There are lots of different knee pads, kneeling pads, and knee dollies out there. When working on a hard floor, anything is better than that bare floor-bone contact.
I highly recommend CLC’s foam kneeling pad, and own a couple of their medium-sized pads.
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It’s comfortable to use, convenient to carry, and easy to put away.
This CLC (Custom Leathercraft) kneeling pad is made with 1-inch-thick foam padding. It’s shock-absorbing, and its NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) construction is oil-resistant.
Sure, you could use a gym mat, kid’s floor mat, yoga mat, or other such pads, but this is thicker and more convenient.
The medium-size pads measure 21″ x 14″, and I find this to be a comfortable size for personal use. There’s enough space for shifting knee placement, and it’s still small enough to be highly portable.
If you think this is something you can use, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Knee pads might be more convenient if you move around frequently, but if you’re going to be mostly stationary or moving small distances, this kneeling pad and others like it won’t restrict your joint motion in the same way.
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Price: $25
Buy Now: Medium via Amazon
Buy Now: Other Sizes via Amazon
If you’re still in doubt, look at the reviews – all 4 sizes cumulatively have 859 ratings with 91% 5-star and 6% 4-star ratings for a total score of 4.9 out of 5.
Everyone loves these kneeling pads, and you might too.
Or, do you have a brand or style you prefer better?
John
I’ve got a Gearwrench kneeling pad that I picked up on Amazon a while back. It’s about the same size as what you posted but also has a small recessed area with magnetic backing for fasteners so they don’t inevitably end up under your knee.
fred
I’m kind of partial to ones that are often used by masons. Goldblatt, Kraft , Marshalltown and others make them:
https://www.amazon.com/QLT-MARSHALLTOWN-KB451-Kneeler-Board/dp/B00023S318/
MattW.
Great kneeler and worth a buy for sure! One thing to note the handle can break off after alot of use its flimsy plastic but then you just pick it up and not worry about the handle. the foam can come out of them over time simply spray some glue or use anything to lock it down again. Its tough to beat.
Randy
Knee pad inserts in my work pants.
Double layer cardboard on wet, dirty, abrasive or uneven surfaces or when I will be working in the same area, like changing brakes.
As a cardboard substitute, I often use plastics roadside signs that are illegally placed. I pull them during my walks with my wife. More durable. Standard size. Same cushioning as cardboard.
Green alternative to give something a second life before discarding.
ed ski
I actually found the green 2×2 foam insulation panels (from HD insulation area) to work well and are reasonable. I use them for layout on garage floor (8 of them) to run tracksaw on sheet goods-prevent blade from hitting floor. And they are small enough to store on a shelf. Plus I can sit on them when doing plumbing, or kneel on them while painting trim, etc.
Marco
The single piece shower pans or shower doors I use come with tons of 2”x8”x36” strips of Polyethylene foam I collect and use all the time. I use 3 spread out over a floor area for convenience and since they are free don’t worry about getting thin set or adhesives all over them. Plus they get used for a variety of things such as wall protection between materials, between ladder/bench feet and shower bases, new floors etc.
I have stopped using my knee pads and think the thick 2” foam is an improvement also.
ByronB
I got a high quality baseball base for a dollar at a thrift store.
Cheap, tough and easy to clean.
It stays in my truck and always gets a comment when I use it.
Peter Fox
I have a few of those exact CLC pads. They are pretty decent, if you will be working in one area for a while. I assume that any similar good quality kneeling pad should work as well.
Personally I find that having inserts in my work pants does more to save my knees from wear and tear. About 8-10 years ago I had fluid pockets drained from on top of my knee caps twice in about 6 months time. That was my wake up call that I needed to do something different. Although kneeling pads and heavy duty knee pads are great for more prolonged use they are often forgotten or impractical for more common short duration tasks.
My low cost solution was to get Dickies double knee work pants, open the bottom seam for the outer layer of the knee. Cut pieces of 1/2″ thick of flexible Yoga/gym mat to fit and have the seam sewn back up. I also have have each corner of the pad sewn through to prevent them from twisting and folding in the wash. My total cost per pair is about $24, $25 for the pants and about $4 worth of foam pad. 1/2″ of padding is not a lot but it makes a big difference. I have not had and more issues with my knees since.
Nathan
never really thought about it. when I know I’m going to be on knees for something I strap on knee pads. floor refit – strap on the pads. Toilet refit – strap on the pads.
I might have to look for one. If I’m out in mud – cardboard box – and strap on the pads.
Before I buy I might use the standing pads I have in my kitchen as a test trial. interesting.
George
Anyone have any recommendations for a pad for outdoor use on concrete (with surface aggregate)? I could use knee pads, but during the summer, I’ll get sweaty enough just being outdoors without having black fabric wrapped around my knees too.
Frank D
On rough and or dirty surfaces I’ll do cardboard folded double or simply a flattened box, maybe a piece of plywood otherwise, then a large kneeling pad on top of it.
Every set of knee pads chafes my legs way too much.
Jared
What about this CLC mat, glued to a thin plastic cutting board with some 3M adhesive spray?
Plastic cutting board to help level the ground a little and prevent the foam from being chewed up.
Jared
Hmm. My first attempt to embed a link did not work.
E.g., plastic cutting board:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0821SCZ4H/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_47PPH68T0NWM7P2BHNN8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
(I’m not endorsing this one, just using it as a reference).
MattW.
The Marshalltown kneeling pad is great if size dosent matter. Finished alot of concrete for hours at a time and didn’t make my knees sweat ot rashes. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Marshalltown-Kneeler-Board-KB451/100318170
Lately I like a more firm pad that I can destroy and not care about that flexes a little to the ground. Harbor freight surprise “warning its firm feel one in store before deciding!” Use to get them for 3 bucks each but there higher now.
https://harborfreight.com/foam-kneeling-pad-56572.html
The best one I’ve kneeled on was from ergodyne. Keep in mind alot more expensive and have to be delicate with them. Fyi klein has one and they look to be the same oem
https://www.amazon.com/Ergodyne-385-Multi-Functional-Kneeling-Cushions/dp/B002BDTWBM/
That’s some options for you
blocky
Everytime I consider buying one of these work pads, only after 20 minutes of browsing, I remember that I routinely buy full sheets of 1″ and 2″ ethafoam for packing and crating art. A 48x120x1″ sheet is $50, and I have off-cuts in bins and everywhere else.
Tom H
The best option I found that didn’t cost more than I felt worth for a hunk of foam are 1.5” thick “red home club” brand from the big rainforest online bookstore. Less than 15 bucks for a decent size thick foam pad.
I’ve had many projects around the house where I wonder why I don’t just pony up for some nice knee pads. Luckily these jobs are pretty uncommon. If I ever take the leap and decide to wrap our ductwork in the crawlspace, I may pick up some pads from Krawlgear. Pads specifically for crawlspace work better be effective!
Argie
25 bucks is too much for something like this. Buy that cheap floor cushion 4 pack from Harbor freight – cut one and half and spray glue it together. Cut a hole in it if you want a handle. Done.
david brock
Best pad I have ever used, and we use them at work. It can also be placed between the thigh and calf to provide cushion when squatting.
https://bennettedesigngroup.com/products/knee-n-back-pad
It will take a fair amount of abuse. also works well when working under the sink as a neck rest on the edge of the cabinet.
Tim Butterfield
This is by far the best one! I have one and love it. Will buy another one if I ever destroy it. I do have duluth cargo pants that take knee pads, and use those when doing a lot of crawling.
Jeff C
David,
I talked to one of the owners directly and they are great people.
A tip..
Grab one from autogeek with their 25% off sale, it’s cheaper and is a relabeled bennette design group model.
Jeff
Eddie the Hook
Or those square interlocking gym mats for toddlers.
David A.
Law Enforcement/ Military style pants have knee pad pockets built in. 5.11 is just one source, and these pants are tough, I have 3 pair that are several years old,, and not worn out.. https://www.511tactical.com/knee-pad-ready-pants.html
Will
I just use the HF one. Works fine for me & has been holding up. Under $5 when they have the 30% off under $10 sales.
https://www.harborfreight.com/foam-kneeling-pad-56572.html?_br_psugg_q=kneeling+pad
Rascally
I use HF Furniture Pads. They’re cheap, and you can unfold them if you need to lay down to work on something. If they get torn or soiled, throw away and get another one. By folding, you can make as thick or thin as you want.
Jim
I have bought the Ergodyne Pro 380 kneeling pad for several of my workers who requested them. They have held up really well for as much use as they get.
https://www.whitecap.com/ergodyne-proflex-380-kneeling-pad-109396#18380-34318380/
Gary R
I use a foam pad made for gardening. It’s a little smaller than the CLC product – 11x18x1 plastic coated dense foam. It was ~ $12 at Walmart two or three years ago. I keep one in the garage (for garden work) and a couple in the basement shop.
GEORGE MICHENER
I’m sure this isnt up to some folks standards, but I spend a lot of time kneeling in the garage ,so,I just nest various sizes of Amazon bubble envelopes until they are several layers thick. They are amazingly tough and “pop” resistant when tripled up,and the sizes are like they were made for it. If they get oily or worse, I either remove the outer layer or pitch the whole thing…my old knees love me for it
Drew
Fastcap 1-1/8 Thick Kaizen Foam, 2′ x 4′
We have been using kaizen foam for kneeling and laying at our farm for a few years now. I bought some to organize drawers but we kept using it to kneel on. it is very comfortable and surprisingly durable. only issue is wind will blow it away when working outside. I like the size but you could cut it down. If you have to get under equipment it is very comfortable to lay on.
fred
BTW – CLC (Custom Leathercraft Mfg.) the brand that Stuart pictures – is owned by Hultafors AB.
Hultafors also acquired Johnson Level & Tool and their Acculine brand
Anthony
I got a few of these from my local HVAC supply house and they are great.