I have been known to slip, to fall, and to often get on my knees to get a closer look at stuff [tracks, plants, small critters, etcetera] on or near surfaces that can be soft, hard, dry, or wet. I also go off trail a lot and my knee and ankle strains are tiresome.

So I have been wondering about braces and guards such as those used orienteering, skateboarding, dirt biking, etcetera. Does anyone have experience with such things that offer protection but also maintain most of your natural mobility?

Thanks.

I think you are describing two different situations.

Down on your knees you need kneepads. You can buy a variety of styles at the home improvement store. I've spent many hours on my knees digging up airplane parts at a 1944 crash site my friends and I are cleaning up for a municipality. Kneepads are essential. I've noticed the guys who don't have them don't spend much time down in the dirt (hmmm, maybe that's on purpose?)

For off trail hiking pads will only protect against bruises and scrapes. Not twists and strains. Those need compression and taping (I think). I hike off trail a lot too but haven't yet had the twists and strains issues.

Kneepads are good. They save a lot of wear and tear. As you get older kneeling takes a heavier toll. Avoiding the damage is much more effective than trying to speed healing by babying a damaged joint.

If you play sports, or undertake other activities where a sideways hit can damage a knee, consider the type of simple hinged brace that will protect the knees from side pressure and impacts. These are available at many sporting good stores. Wear them for sports and where such impacts are likely.

I have had problems with my knees. Had one reconstructed. In my experience braces are okay when healing after an injury or surgery.

I do not recommend routine wearing of braces because they can, IMHO, end up being a crutch that keeps you from building up the knee so it protects itself. Wear a brace just long enough for the knees to recover so you can get past the initial stages of physical therapy. Then, under advisement of the therapist, ween yourself off the brace and concentrate on building up the knees through hard work at physical therapy.

Build up the connective tissues and your knees will be much more resistant to damage. That is protection that is with you 24/7.

yeah what unimogbert said.

For getting low to the ground a simple knee pad would work best. You could get a pair cheaply at a sports store, look for volleyball type. Could wear under your pants the whole time.

Slips and falls are a separate issue, completely. Maybe hiking poles.

For stalking do you also use elbow pads / guards?

The hard shell gurds look like better protection that the soft pad-type, but I am concerned the hard shells are noisy on wood and rock, and wonder if they inhibit range of motion?

Hard Shell pads are not noisy on wood or rock. They do not inhibit range of motion. They are bulkier on the padded end which takes some wearing to become accustomed to, but I prefer the hard shells (specifically the military ones) to soft pads.

As a career ankle sprainer, I use these for both ankles.

http://bledsoebrace.com/products/ultankle.asp


They are awesome. You can't even tell you are wearing them and they allow full motion, including running, etc. Since getting them two years ago, I have not sprained my ankle. Sprains used to be a daily event for me. The braces are kind of pricey, but worth every penny to me.

For kneepads, I picked up a moderately priced pair at our local home improvement store. They work great too.

I would agree with Art. Conditioning and building up your legs is better than "crutches." A hiking staff can help a great deal in increasing stability - so can just plain old experience. Good solid footgear plays a role as well.

I use kneepads myself, since I spend a lot of time on my knees digging up bones and such (as well as begging for forgiveness). The most practical for outdoors use are the light foam types one can get at the local home center. You can also find pants that incorporate knee pads.

Cavers also spend a lot of time crawling, often in mud. The heavier construction type pads work best in that situation.

Sound advice, but medical realities such as my positional vertigo make it prudent to use a hiking staff and look at things like knee pads to moderate the results of the unfortunately inevitable falls. I know I am going to take a licking, but I intend to keep on ticking, as the old Timex watch ads would say.

Knee pads aren't crutches. More something of a comfort item. In some applications they are a safety measure. You can use them for as long as you like without weaking any joint, tendons or muscles.


Braces are more like crutches, and sometimes they are necessary. Most people will prefer to avoid them if they can, but sometimes that isn't possible.