9 Best Knee Pads For Snowboarding [Flexible and Sturdy!]
Looking for the best knee pads for snowboarding? I don’t blame you !
As fun as snowboarding is, it’s quite likely that you’d fall on your knees, especially when you’re just learning (speaking from experience here!)
We use knee pads to protect our knees when snowboarding as falling on ice can be extremely painful. Knee pads can also make your snowboarding experience more comfortable.
But there are SO many types of knee pads, you say. I KNOW, I got super overwhelmed!
Well, fret not, as I’ve scoured for the best knee pads f and listed them here for you. Go on and check out this list of the 9 best knee pads for snowboarding!
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My Top 3 Best Knee Pads For Snowboarding
So, I’ve got 9 of the best knee pads for snowboarding here, but if you want to jump straight into business, I’ve also listed my top 3 picks:
- Best Budget Knee Pads For Snowboarding: Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads
At their price, these knee pads are almost a steal with their great cushioning for impact absorption or protecting delicate knees. They’re also anti-slip, so you don’t have to worry about it shuffling around your knees.
- Best All Round Knee Pads For Snowboarding: G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pads
These knee pads are great for snowboarding because it’s flexible to accommodate your moves, yet the cushion’s smart technology allows them to harden upon impact to protect your knees in a fall.
- High Quality Knee Pads For Snowboarding: Dakine Anthem Mountain Biking Knee Pad
Coming in a little steep for knee pads, Dakine makes the knee pads worth it with cushioning that extends below the knee to cover the top of the shin, which protects you from the heaviest impacts.
9 Best Knee Pads For Snowboarding
1. G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pads
First, I love that G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pads guarantee your safety and complete mobility.
The SmartFlexTM technology from G Form creates a cushion that is flexible and yet hardens upon impact to protect your knees in a fall. It appears that the material’s molecules really realign and join together to form a solid structure.
This excellent knee pad is made of moisture-wicking fabric and my favorite part? They can be machine washed, so I don’t end up smelling like a smelly cat!
Pros:
- Washable
- Very breathable
Cons:
- Some might find these knee pads a little too constrictive
2. Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads
I appreciate that Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads have anti-slip construction of them. They feature a somewhat shorter length structure, yet they will still securely stay in place on your knees.
The anti-slip is made possible by a flexible design and two cam-buckles which is also quite effective.
Additionally, they include medium-thickness cushioning, which is excellent for impact absorption or protecting an already delicate knee. It is constructed of high-density foam, which is excellent at absorbing impacts.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Anti-slip design
Cons:
- Not super durable (due to the low price)
3. Dakine Anthem Knee Pads
These Dakine Anthem Knee Pads protect you from the heaviest impacts. The cushioning extends below the knee to cover the top of the shin as well, making them an excellent option for us snowboarders.
They have silicon trips around the top and bottom that assist them in staying in position in the case of a fall. And the efficient girl in me just loves that these knee pads come with a hook-and-loop attachment, making them super easy to put on and take off!
Pros:
- 3D molded CE-certified foam knee protector
- Easy on-off attachment straps
- Ergonomic pattern
Cons:
- Pricey! $$$
4. POC, Joint VPD Air Knee Pads
Check out the POC, Joint VPD Air Knee Pads if you’re looking for one of the best cushioning systems available. Although these pads are thin, they include a special polymer cushioning that offers excellent impact resistance.
Since these knee pads are primarily intended for mountain bikes, they are made to allow for unrestricted knee motion without the knees moving. Additionally, they feature great airflow to prevent knee overheating.
Pros:
- Great cushioning
- Comes in tons of fun colors!
Cons:
- The material might pinch behind the knee
5. Burton Basic Knee Pad
These Burton Knee Pads are lightweight and offer just the right cushioning. They feature medium-sized cushioning, which is what I believe most snowboarders require.
You’ll receive great impact cushioning, and the pads will last for dependable long-term performance.
Stretch synthetic material that adheres securely to your leg and knees provides a solid fit. You won’t have to be concerned about these slipping or moving about. They will stay in position so that your knees will be protected by the cushioning.
Pros:
- Secure fit with the tubing design
- Easy to move around in
Cons:
- Some might find the padding a little too light
6. McDavid 6440 Hex Knee Pads
These McDavid 6440 Hex Knee Pads are a comfortable and light option that goes well with a base layer.
The cushioning provides you with good impact protection. Closed-cell foam is used in this, offering a sturdy layer of padding without being overly bulky.
The pads’ low-profile design also makes them exceedingly flexible. They are pretty simple to wear and won’t in any way limit your mobility. Because of moisture management technology, they are incredibly breathable and dry quickly.
Pros:
- Very durable
- Very flexible
Cons:
- Runs a little tight – you might want to size up
7. Triple Eight Undercover Snow Knee Pads
Triple Eight Undercover Snow Knee Pads offer a large degree of impact protection through its EVA foam padding and are both dependable and efficient.
The pads are constructed from a form-fitting neoprene material that gives you a solid fit that won’t slip and stays in place as a result.
These also contain two velcro straps on the top and bottom of the material, allowing you to secure them as tightly as you like to enhance the fit even more.
Pros:
- Very durable
- Comes in multiple sizes
Cons:
- A little bulky – not suitable underneath a layer
8. Bucwild Compression Pro Knee Sports Sleeves
Built from spandex and polyester materials, the Bucwild Compression Pro Knee Sports Sleeves have a lightweight design and a flexible nature that provides a tight fit.
This pad has thick EVA foam padding that offers the best comfort. It also has excellent moisture-wicking capabilities, guaranteeing dry skin and maximum comfort.
I love the dome shape as I find that it gives a snug fit and great impact absorption!
Pros:
- Known to last long
- Helps reduce soreness
Cons:
- Some people find them tight around the upper knee area
9. Thunderbolt Knee Pads
Thunderbolt Knee Pads are tough, heavy-duty set of knee pads with exceptional abrasion protection.
These knee pads have excellent durability since it is composed of a robust, non-slip substance. The pad also has an ergonomic shape that provides enough support for the quadriceps and patellar tendon, which are located just beneath the knee.
Additionally, it has a soft gel core and a dense foam core that work together to give the user excellent comfort and protection.
Pros:
- Great combo with the gel and foam cushioning!
Cons:
- Some people find the straps a bit on the shorter end
Can You Hurt Your Knees Snowboarding?
In short, yes.
We snowboarders tend to fall a lot on our knees, especially when we first learn or when the conditions are icy! These falls have a lot of impacts and can potentially lead to fracture injuries.
Besides falls, landing a jump also causes impacts that can cause injuries. Knee pain after snowboarding is very common. Also, the small impacts from snowboarding can lead to issues at a later point.
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How Do Knee Pads Stop You Getting Hurt?
Knee pads for snowboarding will protect you from impact injuries through your knee colliding with the ground.
The dreaded toe-edge catch is a typical fall when you first start. The fall occurs when your snowboard’s edge unintentionally contacts the snow before you, flipping you over onto the snow.
Your knees or wrists will bear the brunt of the blow depending on how you land.
Snowboarding knee pads or wrist protection can help you avoid significant harm in this situation.
Knee protection will also help you avoid injury if you fall onto rails or boxes. Dropping off the rail and hitting your knee or the area immediately above your boot on the solid metal will definitely hurt – imagine that without snowboard knee pads!
Pro-Tip: Wear a base layer underneath your knee pads for snowboarding (especially if they have velcro strap fastenings). The backs of your knees won’t chafe anymore and won’t turn red and raw.
Advantages Of Wearing Knee Pads
Not sure if you need knee pads when snowboarding? These advantages will convince you!
1. Keep Stable
Knee pads help to stabilize the joints and reduce joint mobility. It thus improves stability and reduces damage risk.
Knee pads can also help avoid the misalignment of the knee patella, which can happen when engaging in activities like snowboarding that exert a lot of strain on the knees.
2. Preserve Heat
Wearing knee pads can assist keep your knees and muscles warm. It’s easier than you might believe to catch a cold on your knees. It would be best if you made every effort to avoid the cold because it can cause various joint issues.
3. Reduce Pressure
Wearing a knee pad can lessen the strain placed on the knees and lower the risk of damage. Even normal wear and tear over time can cause degeneration of the cartilage in the knee, what more when we put pressure on it as we snowboard.
Best Snowboard Knee Pads: What To Look For
These are the things to look out for when buying your knee pads:
1. Breathability
A good knee pad should be breathable to prevent your legs and knees from becoming excessively wet and uncomfortable while wearing them. The back of your legs may chafe or irritate if they are not breathable.
You also want to look for synthetic materials with a rapid drying time. Compared to certain other cheap materials, these are frequently more breathable.
Additionally, be sure the product you’re purchasing is marked as breathable.
2. Comfort
Comfort is essential as snowboarding is already a comfort-stretching sport. You want to knee pads that you can wear all day long without becoming tired of them.
Imagine becoming uncomfortable and having to remove your knee pads halfway, which affects your riding. Even worse, imagine if you were in snowboard pants with knee pads – you would have to stop snowboarding completely for that session!
Remember, choose garments with elastic materials so they may comfortably and loosely fit around your legs. Neoprene, spandex, and elastic are all excellent materials to watch out for. Additionally, be sure to get the appropriate size for a comfortable fit.
3. Padding
Naturally, padding is one of the most crucial factors to consider while choosing knee pads.
Invest in substantial padding to give you the most cushioning if you want the finest protection against impacts.
You will need to wear thicker pads with heavier padding, which can be uncomfortable when riding.
However, there are some options, even for built in knee pads, which are less noticeable but will nonetheless provide you with good protection.
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FAQs On Best Knee Pads For Snowboarding
What Are The 2 Types Of Knee Pads?
So what are the 2 types of knee pads? At first let us divide all knee pads into two groups due to their usage:
- Protective knee pads – used mainly to prevent knee injuries
- Medical/orthopedic knee pads – knee braces that are used for pain relief or in the treatment and prevention of orthopedic diseases
Should I Wear Kneepads?
Thi Yes, you should wear knee pads! Knee pads provide the necessary protection for the knee joint not only for tradespeople, such as tile and floor layers but also for amateur gardeners or DIY enthusiasts. Otherwise, you could live with effects of injuries and wear on your knees for the rest of your life.
Are Knee Pads Effective?
Yes! Orthopedic knee pads are important and effective equipment to protect your knees. The importance of wearing knee pads is that they act as stabilizers that protect the ligaments in different ways, such as by preventing deviations or by lessening the weight load.
How Do I Get My Knee Pads To Stay On?
Wondering “how do I get my knee pads to stay on? With a good set of clipped, velcro, or tying straps, you can tighten a knee pad more carefully around the shape of your own knee, shin, and calf. Doing this allows you to get a fit that is secure while remaining comfortable.
Did you know that knee pads have been around since the early 1990s?
They were originally designed for skateboarders but quickly became popular among snowboarders as well.
And thank goodness they were!
We’re now spoilt for the choice to get the best knee pads for snowboarding to protect our precious babies (yes, still talking about knees).
To conclude, the best knee pads for snowboarding should be durable, have a high level of impact protection, and have a protective layer that is breathable and waterproof.
I hope you find my research here useful and find something that suits your budget and needs!