If you’re on the hunt for the best knee pads, you already know that most knee pads are terrible.
They flop all around, slip out from under your knee, and end up turning into ankle pads two minutes after you put em’ on.
It’s surprisingly difficult to find a good pair that stay in place and don’t annoy the hell out of you while you’re working.
But, there are good knee pads out there. And in this video, I’m going to share the best of the best so you can work comfortably and efficiently.
DISCLOSURE: The links below are affiliate links. That means that if you click on one or more of them and then make a purchase, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). I only recommend products I’ve used and this allows me to continue posting free content like this.
What are the best knee pads?
Well, that depends on the situation. I’m actually going to share a few different pairs that are better for different situations.
Let’s start with the…
Best Overall Knee Pads
Here they are. Simple, basic foam knee pads with a single velcro strap. Not only are they the bestn, they’re also the least expensive.
So why are these the best? They are the cheapest after all.
Because they stay in place better than anything I’ve found, they’re super lightweight, and when you put them on you’ll probably forget you’re even wearing them. They’re also really quick to put on and take off unlike everything else out there.
Sure, they don’t last forever and they’re not going to protect your knees if you kneel down on a nail, but that’s a small tradeoff for comfort and convenience. Just watch out for nails and have a backup pair on hand.
If you don’t have a pair of these, go get some right now. You can thank me later.
Best Knee Pad (Runner Up)
Ok, let me share my second favorite, which offers just a little bit more protection.
These are made my KP Industries. They have padding on the inside and a hard plastic shell. They have two straps – one for below the knee and one for above the knee.
These are nice because they’re lightweight, they stay in place, and they’ll protect your knees a little better from nails, rocks, or other sharp objects.
The downside is that they’re a little bulkier, they take longer to put on, and they make noise when you walk.
These are really nice if you’re working in a crawl space or really rocky soil.
Now, I still prefer the foam ones over these, but these are good, too, so I wanted to mention them.
Ok, now let’s talk about the third pair that I recommend, especially if you do a lot of flooring or tile work.
Best Heavy Use Knee Pads (Flooring or Tile)
These are custom-fit knee pads by a company called ProKnee. They aren’t cheap (I paid $250 for these), but if you’re on your knees all day for flooring or tile work, they can be a lifesaver.
As you can see, these things aren’t messing around.
They’ve got a ton of padding that goes all the way down to your ankle, and they’re designed for flooring contractors who spend 8 hours plus per day on their knees.
I actually just replaced the floors in my house, and these things were essential.
The downside is that they’re big and bulky. They weigh several pounds apiece. And, if you have skinny legs as I do, they tend to flop around when you walk, which can get annoying real fast.
Lots of contractors swear by these things, but I would only recommend these if you’re going to spend a lot of time on your knees, like more than 2 hours at a time.
But, unless you are spending a LOT of time on your knees, the foam ones listed above are probably your best bet.
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:
A complete list of safety equipment I use as a pro handyman
Turn your DIY skills into a profitable side business and make over $100 per hour.
Home repairs and improvements are in high demand, and there aren’t enough service pros to fill that demand.
This is a massive opportunity for any handy person who enjoys helping people.
If this sounds interesting to you, I recommend reading this free report.
You’ll learn ten profitable services you can offer TODAY without a contractor’s license.
Then, I’ll send you more information about what it takes to build a profitable and enjoyable handyman business.
FREE REPORT: 10 Profitable Handyman Services You Can Offer WITHOUT a Contractor License
A less expensive option for the custom pads would be to go to a used sporting goods store and purchase knee/shin pads for catchers.
You really need to check out the euro-style work pants with knee pads built-in. I have owned two pairs, one by Blaklader, another by Jobman.
The main benefit – you don’t even know these knee pads are on until you kneel, then they’re in exactly the right place. And they offer great protection too.
Blaklader Brawny Carpenter pant – bullet proof canvas fabric. I’m using 2 pair for 2 years now and they’re just starting to wear down. Complaint – cargo pocket on left leg is a bit small.
Jobman – I like the cargo pocket and holster pocket designs. (holster pockets are like tool belt pockets that slip out of the main front pockets to hold screws, etc). The Euro fit is nice too for my 5-8, 175 lb frame. If you have a big belly, you may not be such a fan. Standard knee pad with orange facing is plenty of protection. I wish they had a heavier canvas fabric.
here in the UK most people use work trousers with knee pad inserts, as opposed to strap on ones
the benifit is both in comfort and price, as not only do you not notice you’re wearing them; but you will find that replacement inserts are usually only around £15. They can also be had for as low as £4 if you’re willing to rlly hunt for them.
The more pricy ones are a real lifesaver for when working on concrete, and even those are only £25 compared to the stand alone strap ones.
only downside is the requirement for work trousers which are usually £30-£40, but if you’re doing site work almost everyone is wearing those anyway