Keep Comfortable with the Best Gardening Knee Pads
Our recommendation for the best gardening knee pads is the Fiskars Ultra Light Knee Pads. However, there are plenty of other knee pad options for you to choose from, to the point where they may be overwhelming if you haven’t bought a pair before. But don’t worry; we’ve listed a few other gardening knee pad options for you to consider, along with a few benefits and reasons why looking into a set of pads is a good idea.
Our Picks for Best Gardening Knee Pads
[wptb id="8356" not found ]quick video overview
There’s nothing too fancy about a good set of knee pads. This video does a good job demonstrating just how basic this essential piece of gardening equipment looks like. Of course, they protection that they can offer your knees is anything but basic.
the purpose of knee pads
Chances are, you’ve seen a set of knee pads in action before. After all, the piece of equipment is worn by people in a host of different professions, from construction workers to basketball players. But regardless of whom they’re on, they all hold the same goal: protect the knee.
Specifically, a good knee pad will safeguard the meniscus and the kneecap while you’re kneeling, which could be exposed to some serious wear and tear over an extended period of time. Knee pads will also help protect your knees from getting scraped up, something they may be at risk at if you’re going to be working in a rough surface.
This purpose of knee pads is propelled even further if you have existing knee problems. While they won’t magically solve your knee issues, the thick padding can at least minimize the discomfort that you may otherwise experience by having a bent knee for an extended period of time.
knee pad functionality
To understand the importance of a good knee pad, it’s important to understand why it can protect the knee. And even though its endgame may make it appear as if it’s a pretty rudimentary piece of equipment, in reality, its functionality could be slightly different depending on its design.
For instance, one type of knee pad works as a sleeve and functions in the manner that a glove does. These pads require you to slip it over your foot and slide it up to your knee area. The padding of this pad will extend above, below, and around the knee, adding protection to the kneecap and the knee bend.
Other knee pads act as a sort of hat over the kneecap. These types of pads are tied or buckled in the back of the knee, and will only offer padding to the kneecap area. These types of pads may appear thicker than the sleeved pads.
styles and materials
The shape of a knee pad only tells part of the story. You should also be aware of the various design styles that exist. The style that’s right for you will largely relate to the amount of time you plan on spending in your garden, and your overall knee help.
The most basic style are knee pads that are made from cloth and foam. These will work to protect your knees against various bruises and friction burns. While this type of pads are more commonly used in athletics, there are cloth and foam pads that are specifically made for a gardening environment.
Rubber knee pads are a style that tends to offer protection on a larger scale. The sleeve-like knee pads that you can purchase – the ones that cover above, below, and around the knee – are commonly made of rubber. These pads may be a good choice if you’re also in the market for pads for athletic pursuits, such as paintball or softball.
One pad style that has increased in popularity over the years is the gel knee pad. These versatile pads, which typically strap onto the knee, have developed a reputation for being protective, comfortable, and environmentally-friendly. You can even purchase pairs of pants that have these pads already built into the knee area.
the importance of protection
While it’s easy to say that gardening knee pads will protect the knee, it’s important to know what may develop if you don’t provide your knees with a little extra protective love. This is especially the case if you’re relatively young and free from knee issues, as it may prevent you from thinking your knees are made from Teflon.
To that end, a set of knee pads will add longevity to your knees. If your knees are indeed in good shape, taking precaution and slipping an extra measure of padding onto them will serve you well down the road. This can ultimately make it easier for you to keep the flames of your gardening love affair flickering brightly.
Knee pads will also go a long way into preventing certain kinds of knee ailments. These issues that will extend way beyond the realm of merely having sore knees.
For instance, knee pads can help mitigate the onset of bursitis. This condition is marked by the inflammation of the tiny sacs of fluid that naturally lubricate and cushion the knee from the inside. Over time, this could develop into some seriously disabling joint pain.
Another condition that could develop without knee pads is tendonitis. Like bursitis, this is also an inflammatory condition, with the main difference being the swelling of the tendons that connects the knee muscle to the bone.
A third symptom that can develop is known as plica syndrome. This particular ailment is marked by knee ligaments that become unnaturally folded or thickened. Other ailments that can develop without the use of knee pads include meniscus tears, an issue that may require surgery depending on its severity.
Our Recommendation: Fiskers Ultra Light Knee Pads
Solid protection for your knees should always be your top priority when it comes to seeking out gardening knee pads. However, you should also be mindful of making sure you get a pair of knee pads that are built to last.
A pair of gardening knee pads like Fiskers Ultra Light Knee Pads will hit both of these important metrics. A solid set of pads will have plenty of soft foam inside the pad to help provide your knees with sufficient cushion. However, they will also contain a hardy exterior that can stand up to various encounters with rough terrain.
Knee pads like this set also work well because they are waterproof. This is an element that, when in place, will provide the pads with an extra layer of durability. It’s also an element that may be more helpful than you may realize, since you’ll more than likely be gardening in and around soil and terrain that is moist or damp.
Ultimately, a sturdy set of comfortable, durable knee pads will act an extension of sorts. They’ll not only provide your knees with an extra layer of comfort as you work, they may also help your knees remain a little more durable in the process.
