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Dive with Ease using the Best Volleyball Knee Pads

  1. Mizuno Ventus Volleyball Knee Pads
  2. Nike Essentials Volleyball Knee Pads
  3. Asics Competition 3.0G Volleyball Knee Pads
  4. Adidas Adult Elite Volleyball Knee Pads
  5. Under Armour Unisex-Adult Armour 2.0 Volleyball Knee Pads
  6. Buyer's Guide

There are a lot of things to think about before a game: who is the opposing team's go-to hitter? Who is their best passer? Does the setter tip often? Usually your kneepads aren't at the top of your list of things to worry about. But having kneepads that don't fit properly or that don't provide the right amount of padding can be a real distraction during an intense match. You don't want to have to be constantly pulling them up, and you want to know that they will provide enough protection should you fall. For more information on what to look at in selecting the best volleyball knee pads in 2022, We have listed below the available knee pads on the market.

Comparing the Best Volleyball Knee Pad for 2022

Mizuno Ventus Volleyball Knee Pads - Best Volleyball Knee Pad Overall

When diving, you're only falling a few feet to the floor, not from a rooftop - you don't need THAT much padding. These kneepads protect your kneecaps while still remaining slim (a bubble on your knee is never cute) and light-weight. Once you wear these multiple times, they will really mold to your knees. These come in both white and black; choose whichever color looks best with your uniform. White kneepads tend to look more professional, although they do show the dirt faster, but these kneepads are so reasonably priced that buying a fresh pair each season isn't a problem.

Nike Essentials Volleyball Knee Pads - Runner Up

If you bruise easily, Mizuno's kneepads may not provide enough padding for you. Nike's kneepads offer a little more cushioning than Mizuno's. They stay in place well and look sharp. Like the Mizuno T10 Kneepads, these come in both white and black. (As you read above, white tends to look better.) If you have a Nike uniform, you might want to purchase Nike kneepads to match; it can look silly if you sport multiple brands on the court.

Asics Competition 3.0G Volleyball Knee Pads - Honorable Mention

Asics really knows the game of volleyball. Their court shoes are some of the best on the market, so it makes sense that they would produce a solid knee pad as well. These kneepads are well-made and will properly protect your knees. However, many find these kneepads to run pretty small! They can fit a little too tight around the knees. If you are on the slim side, though, these kneepads could work well for you. They also stretch out after use.

Adidas Adult Elite Volleyball Knee Pads - Consider

These kneepads have great protection, designed for intense match play. They have plenty of padding, yet remain rather slim, making them ideal for the player who hits the floor often but doesn't want a lot of bulk on the knee.

Under Armour Unisex-Adult Armour 2.0 Volleyball Knee Pads - Best Volleyball Knee Pads

Under Armour is not usually a premier brand when it comes to the sport of volleyball, but these knee pads could be welcomed on any court. They are light-weight, form-fitting, and absorb moisture well. Like almost all knee pads available, they come in both black and white. They are not as durable as Mizuno or Nike, however, so if you play a lot, these may not be the best fit for you.

Buyer's Guide

Playing a fun, casual game at the beach doesn't really need volleyball knee pads. However, if you’re into some serious play or just playing on a hard, rough surface then you definitely need to invest in some good quality knee pads to minimize the risk of any knee injuries. Now, we know what you’re thinking, won’t people make fun of you for being the only one to wear knee pads to a volleyball game? The answer is, maybe. But wearing protection and protecting something as delicate as knees is more important than caring about what unintelligent people think. Here’s why wearing a volleyball kneepad is important.

Why Should I Wear A Volleyball Kneepad?


Although all professional volleyball players don’t wear a kneepad, many who care about their knees still wear them and that is because you can never be too careful when protecting yourself from the inevitable scratches and bruises you sustain from a simple game of volleyball. Since the sport requires you to dive in front of the ball, it can cause great harm to your knees.

Depending on your needs and the position you play, there are different types of volleyball knee pads that you can decide according to what fits you best.

Now, we know wearing a volleyball knee pad is not completely necessary, not even in professional tournaments but in order to avoid any unfortunate accidents, it is always better to be prepared. Wearing knee pads can protect you from many serious injuries such as:

Torn ACL

The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is the most fragile while also being the most significant ligament found in your knee and we’re sure you don’t want to tear it down just because you care about how wearing a knee pad may look and accidentally twisting or bending your knee too far out. This injury is very serious and can keep you unable to walk for a long time. In severe cases, you might even need surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Meniscus Tears


Another gruesome knee injury that can occur is the meniscus tears that happen from twisting your knee during squatting or by a direct blow to it which usually happens in games of volleyball. This is a super painful injury that can easily be prevented by a knee pad.

Jumper’s Knee


The Jumper’s Knee, known as the Patellar Tendonitis, occurs when you rupture the patella tendon which can cause aching and stiffness, something you can easily prevent with the use of a kneepad.

Chondromalacia Patella


And lastly, we have this injury that occurs from overuse of your knee and can even lead to surgery and rendering you unable to play volleyball for the rest of your life. Yes, it CAN get as serious as that which is why you shouldn’t wait around for an injury to happen and regret afterwards when you can protect your knees now and spend the rest of your life playing a sport that you love.

How To Choose The Best Volleyball Kneepad?

Size


When choosing the best knee pad, make sure you pay special attention to the size of it. The knee pad should fit you perfectly otherwise it will be like wearing nothing at all. A knee pad that is either too tight or too loose will leave you making adjustments to the pad during the game, making you unfocused and overall uncomfortable. The best way to make sure your knee pad is the perfect size is to measure the circumference of your knee and map it onto the size chart so you can opt for the right fit for you.

Padding


The main objective of a knee pad is to protect your knees so getting one that does not have adequate padding won’t make a lot of sense. The padding on your knee pad should be enough to keep you nice and protected while also not being too much that it restricts your movement.

Position


Depending on the position you play in your volleyball team, you may require a specific sort of pad. If you are prone to diving then you need something with extra padding.

Durability


Your knee pads shouldn’t just last you for the duration of the practice games and then fall apart when the big game rolls around. It should be durable enough for long term use otherwise you will have to keep replacing your knee pads every month which is a huge waste of time, money and even energy.

Breathability


Knee pads, much like other padding safetywear, should have ample ventilation and breathability so that you don’t have to suffer from rashes while protecting yourself from a different kind of pain. And of course, in any kind of sport, sweating is inevitable but that doesn’t mean you let the bad odour consume you when you can opt for knee pads with enough room for the air to pass through.

FAQs

How tight should my volleyball knee pads be?


Your volleyball knee pads should always fit the shape of your leg. They should fit you snugly but not be too tight that they cut your circulation off. You want something that is fitted onto your knees’ shape but doesn’t come loose when you’re hopping around playing the game.

How can I prevent my knee pads from slipping?


Even with the right fit knee pads, you can sometimes find your knee pads to slip. One way to prevent this from happening is to wear a regular pair of long socks or just a normal pad below your knee pad so everything is snug there and your knee pad has enough friction to prevent them from slipping.

Can I use regular pads instead of volleyball knee pads?

Knee pads are designed for various uses which is why you need a pair that is suitable for your particular needs. So while regular knee pads can adequately get the job done, it will be much more beneficial and comfortable for your knees to have something that has been specifically designed for that purpose. Hence, volleyball knee pads are recommended for volleyball players.

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