Skating is a fun activity that excites adults and kids equally, but if you fall, it can injure you really badly. So, to protect yourself from injuries, all skaters should wear protective gear. But do you know that wearing knee pads correctly while skating is as important as having them?
According to my observation, many skaters do not know how to wear knee pads for skating, but you don’t have to worry; we are here to guide you. In this comprehensive guide, we will share a stepwise method to wear knee pads for skating, how to choose the right pair of knee pads, some valuable tips, and much more. So stay tuned.
How to Wear Knee Pads for Skating?
If you are trying to figure out how to wear knee pads for skating, then the following information is for you. So, to enjoy skating to the fullest, you need knee pads that are not too loose that it keep on slipping from your knee, nor too uncomfortably tight that your knee is barely bending. This is why you must choose the knee pads correctly to stay comfortable while wearing them, so let’s start today’s guide with it.
Now, once you are done choosing knee pads for you, it’s time to try them on and test them. If you are going to practice skateboarding at home or at the skatepark, you will need a solid pair of knee pads. And if you want to enjoy skating, you must wear knee pads correctly. Follow the steps below to wear your knee pads.
- Sit in a comfortable place and get your knee pads in your hands.
- Now, no matter what type of knee pad I have, I always wear my knee pads by sliding them from my foot and then pulling them to my knee. You can follow the same steps to wear your knee pads. Just keep one thing in mind while you do this: keep the shell side of the knee pad facing downward because its elastic side slides smoothly from the foot.
- Now, give it a 360-degree turn to bring the shell side of the pads to your knees.
- Once your knee pads are in the correct position, you can pull the securing straps to ensure they fit you snugly and are not too tight on your knees.
- Pull the straps and secure them behind your legs, and you are done.
Check the Adjustment
Once you are done with the steps mentioned above, take a moment and check if your straps need any adjustment. Are they too loose or too tight? Knee pads should be hugging your knees snugly, so adjust them accordingly.
Take a Short Walk
When you have put on your knee pads and adjusted the straps, stand up and check if the knee pads are perfectly aligned over your kneecaps. If they are not, adjust a little to ensure they fully cover your knees.
After adjusting your knee pads, take a short walk to check the fit and comfortability of the pads. If knee pads are slipping or feel too tight when you walk, use the velcro straps to adjust the fitting by tightening or loosening them a little. Again, check the fitting of the knee pads by bending your knees and walking.
Types of Knee Pads
Now that you know how to wear knee pads for skating and what qualities you should look for while wearing them, it is essential to know what kind of knee pads are available in the market. So, when you buy knee pads, you will come across the following types:
Butterfly Closure Knee Pads
These knee pads have velcro straps and are super easy to put on and take off, even if you have your skates on. Butterfly closure knee pads are everyone’s favorite as they can be worn effortlessly.
Slide On Knee Pads
These knee pads have an elastic band at the band and are worn just like you wear your socks. All you have to do is slide them from your foot and pull them up to your knees.
One thing I do not like about these knee pads is that you can not wear them or take them off with your skates. So, if you like a slide-on knee pad and buy them, remember to wear them before you put on your skates.
Shell Cap Knee Pads
These knee pads have a hard shell-like plastic covering on the outer side. The hard shell cap protects the knees from hard falls by reducing the impact.
Hex Knee Pads
These knee pads have a honeycomb design. The honeycomb padding foam provides cushioning and breathability to provide ultimate comfort.
Padding Cap Knee Pads
These knee pads have multiple layers of foam on the inner side. So, if you need a knee pad that provides cushioning and extra support to the knee joints, this is for you.
Which Knee Pads are the Best?
A few things make a pair of Best Skateboard Knee Pads better than others. These include:
- There is no one size for all knee pads. So, the best knee pad is one that fits your knees perfectly and does not feel uncomfortable.
- Manufacturing material of the knee pads is also an important factor to consider. Knee pads made from neoprene and EVA foam with hard plastic outer caps are the best.
- Knee pads are for safety, so don’t choose a knee pad that looks stylish; instead, choose a knee pad that offers extra padding, additional securing straps, hard caps, and a stylish design to attain the maximum level of protection.
- For me, the best knee pads are those that have breathable material. Not only do they keep the user comfortable by allowing the air to pass through them, but they also wick away the sweat that keeps the knees dry and sweat-free for a long time.
Besides carefully taking into account the features and qualities of a knee pad, you need to get a knee pad that aligns with your needs. Have a look at the table below to know what type of knee pad you need according to your skating activity.
| Knee Pad Type | Ideal Users |
| Foam Knee Pads | Beginners and casual skaters |
| Hard-Shell Skating Knee Pads | Professionals and regular skaters |
| Thin to Medium Thickness | Indoor skating |
| Medium to Thick Padding | Street and park skating |
How Can I Wear Knee Pads for Long Hours Comfortably?
All those who are practicing for a skating competition or do skating for fun must be interested in this question. So, if you are someone who has to wear knee pads for a long time, then the following tips are for you.
- Wearing knee pads constantly causes discomfort even if they fit you perfectly. So what you can do is take short breaks and relax your knees after every hour. During these breaks, you can also remove the knee pads, stretch your legs, and do a little knee or leg exercise to eliminate stiffness.
- To achieve ultimate comfort, I use knee sleeves under my knee pads. They provide extra cushioning and support when I can’t afford to take short breaks after every hour.
Why Do I Need to Wear Knee Pads?
Many beginner skaters think of knee pads as extra gear and do not pay much attention to buying one for them. But knee pads are for your protection because no matter how skillful a skater you are, the chances of falling and injuries are never zero. Scratches and minor injuries are OK, but some falls can lead to severe injuries where skaters get fractures, tear their ligaments, and dislocate their knees.
You need knee pads if you do not want to go through these pains. They will protect you from all kinds of minor and major injuries by providing extra cushioning over the knees that reduces the impact force when you fall on your knees while skating.
Choosing the Right Knee Pads
When buying knee pads, I was confused about choosing a perfect pair for myself. But there are a few things that you should have on your checklist that helped me choose the right knee pads. These include the following:
- Level of protection you need.
- Size and comfortable fit.
- The material of the knee pads and
- Your budget
Once you have this checklist ready, you can move on to your mission of choosing knee pads for skating correctly. Now, carefully go through your list one by one to choose the right pair.
Level of Protection
Not all knee pads provide the same level of protection, so how would you know what knee pad is best for you? It’s simple: you need a knee pad according to your skating activity.
If you skate in streets, parks, etc., then go for hard shell knee pads, as they are made of hard plastic and provide more protection. However, if you don’t skate on a hard surface, a soft shell knee pad would be the perfect choice because it lets the user move knees freely. Moreover, these soft-shell knee pads are best for dance skating.
Check Fitting
Now it’s time to check the securing of the knee pads and how they fit on your knees. Go for a knee pad that provides a snug fit and feels comfortable while wearing. You can also check if the material is breathable or not to get your hands on the most comfortable knee pads.
Knee pads come with various fitting options, so the best way to check what feels comfortable is to try all types of knee pads one by one. Some come with a velcro strap, others have a butterfly enclosure, and some have elastic backs with buckle straps, so choose the one that fits you well and does not cause any uncomfortable feelings.
FAQs
What is the proper way to wear knee pads?
The proper way to wear knee pads is by getting knee pads that fit your knees properly and are neither too tight nor too loose on your knees. You can wear them by sliding from your feet, pulling them up to your knees, and securing them using the straps attached to these knee pads.
How do I protect my knees when skating?
If you haven’t mastered the art of skating and fall often, you must be concerned about the injuries and scratches you often get on your knees. An easy way to protect your knees when skating is to wear right knee pads that fit you properly and provide full protection.
Should you wear pads when skating?
Yes, every skater should wear knee pads and elbow pads while skating. No matter if you are a beginner or a pro, these pads will protect you and minimize the chances of severe injuries caused by falls.
Is it OK to wear knee pads all day?
No, wearing knee pads all day is not advised because it will affect blood circulation in your legs and can cause muscle cramps. So you should only use the knee pads when necessary and for a limited time to not cause any damage to your body by its excessive use.
Is skating good or bad for knees?
Skating is a good activity and helps to strengthen the knees. Moreover, it does not cause any damage to the knees and joints unless and until you get a severe injury if you fall hard directly on your knees while skating or performing some cool stunts.
Should I wash my knee pads?
Knee pads don’t need to be washed frequently, but you should wash them every once or twice a month. Moreover, it also depends upon your usage. You should wash them every week if they are sweaty and smelly because of frequent use.
The Bottom Line
All those who love skating but are tired of getting their knees bruised and scratched by falling will definitely find our guide helpful. We have shared a stepwise guide with you all to help everyone understand how to wear knee pads for skating correctly and how you can choose the right knee pads for yourself because safety comes first.
Be ready to enjoy your favorite hobby without getting injured, and learn the correct way to wear your knee pads. I hope you find our content helpful. Thank you for reading.