piece of safety gear for numerous sports and recreational activities. You also need them in the workplace in certain circumstances, and they even come in handy when you're gardening. The best kneepads for you depend on several factors, including the activity you are doing, how well they fit and personal preference.
Basic Kneepad
The basic pull-on kneepad is useful for many sports including wrestling. This type of pad has a large oval or circular foam pad sewn into it. Fit is key for this type of kneepad. You need it to stay securely over your knee, not float around. It should fit securely at the top of your calf and at the bottom of your thigh. Seek one that offers good protection to your knee but that is lightweight and flexible. If you want to promote slide, such as in wrestling to help with takedowns, choose pads that are made from a smooth material like Lycra rather than rough materials like cotton.
Working Kneepad
If you do construction work, such as home repair, in which you must frequently get down onto your knees, look for gel kneepads. Comfort is a key factor when choosing your gel kneepad. In general, the one that feels the best when you try it on will work the best over time for you, advises Michael Springer in his Journal of Light Construction article, "Choosing Kneepads." Gel kneepads have various types of caps over the knee area. These include hard, curved soft, flat or concave soft caps, and fabric caps. Hard caps are good for carpet laying because they slide easily, and curved soft caps work well for other flooring work like spreading grout. Flat or concave soft caps are best for tasks in which you stay in one spot such as under-sink plumbing. Fabric caps are the most lightweight and will not scratch delicate surfaces, so they're good for tasks like crawling on a hardwood floor or kneeling in an acrylic tub.
High-Impact Kneepads
If you are performing an activity such as skating in which you may land on your knee with your entire body weight, it's especially important to find kneepads that offer top protection. Also consider your motion. If you are skating, you want pads that will stay in place when you slide during a high-speed fall, for example. Pull-on pads have more staying power than those that attach solely with Velcro straps. You also want the pad to have a broad, smooth and hard cap that will slide, notes "Get Rolling" author Liz Miller. A material that does not grip the ground on the outside of the pad helps with slide as well. Pads that allow for a full range of motion and are relatively comfortable as you move are beneficial.
Other Considerations
Kneepads that have straps either fasten with Velcro or some type of buckle or clip. Velcro can be tricky to put on but doesn't loosen with activity. Pads with clips or buckles may loosen with activity but may be more comfortable if you will be stationary. In general, thick straps are more comfortable than their thinner counterparts, Springer notes. Some pull-on kneepads offer top and bottom straps that are adjustable. Many kneepads also offer features like webbing or "ventilation zones" that help with breathability, anti-microbial materials, or fit that's specific to your right and left knees.
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