Been working on the floor in bath remodel…got me thinking about kneepads. My skinny legs and knobby knees are hard to fit. Have tried a couple of different ones with ho-hum results. Too bulky, won’t stay put, elastic looses it. Now using the cheapo foam ones, can’t find my others, but the elastic’s shot anyway.
I’d spend the $ on good ones if I knew they would work better than the $4.99 specials.
Things I’d like to see in an all-purpose design.
1. smaller size
2. comfortable with shorts or pants
3. Don’t slide around
What do y’all like?
PJ
Whatever you can do or dream you can,
Begin it
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe
Replies
I worked in the trade for about 25 years before I started wearing knee pads, I wish I had always worn them, work is so much more comfortable with them and I would not have developed this funny knob on my right knee.
The reason I never wore them was because I could never get them to stay on and they were such a bother. I now use a $15.00 (cdn) pair made out of foam and kept on with velcro straps, work great, never fall off and last well over a year.
but ya left out the flat head...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
beer stanchion....remember her?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
ROAR!!!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I think the site is http://www.proknee.com
You won't find smaller, or cheaper, but you will find made to fit and comfy as a recliner. If you spend any time at all on a floor (drinking excluded) they're s**t hot.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Have several pair. Bought a cheap $15 pair with hard plastic on the outside. They fit well, but come loose over time. Bought Duluths $85 silicone padded pair and couldn't get use to them, always felt like I was balancing on a wire while on my knees. Went back to the glue smeared plastic jobbers.
O.K. It seems that we have some comedians out there. The humor leaves me in the weeds. As for a good suggestion, try the medium density foam interlocking pads found at H.D. or Lowe's or Toys-R-Us. I picked up a couple of cases and us them in the wookshop, on the job, to protect floors, etc. The pads are 2' x2' and they are so easy to use, cut, store, clean. Good Luck!
Yeah, I use that stuff too. I quit using strap-ons years ago. The pain in the back of the knee from the straps is worse than not wearing them. Plus you sweat under them. The foam is good if your in a tight spot like a bathroom.
Peter,
I use Patella-T pads.
http://www.patella-t.com/
They're not cheap but are well worth the money. The only drawback is that my knees tend to get a little sweaty after a few hours of use.
J.P.
What do they cost?Who Dares Wins.
I bought mine about 5 years ago and I think I spent around $60.00. I bought them from Tool Crib that is now Amazon.
J.P.
I second the Patella-Ts.
AndyArguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it.
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
Hello Peter J
I tried a few different pairs of kneepads before I found the pair I'm staying with. They are Tommyco with removable rubber covers and a double strapping system. They are at Canadian Tire for about 50 or 60 dollars. I think there site is http://www.tommyco.com. I use them almost dailey primarily because I still want to be playing hockey when I'm 50!
Have a good day!
tommyco website is http://www.kneepads.com/index.htm how obvious is that?!
they have a ton of choices, is this the one you like?
http://www.kneepads.com/gelarmor.htmPJ
Whatever you can do or dream you can,
Begin it
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe
Hi Peter
Sorry about the wrong lead on the webbsite, I was going on a distant memory. Those kneepads are the ones I use. I am about to buy another pair as they are wearing out after about a year of use. I lucked out receiving the first pair. I sent in a comment card on the previous pair and they sent me the gel pair for free to try out. I was in them all day yesterday doing hardwood and at the end of the day knees were fine.
Have a good day
Have you checked out Skillers work pants? They have a built in picket for the knee pad, which can be easily removed for washing (the pants). I have worn them for more than 20 years. Some think they look dorky, but my knees thank me every time I am crawling around.
Another alternative would be to find an outfit that sells supplies and materials to professional flooring people -- in my area, one such place is Walcro. They always will have a stock of various kneed pads -- from the cheap to the high end stuff, such as the Pro Knee mentioned in post # 9 of this thread.
BTW, I tried the Pro Knee set up, and they were great until I started crawling around. Then, they would slide off to the side of my knee. I thought they were pretty useless, unless you are doing something straight on, without much moving around.
I can't tell you the brand, but I ended up buying a foam pair which has a pad above the knee (for kicking a carpet stretcher), which helps them stay in place. Mine have wide elastic straps with velcro fasteners -- which allows you to comfortably tighten them so they will stay put. I wear them in the summer with shorts, and don't have a problem with sweating, since the inside of the pads have a fleece type fabric that absorbs perspiration.
OK ...
here's the answer U been waiting for ..
I grew up the grandson of a swedish floor layer ...
as in ... U don't wear kneepads!
ya sissy!
until I decided I wanted kneepads.
Then .... like U ... I found they either padded yer knees ... AND cut off your circulation ... or provided the much needed blood flow .. and did nothing for yer knees.
tried them all ... ok .. didn't try the $150 pella stuff ...
but I did try the Monster Knee pads .. from HD or Lowes ...
and love them!
If they don't work ... then maybe ya gotta spend more ..
but the Monster Pads works just fine for me.
pad the knees well enough ... and still supply enough blood flow I can stand up after a coupla hours of tiling and grouting.
when I wear them ... I still got enough "GrandPa" in me a coupla hours on concrete don't really hurt much .... as my Dad said ... Gramps being his "inlaw' ... Swedish Knees .....
Jeff
My knees are near junk. Too fat, too many years on concrete, too many years trying to race motorcycles, I don't know. But if I work on my knees for more than an hour I struggle to walk, get up and down or just function for the rest of the week. Really sucks.
I supposed I will need replacements someday. Anyway tried them all. Proknee is expensive but man what a difference. We just did a floor job that lasted 10 hours and I was probably on my knees 6 of them. No pain! Amazing.
Again at $180 they aren't cheap but what difference. Liked them so well I bought my brother a pair. He is 8 years younger so maybe I can save his early. You young guys might want to think about this. Better to take care of them now before they get bad. (sound like my dad)
You can buy parts for these things, no strap burn on the back of the legs. I imagine they will last me 10 year at my rate of use. And you can walk around with them on. DanT
I bought a pair of cheap foam pads with a narrow strap with buckles--cut off circulation and didn't keep them on when I walked, plus I sweated a lot under them. Then I bought a pair through Duluth (don't remember name) that have two wide straps with Velcro and something called Drylock or similar that helps absorb sweat. I like them, though they're still not perfect. They don't fall off when walking, but they tend to slip to the side when you crawl around. They do absorb some sweat. My knees feel much better when I use them.
The other thing I do if I don't want to go to the car and get the pads is to kneel on just about anything around the site that's remotely soft--piece of Styrofoam is pretty good, carpet padding or carpet scrap is good. Used to have a foam pad with a handle like gardeners use, but it was a pain to grab it and move it each time I moved.
Dan T,
"My knees are near junk. Too fat, too many years on concrete, too many years trying to race motorcycles, I don't know. But if I work on my knees for more than an hour I struggle to walk, get up and down or just function for the rest of the week. Really sucks."
Feeling your pain, BTDT. A couple rooms of base do mine in. Wouldn't trade all the fun I had racing motorcycles for new ones though! A lot of good results and memories there.
Dez
No, I wouldn't trade the fun and memories either. I joke that when done racing I started dragging motorcycles down some of the best streets in town, but unfortunately I don't mean racing them, just sliding down the road on my a$$.
Wild times. All the fun things in life are the wrong things to do apperently. Lol. DanT
Curious as to if anyone has had knee replacements and what they use for kneepads.
I've seen a knee cart advertised? It allows you to sit on a seat to take pressure off your knees and has wheels to allow you to roll about. Pricey but anyone know what I'm talking about and used this. Looks interesting. I'll keep looking for it and post a photo if I find it.
that would be great for the end of day for those butt dragging days...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Not for roofer types. ; )
I was checking this thread out hoping that someone had
posted a link to those knee pads you are refering to, as I've
seen them to but can't for the life of me remember who makes them
or where you can buy them, they sure look like the cat's meow
even if they are pricey. I'm sure not getting any younger.
I did'nt read the whole thread but if your after serious protection
http://www.prodesigned.com/kneepads.htm
thanks, but those aren't the knee pads I had in mind.
Found what I was asking about. Anyone have an opinion on this 'kneel and roll' knee pad idea.http://www.racatac.com
Here's the site I was talking about
http://www.racatac.com
Edited 11/3/2004 11:09 pm ET by JAGWAH
That is the knee pads I was wanting to see.
Thanks for that link, I've got a distributor in my area and I'm gonna try
and look at one tomorrow(thur.)
Bump myself
anyone use this do you like it?
View Image
bump, again
bump yerself.
I just decided to read this thread thru. After having my bursa cut out a few months ago, the doc told me to figure on staying off my knees for the rest of my life, but I continually find myself needing to go down every now and then and the darn thing screams at me.
Good resource thread.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hope your knee gets better. I imagine the knee has gotten pretty good at forecasting the rainy, cold Maine fall weather. I get a new right hip Tues. am and if that goes well, a new right knee 90 days from then. Hopefully the improvement is enough that a pair of kneepads might actually prove useful.
where's the motor?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
That's what I feared when I saw one of their web site photos. If this thing got movin, where's the breaks?
Kinda thought if I got one of these I'd look sillier than a frog outside a French restaurant.If you get my drift.
Edited 11/7/2004 12:07 pm ET by JAGWAH
Doesn't anybody wear Skillers -- pants with built in pockets for knee pads?
I have worn them for years, and while some think they look dorky, my knees thank me everytime I kneel down.
Here's the ones I wear, and right now, it happens they are on sale for $30 (from Skillers).
SKILLER WEBSITE:
http://tinyurl.com/4r5pt
I wear skillers work pants with the knee pads. Like 'em a lot. Matt
Well if your still interested, I went and saw the ractrac thingamajig.
Very nice, could be very useful, but I think the whole purpose of
this rig is so that you are able to sit on the seat and take the weight
off of your knees. The seat adjusts up and down very easily, but without
any tools I couldn't adjust the angle of the seat(It's a bicycle seat) so If
for example If was spreading glue, I would have to lean to far forward,
thus taking your weight off the seat and putting it back on your knees.
It was very comfortable, but if I get one I'm gonna wait until the price
comes down(189.00 is a bit steep, imho) They did say that they sell
alot of them, but that might be a sales pitch to.
My thoughts exacly.If I have to lean up on my knees anyway then there are much cheaper alternatives. For a seat I have a stool and it only cost me my time to build.
Bet it would be handy in the bed room;-)
PJ,
For light work, what i have used is neoprene knee supports. You get them in a drug store, they come in about 3 sizes, and are basically a tube you put over your bare leg. the neoprene keeps them up so they stay put. They are pretty warm on, but the stay on comfortably all day. The neoprene is only about 1/16" thick, so they won't help on nasty stuff, but for just kneeling on the floor I have found them comfortable especially for jobs where you constantly have to get up and down, where adjusting regular kneepads every time you kneel gets old fast.
Hope this helps. Rich.
these are pretty comfortable...
they come with two 'treads' that velcro on
$25 bucks
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=SEARS&pid=00940639000&tab=spe
View Image
Knee pads. Just checked out http://www.leevalley.com
If you go to their website and go to woodworking, product safety, they have orthotic kneepads for $67. USD. They look Skookum. In the gardening section I also think they have gardening pants that have knee pockets to put in various types of cushioning.
Cheers
Mac
I've been wearing a pair of these for about 10 years:
http://www.barwalt.com/classifieds/display.html?id=11
Extremely comfy while kneeling, walking around, they do do tend to move, but hey, I got them for kneeling. I wear 'em with shorts, but I'm a tough old birdG> Sorry for the attempt at humor Kiki LOL Oh, yeah, they're about 20 bucks at most tile suppliers.
Don't worry, we can fix that later!
And whadaya know, they're made in Idaho...like me!PJ
Whatever you can do or dream you can,
Begin it
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe
Cheap $6 ones from Walmart. Foam, single strap. Go through a pair a year but don't wear 'em all the time either. Takes the edge off, makes pants last longer.
Wally
Update: looked at all the possibilities y'all mentioned...thanks.
Yesterday I formed up an irrigation box...lots of knee work. Today, sore, sore, sore...ouch! NO MORE, I gotta do something before I waste my knees!
I called up Patella-T and ordered their non-wedge short strap model. Nice folks, 30 day trial to see if I like 'em. $70. Be here next week, I'll chime in again and let you how what I think. Gonna get something that works, for sure.
I've tried pads on the ground, even bead foam scraps. They do work, but I'm really after something that stays with me when I move around.
Here's a pic of a little scooter I used a lot when I was wrenching. Still pretty handy as long as you're on pavement. I think you can one of these for less than $50 at auto parts places.
<?xml:namespace /><o:p>PJ</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> Whatever you can do or dream you can,</o:p>
<o:p>Begin it</o:p>
<o:p>Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe</o:p>
So how do you like your knee-pads?
(I'm looking for a good pair and read thru the thread).
Well now, I did say I'd chime in with my impressions...thanks for keeping me honest!
I did keep the Patella T pads. No more sore knees, they are mighty comfortable, but they aren't perfect, or perhaps it's a combination of them and my skinny legs.
When using them, there is the distinct feeling that I'm kinda perched on top of them rather than nestled into them. As I move around on them I sometimes have to "recenter" my knee cap in the "sweet spot"...they tend to roll over some and to a lesser extent move up and down. I gotta cinch 'em up pretty tight to minimize the shifting around.
If I were to subjectively rate them, I'd give seven out of ten stars. To be fair, the problems I have may be as much about the lack of beef in the legs. They do feel as thouugh they would accomodate, and even be more suited to a wider knee and leg girth.
Best I've tried to date, anyway. If I was working on my knees every day, I'd probably still be on the hunt for kneepad nirvana.
Hey Dino, let's develop the EZ Knee! I'd love to have some kneepads that work as good as the EZ Smart.PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Hey Dino, let's develop the EZ Knee! I'd love to have some kneepads that work as good as the EZ Smart.
Peter.
You ask for it. I try all the kneepads that I can find. I dont like them.
My left knee if deformed. and my right isent to sexy either.
Right before I quit construction, I made one pair...
...just to see how stupid I was all this years for not spending 10 minutes to think and correct this problem.
You may see the EZ Knee soon. First we have to make the EZ Smart a household name.
Thanks Peter.
EZ Dino
Edited 7/11/2005 12:58 am ET by YCFriend
Dino,
These came out a few months ago -- some people like them but I haven't tried them.http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/Tools/PlatinumTools/KneePads.aspx?user=pro&lang=en
Billy
Billy.
They look nice. You have to try them.
YCF dino
Here's another to have a look at:
http://www.proknee.com/index.html
-- J.S.
I wear McGuire-Nichols "general contractor" pads all day, every day. They're light and small with a broad neoprene strap that attatches below the knee. I think they were $20 at the orange box.
I wear them all day as they remind me to get down to the work rather than bending to it, my back is grateful.
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
Skiller duck and nylon work pants.
Because the pads are always there in the knee pockets when I need them.
Sportsmansguide.com often has them as overstocks for 26 bucks.
No more Carhartts for me.
“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.
Edited 11/18/2004 3:53 pm ET by Bob Smalser