Knee Pads in Trousers: What Are The Best Knee Pads For Work?

If you spend most of your working day on your knees, you’ll know how important knee pads are for comfort and protection. Many work trousers have pockets ready to take knee pads - but which ones are right for your role?

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of trouser pockets and knee pads as well as the relevant safety standards.

Who wears knee pads in trousers?

There are many job roles that involve kneeling on the ground and moving around on the knees. Floor fitters, joiners, plumbers, tilers, electricians, and other tradespeople wear work trousers with knee pads to protect and support their knees during long shifts.

Why are knee pads important?

If you work in a kneeling position all or some of the time, your knees will be under a lot of strain. Plus, you’re at risk of injury from kneeling on loose debris, sharp items, and rough surfaces.

This can lead not only to short-term pain but also to long-term damage, with chronic conditions such as prepatellar bursitis and cartilage injuries caused by continuous pressure on the knees.

Knees are often overlooked when it comes to protection, especially by self-employed traders. The damage takes place over years, and only becomes apparent towards the end of your career - by which time you may need a knee replacement.

Work trousers with knee pads keep you comfortable by reducing pressure on the knees, and protect you against injuries - this includes impact protection if you bash your knees on unforgiving objects.

Knee pads in trousers

We’ll start by looking at the types of trouser pockets that can accommodate knee pads, and then the pads themselves.

Types of knee pad pockets

Found in many styles of work trousers, knee pad pockets are often reinforced with materials like Cordura or Kevlar to withstand wear and tear. But which way do knee pads go in work trousers?

Top-loading pockets

These pockets open from the top of the knee, which is the quickest and easiest way of inserting the pads. The downside is that even though most pockets have a robust Velcro closing flap debris like gravel and sawdust can make its way into the pockets as you work. Floor fitters, who spend the entire day shuffling around on their knees, may even find that the flaps come open or get damaged.

Bottom-loading pockets

These pockets open from the bottom. You’ll need to sit down or bend your leg to slide the pads in and out, but the pads stay in place securely and it’s harder for debris to get in. You’re more likely to see bottom-fill pockets on loose-fitting trousers, whereas top-loaders are best for slim-fit styles.

Side-loading pockets

You guessed it - these pockets open at the sides to insert the knee pads. They typically close with a zip, rather than a Velcro flap like the other types.

Internal pockets

Some trousers have their knee pad pockets on the inside rather than the outside. There are no external flaps or zips that could come open as you work, then the knees of the trousers can be reinforced with robust materials such as Kevlar.

Adjustable pockets

Most knee pad pockets have locking points to secure the pads in place and ensure they sit centrally on your knees. Some trousers also allow you to adjust the height by slotting each pad’s “wings” under or over two “bar tacks” or holding stitches within the pocket.

Permanent knee pads

If you need to wear knee pads all the time, you can buy trousers with them built in as a permanent feature. For example, Snickers Workwear’s Capsulized system sees lightweight, flexible six-layer pads welded into place.

Standalone pockets

If you prefer to wear shorts to work but still need to protect your knees, you can wear strapped or wraparound pockets to accommodate your knee pads. Some are suitable to wear over trousers that don’t already have knee pockets.

Knee pad materials

These are some of the most common materials used for knee pads in work trousers.

EVA

EVA stands for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, which is a lightweight foam-type material. It’s similar to rubber in that it’s soft and flexible, but EVA knee pads are also very durable.

D3O

D3O is a viscoelastic material - it’s usually soft and pliable, but solidifies when it experiences stress or impact. So, if you drop to your knees faster than intended or you kneel on something sharp, D3O pads will protect you.

Polyethylene comfort beads

Beanbag-style knee pads are filled with loose beads, which move around with you and contour to the shape of your knee. This spreads your weight more evenly, and also allows for air circulation within the pad - which helps to prevent sweaty knees!

Gel

Knee pads with gel inserts do a similar job, as the gel moulds to the natural shape of your knee, providing comfort and reducing pressure.

Kevlar / Cordura

These super-strong materials are sometimes used in premium work knee pads for reinforcement and enhanced durability. To give you an idea of their strength, they’re from the same family of materials as those used in bulletproof vests.

Do I need arc flash or flame-resistant knee pads?

This is a really good question. If you’re working in a high-risk environment, you may be required to wear specialist workwear to protect you against flame, heat, and electrical arc flashes. This usually includes ALL your clothing, right down to the underwear. So, what about knee pads?

Interestingly, there is no legislation that says knee pads have to be FR or arc flash rated (although flame-resistant knee pads are available). This is because, once they’re inserted into the built-in pockets, knee pads are completely covered by the fabric of your trousers. And if this fabric has the relevant protective properties, there’s no need for specialist pads.

What safety standards apply to knee pads?

The European standard for knee pads in trousers is EN 14404. It specifies requirements for size, pressure distribution, penetration resistance, and testing.

There are 4 classes or types for knee pads within EN 14404:

• Type 1: Independent pads that fasten around the leg

• Type 2: Inserts for dedicated knee pockets in work trousers

• Type 3: Loose pads to place on the floor where you’re kneeling

• Type 4: Kneeling systems with frames or standing aids.

The standard also categorises pads by performance level:

This allows you to select the right level for the job; such as Type 2 Level 1 for regular kneeling work or Type 2 Level 0 for occasional kneeling.

Combination testing

Type 2 pads cannot achieve certification by themselves. In order to comply with EN 14404, they must be tested in conjunction with the brand and model of work trousers for which they are designed. Beware of generic “marketplace” kneepads.

This combination testing ensures that the pads sit in the correct position and provide the specified level of protection. It’s essential that you only use the knee pads recommended by the manufacturer of your work trousers.

If you mix brands, the EN 14404 certification will not be valid - and you may also find that the pads twist or move around inside the pockets, affecting your comfort as well as protection. You can literally kneel over the knee pad instead of on it, and it really hurts!

Other considerations

Here are a few more tips for getting the best performance from your knee pads.

Get the right trouser fit

For knee pads to deliver adequate protection and comfort, you’ll need to make sure that your work trousers are a good fit in the first place. If they’re too long or short, the knee pad pockets won’t sit in the right place on your leg. The trouser style may also affect the pockets and pads you wear.

Look after your knee pads

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning your knee pads (or your work trousers, for that matter). Some knee pads need to be removed from the trousers before washing, while others can stay in.

Check your knee pads and trouser pockets frequently to make sure there are no defects. Replace the pads and/or trousers straight away if you spot any damage or signs of wear and tear.

Improve your knee health

It’s best to kneel upright instead of sitting on your heels, and try to move around rather than staying in one kneeling position. Don’t kneel for longer than an hour without getting up and walking around - after every hour of kneeling, walk around without your knee protectors for at least 10 minutes. Seek medical advice if your knees or calves swell during kneeling work, or if you experience pain.

The takeaway

Knee pads in work trousers are an essential item of PPE for anyone who works in a kneeling position. With different styles and levels of protection available, make sure you choose the right ones for your role - and that your knee pads and trousers have been combination-tested for compliance.

Still have questions before you buy knee pads? Get in touch with our friendly sales team for extra advice.