Tl;dr: When it comes to finding the right knee pads it is important to consider the following features: comfort (the ability to wear it all day), mobility (making sure to not lose any range of motion), materials (what the knee pads are made of), and protection (how much the impact they can take).

As a snowboard instructor for the past 13 years, I can understand the pain of landing on your knees in compact snow and hard ice. In my 13 years of teaching and 16 years of snowboarding, I have had my fair share of impacts with trees, ice, rocks, and rails. Now I recognize that there is protective gear available that can keep me safely doing the thing I love.

Knee pads and other protective gear give me the sense of safety and provide protection so I can have more days on snow. Personally, I wear my G-form Pro X-2 knee pads every day I hit the slopes. In my professional life, I encourage my guests, both beginner and intermediate snowboarders alike, to wear some type of knee protection.

When it comes to protection during snowboarding, I don’t stop with just knee pads. My full protective set up includes a helmet, butt and hip pads, and elbow pads. Some people also like to wear back and spine protection, especially when hitting bigger jumps. If you are looking for full protective gear, reach out to one of our Curated Experts to help you find everything you need.

What are Snowboarding Knee Pads?

Knee Pads are anything you wear over your knees to protect the knee cap and surrounding areas from impact. Knee pads can be worn on top of a base layer or over your outer clothing. Most knee pads available have a firmer surface to take the brunt of the force when coming into contact with hard-pack snow, ice, trees, or metal rails. This is especially important when learning to snowboard for the first time, or while jibbing in the park or on the mountain.

What to Consider When Buying Snowboarding Knee Pads

When looking for a pair of knee pads for snowboarding you want to make sure they are designed for mobility, durability, protection, and comfort.

How Much Mobility and Flexibility Is Needed?

When considering knee pads, the ability to move freely is one of the most important factors. Knee pads designed to allow full range of motion without compromising the level of protection needed is a fine line to walk. Depending on the activity, you might need more mobility than others.

For the beginner to intermediate rider I recommend looking for a knee pad made with D30 or VPD foam because it is designed for mobility and flexibility. The materials harden upon impact, remaining soft and pliable while snowboarding around.

If you are an advanced rider looking for more protection, some mobility might be compromised to ensure more protection from harder impacts.

How Much Protection Is Needed?

The level of protection is important to consider, especially as you move into parks or big mountain terrain. If you are looking to hit the bigger terrain, the knee pads should offer complete protection. Look for pads that wrap around the kneecap and sides of your knee, as well as down over your shins.

What Level of Comfort Is Needed?

Comfort is a huge factor when determining what types of knee pads to purchase. It is important that the knee pad remains in place without sliding around during movement. A couple of things to consider when it comes to comfortability is how the knee pads are secured.

Sleeve knee pads are designed to slide over the knee. This can be a more comfortable option when you are planning on wearing knee pads all day. It is important to find the right size for this type of knee pad because it isn’t adjustable. The sleeves can slide out of place or cut off circulation if not sized properly. If sizing these knee pads seems to be a daunting task, ask one of our Curated Experts to help you out.

If you are planning on taking on and off the knee pads throughout the day, look for a knee pad with a strap feature. Most are designed with a hook-and-loop velcro enclosure or elastic strap that goes around the knee. This is a great option for specific use, but can be less comfortable throughout the day.

When Do You Need Them?

The simple answer: it’s a personal choice. While some people choose to wear knee pads and others don’t, they can come in handy whether you are a complete beginner or an expert snowboarder.

Beginners

For anyone who is just learning to snowboard, knee pads can make the first day on the slopes slightly more bearable. The first few hours tends to involve a lot of falling on your knees, and the impact can cause minor discomfort and bruising. The easiest way to avoid this is to wear some sort of knee protection.

As beginner snowboarders start getting comfortable moving along the mountain, knee pads will be helpful as they move onto tougher terrain, especially every snowboarders’ nemesis: flats and cat tracks. The knee pads are especially beneficial in flatter terrain because falling on flat terrain can be more painful.

Intermediate/Advanced

As snowboarders progress through their riding, knee pads become even more crucial to navigating different terrain. Whether you are learning new tricks in the park or exploring the backcountry, knee pads will provide peace of mind and protection throughout your day.

Terrain Parks: This might be the most popular reason to wear knee pads while snowboarding. Most snowboarding enthusiasts will find themselves in the terrain park at some point, and all will agree that nothing hurts worse than smacking a knee on a box or rail. Most park riders will load up with protection; knee pads, butt pads, elbow pads, chest protection, and, or course, a helmet. These extra bits of protection can come in handy as you session a rail or jump. When progressing in the terrain parks it can help keep the injuries to a minimum and the pain level low.

Big Mountain: While this one might not be as obvious, it can be just as important to wear knee pads while exploring all the mountain terrain. When ripping through pow stashes and tree runs, a variety of obstacles can cause problems. The knee pads can help protect your knees from impact with trees and other obstacles. As someone who has hit a tree with my knee before (with and without knee pads), I will always wear my knee pads when riding, especially in big mountain terrain.

Different Types of Snowboarding Knee Pads

There are a few varieties of knee pads to explore when deciding which ones to purchase. When looking for snowboarding knee pads, make sure they are snowboard or another extreme sport specific. In the extreme sport world, there are few different types to consider.

Soft Shell Knee Pads

These knee pads will prioritize flexibility and comfort over all other features. They are usually made of lightweight, flexible materials with padding around the knee for impact protection.

Hard Shell Knee Pads

These knee pads will be less flexible than soft-shell and will prioritize protection over anything else. The pads will have a rigid shell made of harder materials. They will provide protection against impact, as well as punctures, through tough terrain.

Features to Look for When Buying Snowboarding Knee Pads

The features you want to look for when buying knee pads are the types of materials used for protection, and for securing the knee pads in place. These materials will directly affect the protection, durability, and comfortability of the knee pads themselves. When looking for knee pads, these materials will give you a better idea of what you are looking for. And if you need more assistance, talk to one of the Experts at Curated to help sort through the different types.

• Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that provides a flexible padding to the knee pads. It has insulating properties which make it a nice addition for the colder days. A fully neoprene knee pad may not offer as much breathability as other options, which can be a bummer during spring park laps.
• Mesh and other breathable fabrics are great features to look for if you run on the warmer side. A mesh sleeve or backing can help eliminate some of the sweat built up during your snowboarding session.
• Kevlar is found in more heavy duty pads designed for high-abrasion resistance. This can be useful against impacts with harder surfaces like rocks and rails. Kevlar is not a low-profile material and can limit some comfort and mobility.
• Nylon/Polyester straps or sleeves are common materials available for securing the protective surface to your knee. This material is designed for its durability, but isn’t known for its breathability.
• Foam is one of the most common materials used in the shock absorbers in the knee pads. It is known for being breathable and comfortable. When it comes to foam, there are a few different types of technology that can help make the knee pads more protective and flexible. Look for D30 and VPD foam knee pads because they have special properties in the material itself that makes the foam remain pliable until impact. Upon impact, the foam will harden, creating more protection from impact.

How To Choose The Best Knee Pad For You

The best way to choose the right product is to determine how much protection you need while factoring in the desired levels of comfort and mobility. Everyone is looking for something specific. Here are some people who have found knee pads on Curated that work for their needs.

John

John is a beginner who is planning his first day on the slopes. He would like to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Key features John is looking for:

• Knee pads made with lightweight, moisture-wicking materials.
• Knee pads with a low-profile design
• Knee pads that are easy to secure comfortably to your legs

Products to consider: Burton Basic Knee Pad

Jamie

Jamie is an advanced snowboarder who loves to spend her time in the park. She ends up slamming on rails a lot as she perfects her tricks on metal features. She wants a pair of knee pads that can protect her knees and shins from the hard impacts that she takes when trying new things.

Key features for Jamie to consider:

• Knee pads with a focus on increased protection from high impact falls.
• Knee pads designed for mobility
• Knee pads made with flexible materials
• Knee pads that have full coverage of knee and shins

Products to consider: G-form Pro-Rugged 2 Knee-Shin Guard, Demon Hyper X V4 D30 Knee Pads

Find the Best Snowboarding Knee Pads for You

Every snowboarder has different needs and desires when determining the type of knee pads they want. It is important to find the combination of materials, comfortability, protection, and mobility that you need in your personal riding. Don’t get overwhelmed with the details, the Experts at Curated can help you sift through the options and find the right combination for your riding.

While it is easy to focus on protection, don’t count out the importance of finding a comfortable fit. Snowboarding is all about finding joy and freedom in the snow. Your knee pads should not limit that freedom. Find the knee pads that make you feel comfortable and safe, and encourage you to stretch out of your comfort zone as a rider. If you need more help finding the right knee pads, feel free to reach out to one of our Curated Experts to help.