Kneepads

[Coronach]

I need to get a set of kneepads for use in live-fire exercises. We've recently adopted a new qualification course that has entirely too much "from standing, kneel and fire two shots, each target, recover to standing" type stuff. I'm all for position shooting, but I have really bad knees, and the concrete floor just kills me. It's especially bad doing it under time, because the tendency is to go down on your knee a weeeeebit faster than you should. Normally, I'd just suck it up, but we're also starting rifle training, too, and I've heard the course of fire described as "calisthetics with guns".

The problem is that I'd like to be able to use them under a pair of loose-fitting jeans or slacks without looking like Spongebob Tacticalpants. So, they'd have to be pretty slim.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Mike

[Billy Sparks]

I know you don't want to look like Spongebob Tacticalpants but the 5.11 pants and the Woolrich pants have a knee pad pocket that you can slide a knee pad (looks like a oddly shaped mouse pad) into. It will definatly cut down on the wear and tear on your knee.

[mp510]

There is also the slide-over variety that some sporting goods companies market.

http://www.opentip.com/products/American_Wave_International_Short_Knee_Pads_Baseball_Gear_Protection-103921.html

[Bix]

Coronach,

I'd strongly consider a set of the hard-shelled kneepads, regardless of the ninja look. Lots of standing-to-kneeling live-fire drills sounds to me like lots of opportunities to drop a kneecap onto an upended piece of brass - which would certainly be distracting. :)

I've got a set of the Alta pads that I use in long gun classes and the plastic shells have a couple gouges in them. May or may not have been a problem without the shell - don't want to find out.

[Coronach]

I'd strongly consider a set of the hard-shelled kneepads, regardless of the ninja look. Lots of standing-to-kneeling live-fire drills sounds to me like lots of opportunities to drop a kneecap onto an upended piece of brass - which would certainly be distracting.DONE THAT.

Distracting does not begin to describe it.

Thanks for the ideas.

Mike

[Shaughn Leayme]

Go to www.hatch-corp.com

I use the knee pads, picked them up when the company I worked for, implemented a qualification course for all those authorized to carry weapons on the job and now find I use them when I go to a rare 3 gun match.

[BSlacker]

I use 5.11s with thin shipping foam. The kind that is closed cell and thin you wrap the item to be shipped in it. You can get it at a UPS store. Cut so it doesn't have square corners and put them in the knee pockets, not to sponge Bob and just add layers for more portection or keep it at one layer for flexibilty. :)

[Snarlingiron]

I use these:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=4388&d=

Couldn't give a crap less how they look, I can go to a knee pretty much as hard as I want, and do no damage. I use the elbow pads too.

BTW, this is a heck of a buy. I paid quite a bit more for mine.

[modifiedbrowning]

Check out Telemark skiing kneepads. Most are pretty thin and made to fit under ski pants.
Here's the ones from Black Diamond (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/gear/telekneesis.php).

[Heavy Metal Hero]

http://www.dextermeadows.com/

I like these because they clip on, allowing for a better and more secure fit.

[barry23]

I agree with the previous poster, suck it up and deal with the corny look but go with a hardface pad by Alta or Hatch. One firm plant on a piece of pea gravel and you'll know why. I wish we had these when I was in the service.