Knee Pads - Looking for advice

[The Great Equalizer]

I wear ACU (Army Combat Uniform) pants and a Hawaiian shirt. I have no interest in changing either, which I mention to head off people who are going to recommend paintball specific pants with built-in knee protection.

Years ago I had Rollerblade knee-pads with an elastic cloth tube that I had to put on over my pants like socks. The elastic cloth tube pretty much held them where they needed to be and the Velcro straps made sure they didn't move too much. They were obviously meant to be worn on bare legs while rollerblading and were a pain in the ass to get on and off over long pants. They did work very well and could be worn all day without shifting.

I'm looking for recommendations on knee pads, preferably with an outer hard plastic shell, that can go over my pants without the elastic cloth back that meant I had to pull them on like socks. I'm looking for something that I can just strap on over my knee. I did some initial research but I kept running into reviews for knee pads that said they fell off if you tried to run in them and a lot of airsoft/paintball specific kneepads that seem to crack if you kneel on a rock. Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[FredMnkyDad10]

I use Icon knee/shin guard combo. They are ment for motorcycle riding and worn under your jeans. I have had the same pair for years. Usually I run hot, so I play in tshirt and shorts. I like to slide or drop on my knees. These do not move around, hard shell on the outside but great padding on the inside. At the end of the day my knees do not even feel any aches on my knees.

you would not be disappointed and likely would not have to buy another pair ever.

[The Great Equalizer]

Thank you. Could you point out what is closest to what you use on their page? https://rideicon.com/gear/mens/field-armor They don't seem to have a knee pad only page but this has all their body gear. I'd bet you have these or something close, but I want to be sure https://rideicon.com/gear/mens/field...eet-knee/black

[FredMnkyDad10]

I actually have these. Like I say save my knees and shins when I drop or slide. No bruises, scratches or aches at all.

https://rideicon.com/gear/mens/field-armor/field-armor-3-knee/black

[Meleager7]

volleyball knee pads work well for me under my woodland bdu pants, the pants are baggy enough for them to fit under

[lew]

I wear G Form Pro X knee/shin pads. Seriously good value, and I've been hit while playing once or twice and didn't notice it (not that I get shot in the legs often).

[The Great Equalizer]

Thank you. Do you have a specific recommendation from their catalog? https://g-form.com/all-gear/lower-body/knee The "E-Line" is pretty much the type I was thinking about.

[lew]

Their lineup has changed a bit since when I got mine, but the Pro MTB is close to what I have. I see they added a strap at the top. Not necessary for mine, but it could be handy. Excellent protection. I've even had my brother (krav, BJJ, kickboxing practitioner) snap kick me in the shins, which was tolerable. The mesh on the back is great for a hot body like me.

[Matt Drown]

My use for knee pads has been being able to not think about having to crawl in the woods and worry about the gravel, twigs, etc, and emergency tumbles. I've never been concerned with trying to get bounces. In all cases I wore the pads under my pants.

In the 90's I started with the JT Neoprene Pads (basically just double layer of neoprene knee braces). They worked nicely, and saved me on a couple rough falls early in my paintballing days.

I upgraded to the large DYE's in the Earlier 2000's, largely because i wanted something new. They were awesome and like strapped pillows to my knees. 8 hours of play my knees were a little rough from the backing, but they didn't slide.

Then the large PE pads in the Mid 2010's, which was because my Dye's were in storage where I wasn't and I was going to play. They are heavy duty like the Dyes.

Last year I bought the Hydra "black" knee pads, basically kevlar laced neoprene, like my old JT pads. Guess what, they hold me knees, they stay up, because it's solid back of neoprene, there aren't any specific strap hot-spots. They are potentially warmer then some of the others, so if you have issues with other paintball pads and heat, i wouldn't suggest. They don't look as bulky as the PE or DYE's, but I had no issues with dropping from standing to my knees with them. So there's my suggestion, the Hydra pads.

[steed]

I know this dilemma well, I have bad knees so I wear a brace on each knee and for... Fuck me nearly 20 years I wore the same Redz knee pads but they were getting old, to be honest they still actually work but the material is starting to tear at the holes made to give airflow. Unfortunately, Redz is long gone and no one makes their gear anymore. That said I went with Empire pads, they're a lot stiffer and you need to be careful on the sizing of all these pads to be honest, they have charts but they're not terribly reliable. The Empire's work well so far, bit bulkier with all the angled cuts in the foam but I didn't find many that were just smooth pad.

I'd recommend looking at ANS Gear, they have a deep stock of stuff out of production that's still really good. Finding sizes might be tricky if you're not average man (I am not) but still best chance at finding something reliable and quality.

[The Great Equalizer]

Did you find Empire pads running big or small?