Knee Pad Recommendations

[gunworks]

I recently hunted Botswana with Ricus Nel Safaris. We did some leopard crawling after Blue Wildebeest, my 58 year old knees were not impressed. Looking for any recommendations for knee pads to take on Safari next year. Thanks

 

[sgt_zim]

Too bad you don't know Kamala Harris. She's sure to know the most comfortable and longest lasting.

 

[Tanks]

I recently hunted Botswana with Ricus Nel Safaris. We did some leopard crawling after Blue Wildebeest, my 58 year old knees were not impressed. Looking for any recommendations for knee pads to take on Safari next year. Thanks

I'd recommend pants with slots for internal knee pads. They are much better to manage and more comfortable. Also, the knee pad inserts take less room.

XPRT® Tactical Pant

XPRT® Tactical Pant

www.511tactical.com

 

[Nomadx2]

^^^^ I'll second the XPRT tactical pants from 5.11. Very durable material and great pocket space allocation.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I've worn upland bird-type brush pants to minimize effects while crawling in Africa (also shorts, which resulted in some painful, thorny crawls that are only salved by the end result in the bag!!!) How about hockey helmets, clip on fans and solar bug zappers for the flying insects? Friend insisted i take his "thermocell" to Africa many moons ago. It didn't work. LOL Hunting widget$.

 

[C.W. Richter]

^^^^ I'll second the XPRT tactical pants from 5.11. Very durable material and great pocket space allocation.

have 'em too-use for work and on safari. considered collectible now as I got 'em at the former Gander Mtn.

 

[Rare Breed]

Thanks! Just ordered two pair…hated the outside knee pads. Looking forward to trying the internal pads

 

[C.W. Richter]

Too bad you don't know Kamala Harris. She's sure to know the most comfortable and longest lasting.

Yep. She & several past NY/NJ Governors! L O L "Gunsthhh are bad!" <said like Mike Tyson>

 

[firehuntfish]

I recently hunted Botswana with Ricus Nel Safaris. We did some leopard crawling after Blue Wildebeest, my 58 year old knees were not impressed. Looking for any recommendations for knee pads to take on Safari next year. Thanks

I do a LOT of crawling when I spot & stalk wit my bow... I have tried padded hunting pants as well as a few different style of knee pads. The only style that performs well are the tactical style worn by the military and police. They have hard caps and articulating fastening bands above and below the knee so they hold in place, and they really do a good job taking the impact off of your knee caps. Best of all, they are very comfortable.

You can get a used pair on EBay for about $10. A new pair will run you about $25... Well worth the money in my experience. Good hunting!

 

[BeeMaa]

You may want to consider a conversation with your PH before you go packing (what I would consider) unnecessary or at least rarely used.

People who use knee pads do so because they spend a LOT of time on their knees. Laying carpet, construction work and gardening come to mind. There is some hunting that does a good bit of knee crawling, but not too much in Africa.

Explaining to your PH what you can, can not, or prefer not to do could make your hunting experience more enjoyable. And prevent you from spending any more money on stuff you won’t use much.

 

[Hunt anything]

^^^^ I'll second the XPRT tactical pants from 5.11. Very durable material and great pocket space allocation.

How do these pants do if you have to wade a river, do the knee pad pockets drain well? Too lazy to read the small print, do the knee pads come with the pants?

 

[Woodcarver]

I've been using these from Duluth in the knee pocket of TruSpec pants. Work great, but won't stop a cactus spine if it's more than 1/2" long; no hard shell. Light enough I don't notice even after hiking for miles in heat looking for antelope in Colorado and deer in Kansas in 90* heat last year.

Ultimate Knee Pad Inserts | Duluth Trading Company

Duluth Trading's Knee Pad Inserts provide the comfort your hard-working knees deserve. Sized to fit the knee pockets on Ultimate Fire Hose Work Pants.

www.duluthtrading.com

 

[Nomadx2]

How do these pants do if you have to wade a river, do the knee pad pockets drain well? Too lazy to read the small print, do the knee pads come with the pants?

The knee pads come with the pants. There are drain holes at the base of the knee pad pocket. I've not walked in water with them though. You can remove the pads from the bottom as there are velcro tabs. the are vent holes on the top side of each pad.

Hope this helps.

 

[John the Electrician]

It seems that Carhart and simple work/construction type pants have knee pad pouches and pads that some of my workers wear.
Just another option.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

You may want to consider a conversation with your PH before you go packing (what I would consider) unnecessary or at least rarely used.

People who use knee pads do so because they spend a LOT of time on their knees. Laying carpet, construction work and gardening come to mind. There is some hunting that does a good bit of knee crawling, but not too much in Africa.

Explaining to your PH what you can, can not, or prefer not to do could make your hunting experience more enjoyable. And prevent you from spending any more money on stuff you won’t use much.

Terrain makes a big difference. Crawling in the rock-free Caprivi silt- no problem. Crawling on volcanic rock in Patagonia- problem! Asking your PH is solid advice.

 

[BeeMaa]

Terrain makes a big difference. Crawling in the rock-free Caprivi silt- no problem. Crawling on volcanic rock in Patagonia- problem! Asking your PH is solid advice.

IMO - It's about what you are willing to do for a hunt. For me...I'm not doing a crawl (or packing knee pads) and I will be OK with the fact that I may not get that particular animal that day. There are some things I'm just too old for anymore and I'm not loosing sleep over it.

That said, everyone is different and you should get the hunt you want. If it's possible that it could involve some amount of crawling over tough terrain...knee pads are a good idea.

 

[gunworks]

Guys thank you very much for the feedback. I bought a pair of 5.11 ABR Pro Pant with neoprene inserts. Absolutely love them. I have worn them on active hot summer days and they are very comfortable. I wore them while shooting in the bush. Leopard crawling. Taking shots while kneeling. Getting up and down to prone position. You don't even notice the pads in daily use, but man are they great on the knees when crawling, kneeling, and anytime I put my knees on the ground. Thanks again guys!

 

[Lungshot202]

Arc’teryx. Work really well, stay in place, and made in Canada not China.

 

[colorado]

And I thought they were for getting the wife's permission to go on safari