12 Best Women's Volleyball Knee Pads We've Tested 2024
Brandon Forder May 17, 2024 9:03 AM
There is a high probability of making floor contact during a match due to the frequent diving, sliding, and falling that occurs. That's why it's crucial to have high-quality knee protection when playing volleyball. Volleyball knee protection is essential if you want to give it your all on the court.
Besides fixing up sportsmen and weekend warriors who have been hurt, I also give them tips on how to avoid becoming hurt in the first place. It's important to use the right footwear and protective gear when playing volleyball. It's true that volleyball isn't a "contact sport" in the traditional sense of the word, but there's still plenty of body-to-court contact when you're really playing the game. You need protection.
Pads can be found in a wide range of sizes, hues, and thicknesses. While there is no fixed “best” brand for volleyball knee pads, there are so many choices out there it’s hard to tell what will be the finest men’s or women’s volleyball knee pads for you.
The following are the knee pads I offer to my patients based on my own experience and the findings of the available research:
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Last update on 2024-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Size
Knee pads of any quality are useless if they don't fit the wearer appropriately. If your pads aren't snug enough, they'll shift around and make you less stable, which increases the risk of injury. Again, a pad that is overly snug might restrict blood flow to the foot, leading to pain and suffering. When your volleyball pads don't fit properly, you can't perform at your best. Period.
There is no “one size fits all” knee pad. Before selecting, measure above, below, and at the mid section of the knee. Before making an online purchase, be sure to consult the manufacturer's size charts. Remember, it’s not your height or weight that count when it comes to knee pads, it’s the size of your leg. It's important that knee pads don't move around or cause any discomfort.
Your Position
Choosing the right knee pads for volleyball requires thinking about your preferred position. This will determine how much padding you’ll need. Although they don't dive as much, forwards still need to be nimble, thus they can benefit from a thinner knee pad. Back players dive regularly, thus they should pick for the largest thickness of cushioning for optimal protection in times of strong impact. Also, liberos should try for good lateral coverage and extra padding. If you are just starting out and have not yet mastered the skill of diving without hurting yourself, you should wear as much padding as possible.
Construction
Think about the complete design of the product when it comes to the greatest volleyball knee pads. In order to play comfortably, you need padding that is appropriate for your style. For how long will you be requiring the knee protection? How intense of a hit will they be taking? To what extent does this occur?
The materials you choose should be comfortable and airy. It's important to find a knee pad with ventilation at the back, breathable material, moisture-wicking material, or a mix of these features because you're bound to sweat in the knee area as you play. Pad rash is no fun to deal with after a long, intense game.
Prioritizing quality over cost is essential when searching for the right knee pads for you. The cost of medical care after an accident will be far higher than the first estimate. Quality knee pads are a vital investment.
Durability
In a perfect world, your volleyball knee pad would see you through the full season, from preseason to postseason. This is because the last issue you need is a new pad you have a hard time adjusting into at mid-season. The pads should last you a long time if you only use them for beach volleyball or play seldom.
We read through dozens of customer reviews and ensuring we only selected the knee pads were stitched to perfection. We gave higher consideration to those with guarantees of some kind.
Breathability
The ability of a cloth to enable air to circulate freely is what we mean when we talk about its breathability. In other words, it serves as a form of air circulation. Fabrics that allow air to circulate around your body are great for keeping you cool and avoiding that post-game stink. Our best-recommended volleyball knee pads all include breathable materials that effectively wick away sweat.
Protection
Protective features on knee pads can range from improved foam linings to shock-absorbing paddings, depending on the manufacturer. It is recommended that you search for ones with adequate padding. For instance, if you play offense and frequently dive and jump, padded knee pads would be a good investment.
Fit
While the sizing of the volleyball knee pad will mostly influence its fit, another thing to watch out for in this arena is the general comfort offering of the pad. You may get a decent indication of the overall comfort of the pad by looking at the customer reviews.
While you’re at it, we also recommend looking for one that has a narrow fit silhouette and has some form of slip resistance. The latter option will provide a more secure fit and avoid any unneeded movement.
Comfort level
Opt for volleyball knee pads with an outer shell consisting of neoprene, polyester, nylon, or cotton. Memory foam or gel is a good material for the inner parts.
Padding
Depending on your volleyball position, you may need more or less protective gear. As a forward, you can get away with a thinner knee pad because you don't have to dive as much but still need to be quick. If you play defense, however, you'll have to dive frequently. Therefore, pick one with plenty of cushioning.
Manufacturing
Before making a purchase, think about the knee pad's overall style. Discover the impact forces and frequency with which the pads will be used.
Are knee pads good for volleyball?
During a game of volleyball, knee protectors are not required. Their role is they protect your knees from becoming bruised or scratched during the game. If you're extra careful, you can play more aggressively without worrying about getting wounded. These pads also provide you the opportunity to express your personal style. By wearing them in harmony with the colors on your shirt, you may win fans over even if your team loses the game (which, of course, we hope won't happen).
What size volleyball knee pads should I get?
Before selecting on a new set of volleyball knee pads, you must first measure your knees. A tape measure can be used to estimate the size of your knees. Make a note of the number and use it to guide your search for the right size pad. Read the reviews from actual customers, even if just briefly. They'll fill you in on how reliable the sizing chart really is. There are typically three sizes available for knee pads across all brands, with some offering even larger sizes like XXL.
How Do I Clean Volleyball Knee Pads?
Nobody likes having to wear stale, smelly knee pads. If you don't maintain your knee pads, bacteria can form in them and they can break. While playing, knee pads can collect a lot of grime and sweat.
After a game or practice, don't just throw your knee pads into the bottom of your gym bag and forget about them until next time. The moisture they absorbed throughout the game can be evaporated if you lay them flat, inside out. This will prevent the pad from becoming smelly over time.
Knee pads should be cleaned several times during the season. Knee pads can be washed in the cold cycle with any other piece of laundry. But before you do anything, you should read the manual the product came with. Don't ever dry them in the dryer; instead, set them out in the sun for at least 12 hours before using them again.
Why Do Some Volleyball Players Wear Their Knee Pads Below Their Knees?
Female volleyball players at the collegiate and professional levels may be seen playing with their knee protectors positioned low on their knees. They may appear to be worn below the knee, negating any benefit they would provide. Professional athletes do this because they have figured out, over the course of countless hours on the court, how to optimally position their knee pads.
You'll have a feel for your body's natural points of contact with the ground after repeatedly sliding, diving, and kneeling. When kneeling for a low pass, it's possible that the top of your shinbone, rather than your kneecap, will make contact with the ground. Players that wear their knee pads low have likely thought about where they will be hit the most during play and positioned their pads accordingly.
If you ask any athlete, the knees are a very valuable element of their performance. The knee is another frequently damaged joint. Keeping these precious and sensitive joints in optimal health entails protecting them from the get-go. Knee protection isn't just about the here and now and how much you ache right now; it's about the future and how you can prevent knee pain. Do you hope to play volleyball professionally for a long time? Along with good performance techniques, knee pads are the greatest approach to safeguard the knees from unnecessary injury in the future.
