Knee pads.

Hi!

What would people recommend for knee protection?

What do people use? Something durable that won't fall off. I know some companies such as Arc'teryx make knee pads but I can't see the point of shelving out tonnes of money on fancy ones.

Thanks, Graeme.

Soft [soccer-type] shin guards pulled up over the knee work really well for light duty. Maybe not the best option for big wall though, per say. Thin enough to be worn under long pants but plenty of padding for the knee and upper shin. Be sure to get a size slightly bigger so they don't fit too tight.

:edit:
Something like this
the one on the left. Looks like most folks are using a hard outer shell option like a tiler/carpet layer's knee pad for big wall.

walmart el cheapo. and double knee carharts
dont waste money on something that will get trashed anyway.

Couple things I have heard would be useing some sort of neoprene wetsuit or contact a shoe cobbler and get a small sheet of 1.8 mm rand rubber. Somthing thin enough to bend over your knee and add some frixon.

If cheap is what you're after, you'll find a good selection at Harbor Freight Tools (it's all made in China, but what you'll find at WalMart will be, too.) link

I like neoprene knee sleeves/braces. Most other knee pads move out of place too easily. Great idea to adhere rubber on neoprene sleeves. (...for OW climbing...)

Great ideas! Appreciated! Will head to Walmart!

I stopped using knee pads long ago.

The reason? I figured out I didn't really need them.

My knees don't get anymore bruised/cut/abraised aid climbing then they do on most other routes....OW and chimney being the exception.

Just one less thing to hassle with.

josh

wall climbing is no

JLP wrote:The knee pads are mostly for hauling and related chores. If you're just doing easier, bagless ascents, they are not needed as much.

JLP wrote:The knee pads are mostly for hauling and related chores. If you're just doing easier, bagless ascents, they are not needed as much.

You can always just put some duct tape on your knees if you're worried about wearing out clothing.

Plastic shell kneepads with a velcro closure in the back. Easy on-off, won't wear out.

Knee pads suck to wear all day...nothing like having another body part smell like your crotch for a week (especially if you wear the neoprene kind).

Good technique will protect the knees, and duct tape is a good bandage for Hollow Flake related injuries.

At hanging belays, in a bosun's chair/belay seat where your knees are crushed up against the wall, knee pads are clutch. Esp. hard-shell.

If you don't need them slide them down to the ankles and they serve as gaiters, or at least stay out of the way, keep your knees from getting sweaty, and prevent the wind from blowing up your pantlegs.

And, of course, there's the wide.

If you're a small person like me (130 lbs.) you'll find regular knee pads to be too big and bulky. The solution: hard-shell roller-blading elbow pads.

I will PRE-Empt this post by saying I am AN AID NEWBE.

My .02 vote... Soft Volleyball style knee pads from Target or Wally-mart and the Double Knee Carhart's.

I think I got this from RC,taco, or something. I think it was big wall Kate...not sure( too much beer and too lazy to look it up now). Something about soft pads forming to the rock better. I found this to be true.

I have been practicing the two aider method with Yates 7step-Ladders(E.T.S.!!!) > you can get in one aider - use both feet as "Tripod", but... I Have also used my knees to use as part of the "Tripod" method.This frees up both hands and feels very stable. Also, the knee pad does not "roll off" small features, it just molds to it. Caviate--> I have been using this in on lower angle to vert. Slower=yes,maybe, me=new to aid.

The big wall masters(PTPP, etc.) can feel free to correct me here if this is just poor technique on my part...but, its Aid Climbing right? Anything goes... as long as its ethical, safe, and works??

The Iron Sausage wrote: They can also assist in getting a raise/keeping your job if you know what I mean.