When you are training MMA or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu professionally or more than just a couple times a week, you need to worry about a few things with injuries being the main thing. There are many positions in BJJ where you need to roll or slide on your knees to avoid or attempt submissions. One of the best things you can do is protecting your knees. Afterall, you’ve got to use them for many years to come. Why would you risk bruises, scrapes, bleeding or tears when you can avoid it. No matter if you’re training BJJ, wrestling and MMA, a good amount of the time spent training will be on the ground. The gi you are wearing doesn’t offer much protection so the next best thing to do is to buy some solid knee pads.
In many cases, you can’t get a fighter to wear knee pads unless they have already injured themselves. However, there are many benefits from wearing knee pads and most of it comes from preventing injury before it happens.
Now that you have decided to buy some knee pads for your training, you need to decide which ones to buy and that might be tougher than it sounds because of all the options out there. This is why we have compiled a list of some of the best knee pads for the year. These are all highly rated and durable so no matter which one you choose, you know you’ll be getting a quality set of knee pads.
Check out our list of the best knee pads of the year.
- 1. Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads
- 2. Safe-T-Gard Youth Neoprene Wrestling Knee Support
- 3. ASICS Unisex Gel Wrestling Knee Pad
- 4. Cliff Keen Wraptor Lycra Knee Pad 2.0
- 5. McDavid 6446 Hex Knee Pads
- 6. Bucwild Sports Knee Pads/Padded Compression Pro Knee Sleeves
- 7. Venum Kontact Lycra/Gel Knee Pads
- 8. MAIBU Protective Knee Pads
- 9. Parateck Knee Pads Compression Knee Sleeve
Bodyprox Protective Knee Pads
Knee pads are there to protect and these Bodyprox certainly do that job well. They are light in weight but also have a nice amount of sponge padding, which means that wrestlers can be confident that their knees will be supported and that their knee pads won’t be weighing them down. The ergonomic design of these knee pads is also quite nice because they jut out where they are supposed to with the sleeve sitting snuggly against the skin.
Features
– High-density strengthening foam for excellent knee protection
– Elastic to ensure full range of motion
– Skin stays dry thanks to unique breathable fabric
– Very lightweight design ensures these pads never put extra pressure on your legs
– Works for indoor and outdoor sports
– Comes in 2 different sizes (small/medium, large)
– Made to fit both men and women
– Full no-questions-asked money back guarantee
Safe-T-Gard Youth Neoprene Wrestling Knee Support
It’s great that Safe-T-Gard decided to use neoprene because it is a great material to use in youth knee pads as it is thicker than other materials. This is also a very well-ventilated pad so plenty of air gets in, keeping the knee cool and dry throughout training and matches. These are some of the top-selling youth knee pads on the market right now because they work and they happen to be quite a bit cheaper than some of the other options out there.
Features
– Thick neoprene used to add extra protection
– Vented backing to give the knee plenty of breathability
– Very comfortable thanks to nylon being used in the lining
– Made to have a nice, tight fit so they don’t slip
– Created to be used in any type of combat sport
– Comes in 4 different sizes (youth large, pee wee, youth regular)
ASICS Unisex Gel Wrestling Knee Pad
There is nothing flashy about this knee pad from ASICS, but that’s not what the company was going for. They wanted to make a functional and affordable knee pad that men and women can use, and that is exactly what they ended up doing. The EVA padding gives wrestlers just the right amount of protection without being too thick to be uncomfortable. It’s also made of neoprene, so even the sleeve can give you that extra bit of protection on other parts of your leg.
Features
– Neoprene material used for extra protection
– Reversible
– GEL foam padding adds extra cushioning
– Top-notch shock absorption
– Made with wrestlers in mind, but can be used in all combat sports
– Comes in 4 different sizes (small, medium, large, extra-large)
– 2 color options
Cliff Keen Wraptor Lycra Knee Pad 2.0
The designers at Cliff Keen went for a whole new type of knee pad with their Wraptor 2.0 and it has gotten a lot of high ratings ever since it was released. It is fully padded, which means that it has added shock absorption throughout the pad. That could be a bad thing for mobility since it is padded all over, but the fact is that it isn’t extremely thick, so it is still lightweight and flexible. It also has great ventilation thanks to the holes found on the back of each pad.
Features
– Wrap-around padding
– Terry-loop fabric used to absorb the majority of all contact
– Stretch mesh panels included for a comfortable fit
– Air vent holes provide excellent breathability
– Unique all-around look
– Comes in 9 different sizes, including multiple smalls and multiple larges
– 2 color options
McDavid 6446 Hex Knee Pads
These McDavid 6446 knee pads are great for just about any type of sport. It doesn’t look like there is a lot of padding in their knee pads, but there is just the right amount of foam in there to absorb the majority of knee impacts. It’s a very lightweight sleeve that was made with a unique moisture management system that customers seem to love. McDavid has also gone all-out with its color variety as they now offer seven different style options for knee pad buyers.
Features
– HEX Technology foam is durable and does an excellent job of protecting the knee
– Compression ensures your muscles stay and you fatigue slower
– Long sleeve gives a better fit and added protection
– Moisture management technology ensures your knees stay cool
– Can be used in many sports, including wrestling, basketball, and football
– Comes in 6 different sizes, including both youth and adult options
– Machine washable
– 7 different color options
– Includes two knee pads
Bucwild Sports Knee Pads/Padded Compression Pro Knee Sleeves
Those who want to get as much protection as they possibly can from their wrestling knee pads will probably want to look into getting these thick ones from Bucwild. These pads are made of polyester and spandex, so you can be sure that they will feel comfortable and stay put on your leg. The company has also used their own sweat wicking material that will keep your legs cool no matter how long you have these pads on your legs. Bucwild has also recognized that people like to have options when it comes to the color of their knee pads, so they have made their knee sleeves in eight different colors.
Features
– Made from a polyester and spandex mix
– 10mm EVA foam padding used, making it one of the thickest knee pads on the market
– Sweat wicking materials keep your knees dry
– Highly durable
– Increases blood circulation in knees, thighs, and feet
– Can be used in a wide variety of sports, including wrestling and basketball
– Comes in 5 different sizes, including both youth and adult options
– 8 different color options
– Free exchanges available if knee pads don’t fit
Venum Kontact Lycra/Gel Knee Pads
It’s not surprising that these Venum Kontact knee pads are as popular as they are since the company does make some of the top-selling and most well-liked fighting equipment out there today. These knee pads are highly rated because they give excellent protection thanks to their unique Lycra foam design. There are also air vent holes in the back of the pads that keep wrestlers’ legs cool no matter how strenuous their matches are. Venum now offers their knee pads in multiple colors, including a very cool camo version for those looking for a slightly more flashy design.
Features
– Lycra injected for a great amount of padding
– High density foam gives you a good amount of shock absorption
– Air-vent holes in the back of the pads give your legs plenty of breathability
– Snug fit so they won’t slip even after extended use
– Comes in 5 different sizes (small, medium, medium/large, large/extra-large, and extra-large)
– 7 different color options
– Made by a trusted combat sport company
MAIBU Protective Knee Pads
The thing that makes these MAIBU knee pads stand out is that they were specifically engineered to protect different parts of the knee. For example, the placement of the top padding is there to keep the patella stable, while the middle part of the pad protects the tendons. The pads are made of a highly breathable fabric that is said to be both lightweight and comfortable on the leg. The sleeve also has an extra inner layer which was added on to make sure that the pad never slips no matter how much the wrestler is moving. Considering all of that, it might come as a surprise that these are some of the least expensive knee pads out there right now.
Features
– Unique cotton and sponge design
– Great amount of elasticity gives you full range of motion
– Breathable fabric ensures your legs will stay dry
– Sponge used gives you an extra layer of impact resistance
– Unique inner layer gives the knee pads a nice tight fit
– Designed specifically for injury prevention and muscle recovery
– Made for wrestlers, but also work great for volleyball, football, basketball, and other sports
– 2 different color options (blue and black)
Parateck Knee Pads Compression Knee Sleeve
Parateck did a great job of making a classic knee pad design that has all of the features that wrestlers are looking for. It is very lightweight, it was built to absorb any type of impact, and it has just the right amount of ventilation to keep the leg from overheating. This is also the only one-size-fits-all knee pad on this list, which is a nice added bonus for anyone that does not want to take chances when ordering their next knee pad.
Features
– Sponge-filled knee pads
– Great amount of shock absorption
– Elastic cotton fabric has great elasticity so you can have full control of your legs
– Highly breathable, keeping your legs dry even with extended use
– Keeps legs warm so you get great blood circulation
– Made for wrestling, basketball, soccer, dancing and many other sports
– One size fits all
– Includes one pair of knee pads
Most commonly asked questions about wrestling knee pads
What are the best knee pads for wrestling?
The best knee pads for wrestling, BJJ or MMA are going to depend on what you want and how they fit. Some knee pads have features that work great for you but maybe not for the next guy. It is a matter of preference. These pads are made differently by different companies and they may fit different than other brands. We suggest going through the reviews and read what people are saying about the knee pads. If you get a chance, try some on and see how they feel.
How do I wash wrestling knee pads?
There are three ways to wash knee pads without damaging them. First, you can put the knee pads in a mesh laundry bag. This will keep them safe from being tangled up with other items in the washer. Consider using a small load of laundry or other sports equipment to wash your knee pads with.
You can also wash them by hand to ensure that your pads will last longer. Use how water when doing so to help release the bacteria and dirt. You can mix some detergent in a bathtub and gently wash your knee pads. You can also just let them soak for a while too.
How to measure for wrestling knee pads?
You’ll want to use a soft tape measure and wrap around three different sections of your leg. You’ll need to measure above the knee, on the knee and below the knee to get a true measurement of your leg to apply to your buying decision.