I’m participating in one-on-one carbine training. we normally have sessions around two hours long, so i get alot of reps and alot of trigger time. all of the training is in an indoor range, so if i need to get on the floor, it’s on concrete and it’s pretty rough on my joints and clothes.
What particular knee/elbowpads are best suited for this training environment?
On concrete I would recommend neoprene. Nice and stable on a concrete floor.
BlackHawk Hell Storm Neoprene Knee Pads work for me. The straps are long enough and they have double strapped velcro per strap in other words pretty solid.
The regular old cheapo “bike” brand soccer style pads work great for elbows. You see USMC03 wearing them in pics here from time to time.
For knees, I like the Altas.
demigod, the elbows that i’m using now are volleyball ones. they’re thick enough and easy to roll up and throw in my training bag. i think i’m gonna have to order some kneepads, though. so i figured i might as well order a set of both.
what are ALTAS pads?
http://www.altaindustries.com/tactical.shtml
The altalock system seems to be the preferred set up. I’m happy with it in my set.
Piggy-backing on this thread since I’m looking for some too. Thanks for the good links.
I prefer the Altas or similar style knee/elbow pads. I prefer the quicker on of of the straps and I find I get less bunching, making them more comfortable, and I find them cooler too without all the extra material. I have used regular soft style in the past, but now stick to the hard ones. I also find them more durable. A piece of bullet jacket, gravel or other normal debris from the range can quickly tear or puncture a cloth faced pad, or possibly even the skin behind it. Lastly I find the hard faced pads, also help distribute the impact force of dropping to a knee and a hard surface or object.
So for my bad knees hard are the only way to go, and for elbows I think the cloth style pads can be used, but prefer the hard ones for the quicker/easier on and off, cooler temps, and extra protection.
Just my .02.
-RD62
I have used a bunch of different knee and elbow pads, from Alta to Hatch, neoprene to the hinged things.
I really like the Hatch XTAK kneepads. Have not used the elbow pads.
I have heard good things from real users about the Arc’teryx Knee Pads as well, and are then next pair I am going to try out. They are a bit pricey at about $50, but I am willing to pay for a pair of kneepads that can be worn for longer than a couple of hours and not irritate me, feel like a heating blanket, or slip all over, they are worth it- to me at least.
+1 on the alta pads. i use the usmc issue type. forgot the model name.
Like F2S, I’ve been developing a strong interest in the Arc’Teryx kneecaps.
MM recently did a great review on them, if you haven’t seen it.
Chief
Anyone tried them dexter meadows clip on types?
I used Alta knee pads in a couple classes and they worked well. I also used them to tile the patio and they were great for that as well - and now they have a well worn look!
I am also looking at the Arcteryx ones as well as an alternate…
Spooky
I love anything Arcteryx makes.
I own the Altas and I LOVE them.
Altas are the best. After awhile I forget they are there.
Altas.
You can wear them for hours and forget they’re there.
Ordered the Altas this morning for a class next weekend.
After a decade of trying several different knee and elbow pads here’s what I finally settled on:
“Bike” brand volley ball style elbow pads…You don’t want anything that will restrict movement of your arms, you don’t want velcro, and you don’t want hard plastic cups. For your elbows all you want is something that provides a little padding, doesn’t restrict movement, can be worn under a long sleeve shirt / sweat shirt / jacket, and won’t make you wobble when in the prone position (like elbow pads with a hard plastic shell)…
Bike volley ball elbow pads are the way to go. You can find them at Wal-Mart or most sporting good stores for under $20. I use them at work, in classes, and at matches:
Larger version of above photo.
Larger version of above photo.
A contractor in a recent class using the same Bike elbow pads that I have used for several years. You can see that he has good range of movement, the Bike pads prevent any discomfort, and provide a stable platform from the prone position (hard plastic shells make a shooter wobble in the prone position):
Alta knee pads: I have tried several knee pads over the years. I found that Hatch Tactical Knee and Elbow pads were over priced and under engineered. I went through several pair.
Something I found out, along the way about knee pads was that velcro leg straps were a “NO GO”. I found that I could never get the velcro leg straps “just right”, they were either too loose, or more often was the case, too tight and cut off circulation in my legs.
Altas knee pads…They are cheap (around $20), they can be found at your local Home Depot or Lowes, they are very durable, they don’t use velcro…they use a nylon strap that is attached to the knee pad via a buckle attachment…everything you need in a knee pad, nothing you don’t.
The set of Altas that I’m using have been through several classes, SWAT calls, work around the house, etc. and are over 3 years old.
The Hatch knee pads that I used in the late 90’s / early 2000’s were double the price of the Altas, and often times wouldn’t even make it through a 3 day training class before the hard plastic shell would seperate from the soft foam…
From the pictures shown by Failure2Stop, it apprears that Hatch has changed their design and gone to the same attachment method that Altas is using (buckle instead of velcro).
Elbow pads…Maximum range of movement, comfort, and as little restriction as possible. Remember that you are not going to be breaking your fall with your elbows. You just need something between you and the ground in the prone position so you elbows don’t get all scraped up. Just a little padding is all that is needed.
Knee pads. …Maximum range of movement, something that is durable because when you break a fall the first thing that comes in contact with the ground is the knees, something that doesn’t cut off blood flow, hard plastic cup, comfort, doesn’t restrict running, walking, etc.
S/F,
Jeff
I wonder if < [COLOR=“Indigo”]ProKnee[/COLOR] > may be a tad bit cumbersome for the “tactical” scenario if it could be [re]designed for that particular “arena”? 
I set tile for a long time. I’ve been though a lot of kneepads. I was amazed at how comfortable the Altas were. The bottom strap is solid and the top stretches. They stayed put all day. They are full of win for $20. I had hardshell elbow pads and vollyball pads as a backup based on the above recommendation. The vollyball pads worked great.
Alta were exactly what I needed for the class. Thanks one and all for the link and input. I would recommend them without reservation.
