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Best Volleyball Knee Pads Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Protection
The most important hing to look for in a volleyball kneepad is its ability to protect your knees. There are going to be many impacts in a game of volleyball, and more than any sport with a hard court, you are going to be expected to fall onto those most precious joints of yours to get the job done. There are dives for the balls. Falling to your knees to get the right angle on a falling ball, and any time you slip on the floor. The ground is going to be very hard for any indoor game, which means that you should be concerned about your knees. The best kneepads will use a strong padding that can absorb the shock of falling on the floor. Another important element to look for in a kneepad is how much coverage the kneepad has. You should look for kneepads that will brace the entire knee, just in case you fall down on it at a weird angle. This category is a rating of how good the padding in the kneepad is.
Durability
If the reason you need kneepads is that you fall down so often in a volleyball game, then it is just as important that those kneepads will survive those falls too. Many kneepads use very durable foam for their padding. It will almost never be the case that you need to worry about it collapsing on you. Your knee will forever be safe behind that padding. What might occur is that the pad may rip without you noticing. The pads are almost always made of a durable foam, but the stitching that keeps the pad tucked into your knee is usually much less durable. Something to look out for is the stitching on the kneepads. Many people complain that their kneepads tear at the seams after only a few months of use. This category is an indication of how reliable the stitching and fabric of your new kneepads will be.
Comfort
Those first two categories are important for your safety, but what is the point of a safe kneepad if it feels so uncomfortable that you hate wearing it. This category will let you know how comfortable the kneepads that you buy are. Kneepads can be comfortable in many ways. The most important is the material that the pads use. Some pads use rough materials like elastic that can stick to your skin and rub on it uncomfortably. Look for pads that are made of fabric materials that will feel good on your skin. Another thing that happens a lot is that pads will ride up on the leg and cause uncomfortable, or even painful, pinches. This can make it difficult to get all that excited about getting onto the court. The better that the pad fits your knee, the more comfortable you will feel.
Breathability
For a volleyball bad to be effective, it needs to be able to cling very tightly to your leg. Many people think that kneepads fit too tightly on the knee, but this is necessary for you to be completely safe. One of the worst side effects that comes along with that is that it makes your knees incredibly sweaty. Luckily, volleyball knee pad producers have caught onto this, and have attempted to make it easier for people to keep cool knees while they are out on the field. The big thing that is going to determine this is the material that the kneepad is made out of. The best materials are going to be fabric materials where you can see the individual stitching. This category is an indication of how breathable your kneepads will be, and how sweaty your knees won't be.
Value
The kneepads on this list run a much narrower spectrum of prices than many other products that you can buy. Kneepads just aren't that expensive of a product. This category is here to tell you just how much you are getting out of every one of those hard-earned dollars that you spend. There are two general categories of volleyball knee pad. The first are the kneepads that need to be sized. Generally, these are more in line for people who plan on playing volleyball in a more serious fashion. They let you find the perfect fit for your knee, which is great for finding something that won't inhibit your movement. The one size fits all pads are usually the cheaper ones on this list, and they are generally for people who want something they can just slip on when they need it.
10 Best Volleyball Knee Pads
1. Mizuno LR6
Widely considered one of the most dependable companies for making strong kneepads, the Mizuno LR6 gives you stability and freedom of movement.
Best of Both Worlds
The LR6 is a very well-designed kneepad that will do a good job of making sure that your knees are comfortable and protected. The pad is designed to be extra flexible, which makes it a good choice for those who want to make sure that they are not limiting their movement in any way. They also do a good job of protecting all parts of your knee.
Other Features
The LR6 does a few things to make itself the best choice for volleyball players. The cut of this pad makes it very comfortable on the knee. You won't feel limited in your movement at all. The coverage is also worth noting. There is an extra layer of padding on the front of the knee so that you can feel confident dropping to the floor, but there is also strong lateral coverage that protects the tendons in the side of the knee, too.
Cost and Value
The LR6 is a moderately priced option for those looking for kneepads. There are cheaper options, but they don't cover all the bases quite like the Mizuno. It comes in a few different colors. It can be bought in white, black, or blue. It also comes in a few different sizes, which means that the price will change depending on what you want to buy.
2. Tachikara Competition
For the cheaper option, the Tachikara is the best choice for most people. It uses a simple design that fits anybody to give you great protection.
One Size Fits All
The Tachikara is designed so that it can easily fit on just about anybody. It uses an elastic sleeve that will stretch out to exactly how you need it to be. The Tachikara does a good job of keeping good coverage on anyone's knee, even with the ability to fit on anybody. This means that this is a good choice for a volleyball player who is continually growing.
Other Features
The Tachikara is great for a ton of other reasons, too. It has a versatility that makes it a great choice for anyone looking for some pads. It has tons of padding in the knees, which makes it a good choice for those who are exceptionally worried about the impact of falling down on those hard floors. The Tachikara uses high density foam to protect your knees from those impacts.
Cost and Value
The Tachikara has another big selling point, which is the fact that it costs around half as much as the Mitsuno. That makes this a good choice for those who are looking for something effective and cheap. The Tachikara is a very simple kneepad that gets the job done. The fact that it fits everyone means that you can use it for a long time and with multiple people, too.
3. Asics Slider
The Asics Slider is a great kneepad that goes for a more minimalist approach so that you don't feel weighed down by your kneepads.
Low Profile Design
The Asics is designed to do a good job for your knees without overdoing it with the padding. These kneepads are great for those who aren't too worried about their knees getting injured, and just want something to lessen the impacts of the ground. Some people can take that sort of punishment over the course of the game.
Other Features
The Asics takes its low profile design, and expands it out to the rest of the pad, too. It is designed simply. It is made in a one size fits all style, which makes it easy to buy a pair and then pass it around, as needed. The Asics are also great because they are made of comfortable polyester, which makes for a very comfortable fit for your knees.
Cost and Value
The Asics are another good choice for those who want something simple, but effective. It does a great job at covering all of your knee, but without needing to worry about it limiting your range of motion. It can be worn by just about anybody. This is a good choice if you want something cheap, but with less padding than the Tachikara.
4. Nike Essentials Volleyball Knee Pads
The Nike Essentials volleyball pads are a great pick if you are looking for something that is very comfortable, and has a low profile.
Very Comfortable Design
The Essentials are designed with comfort at the forefront of its design. They do a good job of making it easier for you to move around in your knee pads. The Dri-liner that the pads are made up of are great for wearing comfortably on your knees, but they are also great for whicking away sweat as you go. These are perfect for people who get sweaty on the court.
Other Features
The Nike Essentials are great for tons of other reasons, too. They are designed with simplicity in mind. Another cool thing about these pads is that they do a good job of giving lots of padding in a small amount of space. These are low profile kneepads that do a good job of feeling natural as they wrap around your knees.
Cost and Value
The Essentials are a good choice for tons of types of people. They cost a bit more than the last two options on the list, but they have some points that make them a good purchase. The material that the kneepad is knit out of is a big selling point. It is very comfortable to wear, and it also does a great job at keeping you dry and comfortable.
5. Mueller
The Mueller pads are a kneepad that is designed for the maximum amount of coverage possible. These are good for protecting a large portion of leg around the knee, too.
Lots of Coverage
The Mueller is a great kneepad because it will offer a lot of protection all the way up your leg. These are extra long pads that will do a good job of protecting lots of your leg. If you slide along the ground of a gym, these pads will be great for keeping you from getting any burns. The elastic material they are made of is also great for keeping a tight fit.
Other Features
There are lots of reasons to love these Mueller pads. They are designed as a one size fits all, which makes them perfect for passing around, as needed. They are also designed out of a material that will make it very easy to slide them on and off, which can be annoying with some types of knee pad. The padding is also great for comfortably latching onto your knee and not letting go.
Cost and Value
These Mueller pads are also great because they do such a great job of keeping the price down. The Muellers cost the least of all the options on this list, so far. They are great for use in tons of areas, not just volleyball. The wide amount of coverage makes these pads a good choice for anyone who is worried about getting injuries on any part of their leg, not just the knee.
6. Bodyprox
The Bodyprox pads are designed to do a great job of keeping your knees protected from everything, not just volleyball.
Serious Protection
The Bodyprox are designed to protect your knees from all kinds of activities. The padding is very thick and will do a good job of completely absorbing any impacts that might come from playing volleyball. They are designed for all kinds of activities, and will do a good job at protecting you from any kind of impact, due to the high density foam that the pads are made of.
Other Features
The Bodyprox is designed with other benefits for your knees. They also work as a tight wrap for your knee, for if you feel any stiffness in your joints when you are working out. This will do a good job of keeping your circulation going to all the right parts. They are also designed to be extra breathable, but will also keep your knees warm.
Cost and Value
The Bodyprox is another well-priced pair of kneepads. These pads are great for people who want some kneepads for general use. They will do a good job of keeping you in the game, but the type of game matters less. These are also good for use in the outdoors, because they are designed to keep you warm. The padding is also quite thick, so they are good for hard impacts.
7. Mikasa
The Mikasa kneepads are specifically designed for when your kids want to get into volleyball, themselves. They are comfortable and thick.
Youth Pads
These kneepads will do a great job at keeping your children's knees comfortable during volleyball practice, and during the big game. These pads are designed with some features that make them perfect for kids. They are designed out of very comfortable cloth so that your children won't get irritated while they wear them.
Other Features
The Mikasa pads have some other great things to get you excited about. They are designed out of a antimicrobial material that is great for your kids' sweaty knees. The material will stop the growth of bacteria in the material, so you don't need to be worried about them getting unnecessarily smelly. They also have a very wide amount of coverage, which is great.
Cost and Value
The Mikasa costs a little bit more than the other options on this list. They do a great job for keeping people's knees safe and comfortable. The fabric material is also great for making sure that they are comfortable enough that your children won't refuse to wear them. These are the perfect choice for any kids just getting into the sport.
8. UnderArmour
UnderArmour's volleyball pads do a great job at keeping you comfortable during an intense game of volleyball. They cover all the bases.
UnderArmour Performance
UnderArmour brings their great performance to their volleyball pads, too. They come to the table with lots of little innovations, like using EVA foam to protect your knees from the impact of the floor. The pads are also made of a very comfortable material that is made out of terry cloth. The hard foam is great at keeping your knees safe, but the cloth is great for keeping them comfortable.
Other Features
The UnderArmour pads are great for many other reasons, too. These kneepads do a great job at keeping your knees from getting sweaty. They are designed to do a good job at whicking away the sweat from your knees. Another clever feature is that the two pads are designed specifically for one of your knees, and the coverage reflects that.
Cost and Value
This is one of the more expensive options on this list. These knee pads will do a great job at keeping you comfortable and safe while you are out on the court. These pads have features in all their nooks and crannies that will make your knees feel safe, and comfortable. This is a good choice for anybody who wants to put a few extra dollars towards their knee pads.
9. Mizuno T10
This is another entry from Mizuno on this list. They do a great job at designing kneepads. The T10 is designed to be a little slimmer than the LR6.
Slimmed Down Design
The T10 uses a smaller design so that you can feel more at ease when you are using the kneepads. Slim kneepads are an easy way to feel like you can move more naturally. They make up for the slimming design by packing in a lot of padding around the edges of the pad. These pads do a great job of keeping your entire knee protected.
Other Features
There are some other interesting features in the T10 to look at, too. These kneepads are different from the LR6 in that they are one size fits all, which is great if you want kneepads to buy for growing athletes. They also use a different foam for their protective benefits. These kneepads are very easy to put on, too.
Cost and Value
These kneepads are a little less expensive than the LR6. That is the best option on this list, in general, but the T10 is also a good choice for tons of athletes. If you are not worried too much about your knees, and think that they can take it, then the T10 is a good choice. The low profile design does a good job at keeping you mobile, but also protected.
10. Mcdavid
The Mcdavid pads use a unique technology to protect you. These pads forego the fabric, and instead use durable cell foam.
Cell Foam Technology
These pads are unique in that they don't use any fabric as an outer layer to hold the foam. The entire pad is made up of a soft foam that does a great job of keeping your knees protected. The foam is arranged into a pattern that will do a great job at spreading out any impacts that your knees might undergo. They are cleverly designed.
Other Features
The Mcdavid is also great for a few other reasons. These pads are unique in other ways too. This is because they are designed so that they can fit many parts of your body. People use these pads for their elbows and shins, too. Another great thing about them is that they have the ability to quickly remove moisture from your skin so you stay cool.
Cost and Value
The Mcdavid is the most expensive option on this list. The reasons for that are apparent. It is mostly due to the unique design that goes into them. These kneepads are not traditional in their build, but they will still do a great job at keeping your knees safe from all the falls and slides that come with playing volleyball at full intensity.
Sources
- , 3 Important Reasons to Use Knee Pads, Article
- , How to Choose the Right Size Skateboard Knee Pads, Article
- , Protecting Your Knees On and Off the Field, Article
