I’m in the planning stages of installing a paver patio at my house this spring. The thought of crawling around on my knees for a couple of days is already making my knees ache so I’m looking for some decent knee pads.
I won’t use the pads for a while after the patio is done (next known use is at least a year away) so I don’t want to spend a fortune. On the other hand, a decent set of knee pads is a lot less money and less painful than knee surgery.
My question is outside of getting a pair of hard shell knee pads, what else should I be looking for? What are some decent brands? I prefer not to order online since I want to try them on before buying.
Replies
I have three different pairs. One is from Duluth Trading and has a gel fill of some sort. It's comfortable to kneel on, but thick enough that when I'm working on the floor I sometimes slide right off the pad (it twists around my leg due to its thickness). Hope that makes sense.
The pair I actually wear is not quite as comfortable to simply kneel into, but they stay in place and are fairly comfortable. I'm not sure, but they may have come from Duluth, too. They have a gray plastic outer layer with padding inside.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
There's nothing more of a pain than to have your pads slide down your legs or pop loose all the time. You can also roll off to the side of some pads. When it's hot venilation is an issue.
I have Patella T's, but at $75 per pair that might be out of your range.
If you want to go dirt cheap there are foam kneeling pads for gardeners. If you move around a lot you won't want to drag the pad around, but no straps to worry about.
Good info so far. I was thinking of spending $50 so $75 wouldn't be too bad but it would be the upper end of what I'll spend.
The foam gardner pad would be a pain. Like I said, I'll use the pads again the future so I don't want to go too cheap.
Edited 3/19/2008 1:53 pm by boiler7904
Boiler,
there are none finer than the Patella T ones.
Check on Amazon bought 4 pairs last Spring for $60 a pop -- free shipping no sales tax.
My local outlet wanted $90 plus 5% for the Governor.
They have two styles --with wedge and without.
Walter
I'm leaning the towards the Patella T's right now. Do you have the Wedge or Non-wedge version? The Wedge looks like it gives more support but at the expense of mobility.
My first pair didn't have the wedge , these last ones do. Mobility suffers just a bit.
I've seen a lot of people here and at JLC recommend Skillers. Enough so that I'm thinking of getting a set. Pants and drop in knee pads will set you back about $50
http://www.skillers.com
I've been liking the work pants with knee pad pockets built in. They are always in the right place and there are no straps to binf the skin or bunch up the pants.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
AWP Gel Zone
http://www.awpconstructiongear.com/products.asp?cat=kneepads
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These are by far the most comfortable knee pads I have ever worn.
Velcro straps fasten quickly and do not bind back of the knee.
Stretchy fasteners keep them in place when you walk.
No pressure on shins.
I have the flat surface version; resists knees splaying apart on smooth surfaces but can snag and "tip over" when you move sideways. For what you are doing, one of the rounded surface versions would likely be better.
Patellas if you want to go high end.
I use the CLC pads from HD for everything but nice finished floors - the have a hard cap. Comfortable. Under $30.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
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I wear these nearly all day every day. They're a little narrow, but comfortable enough that no matter what I'm doing I just put them on.
They protect you from all those bumps bruises that happen on site. Best $20 you can spend.
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
I'll second this recommendation. The wide velcrow strap is so comfortable that I don''t notice it. And the flat surface outside, curved-to-fit surface inside make this design ideal for moving around easily, without rolling the knee.
Both my knees have multiple old injuries but these pads make it possible to work for hours without pain.
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