Best Yoga Knee Pads: Recommended by Experts

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While yoga is a form of exercise that soothes, relaxes and calms us physically, emotionally and mentally, sometimes it can also turn out to be strenuous on our elbows, joints and knees if not done with the help of proper gears- especially if you have weak or injured knees.

In spite of having a yoga mat (extra-thick or standard) you might feel discomfort performing various poses which may lead to serious or heavy injuries. If you are feeling pain when you’re on your knees, the particular yoga accessory that one needs is a yoga knee pad.

Yoga knee pads are specifically designed to be thick so that it provides the extra-cushion to your knees preventing you from straining your joints. If you are looking to buy knee pads for yourself you’ll find innumerable options to choose from and that may get you all confused.

So, to help you out in the search we have compiled the best ones that are currently available in the market and this yoga accessory should definitely help you ease into your new yoga routine.

Also read our most popular post on Best Yoga Mats For Sensitive Knees

Best Yoga Knee Pads

Which are the Best Yoga Knee Pads?

1. Heathyoga Knee Pad

The Heathyoga Knee Pad ranks second on our list for two primary reasons. Number one, because it is thicker than the other knee pads that are available in the market and number two, because it is the perfect knee pad to be used for hot yoga.

This knee pad provides greater comfort, stability and balance and what attracted us to it the most is its excellent moisture-wicking capabilities which enable it to be used even during hot yoga sessions where you tend to sweat profusely.  

Suitable for yoga, Pilates and other ground exercises it helps you with alleviating pain and stress on your joints. 

Do checkout our post on Best Wrist Support For Yoga, in case you are interested.

What we like in it ?

  • Comes with a carrying strap for hassle-free carrying.
  • Comes with excellent moisture-wicking capabilities.
  • Cushions not only joints but also other pressure points of the body.
  • Light weight and easy portability.

Cons

  • Might be a little hard in the beginning but softens with regular use.
  • Users have complained of it indenting easily.

2. SukhaMat Yoga Knee Pad

You might be a seasoned yogi and still face pain and strain on your joints, knees and elbows. So, to relieve you of that, topping our list of the best yoga knee pads is the SukhaMat Yoga Knee Pad.

This is indeed one of the best as it ensures your joints do not have to endure those repetitive strains any more. It provides the best comfort to all your joints including the sensitive pressure points on your body.

This knee pad comes in a large and wide size allowing it to complement the size of a full-size standard yoga mat. Extremely practical to use, this yoga knee pad is great to travel with and is suitable for all kinds of yoga and other exercises.

Check our post on Best Yoga Mats

What we like in it ?

  • Cushions not only the joints but also the pressure points.
  • The size is perfect to roll it up with the yoga mat which makes it super-easy to port or store.
  • Thick enough even to rest the head.
  • Biodegradable and eco-friendly.

Cons

  • Can get a little slippery with excessive sweat in spite of being waterproof.
  • A strong stench in the initial stage which gradually wears out with regular use.

3. Yoga Jellies Knee Pad

Ranking third in our list is Yoga Jellies. As strange as it may seem but Yoga Jellies are knee pads too. However, they are more convenient to use by intermediary and seasoned yogis. Beginners might face some balance issues with these.

Available in a set of two they provide extreme level of comfort by cushioning your joints and pressure points. Each measuring about 5.5 inches, the Yoga Jellies are extremely flexible and lightweight and seasoned yogis literally swear by these.

They are basically gel-like discs which resist any kind of joint pain or injuries when you use them during your sessions.

What we like in it ?

  • Can be used for all kinds of yoga, pilates and even other forms of ground exercises.
  • Right amount of stickiness to prevent from slipping even when it comes in contact with sweat.
  • Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly.
  • Made of silicon based materials.

Cons

  • On the higher side of the price range than the regular knee pads available.
  • The small size makes it difficult to use especially for beginners.

4. Prosource Fit Yoga Knee Pad

Coming fourth in our list is the ProSource Fit Yoga Knee Pad which works great to improve balance and strength for rehabilitating your weak or injured joints. It is suitable for anyone and everyone of all fitness levels and for all types of exercises.

The most attractive feature of this knee pad is that it can be put to multiple uses apart from just exercising purposes. Made of environment-friendly TPE material, this yoga knee pad is sweat-proof and slip-resistant.

Make sure to know more about the Best Yoga Mats For Plus Size Men And Women  

What we like in it ?

  • Designed with versatility which makes it suitable for variety of uses.
  • Improves balance and strength while providing comfort to knees and other joints.
  • Lightweight and easy portability.
  • Eco-friendly.

Cons

  • Users have complained about the knee pad flattening with abusive us.
  • Slightly wider than other regular yoga knee pads.

5. RatPad Yoga Knee Pad

This yoga knee pad is uniquely designed and it comes in an oval shape which is unlike the regular knee pads that we see everyday.

This yoga knee pad comes with extra-padding which provides greater comfort and cushioning especially when you are executing tough poses.

Manufactured with advanced closed cell foam it does not absorb moisture and therefore does not end up slipping or skidding in any way. Lightweight and latex free it is suitable for all types of workout routines it can withstand long, frequent and abusive use.

What we like in it ?

  • Designed specifically for tough poses and therefore supports joints and lower backs on hard surfaces.
  • The closed cell construction prevents it from absorbing moisture or sweat.
  • Supports joints and pressure points.
  • Eco-friendly.

Cons

  • Need to be bought in pairs for both knees.
  • The shape slightly causes inconvenience in packing or storing.

6. Yilo Warrior Yoga Knee Pad

The Yilo Warrior is yet another wonderful yoga knee pad which provides superb comfort and support to your joints during your prolonged yoga or workout sessions.

The most unique characteristics of this yoga pad are that it comes with a closed cell construction based on polymer blend which makes sweat impermeable and therefore it also comes with a great grip on any kind of surfaces.

It is indeed a great product and users have claimed it to be highly reliable and durable. Suitable for both outdoor and indoor use and all types of exercises, the Yilo Warrior makes for a great yoga knee pad for all the yogis out there and otherwise.

What we like in it ?

  • Provides excellent joint support and improves balance and stability.
  • Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and for all types of yoga and other forms of exercises.
  • Eco-friendly and biodegradable.
  • High performance grip.

Cons

  • Measuring about 1 inch, this one is slightly thicker than the other knee pads.
  • Available in only one colour option.

7. Vive Balance/ Knee Pad

Last on our list is the Vive Balance Knee Pad which is made of foam and comes in a large size. Although ranking last on our list, this knee pad provides excellent support and improves strength, stability, balance and mobility.

This balance pad can be used for workout routines, physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. The extra-large textured platform provides this knee/ balance pad with an ultimate grip which is safe to use both barefoot and with shoes on.

The cushioned platform gives you space to take wider stances in your posture and therefore accomplish difficult and tougher poses and exercises. Lightweight and easily portable this knee pad can be put to multiple and versatile use too. The durable foam material it is made of makes it tear-resistant, safe and latex-free.

What we like in it ?

  • Available at an extremely affordable price range.
  • Can be put to multiple use apart from workout routine. Can be used for physical therapy and physical rehabilitation programs.
  • Improves overall balance and core strength apart from supporting joints and pressure points of the body.
  • Closed-cell construction.

Cons

  • The platform style design makes it slightly too thick and large. May cause inconvenience in portability, storage and packing.
  • Users have claimed that it may indent quickly with abusive and frequent use.

How do I find the right Yoga Knee Pads?

Yoga knee pads are necessary for you when you are feeling pain on your knees or joints while performing yoga- especially if the pain stays on. So, if you are planning on buying one or a pair for yourself, then keeping in mind these guidelines can be helpful.

These tips describe the various characteristics that you must remember while getting a yoga knee pad.

Thickness

The most important function of a yoga knee pad is that it should relieve you of the pain that you are struggling with probably because of some injury, surgical interventions, some kind of pain in the bones or just some plain soreness.

So, while buying one you must check thoroughly that the knee pads are making you more than comfortable enough to help you relax and completely focus on your session.

A yoga knee pad should come with a thickness of 3/4th of an inch to the least. This thickness protects your knees and joints from coming directly in contact with the hard ground/ surface thus preventing you from any kind of further injuries.

Stability

Yoga knee pads are thick planks of cushiony structures that prevent your joints from hitting the hard ground. Therefore, an adequate yoga knee pad must be stable on any ground (smooth or rugged terrain) to let you enjoy a focused and a comfortable session of yoga.

Design

Comfortability is yet another major function of yoga knee pads. Yoga knee pads come in different shapes and sizes and that directly determines their efficiency. So it is crucial that they are well-balanced and does not cause any kind of hindrance in your performance.

Whether you need a large or a wide knee pad depends entirely on your needs, requirements and preferences. Large and wide knee pad always provide you with more balance and space for you to move around on it. And if you are a seasoned yogi, you may also go for round knee pads that fit your joints tightly.

Materials

Once you look for yoga knee pads (online or offline) you’ll see that a variety of materials are used to make them. However, the ones which are made of eco-friendly materials- like cotton, jute, and recycled rubber- are always preferable.

Yoga knee pads made out of these materials are durable and can withstand abusive use. It is also important to make sure that the fabric used to cover the knee pad must not be itchy or uncomfortable in any way and should also be allergen-free especially for people with sensitive skin.

They must also be smooth and soft to the skin In a nutshell, it is always better to go for yoga knee pads which are made of memory-foam (without the plastic shells) as they are shock-absorbent and comfortable. There are knee pads available in the market which is made from gel substance which is absorbent, comfortable and durable too.

Practicality

Another major consideration that must be considered while buying yoga knee pads is that they must be easy to use, store, pack and carry. This must be specifically noted when you are buying the larger and the wider ones.

Water-Proof

Yoga knee pads are available in two kinds- one which is waterproof and the other which isn’t. It is always better to go for the waterproof ones not only because they avoid those sweat droplets from sticking onto them but also because they are easier to clean.

They also help the yogi to stay cool and dry for longer sessions of yoga classes.

Anti-Slip

It is always better to go for anti-slip/ anti-skid yoga knee pads as they provide greater stability while in use especially during longer sessions.

Straps

Whether you want a strapped knee pad or not, that depends entirely on your need and preference. However, strapped knee pads are always more convenient to use.

Colour

This factor must be considered last and is the least important one. For your yoga knee pad, you must always choose a colour that is less distracting and helps you focus on your session longer.

Can Knee Pads Be Worn For Yoga

Frequently asked questions

Can Knee Pads Be Worn For Yoga?

Knee pads must and should be worn for yoga if you have weak knees, elbows or joints. It is necessary that you use them also if you are suffering from any kind of injury, surgery, pain or soreness. Knee pads provide an extra amount of cushion to protect you from all of this discomfort while performing yoga.

Why Does Yoga Hurt The Knee?

It often happens that when you fold your legs forward and tilt your pelvis, your knee stretches which puts pressure on your knee joints. This happens when you have weak or injured knees. It also happens if you have any kind of pain or soreness on your joints or when you are struggling with some surgical interventions.

Should Yoga Be Done If The Knee Hurts?

Yoga improves overall leg strength and is beneficial to your knees. However, there are certain poses that must be avoided if the knee hurts too badly while performing them. Consult your yoga instructor or doctor in case you have hurting knees while doing yoga.

Conclusion

As unimportant as they may look to be, yoga knee pads are useful and helpful for all yogis and especially for those who feel pain on their joints while performing yoga poses and asanas.

From all the yoga knee pads listed above, our favourite is the SukhaMat Yoga Knee Pad and our second favorite is Heathyoga Knee Pad.

No matter which one you go for, make sure you follow our guidelines and pick the right one. After all, yoga is all about relaxation and yoga knee pads always help you achieve that without a doubt.

Have fun doing yoga and let not any pain deter you! We will love it if you like something from our selection and find it useful.

Also Read: Best 6 Yoga Mats For Big Guys And Plus Size Men