Best Tactical Knee and Elbow Pads?

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best Tactical Knee and Elbow Pads?

Posted: 4/14/2016 5:31:10 PM EDT

It's that time of year, and I want to upgrade from my mil-issue Altas. Strap-on style, please.

Recommendations for best Knee and best Elbow. It would be great if both were from same mfg, thus saving cost/hassle. Should be comfortable, durable, and an upgrade from the Altas, which are not terrible.

One problem with the Altas is that their hard shell is noisy on hard surfaces, and I've come to dislike that. I suppose it's more durable in rocky ground.

While cost is secondary to comfort and quality, suggestions for vendors that will save $ on the purchase price are most welcome.

Posted: 4/14/2016 6:03:51 PM EDT

[#1]

This doesn't really solve your elbow problem, but I like the Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads from REI - $49.95. https://www.rei.com/product/720306/black-diamond-telekneesis-kneepads

They're comfy and designed to move with you, and they protect the lower thigh above the knee as well.

Posted: 4/14/2016 6:09:19 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
This doesn't really solve your elbow problem, but I like the Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads from REI - $49.95. https://www.rei.com/product/720306/black-diamond-telekneesis-kneepads

They're comfy and designed to move with you, and they protect the lower thigh above the knee as well.

View Quote

Interesting, although a hard-shell variety. Like a lot of REI stuff good for its' intended purpose.

The one that's always touted looks from the front like a figure "8", with one part of the "8" being larger than the other. It's from one of the top-level mfrs as I recall, but I can't remember the name, dammit.

Posted: 4/14/2016 6:28:58 PM EDT

[#3]

I've been using Hatch Centurions for several years now. More at work than tactical use, but they've been pretty good. That said, they're the only ones of that type that I have much experience with, so they may not be as good as I think they are.

Posted: 4/14/2016 11:07:46 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:

Interesting, although a hard-shell variety. Like a lot of REI stuff good for its' intended purpose.

The one that's always touted looks from the front like a figure "8", with one part of the "8" being larger than the other. It's from one of the top-level mfrs as I recall, but I can't remember the name, dammit.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
This doesn't really solve your elbow problem, but I like the Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads from REI - $49.95. https://www.rei.com/product/720306/black-diamond-telekneesis-kneepads

They're comfy and designed to move with you, and they protect the lower thigh above the knee as well.

Interesting, although a hard-shell variety. Like a lot of REI stuff good for its' intended purpose.

The one that's always touted looks from the front like a figure "8", with one part of the "8" being larger than the other. It's from one of the top-level mfrs as I recall, but I can't remember the name, dammit.

ARF, sounds like you're thinking about the Arcteryx pads? They pop up on eBay pretty often. Honestly the Black Diamond Telekinesis pads are pretty sweet though.

Me? I spent waaay too much time skateboarding on vert back in the day to ever want to wear hard shell knee pads again. Nowadays I use whatever slip in foam or Crye pads fit in the pants of the day.

Posted: 4/14/2016 11:48:42 PM EDT

[#5]

IME the Crye or whatever brand(s) that fit into holes in the pants are the only kind that actually stay put all the time.

Posted: 4/15/2016 12:23:01 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

ARF, sounds like you're thinking about the Arcteryx pads? They pop up on eBay pretty often. Honestly the Black Diamond Telekinesis pads are pretty sweet though.

Me? I spent waaay too much time skateboarding on vert back in the day to ever want to wear hard shell knee pads again. Nowadays I use whatever slip in foam or Crye pads fit in the pants of the day.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
This doesn't really solve your elbow problem, but I like the Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads from REI - $49.95. https://www.rei.com/product/720306/black-diamond-telekneesis-kneepads

They're comfy and designed to move with you, and they protect the lower thigh above the knee as well.

Interesting, although a hard-shell variety. Like a lot of REI stuff good for its' intended purpose.

The one that's always touted looks from the front like a figure "8", with one part of the "8" being larger than the other. It's from one of the top-level mfrs as I recall, but I can't remember the name, dammit.

ARF, sounds like you're thinking about the Arcteryx pads? They pop up on eBay pretty often. Honestly the Black Diamond Telekinesis pads are pretty sweet though.

Me? I spent waaay too much time skateboarding on vert back in the day to ever want to wear hard shell knee pads again. Nowadays I use whatever slip in foam or Crye pads fit in the pants of the day.

You could buy Arcteryx just to look like a Ranger or you can use the Black Diamond at half the price and get the same thing. the Black Diamond kneepads are surprisingly durable.

Posted: 4/15/2016 12:31:09 AM EDT

[#7]

I love my Arcteryx knee caps.

Posted: 4/15/2016 9:31:53 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I love my Arcteryx knee caps.

View Quote

Me too but they do t stay tight. I even put a tri glide on the excess strap and they still work themselves loose.

Posted: 4/15/2016 10:00:44 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
IME the Crye or whatever brand(s) that fit into holes in the pants are the only kind that actually stay put all the time.

View Quote

They ain't perfect but they are better than nothing.

RAF have you liked into volleyball or other soft pads before? They don't have the hard plastic on them so they aren't as great in rocky stuff, but for general padding they aren't horrible. You put them on under your pants/shirt.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 4/15/2016 3:27:23 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

ARF, sounds like you're thinking about the Arcteryx pads? They pop up on eBay pretty often. Honestly the Black Diamond Telekinesis pads are pretty sweet though.

Me? I spent waaay too much time skateboarding on vert back in the day to ever want to wear hard shell knee pads again. Nowadays I use whatever slip in foam or Crye pads fit in the pants of the day.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
This doesn't really solve your elbow problem, but I like the Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads from REI - $49.95. https://www.rei.com/product/720306/black-diamond-telekneesis-kneepads

They're comfy and designed to move with you, and they protect the lower thigh above the knee as well.

Interesting, although a hard-shell variety. Like a lot of REI stuff good for its' intended purpose.

The one that's always touted looks from the front like a figure "8", with one part of the "8" being larger than the other. It's from one of the top-level mfrs as I recall, but I can't remember the name, dammit.

ARF, sounds like you're thinking about the Arcteryx pads? They pop up on eBay pretty often. Honestly the Black Diamond Telekinesis pads are pretty sweet though.

Me? I spent waaay too much time skateboarding on vert back in the day to ever want to wear hard shell knee pads again. Nowadays I use whatever slip in foam or Crye pads fit in the pants of the day.

Yeah, ARC are the ones I was trying to recall. FWIW, one of the reviewers of the Black Diamond pads gave very high marks to another mfr:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3Amcdavid+hex+pads&keywords=mcdavid+hex+pads&ie=UTF8&qid=1460746894 I'll take a look at them all. Thanks, all!

Posted: 4/15/2016 3:28:51 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

They ain't perfect but they are better than nothing.

RAF have you liked into volleyball or other soft pads before? They don't have the hard plastic on them so they aren't as great in rocky stuff, but for general padding they aren't horrible. You put them on under your pants/shirt.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
IME the Crye or whatever brand(s) that fit into holes in the pants are the only kind that actually stay put all the time.

They ain't perfect but they are better than nothing.

RAF have you liked into volleyball or other soft pads before? They don't have the hard plastic on them so they aren't as great in rocky stuff, but for general padding they aren't horrible. You put them on under your pants/shirt.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

I have some right now. They're OK, but I was wanting something a bit better.

Posted: 4/15/2016 9:40:27 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yeah, ARC are the ones I was trying to recall. FWIW, one of the reviewers of the Black Diamond pads gave very high marks to another mfr:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3Amcdavid+hex+pads&keywords=mcdavid+hex+pads&ie=UTF8&qid=1460746894 I'll take a look at them all. Thanks, all!

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
This doesn't really solve your elbow problem, but I like the Black Diamond Telekneesis knee pads from REI - $49.95. https://www.rei.com/product/720306/black-diamond-telekneesis-kneepads

They're comfy and designed to move with you, and they protect the lower thigh above the knee as well.

Interesting, although a hard-shell variety. Like a lot of REI stuff good for its' intended purpose.

The one that's always touted looks from the front like a figure "8", with one part of the "8" being larger than the other. It's from one of the top-level mfrs as I recall, but I can't remember the name, dammit.

ARF, sounds like you're thinking about the Arcteryx pads? They pop up on eBay pretty often. Honestly the Black Diamond Telekinesis pads are pretty sweet though.

Me? I spent waaay too much time skateboarding on vert back in the day to ever want to wear hard shell knee pads again. Nowadays I use whatever slip in foam or Crye pads fit in the pants of the day.

Yeah, ARC are the ones I was trying to recall. FWIW, one of the reviewers of the Black Diamond pads gave very high marks to another mfr:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3Amcdavid+hex+pads&keywords=mcdavid+hex+pads&ie=UTF8&qid=1460746894 I'll take a look at them all. Thanks, all!

Haha. My last post auto corrected RAF as ARF. I must be posting too much in GD.

Anyways those pads look interesting. Maybe hot but what pads aren't. Let us know how they work out.

Posted: 4/16/2016 1:49:20 PM EDT

[#13]

Arcteryx. They stay put and I forget I'm wearing them.

I did end up losing one (hoping it's just misplaced) after a training rotation. About to leave on another training rotation with the Hatch/Safariland kneepads and they aren't quite the same.

I do have a pair of the Hatch/Safariland elbow pads, but I've never worn them for more than five minutes total. No.

Posted: 4/18/2016 12:04:57 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I love my Arcteryx knee caps.

View Quote

Same

Posted: 4/18/2016 9:42:35 AM EDT

[#15]

Another vote for Arcteryx Knee Caps. I have two pair and I love them. They are the only pads I have ever used that I can run and move in comfortably without restriction or losing the pad. I was skeptical for how well they would hold up but they are two years and going strong.