The 10 Best Volleyball Knee Pads

There are thermal stabilizers inside the VolleyCountry Knee Pads (appx. $29) that help regulate your temperature while you're competing. This can keep your muscles warm and lithe, yet also prevent you from overheating, so they shouldn't be soggy messes when you take them off.

The Mizuno LR6 (about $22) keep the entire structure of your knee safeguarded, as they wrap around the whole joint to offer complete patella, lateral, and medial protection. They pair well with braces, making them a smart choice for anyone who has already suffered an injury.

The Rawxy Flexy (around $19) don't just protect the fronts of your knees, but also cushion the sides as well. The high-rebound foam padding absorbs and disperses impacts when you hit the ground, ensuring that your bones won't take the brunt of any collisions.

As the name suggests, the six-inch Asics Ace Low Profile (appx. $14) are less bulky and cumbersome than many of their counterparts. They're made of a blend of cotton, rubber, and nylon to provide plenty of comfort, shock absorption, and flexibility.

The Bodyprox Protective (appx. $14) cover your entire knee and then some, offering you a layer of shielding no matter how you end up landing on the court. Since the elastic extends well past either end of the joint, you'll enjoy plenty of flexibility while running and diving.

Made for women, the Adidas Elite (about $20) are constructed from an extremely breathable fabric. This not only helps to keep you cool during games, it also reduces sweat production, which means you're less likely to have to suffer any irritation -- or smelly equipment.

Elite players should consider strapping the Tachikara Competition (around $12) to their legs, as they're made with high-density foam shrouded in an elastic sleeve. That helps to guard your bones and joints, so you can compete without worrying about getting injured in the process.

Anyone hoping to stand out will love the Wilson Junior (appx. $14), as they come in a bright pink that serves as a welcome respite from ordinary black or white options. While designed for youngsters, petite women may find them to be a good fit for their frames.

The Grandcow Protective (about $10) are certainly hard to miss, as the EVA foam juts out far from the knee. This gives you plenty of cushioning if you hit the ground, but be prepared to readjust them frequently, as they slide around a bit while you play.

The unconventional McDavid Hex 6440 (about $34) are unlike most of their competition. Instead of stuffing foam inside an elastic wrap, these have multiple closed-cell pads that help to disperse impacts while also reducing wear and tear on themselves.