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Last Updated: December 13, 2020

9 Best Knee Pads for Skiing and Snowboarding

Best Choice

McDavid Knee Pad with Thick Gel Insert

Best Value

Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads

Editors Choice

Triple Eight Undercover Snow Knee Pads

Knee injuries are among the most common body injuries and are about one-third of all ski injuries. If you’ve ever experienced a knee injury, you know how painful it can be. Just imagine the pain if the weather is cold and icy too.

Whether you’re a beginner hitting the slopes for the first time or an expert ready to tackle the rails, you need something to protect your knees. Luckily, knee pads have come to the rescue!

To avoid knee injuries, make sure to invest in high-quality gear for knee protection. If you’re planning on making a skiing or snowboarding trip soon, keep on reading to find the top knee pads to protect your needs.

Before we start, it makes sense to clear up the difference between knee pads and knee braces.

What is the difference between knee pads and knee braces?

Knee pads are designed to protect from blunt impacts like falling directly on your knees. This can help prevent bruising or bone fractures. Knee braces, on the other hand, are more about comprehensive knee support that helps protect the internal ligaments as well. If you just need some extra protection on impacts, knee pads are the way to go. If you are worried about things like ACL injuries, you may want to take a look at our post on knee braces for skiing.

In this article, we will take a look at the best knee pads for skiing and snowboarding. Let’s get started!

Reviewing the Best Knee Pads for Skiing and Snowboarding

Best Choice

McDavid Knee Pad with Thick Gel Insert

 5/5

This knee sleeve brace from McDavid comes as a single item. It can be worn on the right or left knee.

This knee pad is made from an extremely breathable lining. It has a low profile design that can fit underneath your clothes. The comfortable fit supports a high performance out on the mountains.

Both the Gel Sorbothane insert and the outer Nylon fabric provide incredible shock absorption.

In sports like skiing or snowboarding, falls are inevitable. But injuries are avoidable with knee pads like this one. The sleeve brace offers therapeutic support and increases blood flow. Therefore, it’s used in sports medicine fields.

The pad is good for multiple purposes, not just skiing and snowboarding. It supports the knees in a variety of other sports, like basketball or volleyball. It suits floor workers just as well.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Durable material
Increases blood flow
Snug fit for high performance

What We don’t Like

Only one knee pad
Might be tight for wider calves

Best Value

Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads

 5/5

These knee pads provide the ultimate protection for your tendons, ligaments, and bones.

In terms of shock resistance, these pads are made from high-density foam and are super light in weight. Therefore, they cushion the knees steadily, protecting them from trauma.

In addition to absorbing shock, the pads allow a wide range of motion on the slopes. The soft padding doesn’t hinder movement while safeguarding the knees from otherwise injurious falls.

The Bodyprox pads are highly strong and durable. They sit firmly in place around the knee area and don’t require constant readjustments.

Plus, they provide good value for money, since their price is competitive. You get excellent safety and strength for a fair price.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Remarkable shock absorption
Reasonable price
Soft and breathable material
A steady grip around the knees

What We don’t Like

Doesn’t support kneeling for long times
Flattening can occur in areas with the most pressure

Editors Choice

Triple Eight Undercover Snow Knee Pads

 5/5

Another great product is this pair from Triple Eight. These knee pads are the ideal choice for your skiing and snowboarding sessions for their innovative design.

The neoprene material makes them breathable and flexible. Plus, the foam padding provides impact resistance. It will keep your knees protected against falls and collisions.

The knee pads are slender and form-fitting. In addition to being super flexible, they have elastic straps for extra security around the knees. They fit securely under clothes allowing layering in the cold mountain weather.

Another unique feature is the side panels. These knee pads come with side panels that cover the side of your knees with extra padding. This feature provides ultimate knee protection.

They also offer a variety of sizes for different age groups. However, they may not be the most affordable knee pads.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Form-fitting
Extension straps
Made of durable material
Wide variety of sizes
Protect the side of your knees

Most Protective Knee Pads

Demon Hyper X D30 V3 Mountain Bike Knee pad

 5/5

Next, we have these awesome knee pads from Demon United that offer ideal safety and protection. They’re perfect for skiing, snowboarding, cycling, and many extreme sports.

The Demon Hyper X pads are made of neoprene and polyester. Their form-fitting design is highly breathable and flexible for the best performance out on the mountain. Plus, they come with Velcro straps for a perfect fit.

They feature high-performance D30 cushioning supported by foam padding. They also provide optimal impact protection and shock absorption. The abrasion-resistant Kevlar front grants the pads their unmatched durability.

They provide exemplary comfort and warmth for the knees and shins. The pad sizes run rather small. So for a perfect fit, you should consider sizing up.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Incredible impact resistance and shock absorption
Form-fitting design with additional straps
Breathable neoprene fabric
Remarkable durability

What We don’t Like

Bulkier to wear
Not the most affordable pads

Cheapest Effective Knee Pads

McDavid 6440 Hex Sports Knee

 5/5

McDavid 6440 Hexpad Knee Or Elbow (Black, Large)

Another amazing product from McDavid is the 6440 Hex knee pad.

These multipurpose knee pads are not only perfect for knee protection but also elbow and shin protection. The two sleeves are versatile and flexible.

The closed-cell foaming, also known as the Hex Technology, offers optimal safety upon collisions or falls. Plus, this closed cell foaming provides remarkable comfort and protection.

Moreover, the pads are surprisingly super flexible although they’re pretty thick. The padding alone is 9mm thick!

Another incredible feature of Hex Technology is the premium breathability of this lightweight product. The knee pads will keep your knees warm and comfy but not at all sweaty. They keep the body dry all day long.

Additionally, the sleeves stay odorless while keeping your muscles warm. They’re safely machine washable too.

We recommend a size up for a comfortable fit.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

They’re suitable for knees, elbows, or shins
Safely machine washable
Ideal protection by the closed cell foaming
Breathable and lightweight
Keeps the knees cool and dry for a long time

Bucwild Sports Knee Pads/Padded Compression Pro Knee Sleeves

 5/5

These knee pads from Bucwild are suitable for all kinds of sports. So they’re perfect if you’re looking for a multitasking pair of pads. They’re not only great for skiing and snowboarding but also basketball, yoga, cycling, wrestling, and the list goes on.

The Bucwild Sports pads provide incredible comfort. The polyester and spandex combination make them flexible for a better fit. They’re exceptionally stretchy and light in weight.

Moreover, they feature a fresh external design. Unlike the traditional black knee pads, these offer a variety of cool colors.

Another feature of the Bucwild knee pads is sweat-wicking. This quality lets them trap moisture away from your skin, in addition to being highly breathable.

The easy sizing of these knee pads deserves its own mention. Just measure around your mid-thigh area with a flexible measuring tape and compare it with the Bucwild’s sizing chart. Yes, it’s that simple!

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Highly breathable and lightweight
Easy sizing
Cool design
Suitable for a wide range of sports
Increases blood circulation around the knees and thighs

JYSW Knee Pads Comfortable Non-Slip

 5/5

These multipurpose knee pads from JYSW are perfect for any kind of floor work, as well as sports. You can wear them for gardening work, scrubbing floors, cleaning, yoga, skiing, and snowboarding.

They do a great job keeping your knee joints and muscles secure. The pads have adjustable straps that secure them in place without the need for constant readjustments.

These non-slip knee pads are made of super lightweight material. The breathable lining provides enough warmth and ventilation. Plus, the double foam padding offers exemplary durability on the slopes.

The water-resistant JYSW knee pads provide remarkable comfort. They will keep your knees cool and dry as you tackle the trails.

They’re not only versatile but also super flexible. You don’t need a confusing sizing chart with these knee pads. They come in one size that fits all.

If you think this product can’t get any better, just check the price. All of these professionally-made features come at a fair price.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Non-slip fit
Extremely lightweight
Easily adjustable
Multipurpose knee pads
Flexible for better movement

MoKo Knee Brace Support

 5/5

If you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to compromise the advanced features of high-quality knee pads, these MoKo pads are your ideal fit.

The MoKo knee pads offer a variety of options for athletes with wider knees. This feature makes the MoKo pads stand out on the market since few alternatives cover this stance.

They also provide maximum comfort due to their highly breathable fabric. You don’t have to worry about sweat or discomfort. These knee pads will keep your knees warm and dry in the cold biting weather.

Plus, these elastic knee pads have a form-fitted design that fits both men and women.

For a safer experience on the slopes, the MoKo knee pads provide exemplary shock absorption and impact resistance.

Finally, the competitive price of these knee pads makes them a budget-friendly option. They offer a variety of advanced features for a fair price.

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Breathable material
Easy to clean
Lightweight
Many great features for a fair price
water-resistant

Essential Features of Knee Pads for Snow Sports

Before purchasing your knee pads, there are some things to consider. These features are your key to finding your perfect fit.

Padding Material

The most important protective feature of a knee pad is the padding. Padding usually lies between the soft inner lining and the outer shell.

The padding materials vary widely. Some of the most popular are vinyl, nylon, carbon fiber, Gel, neoprene, polyethylene, rubber, plastic, and PU.

Cushioning

Along with the padding, the cushioning works on protecting the knee by shock and impact absorption. The cushioning is the outer layer or cap covering the knee pad.

Cushioning materials include rubber, carbon fiber, D30, gel, neoprene, and hard plastic. A combination of materials can also be used.

Soft materials like neoprene allow more movement for your knees, unlike rigid ones like hard plastic.

Fit

Knee pads should have a snug fit around your knees. Make sure to check the sizing for a proper fit.

Some knee pads that are worn on top of clothes require getting one size up. Some require a size down to fit securely without slipping.

Comfort and Breathability

Knee pads should provide safety for your knees, but not at the expense of comfort. When it comes to knee safety, there are a variety of options. But if your main focus is comfort, choose pads made of lightweight material.

Besides safety, knee pads provide your knees with the heat and warmth they need in the cold mountain weather. However, too much heat can be a disadvantage.

One of the best materials used in knee pad manufacturing is Neoprene. It offers just enough breathability and warmth.

Shin Protection

Extreme sports like snowboarding and skiing require additional protection for the shins. Knee pads that feature extra shin protection are highly recommended, especially for beginners.

Design and Closure

For a knee pad to sit securely in place and protect your knee, it must have an excellent design or closing method.

First, we have the pull-over design. It’s form-fitting and worn like a pair of socks up to the mid-thigh area.

Then, we have the straps closing method. The types of straps include the tightening straps and elastic straps, which feature either Velcro or click closures.

Multiple Use

While this isn’t a vital factor for choosing a knee pad, it helps us compare the value of each product.

Some knee pads on the market are used not only for knee protection but also for elbows and shins safety.

You can also find knee pads for different sports or floor work, like gardening. Such features increase the value of the product.

FAQs

Q: Who should wear knee pads?

Answer:

Both beginners and experts in extreme sports like skiing and snowboarding should wear knee pads. Beginners will fall frequently and may need the protection to be extra safe. On the other hand, expert ridings who are pushing the boundaries, learning new tricks, or attempting more daring feats will also find the extra protection helpful.

Q: What does “one size fits all” mean?

Answer:

“One size fits all” is a phrase often used to refer to the fit of a flexible garment. It means that the majority of the surveyed consumers of a specific retail store fit within the “one size fits all” range of the knee pad.

However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Make sure to check the seller’s exchange and refund policies before making your purchase.

Q: Can I use my work knee pads for skiing or snowboarding?

Answer: Most knee pads are usually used for multiple purposes. In some cases, constant pressure might make the padding of the knee pads flattened. Therefore, make sure to check out the materials and manufacturer’s instructions before making any decisions.

Q: Should knee pads be worn on the inside or outside of clothes?

Answer: It depends on your choice of knee pads. Most slender pads can be worn both ways. On the other hand, thick pads, especially those featuring sleeves, can be hard to wear on the outside.

Final Thoughts

In extreme sports like skiing or snowboarding, falls are inevitable. However, serious injuries are avoidable by wearing simple protective gear like knee pads or wrist guards.

In this article, we’ve seen a review of the best knee pads on the market. Our favorites are the Bodyprox Protective knee pad and the McDavid knee pads. Both combine the best features and effective functionality for an affordable price.

Remember that durability and comfort are what to look for in a perfect pair of knee pads. Just take your pick, and have fun on the slopes!

9 Best Knee Pads for Skiing and Snowboarding

Best Choice

Best Value

Editors Choice

Summary

What is the difference between knee pads and knee braces?

Reviewing the Best Knee Pads for Skiing and Snowboarding

Best Choice

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

What We don’t Like

Best Value

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

What We don’t Like

Editors Choice

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Most Protective Knee Pads

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

What We don’t Like

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Why These Ski and Snowboard Knee Pads Stand Out

Features We Like

Essential Features of Knee Pads for Snow Sports

Padding Material

Cushioning

Fit

Comfort and Breathability

Shin Protection

Design and Closure

Multiple Use

FAQs

Final Thoughts

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