Even volleyball can be brutal sometimes. Although lots of people consider volleyball as a soft sport due to no constant doesn’t mean it can’t be painful. If we exclude joint injuries, volleyball involves lots of diving, which can be extremely painful (especially on the knees). That’s why having quality volleyball knee pads is almost essential for every beginner until you learn how to dive properly.
To keep your knees safe, you will need quality knee pads. There are many brands to choose from, and each differs in gender design and quality-wise. It is becoming a trend that players started to wear also basketball knee pads, due to their more trendy design, which is especially the case for men’s volleyball players. As a professional libero myself, I wore lots of different brands of knee pads. I even played without them and got a pretty good picture of volleyball knee pads.
In this article, we will go through our best 3 volleyball knee pads to hopefully help you decide which one to buy and help you dive better and prevent unwanted pain or injuries.
Best 3 volleyball Knee pads:
- Mizuno LR6 Knee pads (Best performance)
- Adidas Elite (Best overall )
- Mcdavid (Best looking )
1. Mizuno LR6 Knee pads
Best Knee pads (performance)
Mizuno LR6 Knee pads Review
Summary
Performance and longevity-wise, Mizuno volleyball knee pads deserve the first spot on our list. Of all the volleyball knee pads I wore, those lasted the most. They cannot get torn whatsoever. They provide complete lateral protection, which is extremely important for lateral dives. And they are not too bulky but still provide softness when hitting the ground with the knee.
I don’t like that they provide protection above the knee (the sleeve is short). If the volleyball court is too grippy, they can slip from the knee, which will lead to skin burns, and it is not pleasant. The design-wise, I am also not a fan, but this is my personal opinion. I would rather consider long sleeve versions.
2. Adidas Elite Volleyball Knee Pads
Best knee pads (overall)
Adidas Elite Volleyball Knee Pads Review
Summary
Overall performance of Adidas volleyball knee pads falls right somewhere in the middle. The padding is slightly thicker than in others but still not too thick. I like that it gives you more protection above the knee due to a long sleeve. Also, the durability is decent. They will last at least half the year if you play volleyball daily.
3. Mcdavid HEX Knee Pads
Best knee pads (looks wise)
Mcdavid HEX Knee pads Review
Summary
As I said, basketball knee pads are getting more and more popular. I was curious how they would handle a volleyball game, so I picked a pair and tried them in the game. From what I can tell, they get a job done, which protects the knees, but not as well as others. They lack lateral protection, although they provide good medial one. If you are a libero or beginner volleyball player, I would not recommend them, but If you play other positions, go for it and give them a shot. Long sleeves give a nice compression feeling on the calf and thigh area, which will keep the blood circulation going.
| Name | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Mizuno LR6 Knee Pads | Best Performance | $29.95 |
| Adidas Elite Volleyball Knee Pads | Best Overall | $26.95 |
| Mcdavid Knee pads | Best Looks | $39.99 |
Cait de Witt strugar on How to wear knee pads
The style of the kneepads you like will greatly depend on how you wear them. I also believe that generally speaking men and women wear them differently. Men also typically wear them less often than women. I would attribute this to the differing style of play that are inherent between men’s and women’s volleyball.
Create confidence!
It’s not a requirement to wear them, but they help younger volleyball players develop confidence when stepping on the court. Using kneepads can be seen as injury prevention by protecting your knees. And sometimes a hindrance to more experienced players. Personally, I wear them for protection – guarding my knees against floor burns, assisting in diving, (sliding across the floor versus on skin), and also because I end up on the floor quite often. For me, they are a tool of use.
Use them to your advantage
Other positions or players might find them restricting. I have played with and against many people who will not wear them because they allow for “shortcuts”. If you are a mid to advanced-level player, try practicing without them to test your ability to get to the ball without dropping to your knees. They may eventually make your reaction times better and hold you accountable for being quick to the ball and avoiding diving unnecessarily!
Others may wear them out of comfort. As seen on many NBA players, a sleeve over the knee helps to keep it warm and supported. Covering a vulnerable spot on your body can support you psychologically. Diving on the floor for the ball is no longer scary. Knowing that the knee is protected will create confidence in the skill. You won’t have to think twice about going for the ball. However, going without them on occasion or during practices could improve your technique.
Different ways to wear them
Generally, there are two ways to wear kneepads. You will either pull the kneepad so that the entirety of your kneecap is covered by the pad, or just below It. To create protection around the lower part of the knee, they are worn up to the knee joint and not over it. I like this style because if you’re kneeling on the ground, only the bottom half of the knee joint is actually touching the floor. Additionally, I find that the top band of elastic is too tight around my thigh. This is the classic “American” way to wear them.
Over the knees
The other way IS to wear them over your entire knee, putting the top band of elastic over the knee joint entirely. The kneepad will be covering your knee and because the elastic band is on your thigh, it won’t fall down as easily. Longer kneepad styles can serve the function of also keeping the joint warm and protecting more of the joint.
Conclusion
Hopefully you got an idea which knee pads you will bring on your next practice. Having a quality pair of them will definetly help with preventing unwanted injuries or bruices. If you have any idea or suggestions for our list of best knee pads feel free to give your suggestion in the comments down below.
FAQ
Yes, we recommend it, especially to beginners. Knee pads protect the knees and skin when diving or sliding on the parquet. You could stop wearing knee pads only when you learn to dive correctly.
There are two types of knee pads for volleyball. The ones with short sleeves (which are more volleyball specific) and the long sleeves (basketball knee pads) are getting popular among volleyball players. One of those brands that provide long sleeve knee pads is Mcdavid.
It depends on your playing position and how much you are diving. If you are libero, for example, you should look for knee pads that provide better durability and more padding due to lots of dives and sliding on the floor.
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