If you’re not careful, the next time you need to kneel down and reach for something on the floor, your knees might be screaming in pain. Kneeling is actually one of the most difficult positions for your knees – they are constantly bearing weight and pressure from your body that can lead to damage if done too often or with too much force.
To keep yourself healthy, there are many options available to help protect your knees when kneeling: knee pads!
In this article, we’ll go over 9 facts about knee pads so you can make an informed decision before buying them.
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What Are Knee Pads Good For?
Knee pads are important aid for many sports and activities which put the knees in danger of impact, wear, or overuse. For example, they can be used to protect your knees while playing basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, or hockey.
They’ve also been proven very effective for protecting your kneecap from falls during cycling (especially on a mountain bike,) and are particularly useful for all-around knee support in work situations where kneeling is common.
If you like long hikes with steep descents or require any additional knee protection for yoga or martial arts then you may find that knee pads are indispensable.
Are Knee Pads Worth Wearing?
Knee pads can save you from serious injury and chronic pain. Most people won’t think twice about wearing them when working around the house on tasks such as gardening, but they’re just as important for your workplace too.
Knees rub against hard surfaces every day which can cause serious friction trauma and permanently damage your joints over time.
The only way to prevent this is with knee pads, so don’t think it’s weak or unmanly to wear them. You could be saving yourself from a lifetime of chronic pain if you do!
How Do You Know If Your Knee Pads Are Too Tight?
Your knee pads should fit snugly enough that when you bend and straighten your knee with no resistance; there is very little play in the joint.
If there is any space, even if it just feels like extra air inside the pads, then you have some adjusting to do. And the same goes for padding around the outside of the knee cap — it should be nice and secure but not causing much external pressure against your skin.
Knee pads are a little like snowshoes — they should fit snugly enough that you can feel the wood underneath your feet, but not so tight that they’ve compressed down on themselves.
If there is no resistance between the outside of your knee pad and your skin, then you’re wearing them too loose to be effective. When you get them set correctly, you will feel the difference!
What If My Knee Pads Don’t Hurt To Wear?
That’s generally a good sign that they are fitting correctly. A properly fitted pair of knee pads will hardly even feel like they are there because it isn’t putting any pressure in places where there shouldn’t be any. Even a great pair of knee pads that cause a little skin irritation will soon fade when you get used to wearing them.
How Do I Care For My Knee Pads?
There are three main things to know: fabric, foam padding, and strapping. The fabric part is pretty easy. Take care of it like any other piece of clothing and make sure to hang them up or lay them flat while they’re not in use.
If your knee pads have sweatbands, wash with warm water (cold water can be bad on materials) and don’t dry-clean unless specifically told by the manufacturer that it’s okay to do so!
For foam padding, it comes down to three things: wash with warm water (not hot!) whenever they get sweaty or dirty. Air out any time you have the chance before putting them away. Give them a good machine washing once in a while when they start to stink.
The strapping can be tricky because there are so many different kinds of straps used on different brands (and even models within brands). The important thing to do is looseness.
When things start getting wet, the straps can get stiff and they can start cutting into your knees if left too tight (which you’ll quickly feel during your workout). To keep them loose but not floppy, just give the straps a good tug every time you put them on and once in a while when you’re done sweating a lot.
Do Electricians Need Knee Pads?
Some electricians have brought knee pads into the business as a way to provide comfort and relief from pressure points on their knees when doing inspection work or any lengthy time spent kneeling down.
This is especially helpful with homes where there are tiled floors instead of carpets which may not be so kind to your knees over time.
If you use knee pads while doing this type of electrical work, then they can also protect your clothes because you don’t need to wear long pants like jeans because they are comfortable enough to use as an alternative.
Is It Bad to Wear Knee Pads All Day?
It’s not that bad to wear knee pads all day, but it will surely be better if you wear them only when working or playing.
However, it does depend on what sort of knee pads you are wearing. If your knee pads are too bulky or not the right size for your particular activity then they will be uncomfortable and can even lead to injury.
What Are The Extra Features I Should Look For?
There are numerous additions you can get from athletic gear manufacturers, including items like:
- Velcro straps to prevent slipping down
- Ventilation systems that help keep your legs cool and dry in warm conditions
- Waterproofing to protect against bad weather or slushy pavements
How Do You Store Knee Pads?
There are 3 types of storage options for knee pads:
- You can fold or roll up all the straps and belts inside and place then in a bag. The disadvantage here is that the straps will be bent and that can cause some wear and tear on how they lay when worn, leading to a loss in support.
- Store them inside their original box or bag. This is more of an ideal storage way because it prevents wear and tear of the knee pads. However, this leads to a lot of space being taken up by your knee pads and also keeping them in their bags can make it hard for you to place them anywhere else.
- Keep all the straps rolled up inside but hang them using a hook on your wall or from under your bed. This would give you enough time before use and remove them from the wall or bed and place them in their bags after use. However, this option is not suitable for people who move around a lot because they need to get used to where there knee pads are at.
Conclusion
There are many types of knee pads out there on the market for all different purposes. Some will have more padding than others and some may feature extra straps for security, and others offer a combination of comfort, protection. If you’re still undecided on which knee pad to get, check out our reviews of the best knee pads for work.
