When you’re searching for the best knee pads for flooring, you’re going to have quite a big selection to look through. How do you know which ones are worth the investment, and which ones are pointless to purchase?
There are so many companies and dozens of materials, so it can be a bit overwhelming at the start. Don’t worry though, because you’re in the right place to get your hands and knees on a solid pair of flooring knee pads.
Our Top Pick:
 |
After searching through all sorts of customer reviews and other bits of helpful advice, this list is devised to help you figure out which ones are meant for you. You’ll find an array of features throughout these products which are guaranteed to work perfectly for you.
If you’re tired of having hurt knees after hours and hours of hard work, then you’re in the right place!
Choosing the Best Knee Pads for Flooring
1. NoCry Professional Knee Pads
Starting the list off with a modern take on classic knee pads, the NoCry Professional Knee Pads are a go-to for thousands of customers. They’re soft on the inside with a hardened shell to keep your knees safe from impact. If you’re working for countless hours on your knees, these are an absolute steal for the price.
Two neoprene straps on the back of the pads tightly secure it to the inside of your knees. These are much more comfortable than traditional bands that pull and stretch on the skin. Instead, you’ll have an extra cushion on the interior as well. You can adjust them in seconds or remove them just as easily.
The front of these knee pads is designed for concrete, wood, nails, and so on. However, on the inside, you’ll be greeted with a gel foam created for complete comfort. Knock-off brands can still leave you with sore knees, but that’s far from the truth with these pads. They even let air breath out the side to sink your knee right into them.
- Made with a gel foam interior lining
- Hardened shell to protect your knees
- Easy to adjust, remove, and put on
- Not much room for changing the sizes
- No spring motion to keep you elevated
2. Knee Pads for Work by REXBETI
Plenty of people who work in the construction industry have knee and thigh problems from constant motions and lack of protection. You can stop, prevent, or even reverse some of the damages with a good pair of knee pads. The Knee Pads for Work by REXBETI are a perfect solution for extra-wide protection.
Not only does it keep your knees safe from direct impact on the ground, but it also rides all the way up a few inches on each thigh. This prevents debris and tools from causing injuries. The thigh padding also helps to keep the knee pads from sliding around too much, which can be a huge issue for traditional options.
The gel foam on these knee pads extends around the sides to keep you safe all around. The center is indented for an ergonomic feeling. You’ll be able to slide them right on and off in seconds, but the Velcro strap won’t let them come loose without you doing so. There’s even an additional anti-slip strap on top.
- Comes with all-around foam padding
- Extends up to the lower thigh
- Two straps for additional support
- Could prove to be a bit warm on hot days
3. Recoil Knee Pads for Work
If you’re trying to get your hands on some of the most comfortable knee pads on the market, then you’ll want to see what’s in store with this product. The Recoil Knee Pads for Work have a special spring system to keep your knees from ever feeling the pressure of the floor. If you’re someone who’s tired of wearing through knee pads after a year or so, then this might be your new set.
The spring system on the front of these knee pads keeps you from ever having to rest on the ground. It’s similar to feeling like you’re kneeling down on a cloud without a drop of pressure whatsoever. It’s ultra-compressed to provide a solid surface on the front designed to keep you safe from any working surface that you could come across.
Using two massive Velcro straps, you can quickly adjust or remove them knee pads. They also extend well below the knee to keep you safe from debris. If you’re searching for the best knee pads for tile work, then you could stop here. It doesn’t get much better for workers who have to constantly move up and down with the spring motion.
- Comes with a spring system for comfort
- Two adjustable straps for a perfect fit
- Great for tile workers who are always on the move
- No way to remove the spring pad if you don’t like it
4. Rockland Guard Professional Knee Pads
You might not need the most industrial-strength knee pads around if you’re only working around the house. A good pair of casual construction knee pads for an easy-going job or at-home work is the Rockland Guard Professional Knee Pads. They offer complete protection and comfort around the front of your knees.
To quickly adjust these pads, all you have to do is unhook them, tighten or loosen the side straps, and then hook them back up. It’s a simple process that lets you keep your focus on the job ahead rather than worrying about slipping out of the knee pads. Thanks to the airy exterior, they stay in place while flexing with your movements.
The aforementioned adjustable strap is also elastic, giving it even more flexibility. While the front side is made out of hardened plastic to keep you safe at all times, the interior is a soft gel foam. Protection on the outside and comfort on the inside is exactly what you should be looking for in if you’re trying to find the best knee pads for tiling.
- Comes with adjustable straps on the top and bottom
- Soft foam comfort on the inside
- Extends slightly below the knee
- The texture and pattern might make it hard to slide around from place to place
5. Tradesman Pro Knee Pads by Klein Tools
On the other hand, you might need a solid pair of tile setter knee pads for a much more intense working environment. Some people can’t settle for any old pair of equipment due to numerous reasons, knee pain included. If you know that you need more than the average set, then the Tradesman Pro Knee Pads by Klein Tools are a sure bet.
With five layers on protection, you’ll be safe from nails, tools, concrete, tile, wood, and anything else that gets in your way at work. The textured material on the front keeps you from sliding around, providing solid stability when you need it the most. While the exterior is an armored shield, the inside provides unparalleled comfort for your knees.
While most of the other entries on the list have two straps for security, this one uses a padded single strap. For this reason, it won’t bunch up behind your knee and cause irritability. You’ll be padded on the front and back of your leg all day long. The interior also has three layers of ergonomic padding to hug your knee.
- Comes with five layers of protection on the front
- Ergonomic knee indents
- Textured pattern prevents slipping and damage
- Bulkier than most of the other knee pads on the list
6. Troxell USA – Supersoft Leatherhead
You don’t always need the biggest, most protective knee pads in the world. If you’re simply looking for decent protection and optimal knee support, then this entry at number six will do just fine. The Troxell USA Supersoft Leatherhead Kneepads are a steal of a deal for the average in-house worker.
The tough leather exterior helps reduce punctures and scrapes on your knees. It’s also very beneficial because it doesn’t scuff up the surface that you’re working on. The interior provides a soft cushion for great support with minimal discomfort. It also has a quick strap that goes around the back for a one-second adjustment.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of owning these knee pads is that they are machine washable. Instead of having to scrub down the knee pads on the interior and exterior by hand, you can throw them in the laundry at the end of a hard day of work. This saves you plenty of time and unnecessary effort.
- Super comfortable leather design
- Soft interior for great knee support
- Wash in the laundry machine at the end of the day
- Can wear down after months of use on rough surfaces
- Can’t fully prevent nail punctures
7. NoCry Flooring and Roofing Knee Pads
If you enjoyed the previous pair of knee pads but you’d prefer a little bit of a softer material, then these ones will be a breath of fresh air. The NoCry Flooring and Roofing Knee Pads have a soft leather and cotton exterior. This lets you slide around easily without having to reset your knees every time you need to lay a new tile.
It also uses a similar hooking adjustment strap like the previous NoCry knee pads on the list. You can move these straps quickly and re-hook them in seconds. There are two straps on both knees, so you don’t have to worry about them bunching up or overlapping. This also prevents them from unhooking or loosening.
The exterior of the leather is coated to make them anti-slip without preventing you from sliding voluntarily. It’s also heat-resistant to keep you safe from friction burns. These knee pads extend slightly below the knee, keeping you comfortable throughout the region. This is exactly what you need if you’re climbing around on roofs that might slide most other pads around.
- Soft leather and cotton exterior
- Comfortable interior padding and two adjustable straps
- Easy to slide around on tile
- Not much protection from nails and other sharp objects
- Can’t hold you in place as you might be able to do with textured plastic
8. Crain 197 Comfort Knee Pads
For full-leg protection, you’ll be limited to only a few options on the market. However, the Crain 197 Comfort Knee Pads are going to top that list thanks to the lower thigh and upper calf protection. It hugs your knee in place, preventing it from sliding around on whatever surfaces that you decide to work on as well.
The bright royal blue knee pads won’t be lost any time soon. Being able to keep an eye on them while you’re not using them can save you from unwanted headaches and stress searching for them. They’re also machine washable with colors similar to them, which can be a huge relief after working hard all day long.
Velcro straps on the top and bottom of each pad lets you adjust them to fit your knee size quicker. Another benefit of these straps is that they’re positioned on the front instead of the back. You don’t have to worry about them bunching up due to this thoughtful design.
- Comes in a bright royal blue color to keep you from losing them
- Comfortable, soft touch on the interior and exterior
- Machine washable
- They can warm up a bit on a hot day
- Not ideal for working on rugged surfaces with debris
9. Impact-Absorbing Gel Knee Pads by PROLOCK
Back to super heavy-duty options, the Impact-Absorbing Gel Knee Pads by PROLOCK are some of the best knee pads for tile work that money can buy. They’re incredibly comfortable on the inside, and they’ll keep your knees safe from pressure and impact when moving around throughout the day.
You can adjust the padded straps on the back using Velcro and a red strip for tightness. One of the most unique additions to these pads is that they have a hardened plastic covering over the lower thigh area. This is incredibly important if you’re working on a construction site with flying debris and tools that might be dropped.
Preventing injuries is the main function of these knee pads, which is one reason why they extend so low as well. The built-in hinges prevent them from sliding around or causing cramping. They can also be loosened with a screwdriver to flex with your movements or stay locked in place.
- Comes with lower thigh support
- Hardened plastic to protect your entire knee
- Quickly adjust the rear straps
- Bulkier than other knee pads since they cover more area
How to Pick Out the Best Knee Pads for Flooring
When you’re looking through tons of different knee pad styles, it can be a challenge to know which pair is right for you. After all, every working environment is different which means it requires different protection and mobility. Don’t worry though! All of your questions and answers will be listed below to guide you to the best possible set of knee pads for flooring!
Do knee pads help?
One of the most common questions about knee pads is whether or not they actually work. Generally speaking, anyone who works in a construction job would tell you that they’re a requirement. It’s not even a choice once you’ve experienced what it’s like to kneel down on concrete, tile, roofing, and other materials throughout the day. Our bodies aren’t meant to stay pressed up against these hard surfaces, so knee pads are absolutely necessary.
There are plenty of different styles and materials used, each of which has a specific purpose. If you’re going to be working at a construction site or even around your own house, you should definitely save yourself from injuries and long-term pain. A small investment now can keep you from having permanent knee damage that’ll make the job even worse down the road.
What are knee pads made out of?
Knee pads have a handful of materials used depending on the surface you’ll be working on. For example, you can either have a hardened plastic exterior or a layer of leather. Other materials included to shield your knees are neoprene, Velcro, and rubber. Although they’re not as common, some people prefer these materials as it makes it easier to slide around. Keep in mind that every material has pros and cons that might make it worth the investment.
The interior of knee pads usually use neoprene, gel foam, memory foam, cotton, or something along those lines. They also occasionally have a porous surface to let air flow in and out of them. This addition helps keep your knees cooled off while also adding to the cloud-like cushion on the inside.
You might also want to check out which types of straps they use to keep them on your knees. Some straps are made out of Velcro, a familiar material that’s loved for the ease of adjustments. You can unstrap and re-strap Velcro in a swift motion, making them ideal for people who have to get back to work quickly. Hooks are also popular since they don’t wiggle or loosen at all. They also have the added benefit of never coming apart like Velcro tends to do after months or years of heavy usage.
Should you get leather or hardened plastic?
Since leather and hardened plastic are the two most popular choices for knee pads, we’ll look into which one provides the best use to you and your workplace. If you’re working around the house or on the roof, then leather seems to be more useful. This is because you have a bit more mobility with leather, and it absorbs the impact when you’re constantly sitting up and down. Leather is also ideal for many tile workers since it lets you slide around without scuffing up the surface that you’re working on.
On the other hand, hardened plastic is the traditional go-to material for people working around concrete, asphalt, and other rough surfaces. While leather can wear down, hardened plastic provides a tough layer to keep you safe from sharp punctures and scrapes. Most hardened plastic knee pads also come with a textured surface to keep you from sliding around.
The downside of leather knee pads is that they can wear down quickly on surfaces that aren’t forgiving. They also don’t provide as much support, leading to knee problems for people who have to stay in one spot for a while. However, they can usually be washed in the laundry, which is easily one of the biggest benefits that they offer.
The downside of hardened plastic knee pads is that they can’t be washed in the laundry. After a day of hard work, the last thing you want to do is scrub them down by hand. They also tend to heat up a little bit faster since plastic offers very little insulation and ventilation. Hardened plastic can also scratch soft surfaces, which can ruin a job or project that you’re working on.
In the end, you have to consider a few details before you choose one over the other. If it helps you a bit more, you could write down a list that you can match up to these questions. This list should include the following:
- What surface will you be working on?
- Will you be working occasionally at home or at a full-time job site?
- Do you currently have knee problems?
- Do you mind washing your knee pads by hand or would you prefer to machine wash them?
- Do you want hook straps or Velcro straps?
Using these questions, you should be able to narrow down your selection to only one or two options on the list. Good luck!
More related articles: