By Jayden Mark
We are not always aware of the strain we put on our knees whilst working. Damage to the cartilage and joints occurs gradually. you only become aware of it when the damage is done. Good knee pads are the best way to protect yourself. Just about everyone needs them, making this review of the best knee pads for work, one of the most important you’ll read.
Workers, who’ve been in the construction industry for many years, will tell you how essential knee pads are for long term health and comfort. Jobs like flooring and carpeting, roofing, plumbing, welding, carpentry, all take their toll. In other working environments, like stocking grocery shelves, or a warehouse, you’ll find yourself using your knees a lot. Anyone installing HVAC systems cannot be without this vital PPE.
At home, knee pads can be just as important. Tasks like gardening and cleaning floors will, over time, cause pain and discomfort. In the long run, you could end up suffering from conditions like bursitis and arthritis, if you don’t take good care of yourself today.
The best knee pads need to have sufficient foam padding to ensure you’re protected from impacts and the extra stress placed on these joints. You’ll also have the reassurance that you won’t incur cuts from glass, screws, nails, and other debris. In addition to all this, good knee pads have to be comfortable to use for long periods. Take a look at our selection of the best knee pads for work, play, and home.
1. NoCry Professional Knee Pads with Heavy Duty Foam
The NoCry professional knee pads certainly live up to their name. This is a heavy duty product, designed for people working in tough conditions. Homeowners who want more than just average protection, will be delighted by the quality and functionality.
The magic behind this design lies in a soft gel inner core, enhanced with durable EVA foam padding. The thick exterior poly shield, provides heavy-duty protection and has a non-slip tread. Comfort and convenience have not been overlooked.
Flexible and durable neoprene straps secure the knee pads. Whilst the expert ergonomic design ensure a perfect fit up to a diameter of 22”. Fitting and removing the NoCry professional knee pads is blissfully quick and easy, thanks to quick release slip buckle clips.
The brand is serious about quality and customer satisfaction, and I like their honest and friendly approach. By their own admittance, NoCry have mentioned issues with inferior rivets on early models. They have made no effort to hide this. Instead, they have asked customers to contact them for a replacement, if they have found their product to be inferior. While we would all prefer no defects, they do sometimes happen. A company that is prepared to address the issue honestly, is one that I respect. Many shy away and ignore customer complaints.
2. ToughBuilt TB-KP-3 Thigh Support Knee Pads
A top-quality product always comes at a price. You just need to take one look at the ToughBuilt TB-KP-3 knee pads to know this is no ordinary product. The price tag is not ordinary either. As one of the more expensive options, it also one of the best.
Designed to offer much more than just protection for the knees, the ToughBuilt TB-KP-3 offers additional support for the thigh and upper shin. It’s clear that these guys have done their research into health and safety. By raising the shins, you also have the benefit of less pressure on your ankles.
Design ergonomics is also beyond exceptional. The Foamfit concept ensure a perfect fit without hindering sideways movement. With elasticized straps around both the thigh and calf, these are incredibly comfortable knee pads. The fit is secure but won’t affect blood circulation.
Another great benefit is the tough industrial-grade materials. Using hard shatter resistant PE plastic, this product is virtually indestructible, and fabrics are abrasion resistant (1680D). Buckles and Velcro are also of the highest quality standard. Additional safety is guaranteed, thanks to the non-slip design.
The ToughBuilt TB-KP-3 has a high-tech look. A sort of Robo-Cop type style. They look really cool. Though, this is not intended as a fashion statement. This is a product intended for serious hard work and is about the best I’ve seen. Worth the extra investment in your health and safety.
3. Sellstrom KneePro Knee Pads
A rugged, purely utilitarian design concept, make the Sellstrom KneePro among the top knee pads for work. Hardwearing, thick, and durable plastic is combined with industrial strength rivets to create a product that is flexible enough for complete comfort and tough enough for any situation.
Looking at these knee pads, you might be mistaken into thinking that they can’t be too comfortable. Quite the opposite in fact.
The two-piece design, with an extra strength metal riveted joint, provides maximum protection over a large area, with perfect flexibility. The rigid plastic shell moves naturally with the normal action of your knee.
Under the ultra-durable exterior are 3 lavish layers of comfortable foam, allowing you to work for hours in any position. The Sellstrom knee pads are kept in place with high-quality woven elastic straps, situated well above and below the knee. Easily adjusted, with a quick release clip, it’s a synch obtaining the most comfortable fit, and just as easy to remove when the job is done.
Built for the most demanding jobs, like welding and HVAC technicians, these are top-grade knee pads for work of every description. In the context of heavy duty PPE, I find the price to be refreshingly low. Not cheap, just pleasantly affordable quality.
4. Knee Pads for Work by Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is a US company, based in California. This brand specializes in tools and work equipment. Upgraded in 2020, the all new Thunderbolt Platinum Pro knee pads now provide increased protection and comfort, thanks to extra thick double gel and super thick foam.
As tough as nails, this product is certainly intended for serious working conditions. The outer layer uses heavy-duty plastic, with a non-slip design. Comfort is enhanced, using breathable neoprene. Comfortable, ballistic nylon straps are amongst the best. To accommodate all sizes, the include 7” extension straps.
At a first glance, you can see that Thunderbolt Platinum knee pads are superbly designed, for the best comfort, added support, superior safety. The Ergonomic design is scientifically engineered to offer extra support just where you need it, extending above the knee to support quadriceps and the patellar tendon below the knee. It’s abundantly clear that these guys have done their homework when designing this superb product. High-quality materials and one of the best ergonomic designs, come together perfectly. The end result is a professional grade knee pad for the toughest environments.
5. Knee Pads for Work by REXBETI
REXBETI appear to have adopted a very similar concept to Thunderbolt when redesigning their upgraded construction knee pads. They look a lot like those reviewed above and share much of the same design and materials.
Double gel and thick foam ergonomically cushion the knee for excellent protection and comfort. These knee pads also offer the crucial extra support above and below the knee.
The heavy-duty nylon straps appear to be just as tough and wide enough to ensure a really comfortable fit. REXBETI also supply 7” extension straps for those who need it.
Ultra-durable plastic, with a slip-free design compliment the all-around comfort and safety offered by these knee pads.
If I were to choose between the REXBETI and Thunderbolt knee pads, it may come down to a coin flip. They look similar, cost about the same, and share all the heavy-duty traits that we’re looking for. They both offer excellent support and are extremely comfortable.
6. NoCry Flooring and Roofing Knee Pads
This is the second NoCry product we’re reviewing here. As the most affordable knee pads in this review, this model may be one of the most popular. They’re simple and as comfortable as the best of them. However, they are not as tough as the more expensive products we’ve seen here.
The soft foam padding is thick enough and provide wonderful flexibility. You won’t feel any resistance to the natural movement of your knees. Instead of a hard plastic pad, this NoCry knee pad has a leather strip to act against abrasions.
This looks durable enough but may not hold up as well to the rigorous daily grind of jobsite. It would depend a lot on the work you’re doing.
Quality straps are perfectly positioned to prevent bunching and are easy to fasten and release. They fit a wide range of sizes, up to 22” in diameter.
I like the NoCry Roofing and Flooring knee pads. For this purpose, they’re great. Perhaps not the best for welding and HVAC, where you may want something tougher.
For the price, they are excellent value and, used for the correct application, they’re certainly worth it.
7. TROXELL USA - Supersoft Leatherhead Kneepads
Although the TROXELL knee pads don’t offer additional support above or below the knee, they really appeal to me in their unrestricted comfortable design. If you prefer to work in short pants, this knee pad will be the best.
Really tough neoprene padding is excellent, covered in thick durable leather. Soft on the inside, as durable as it gets on the outside. This makes TROXELL knee pads a perfect combination of comfortable and practical protection.
A two-piece flexible design moves naturally with your legs as you work. Because they surround the knee perfectly, and don’t extend any further, these may be the most comfortable to use on a long hot day.
The hook and loop front closure, make these the easiest and quickest knee pads to fit and remove. It also means that there are no clasps or buckles to break over time.
If you’re averse to wearing bulky cumbersome knee pads, this product will come as breath of fresh air. While small and comfortable, they provide perfect protection and comfort for all jobs. Top grade leather and ultra-durable padding are designed for extreme hard work.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Knee Pads
The only real difference between knee pads for a domestic and work environment, would be the quality of the materials used. Cheaper options, may do a wonderful job of protecting your knees and providing all the comfort you need. Though they probably won’t last too long if you’re working on a jobsite every day.
So, when choosing your knee pads by their price, you need to know what your expectations are. This is fairly easy to discern. It’s a simple matter of price vs durability. Price may also be affected by brand. The more specialized brands, offering industrial grade equipment, will usually be more expensive than domestic brands.
One of the big issues with PPE is comfort. Having been in a management position for many years, I’ve found that, if protective gear is uncomfortable or restricting, people just won’t wear it. Even if it means disciplinary actions.
There are a few important design features that make some knee pads easier to wear than others. Obviously, different people have different needs. Some aspects may of more or less importance, depending on the individual and the type of work they do.
Here are a few of the most important things to look for.
Jayden Mark has gained a wealth of knowledge about safety protocols in industries while working in a steel mill as well as a welder in the construction industry. He is the content editor for comfortworkboots.com where he shares his insights and expertize in his related field.
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