Knee damage is among the most common injuries that skateboarders face. According to statistics, over 70% of knee injuries occur when a skateboarder falls forward onto his/her knees. 37% of the injuries are caused by a loss of balance while 26% are caused by failed trick attempts. That is why you need the best knee pads for skateboarding every time you are out skateboarding.
Any skateboarder will agree that the sport has its fare share of risks. But again it is fun and kind of addictive. And that is where accessories like knee pads come into play. They are one of the most important skateboarding accessories; especially if you are skateboarding on ramps or downhill.
That is not to say that you should ignore them if you are skateboarding on other surfaces. Basically, every skateboarder needs knee pads. They will help you to avoid visiting the doctor or being a victim of chronic knee arthritis.
How to Choose The Best Knee Pads For Skateboarding
By now, you and I have already established that knee pads are going to save your knees. They are crucial safety gears that you should never ignore. The first thing that you need to do is choose the best skateboard knee pads.
Pretty much all the best knee pads for skateboarding are made using a stretchy material. Their front part is made of foam, plastic or other tough materials that can protect your knees from any impact. You simply attach the whole pad to the back of your knee using Velcro straps.
Having said that, I should add that the efficiency of your knee pad is dependent on how well you choose it. Factors like size and design play a major role in ensuring you are 100% safe. Below are the major considerations to make when looking for the best skateboard knee pads.
1. Size
This is the most important consideration. A well-fitting knee pad will not restrict your range of motion. It will shift with your movements and allow you to bend your knees. If it is too tight then you will be uncomfortable. If it is too loose then it might not protect you.
So how can you ensure that the one you buy will fit perfectly? Well, there are two ways of doing so.
Based on your knee size
One way of determining whether a knee pad will fit is by knowing its measurements and the measurements of your knee. Specifically, you need to measure the distance round your knee (at the center of the knee). You can do so by using a tape measure or a string and then reading the measure using a ruler.
Now use the following chart to determine the size of knee pad that will fit you.
.
| Size | Junior | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center (C) Measurement | Junior Fits | 12″ – 14″ | “14 – 16” | 15″ – 17″ | 17″ – 20″ |
Based on your weight
The other alternative is to choose a knee pad based on your weight. In that case, use the chart below to determine the size of pad that will fit.
| Size | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Under 125 lbs. | 125 – 150 lbs. | 150 – 180 lbs. | 180 lbs. above |
2. Materials
As I have mentioned already, skateboard knee pads are made using a stretchy material and adjustable Velcro. However, the cap features a protective shell that absorbs most of the impact. Basically, the best knee pads for skateboarding should have a soft interior and a harder exterior.
Best Materials for Interior
The interior of the knee pad will be touching your body. Therefore, you need to choose one that is comfortable. The best pad should be made of foam with a breathable fabric. The foam absorbs the shock that might penetrate the shell while the fabric makes you comfortable. In fact, some modern ones feature gel and antibacterial for extra comfort.
Best Materials for Exterior
The exterior will face most of the hard impact. That means it should be made of a material that is either hard enough to remain intact even after the impacts or adequately soft to absorb all the impact. Therefore, you an either choose a hard shelled or a soft shelled knee pad.
Most hard shelled knee pads are made of ABS plastic. The material is hard enough to protect you from high impact falls. Therefore, I strongly recommend this one if you are an aggressive skateboarder.
Soft shelled pads are made of Polyurethane (PU), Kevlar, dense foam, VPD, d3o or any other flexible material that can cushion your knee. The main benefits of soft shelled pads include the fact that they are light and allow you a wider range of motions. If you are not an aggressive skateboarder then a soft shelled pad is the best for you.
3. The Thickness
The best skateboard knee pad should be sufficiently thick. Thicker padding means more protection. However, note that the extra padding also comes with extra bulkiness. If your skateboarding involves tricks and aggressive stunts or if you are a newbie then the extra thickness will be a great idea.
Alternatively, instead of buying very thick ones you can buy attachable knee gaskets. They are donut shaped pieces that add a layer to your regular knee pad.
4. Ease of wear and removal
For convenience purposes, you might also want to consider how easy it is to wear and remove the knee pads. Whereas it might not be a major factor, it can play a big role when time is of the essence (like in the case of students who skateboard to school).
Sleeve style knee pads
These are pads that slip on when you are wearing and slip off when you are removing them. They tend to be a bit tasking to wear and remove; especially when you have your skating shoes on.
Butterfly style knee pads
These ones are designed to be wrapped around your knee. They are easy to wear and remove; even when you have your shoes on.
5. Other considerations
- Gender: whereas most skateboarding pads are unisex, there are others that are designed either for women or men.
- Your skateboarding style: there are also pads for specific types of skateboarding. Particularly, you can find very hard shelled ones for aggressive skateboarders and slightly soft shelled ones for learners and recreational skateboarders.
My List of Top 5 Best Skateboard Knee Pads
1. 187 Pro Derby Knee Pad
Price: $$
Rating: 4.6 stars
This protective gear is the most expensive in my list. The reason why I have it here is because it is worth every penny that you will spend. It features removable V-22 Dual Density Foam that not only ensures adequate protection but also allows you to wash it easily.
Designed for pro skateboarders and hard impacts, this knee pad is reinforced with ballistic nylon for durability. Its Rapid F L E XHinge allows the pad to respond to full range of motion. Furthermore, the design ensures that it doesn’t slip off your leg when you are skateboarding.
2. G-Form Pro-X Knee Pads
Price: $$
Rating: 4.3 stars
This knee pad is manufactured by G-Form and it features superb technology. It has molecules that harden upon impact; therefore they absorb shock only when they are required to. It is sufficiently light in weight and you won’t feel like you are wearing something bulky.
Its breathable fabrics make it very comfortable and well ventilated. In terms of quality and performance, this G-Form is outstanding in every way. It is super flexible and reshapes based on your movements. That means it allows you a variety of motions. Therefore, you can use it comfortably for amateur or pro skateboarding.
3. Pro-Tec Street Gear Junior Three Pad Pack
Price: $$
Rating: 4.7 stars
This is the second knee pad from Pro-Tec to appear in my list of the best knee pads for skateboarding. That should not come as a surprise because the company manufactures some of the best skateboard knee pads.
Like the other four that I have listed above, this particular product has earned its spot in this list. It is meant to safeguard your knee in case you encounter a moderate to high impact that can damage the knee. Its high quality fabrics are reinforced by EVA cup and a general low profile for guaranteed protection and comfort.
4. Pro-Tec Street Gear Skate and Bike Knee Pads
Price: $$
Rating: 4.1 stars
Pro-Tec is undoubtedly one of the best manufacturers of skateboarding equipment and gear. In addition to that, the company manufactures affordable yet high quality products. This knee pad is no different.
Its quality is guaranteed by high grade fabrics that are breathable, ballistic nylon that ensures durability, EVA cup foam for a comfortable wear, and hard ABS plastic that forms the protective outer shell.
With regards to performance, the pad is ergonomically designed to offer full protection without limiting the range of your movements. Its Velcro attachments make it easy to wear and remove.
5. Triple 8 KP 22 Knee Pads
Price: $$
Rating: 4.3 stars
This knee pad is made of heavy duty EVA memory foam for maximum impact absorption. It features a flat cup design that ensures durability as well as stability. It is one of thickest in the market and that means more padding for you when you need it.
This knee pad comes in a variety of sizes and is ideal for park and ramp skateboarding because it has the ability to absorb a lot of shock. Its butterfly style of wearing and removing makes it a time saver when every second is essential.
Final Verdict
As you can see from my list above, there is a knee ad for almost any budget. Therefore, don’t ignore this very important accessory; otherwise you might end up with multiple knee injuries that might eventually disable you or cause chronic knee arthritis.
If you are not sure what to settle for then I recommend the 187 Pro Derby Knee Pad. It is great for beginners as well as pro skateboarders. It is also meant to absorb small, medium and high impacts.
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