knee protection

I'm not sure whether this is the right place to put this but here goes.

I tend to spend a lot of time on my knees (finish carpentry, flooring etc) and I've been having knee problems for a while now. For the last year or so I've been on a quest for the perfect knee pads and have spent/wasted (probably) a couple of hundred dollars with very limited success.

The first thing I do in the morning when I get out of the truck is put my knee pads on and they stay on for the rest of the day. The trouble is that, while they do help (a day without pads is no fun) the ones I've found so far have two major limitations.

1: They won't keep still. Constantly having to put them, and my trouser leg, back into position.

2: Bloody uncomfortable. Chafing and even bruising behind the knee (painful in its own right).

So, I think I've narrowed down the design needs and after a lot of googling I think I've found the perfect pads. Cue drum roll, hold on to your wallet, and follow the link.

Contractor Knee Pads that Prevent Knee Injury by Proknee.

I'm having a lot of trouble convincing myself to part with the $US229.00 for the pads plus $US60.00 for the postage but, given that the working life of my knees is rapidly shortening, I'm beginning to weaken. (seriously, getting up and down is becoming very uncomfortable and the pain is starting to hang around outside work hours as well).

At last I get to the reason for this post.

Does anyone know of anything comparable (in terms of ergonomis design) to the Proknee that's available in Australia or overseas for that matter. I'd like to compare prices and design etc.

Cheeers

Don

Don
Sorry I can't answer your direct question, but may I suggest you have your knees looked at by a competent orthopedic specialist.
Keyhole surgey may be an option to clean up the cartilage and remove some of the pain.

Physio to strengthen particular muscle groups may also be an option

I have a pair of the code M1 pads here. The best knee pads I have ever owned, had them since soon after they were on the New Inventors in 2004, still going strong. It helps to have a high density foam kneeling pad as well/instead of knee pads when you're kneeling a long time.


Cheers
Michael

Also have a look at the work trousers that include knee pads - I find these a whole lot more comfortable than strap on pads as there's no strap to chafe or irritate the back of your leg, and they are 'always there' when it's just a quick kneel down. You can stuff extra padding into the pouch that carries the pad, and I've found them the best solution so far.

when im doing skirts etc i wear a pair of motorcross knee/shin guards under my work pants, there comfortable and stay put well and are on course to last a very long time as they have a hard plastic guard on their face

Thanks for the replies.

@Ian, I actually do have an appointment with the physio and will be asking his advice as well. Hadn't even thought of an orthopedic specialist though. I'll still need something after though.


@ micd, I've looked at the M1 pads but couldn't get enough info on them so thanks for the feedback.

@ Master Splinter, I've wodered about the trousers as well. Given the speed at which I can wear through a pair of jeans when I don't use knee pads I thought that perhaps they wouldn't be very economical. Do they have good reinforcing on the knees or is it just a double layer of whatever they're made of?

@Billyj, thanks must check them out.

Thank you all.

Don

...or these from LV

Thanks Wolften they look like a simpler, more reasonabley priced version of the proknee.

The trousers generally just have a layer or two of whatever the trousers are made out of, which tends to be 300gsm cotton (the same weight as many denim jeans); however, in these 'designer influenced' days they tend to be tougher than a lot of the jeans on the market (especially the acid wash ones), and there's nothing stopping you slipping in a layer of soft-ish leather inside the pocket as an extended wear layer.

Price wise, with them fancy name jeans running to $100+ for a pair (hah...as if!!), trousers with lotsa pockets and knee protection for under $45 is a pretty good deal!

If any consolation Aldi store has brought gel kneed pads for $10 a pair for this week only