Tactical knee pads are an important part of any skirmish or competition because the part of the body that is most subjected to injury is the patella. The common causes of injuries are prolonged kneeling positions and impact trauma. If no precautionary measures are taken, bursitis or a broken patella may eventually develop. Bursitis is treated in an agonizing procedure that involves a needle and syringe. While a full-length leg cast should be worn for 6 to 8 weeks when your patella is broken.
We often land or rest on our knees when playing airsoft. It’s more dangerous when you’re playing on hard surfaces such as concrete and hardwood. High impact falls often result to injuries.
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That’s why tactical knee pads were invented; to prevent knee injuries. These are either made of rubber, nylon, foam, plastic, gel or polyurethane. These materials are responsible for making the outer covering hard or soft. Several brands are built with a dual hard or soft shell. Protective tactical airsoft gear like this should always be worn before getting into action.
Tips for choosing the right Knee Pad
Your choice of kneepad should depend on what kind of sport you’re into. There are different one for each sport like skating, wrestling, volleyball and American football. Each of them is designed to endure even the strongest impact.
Focus on the angle which is more prone to impact. Most knee pads have front and side padding that give extra protection to the knees.
For paintballers, knee pads without friction should be used. A frictionless knee pad prevents the player from slowing down during rushes.
The playing surface must be considered before deciding to purchase hard or soft shell knee pads. Just like when choosing which airsoft gloves to wear, you must buy according to the kind of surface you’ll be playing on. If it’s concrete, a hard shell is strongly recommended. If you like competing in various sports, opt for a dual shell knee pads. They have a plastic front plate that you can remove using its snap-on device or loop and hook fasteners.
Common Drawbacks
Fit can often become a problem with knee pads. Due to prolonged usage and sweating, tactical knee pads tend to get loose which causes them to slide down the leg. However, motion will be restricted if knee pads are kept too tight. So use a kneepad with adjustable hook and loop fasteners to allow you to move around with ease.
A knee brace is not considered a kneepad. The brace may have a layer over the patella but it doesn’t give enough protection to the knee during impact. Aside from being bulky and uncomfortable, knee and ligament braces especially may hinder you with your moves. The best protection for your knees is definitely tactical knee pads.