5 Best BJJ Knee Pads

Have you been thinking of training for BJJ? Before you start, make sure you are aware and prepared for the injuries that come along with the intense training sessions. Injured ankles, wrists, elbows, and other joints are a common occurrence during BJJ training. While injuries are bound to happen, you can’t let them interrupt your training schedule at all. What you need to do is invest in good quality, tough knee pads to keep yourself protected while you practice those kicks!

To help you pick the best BJJ knee pads, we have compiled a list of the top products that are preferred by famous BJJ players across the world. We’ve curated this list considering recommendations from expert professionals, sports physiotherapists, fitness bloggers as well as instructors – read to find out more:

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5 Best BJJ Knee Pads

#1. McDavid Bionic Knee Brace

These knee pads from McDavid feature the Bio-Logix MultiSports Sleeve. The Bio-Logix concept is fully focused on the realities of the human form. Products using this design are built to naturally extend the biomechanics of natural human limits. So if you wish to go above and beyond your existing capacity, these knee pads are perfect for you!

The McDavid knee pads come with advanced bi-lateral aluminum dual-axis geared hinges. With this unique design, these knee pads offer a fluid feel and natural range of motion, making them a comfortable choice for those with an active lifestyle. 

Designed to be the most advanced knee support pads, this product features a strategic combination of rigid as well as soft materials. Additionally, you have the compression sleeve incorporated into the design, which provides further support. You can use the knee pads with or without the compression pad – the choice is completely up to you!

The knee pads come with a strap adjustment mechanism, which renders an exceptional adjustment range as well as structural support. Further, the Flex-Fit shin and thigh wicking and lining pads optimize airflow, so that you have utmost comfort during high-intensity action. The lining pads are washable, and that’s an added advantage.

Pros

• Washable lining pads
• Exceptional strap adjustment range
• Feature the Bio-Logix multi-sports Sleeve

Cons

• Knee brace might crack after extensive usage

Verdict

Experts suggest that the design and structure of these knee pads are built to offer ultimate comfort and support to your knees. You can use it for multiple purposes – during BJJ practice sessions or after, in case of an injury to the knee. All you need to do is study the size chart before purchase, and pick the perfect size fit for yourself! 

Why is This Product our #1 Choice?

We have placed these McDavid knee pads right at the top of this list for many reasons: these knee pads offer comfort, durability, and a flexible fit. Of all the knee pads we researched, this product stood out because of all the perfect features it offers – all at a budget-friendly price.

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Also Read: Best Groin Protectors

#2. BodyProx Protective Knee Pads

Made of high-density foam, these knee pads from BodyProx are tough and durable, yet lightweight. The breathable fabric helps absorb sweat, keeping your skin dry during sparring. This attribute makes the pads comfortable for prolonged usage. You no longer need to worry about those nasty itchy, red marks on your skin after you take off the knee pads. As long as you have chosen the perfect size, compression marks should not be an issue at all!

The ergonomic design of these knee pads offers great elasticity. This aids in free movement, which is very essential when indulging in high-intensity activities. The knee pads offer great grip and come with a non-slip feature too. All you have to do is wear them and completely forget that you have them on!

The unisex designed knee pads come in two sizes, giving you the flexibility to pick the best fit for yourself. The knee pads not only help prevent injuries but also keep your knees warm. This reduces the stiffness of muscles and joints, promoting blood circulation in your body. The durable padding offers shock as well as impact resistance, giving your knees the best possible protection from sudden falls that could lead to serious injuries.

Pros

• Sweat-absorbent material
• Ergonomic design
• Non-slip texture
• Durable and tough padding

Cons

• Padding may flatten after excessive usage

Verdict

Experts opine that these knee pads are cushioned and designed to perfection. This product from Bodyprox allows you to play, work or simply carry on with everyday life without any discomfort. So whether you are a BJJ player, a figure skater, or someone who just had knee surgery, these knee pads will be a great investment for you.

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#3. PISICI Compression Collision Avoidance Knee Sleeve

PISICI is a brand known to strike the perfect balance between good quality and reasonable cost. One such product from PISICI is the knee sleeve, which is designed to protect your knees from high-impact activities and sports. Right from the fabric to its design, with features like closed foam padding, PISICI incorporated all essential elements in these knee caps.

Made of ultra-high-density elastic nylon fabric, the leg sleeves of the knee cap are comfortable, breathable as well as durable. They are sweat absorbent and keep your legs dry even after extended use. The design also has a double-layer and wavy silicone anti-slip strip on the inside. This ensures the knee caps don’t slip off, irrespective of the intensity of your activity. Moreover, the structure of these knee caps remains intact and does not get deformed even after excess usage.

These pads feature a four-way stretch capability and compression, which helps improve your muscle endurance without restricting blood circulation. Thanks to the moisture-wicking technology, you don’t need to worry about soggy or smelly knee caps. It also helps keep the caps warm in cold temperatures and cool when the temperatures soar. 

The knee pads cover your thighs, knees, and calves during athletic outdoor activities. The soft fabric prevents chafing of thighs, age spots, wrinkles, and even sunburns. Machine-washable and easily dryable, these knee caps are super easy to maintain as well.

 Pros

• Stretchable, breathable, and durable  fabric
• Features moisture-wicking technology
• Soft and comfortable fabric

Cons

• May lose elasticity after prolonged usage

Verdict

These knee sleeves secure your ligament, joint cavity as well as meniscus. They offer great support and compression for knee and leg and are particularly beneficial for patellar strain, sore knees, and sports injuries. If you’re one who loves to indulge in high-intensity outdoor and sports activities, these knee sleeves are definitely what you need in your kit right away.

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Also Read: Best Finger Tapes for BJJ

#4. RDX Knee & Shin Guards

The next product we have included in this list belongs to the popular brand, RDX. These knee pads have been crafted with elastic woven carbon fabric. Thanks to this, the knee pads are extremely lightweight and very flexible. These knee pads also offer high-temperature resistance, while providing the support and strengthening your knees require.

The elastic material offers ultimate flexibility, making these knee pads efficient as well as convenient.  Despite this flexibility, stability and security are not at all compromised. Instead, the knee pads are tough and deliver on what they promise.

The product features advanced Max Shock Equilibrium Foam padding. This ensures complete coverage for the knee and shin, without compromising on comfort. The in-step design of the knee pads further adds to this comfort. This attribute of the knee pads makes them apt for BJJ, kickboxing, karate, and different forms of martial arts as well.

Keeping in mind the dynamic requirements of sportspersons, these knee pads offer ultimate flexibility and support. They also have a super cool, sleek look, making them a popular and versatile choice amongst sportspersons and MMA players.

The knee pads also feature a quick EZ hook and a loop closure system, which ensures the pads stay firmly wrapped around your knee and shin. Not only does it provide a secure fit, but also maintains the overall form of your leg and foot.

Pros

• Super-flexible material
• Maximum coverage for knee, shin, and feet
• Firm grip and secure fit

Cons

• Difficult to take them off sweaty legs

Verdict

Martial arts instructors and MMA fighters recommend these shin guards for the support, comfort, and grip they offer. Once these pads are on, you don’t need to worry about any injuries and can completely focus on your game instead. We’d say this pair of knee pads is worth every penny invested!

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#5. McDavid Hex Knee Pads

Another amazing product from McDavid, this one for those who are on a tighter budget. With patented hex protection, these knee pads are super popular amongst sportspersons and people with an active lifestyle. The closed-cell foam padding protects your knees from impact during high-intensity activities.

These unisex knee pads feature moisture-wicking technology, which keeps them cool and dry for a long time. They are super comfortable to put on irrespective of the weather – so whether you’re working out in the sweltering heat or in snowy weather, you don’t have to worry at all. In fact, the knee pads adjust their temperature as per the weather outside, so that you can put them on comfortably for hours together. This ensures your muscles stay warm, which means the possibility of them cramping up is almost negligible. You also won’t experience any fatigue and can keep going faster and stronger.

One of the most interesting aspects of these knee pads is their trendy and cool design. You put them on and instantly feel like a professional sportsperson (even if you aren’t!). Knee pads aren’t something people love to flaunt, but with a rugged design like this, who wouldn’t really show them off?

The knee pads offer an excellent fit, courtesy of their extended sleeve length. The thoughtful design protects your legs from cuts, scrapes, and chafing. It also doesn’t leave behind any ugly compression marks when you take off the knee pads. The non-slip material makes sure the knee pads stay put, no matter how much you sweat or how tough the activity you indulge in is. All you have to do from your end is to make sure you pick the right size. A smaller size won’t really help you reap the amazing benefits this product offers.

Pros

• Anti-slip texture
• Moisture-wicking technology
• Flexible and durable
• Trendy design

Cons

• Size chart on the website does not match what is mentioned on the product box
• Might irritate your legs after prolonged usage

Verdict

If you are a sportsperson, you definitely need to consider investing in these knee pads. Even otherwise, if you are suffering from injury-causing perineal pain, you can use these knee pads for comfort and support. At such times, your knees require additional support, and these knee pads offer just that. 

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Also Read: Best BJJ Headgear

BJJ Knee Pads: Buying Guide

Whether you are seriously training for BJJ or simply require knee pads to help ease your knee pain, you need to keep one thing in mind – aspects to look out for before you invest money in knee pads. We’ve listed down some factors you need to consider before zeroing down into the perfect knee pads for yourself:

Impact Resistance

Additional support for your injured knees – that’s the primary reason you decided to buy knee pads! So when you pick a product, make sure it suffices your needs. This is one factor that cannot be compromised upon at all, so make sure you thoroughly check the specifications of the knee pads. Are they tough? Would they be able to resist the impact of high-intensity activities? Is the design and structure of the knee pads sound? – these are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before you pick a pair for yourself.

Sweat-absorbent Fabric

Sweating profusely is part of any and every high-intensity sports activity. While you can do nothing about the sweating, you sure can consider buying knee pads made of sweat-absorbent material. These are super comfortable, especially if you intend to wear them for longer hours. At the end of the day, when you take your knee pads off, you don’t really want your legs and the pads to be soaked with sweat, do you?

Anti-Slip Texture

How many people have you heard complaining about knee pads that keep slipping off their knees onto their ankles? Well, you definitely don’t want to be one of them! These knee pads that slip off constantly can be a huge disturbance during your practice sessions, so it’s best to steer clear of them. Instead, look for knee pads that come with an anti-skid texture. This ensures the knee caps stay put and don’t slip off frequently.

Soft Fabric

The quality of the fabric is super important, as you will be wearing these knee pads for long hours. You don’t really want to end up with chafed thighs, scratches, rashes, and cuts on your knees when you take off the knee pads. This usually happens because of constant friction between your skin and the material of the knee pads. 

If you typically have sensitive skin or wish to wear the knee caps for prolonged hours, it is advisable for you to check the fabric quality and texture of the knee pads before buying them.

Size

Let’s be honest – no one really likes those itchy, ugly, and annoying compression marks on our knees! But did you know that if you pick the right size of knee pads, you wouldn’t have to face this issue? Well, yes – that’s all you need to do to get rid of annoying compression marks. Thoroughly study the size chart of the brand you have chosen, follow the instructions mentioned and then order in the right size knee caps. 

Another advantage of selecting the perfect size of knee pads is that you will be at ease throughout the day. Blood circulation to the muscles will be great and you wouldn’t have to worry about cramps and other issues caused by the restricted blood supply to the knees. When your muscles work well, you can continue your activities without any worries.

Temperature Resistance

Quite a lot of knee pad brands are incorporating the unique moisture-wicking technology in the knee pads manufactured by them. And this unique technology is something to look out for as it regulates the temperature of the knee pads depending on the external weather. So if the weather is hot outside, your knee pads will remain cool and if the weather is pleasant and cool, they will stay nice and warm.

Now this serves two purposes – first, the comfort of the wearer. You wouldn’t feel uncomfortable at all when you wear these knee pads, irrespective of the weather. Secondly, this technology keeps your muscles warm when required. This boosts blood circulation to your muscles, helping them function better. Thanks to this feature, your overall performance also improves.

Design

While the external appearance of your knee pads shouldn’t really be of great concern, it does no harm to look for trendy knee pads that come in super cool designs! Apart from the external design of your knee pads, make sure you also know what goes inside your knee pads. Ensure they have a good quality foam, which not only helps in impact resistance but also increases the comfort quotient.

Cost and Brand

Just because a product is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s worth your investment. Always look for products that fulfill your needs, rather than opting for the branded expensive ones. We have listed out the best knee pads from reputed brands, and also included knee pads from different price ranges in the post. Make sure you research well before you ultimately zero into the one you want to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need knee Pads for BJJ Even if I don’t have any Injuries?

Yes, you do. BJJ is an intense martial arts form and frequent practice can take a toll on your joints. In BJJ, the knee is more susceptible to injuries, which is why it is advisable to put on knee pads even if you don’t have any injuries yet. This will protect your knees from high impact, which happens commonly in such sports. When you wear knee caps, you save your knees from a lot of injuries and yourself from a lot of trouble.

Some of the injuries include ligament, menisci, muscle, and tendon tears. And each of these injuries is a sports person’s nightmare. The benefits don’t stop here – knee pads are useful gear that helps you continue your training without worrying about injuries or breaks. Better to be safe than sorry!

Q. Where else do I Need to use Knee Pads?

Knee pads are not restricted to BJJ. In fact, anyone who indulges in high-intensity outdoor and sports activities must opt for them. You can wear knee pads even when you are plumbing, tiling, landscaping, floor fitting, or roofing. All of these tasks come with risks, which is why you need to protect yourself as well as your knees.

If you are a sportsperson with an existing injury or someone who wishes to avoid joint injuries, you also can start putting on knee pads. Skaters, basketball and football players, and basically any sportsperson needs to wear these.

Also, if you happen to be recovering from joint surgery and require additional support for your knees, knee pads are a great solution to help you get back on your feet.

Is it Alright to Wear Knee Pads all Day Long?

As long as you have picked the right size and a comfortable pair of knee pads, you shouldn’t have any issues. In fact, the longer you can keep them on, the better and faster your knees will recover. Just keep an eye for any rashes, cuts, scratches, or compression marks – if you end up with any of these after prolonged knee pad usage, it’s time to look for a new, more comfortable pair of knee pads. 

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