Knee pads.

donn

donn

Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Messages
1,786
Hello everyone I was wondering if you could help me with something. I need to acquire some knee pads for work and was wondering does anyone here use them. These aren't to relieve prolonged pressure from kneeling, there needed to protect my knees when I fall on them from standing. I'm a control and restraint teamleader in a secure unit for people with mental health problems and a couple of new admissions, due to balance problems, will go to the floor whilst being restrained. This is beginning to take its toll on the old knees.
They also need to be slim enough to be worn UNDER my trousers (generally a pair of baggy combats). Were not allowed to wear any overt protective gear.
I found a stockist for 'Hatch Centurion pads' here in the UK (are they any good??) but will buy over the web if need be. So any recommmendations? and if so any website addresses.
Thanks for any help with this
D.

P.S. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone.
 
If you want the ultimate in protection, you'll unfortunately more than likely need to go with "hard shell" protection -- and these will be rather bulky, and will pretty much need to be worn on the outside of your pants...

If this is an available option for you later-on, currently, the leading contender are Alta (brand) buckle-fastened kneepads. These are typically rated higher by LEOs and Military personnel than either BlackHawk or Hatch products for both comfort and construction/durability, and you will find proof-positive of this on any "high-speed/low-drag" gear-enthusiast discussion Forum.

Otherwise, you're pretty much limited to soft foam padding or "neoprene" pads.... Honestly, you may want to just give your local sporting-goods retailer a try, and see about typical volleyball kneepads, which offer excellent padding (for "digging" even on hardwood playing surfaces) and are decently slim. The only worry is about these pads sliding down your lower leg while you walk/run -- I find that wearing a pair of plastic-lined soccer (that's football for you guys!) pull-up shinpads can help keep the knee pads up on your knee and in their place, regardless of how vigorous your physical activity might be.

Best of luck !

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
Basically, like helmets, there are 2 kinds of knee pads: ones designerd to protect you when you hit something and ones designed to protect when something hits you.

The second kind usually has some sort of hard shell on the outside and a padding nest to that. These are the kinds hockey players might use. They are pretty uncomfortable for extended wear, and from what you say, these are NOT the kind you need.

I agree that a sporting goods shop is probably a place to start looking. Large foam pads (Wilson makes good ones) are comfortable. Also, martial arts suppliers stock some that are a good compromise. There is one brand, Macho - that's really the name - that might also work for you.
 
Thanks for the replys with this. The inline skate pads I looked at all appear to be constructed around a neoprene sleeve which I think would restrict movement at the knees. A bit like wearing a neoprene knee support. Thats the reason why I started looking at 'tactical gear' which all appear to use buckles.
Dumbo, thanks for the advice on the shin pads. I already wear a pair for work! That was lesson one learnt on day one :rolleyes:
Cheers
D.
 
Back in school I had some friends who wrestled and they had some kind of knee pads. Helped keep them from burning their knees on the mat and took some of the shock out of landing on them. Might look into that at a sporting goods store.
 
Keep looking for tactical pads. They are designed for what you're looking for.

Most sporting gear is pretty bulky and is made to wear on the outside of clothing. Whereas tactical pads, at least those that I've worn, can be used under clothing or on the outside of clothing.

The last several pairs that I used had velcro retension straps.

I'm trying to remember what we used and my have to hit the attic and dig in some boxes.

Will let you know.
 
Donn,
I would look at volleyball knee pads at a good sporting goods store. I started wearing them to martial arts practice after going to the floor unexpectedly from time to time. What was nice about a paticular brand was that they offered protection on the side. This is a very important area to protect also.
I work for a company that issues uniforms. We also need kneepads as it is a requirement when on our knees. What alot of us did was take our pants to tailor. They would put pockets in our pants for knee pads on the inside where you can't see them. It was like football pants. These are great because you don't have to worry about them slipping or turning. Good luck.
 
Made the trip to the attic. . .

The last issue that I got was the Alta Proline Gel Supercushion. Definitely the most confortable set of pads that I've worn (and I think we tried them all).

The knee padding is an anti-compression gel (something in the line of the soft gel on bicycle seats - but stiffer).

The outside protection is a very strong nylon cap that conforms to the knee better (than the Blackhawk and Hellstorm equipment that we used).

They offer either velcro or buckle securing devices. I like the velcro better than the hook/buckle devices.


There are alot of products on the market to fit your needs. The top/standard manufacturers are Blackhawk, Hellstorm, Hatch and Alta.

If I had to rate them they would stack in the following order. . .Alta, Hatch, Blackhawk/Hellstorm.

The gel cushioning and the shape of the outter caps made the Alta's top dog.

Hatch is pretty much like the Blackhawk/Hellstorm products but offered "thicker" foam padding. The Hatch/Blackhawk/Hellstorm pads that we used had dense closed cell foam. Not bad. . .but the gel rocked !

If you're dropping to your knees, like you've indicated, with little to no warning. . .you surely need some type of hard plastic/nylon outter cap. Of course, you want the most confortable/protective internal padding that you can get.

Just some thoughts.
 
Cool otter !

My Prolines look more like the Nailers Swivel Kneepads G1 but all black instead of a clear cap. . .and no ridges.
 
Should you choose to go with the soft athletic-type wrestling kneepads. 2 on-line suppliers are www.wrestlingone.com and www.suplay.com. They have some with an airpad that give much better protection than the neoprene ones. You may also consider cutting out an oval or diamond shape at the back of the pad (where the knee flexes) for improved long-term comfort. I bought a pair of the hardshell tactical kneepads for prolonged kneeling from Galls (not sure of the website, I think it is www.galls.com.
 
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