The Best Volleyball Knee Pads

Buying Guide

Volleyball can be demanding on the knees, and that’s why it’s so important to wear protective knee pads. The knee is among the most complex joints in the body and connects the shin bone (tibia) to the thigh bone (femur); it also holds the kneecap (patella) in place. A severe injury could be devastating since the knees are so often used in everyday activities.

It’s not just the typical knee stress that comes with playing sports that volleyball players deal with, as this sport involves diving to prevent balls from hitting the ground and performing other risky moves that can cause the knees to make hard contact, which is why volleyball knee pads are so important.

Health experts recommend that players wear volleyball knee pads when playing. It makes sense to do so: common volleyball knee problems include torn knee cartilage, patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee), chondromalacia (runner’s knee) and ACL and MCL ligament injuries. If there’s a way to protect the knees and prevent those issues from happening, why would anyone not take it?

Volleyball pads are typically made out of materials like polyester, nylon and neoprene and should feel comfortable against the skin. Many have brushed inner liners and wicking materials in the sleeves to keep wearers cool and comfortable.

These pads should fit snugly but not too tightly; you may need to do some measuring before buying a pair. The padding on the front is usually made from reactive, shock-absorbent materials like memory foam or high-density foam. These are then wrapped up inside the knee sleeves, providing protection and knee compression.

Bulky kneepads that don’t fit well and are made of non-breathable materials can provide minimal protection and impact a player’s abilities and comfort. On the other hand, ones that are too lightweight won’t provide enough protection. There needs to be a balance between that and wearability. You might have to try a few pairs until you find ones you like.

• To measure for kneepads, measure the circumference of the leg at the point where you’d need to wear the top elastic part of the kneepad.
• In general, 13 inches or less is small, 13 to 15 1/2 inches is medium, and 15 1/2 inches and up is large.
• If your volleyball knee pads are too tight, you can try stretching them out. Stretch them over your volleyball shoes and leave them on there overnight.
• Volleyball knee pads are suitable for any activity involving jumping, twisting, bending, lunging and running.
• Volleyball knee pads are also good to wear for general knee problems, as the compression can aid in comfort and healing.