Best Skiing & Snowboarding Knee Pads Reviewed In 2023
Our Top Pick After 20 Hours of Reviewing and Testing:
Powerful grip, non-slip feature
Breathable fabric
Ergonomic design
Incredible shock absorption
Increases circulation
How We Test Our Products
Products are tested by our team of experts with years of personal experience.
Why Should You Trust Us
We do not simply trust a brands word, we put the products to the test!
Our Editorial Process
Unbiased reviews and in-depth research go into each and every review to ensure the best product for everyone.
Is safety as important to you as having the best skiing and snowboarding gear to keep you effortlessly soaring down the slopes?
If so, you will want to invest in a good pair of knee pads to avoid a needless injury.
The knee joints are some of the most susceptible to injury on the slopes. From the patellar ligament to the ACL, it’s important to keep your knees secure. You wouldn’t consider skiing without a helmet, and the same policy applies to knee pads.
Knee pads are available for men and women of all ages. They come in many different varieties and designs. Today’s market offers a huge variety of styles, designs, sizes, and specifics to meet your exact needs. With a little research, the perfect set of kneepads is out there for everyone. In this article, five of the most popular skiing and snowboarding knee pads are reviewed to help narrow down your search.
What follows are the top five best skiing and snowboarding knee pads. The main points of each are contrasted and compared. The pros, cons and overall value of each are outlined so that you can make the best possible informed decision before hitting the slopes.
5 Best Skiing & Snowboard Knee Pads
1. Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads
The Bodyprox knee pads are at the top of this list for this reason. They are effective, safe, strong, durable, competitively priced, stylish and unisex. They are unobtrusive and ergo dynamic.
Better yet, they provide superior protection against injury. Your knee joints will be cushioned and protected from any potential trauma, keeping your ACL, other ligaments as well as the patellar ligament itself in place, where it should be.
Shock Resistance
The pads are incredibly lightweight, which belies how powerful they are in terms of shock resistance. If you land hard on your knees or fall at an awkward angle that would otherwise prove injurious, the Bodyprox keeps your knees, ligaments, tendons, and bones exactly as they should be. The pads absorb the trauma in full, protecting your patella, patellar ligaments, so on and so forth from what might otherwise be a serious knee injury. Falls inevitably happen, but injuries don’t have to follow.
High-Density Foam
The pads are made of high-density foam. This explains how incredibly lightweight they are. Additionally, they do not take up the entire leg. Rather, they sit securely on the knee area, exclusively. They allow for a full range of motion and do not hinder your movement in any way.
Cost and Value
The Bodyprox pads are sold at a very competitive, fair price. For a fair amount, you get an excellent, well-built pair of unisex knee pads known for their comfort and superior shock absorption. They stay securely in place all day and do not need to be constantly adjusted. This is why they are our best snowboard knee pads.
- Powerful grip, non-slip feature
- Breathable fabric
- Ergonomic design
- Incredible shock absorption
- Increases circulation
- Not intended as padding for kneeling
- The areas with the most pressure can become flattened
Criteria Ratings
Material: 100
Shock Absorption: 100
Comfort: 100
Fit: 99
Protection: 100
Average: 99.8
2. JYSW Knee Pads For Skiing And Snowboarding
The JYSW knee pads are versatile and useful for a number of purposes. From, of course, skiing and snowboarding, they are strong and durable, ready for gardening, cleaning, yoga, snowboarding, and skiing.
Durable and widely used, these knee pads are guaranteed to get a lot of use. Do not bother storing them with your winter gear; they will serve you all year long. From added comfort, while pulling weeds to scrubbing your kitchen floor, stiff joints and sore knees are a thing of the past.
Water-Resistant
The knee pads are not entirely waterproof, but they are indeed water-resistant. This means that even if your knee pads are exposed to the snow and ice, the interior will stay dry. While you’re out on the slopes, this is huge. Otherwise, wet, fully saturated knee pads can take you from comfortable to miserable in no time.
Adjustable Straps
The knee pads’ adjustable straps do a great job of keeping the pads securely in place. This allows you to ski, snowboard or otherwise without having to make constant adjustments. With careful, easy adjustments once you put the kneepads on, and a few minutes to secure that you’ve got the knee pads in place, you will be all set for a full day of fun.
Cost and Value
The JYSW knee pads are also competitively priced with the consumer in mind. They are affordable, but by no means cheaply constructed. Rather, they are carefully designed and expertly manufactured. Overall, with their versatility and comfort, they are a great buy.
- Extra Foam Cushioning
- One Size Fits All
- Water-Resistant
- Comfortable and Flexible
- Adjustable Straps, No-Slip Design
- May not fit extremely petite athletes
- Do not stay up when worn over clothes
Criteria Ratings
Material: 99
Shock Absorption: 98
Comfort: 99
Fit: 98
Protection: 99
Average: 98.6
3. Triple Eight Undercover Snow Knee Pads for Snowboarding and Skiing
The Triple Eight Undercover Snow Knee Pads are specifically made for snowboarding and skiing. They are slim, form-fitting and EPA contoured. As such, when worn, they are barely noticeable. A unique feature of the Triple Eights is that they can be worn over or under your shell. Versatile and comfortable, it is no surprise that the Triple Eights are a favorite of so many.
Under or Over
As mentioned, the pads are slim, EPA contoured and form-fitting. They fit discreetly under your shell. They also fit just as comfortably over your shell, staying comfortably and securely in place. They fit like a second skin, and yet they provide the kind of strength and durability that you would expect from a strong, professional-grade set of knee pads.
Multiple Sizes
The Triple Eights are available in a wide variety of sizes and varieties. They are available in sizes for kids, youths, and adults in small, medium and large. Whatever your size or body type is, there’s a size of Tripe Eights that will fit you like they were made for you.
Cost and Value
The Triple Eights are competitively priced. They are right where they should be in terms of market value. In terms of the product itself, it’s an excellent pair of knee pads, with comfort and safety in mind. It’s in a league on its own in terms of fitting like a second skin.
- Dual loop and strap design for extra security
- Wide variety of sizes for kids and adults
- Solid impact protection
- Withstands rocks, rubble, moisture
- Perfect for slick surfaces
- Not enough stretch
- Not overly comfortable
Criteria Ratings
Material: 98
Shock Absorption: 97
Comfort: 97
Fit: 97
Protection: 98
Average: 97.4
4. Demon Hyper X D30 Knee Pads For Snow Sports
The Demon Hyper X is built to last and built for comfort. They are also perfect for a wide variety of activities.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the knee pads are perfect for gardening, yoga, cycling, cleaning, rollerblading, skateboarding and beyond.
The Demons offer superior shock absorption, making them ideal for extreme athletes. Ultimately, they protect the knee and surrounding tissue, keeping athletes safe.
Variations of Use
The Demons are perfect for a wide assortment of varieties. This includes skiing, snowboarding, biking, cleaning, yoga, driving and so forth. They provide support if you are kneeling for an extended period of time, The padding does not flatten out. In fact, it retains its shape for continued use.
Comfort
The Demons offer exceptional comfort. Even if fastened to fit snugly, they provide adequate circulation and adequate padding. The Demons are deceptively lightweight. Despite their lightness, they provide superior cushioning and protection. While the pads may fit like a second skin, they absorb shock the way you’d expect a high-end knee pad to do.
Cost and Value
The Demons are an excellent value. They’re sold right in the middle of the market. For a fair price, you get a comfortable, reliable, durable, shock-absorbing pair of knee pads that do the job right. The customer service is second to none.
- Water-resistant
- Amazing impact protection
- Superior ventilation and breathability
- Built tough; durable
- Manufacturer’s warranty
- Sizes run small
- Inadequate protection from impact at the ankle area
Criteria Ratings
Material: 97
Shock Absorption: 96
Comfort: 96
Fit: 95
Protection: 97
Average: 96.2
5. MoKo Protective Knee Pads
The MoKo knee pads offer the best of everything. A reasonable price, exceptional comfort, breathable fabric, adjustable knee pads, easy to clean and adjustable knee pads. These are just some perks out of many. The MoKos are full of special, advanced features.
Wide Compatibility
There is a limited selection of kneepads available for those who have wide knees. This greatly cuts the market down. Fortunately, MoKo offers options for those with a wide stance. MoKo is proud to offer wide options for athletes who have wider knees than average. This allows everyone to enjoy the same comfort and protection as everyone else.
Breathable
A common problem among kneepads is a lack of breathability and ventilation. This can cause the knees to overheat and sweat, causing discomfort. This can also cause the kneepads to need constant adjustment. The MoKo knee pads offer great ventilation, breathability and even have a built-in drainage system for water, ice and sweat. You will be kept cool and dry at all times.
Cost and Value
The MoKos are fairly and competitively priced, offering an excellent product at an excellent price. For a relatively small amount, you receive a set of comfortable, reputable, sturdy knee pads that will last and keep you safe while out on the slopes.
- Ventilation and drainage
- Water-resistant
- Breathable, cool
- Wide compatibility
- Lightweight
- Padding can be stiff and uncomfortable
- Pads wear down
Criteria Ratings
Material: 96
Shock Absorption: 95
Comfort: 95
Fit: 94
Protection: 95
Average: 95
Criteria Used To Review The Best Knee Pads
Material
Material is important to consider when choosing knee pads. They must be breathable, ventilated, lightweight and adjustable. Above all, they cannot be too heavy, or they will sag and fail to stay in place. The material must be designed to take a serious beating without ripping or tearing.
The padding and cushioning must be protected. The padding must be water-resistant, as for obvious reasons, it will be exposed to cold temperatures, sweat, ice and now. The material must be adjustable, stretchable and durable.
Shock Absorption
The cushioning, padding and overall design of a knee pad are made to protect the patella, patellar ligament, the ACL and MCL. In other words, the knee and its surrounding tissues need to be protected.
A bad knee injury can keep you off the slopes for a season, if not longer, and may indeed require surgery. Rather than risking a potentially serious injury, wear strong pads that will keep you safe and protected, like lightweight armor designed to protect one of the most crucial joints in your body.
Comfort
A knee pad, of course, is designed to keep your body comfortable and free of stress. Putting hours of stress and pressure on your knees will cause stiffness and pain.
At the end of the day, you can expect a good amount of discomfort. Instead of ruining a day of fun on the mountain, take the small step of wearing a good pair of knee pads. Most are lightweight enough that they are barely noticeable. More likely than not, you will forget that you are wearing them altogether.
Fit
It is of the utmost importance that knee pads fit properly. If they sag or do not sit properly in place, your knee will not be properly protected. This is why it is so important to buy knee pads that are the right size, and then properly secure them.
Use whatever straps, latches, and velcro that are available to you to ensure that the pads stay in place as you move.
Protection
Protection is the most important aspect of a knee pad. Like a helmet, it is designed to keep you safe. While a knee injury may not be as devastating as head trauma, it can certainly land you in the hospital and cause you to need surgery. Do not view knee pads as optional.
Protect the patella, patellar ligament, ACL, and MCL by simply wearing knee pads that fit you properly. Do not risk doing damage do one of the most important joints in your body.
Expert Tip
Try Them On
You do not need to buy knee pads online in order to try them on. Simply stop by any sporting goods store and try on different sizes and styles of knee pads until you find a few that you like and are comfortable with. Make note of what your likes and dislikes are.
Then, take that information back home with you. Resume your search online so that you can ensure that you get the best deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can skiing and snowboarding knee pads be used for skating and cycling?
A: The majority of knee pads can be used for a variety of uses. Some, however, have padding that is not designed for constant pressure. This can cause the padding to flatten out and become ineffective. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding further.
Q: If the knee pads are marketed as “one size fits all,” what exactly does that mean?
A: One size fits all refers to the majority of Americans surveyed who shop on the specific retailer’s site. The majority of consumers fit within the “one size fits all” umbrella, but there are always outliers. In the event, knee pads do not fit properly, check out the seller’s return and exchange policy prior to purchase.
Sources
- HuffPost, Skiiers vs. Snowboarders: Who Gets Injured More?
- SnowboardAddiction, Protective Gear for Snowboarding
- SnowHeads, What protection do I need as a snowboard beginner?
- SnowGuide, Skiing, and Knee Injuries: To Brace Up or Not to Brace Up?
- Pediatric and Patient Education, Care of the Young Athlete
- Better Braces, 7 Moves to Get Your Knees Ski and Snowboard Ready
