Every youngster benefits from a little additional safety when riding their bike or scooter. Knee and elbow protection can assist enhance their confidence, whether they’re two-wheel rookies or small daredevils.
Pads make shy youngsters who are still learning feel safe and less afraid of falling. They’ll give kids the confidence they need to get back up and keep going if they fall.
Knee and elbow protectors are important for more aggressive riders who may be attempting stunts or riding on tracks. Going over jumps or up and down skateboard ramps might lead to a trip to the emergency room. Pads cannot completely prevent injuries, but they can help to decrease them.
A tiny child who is just learning to ride a balance bike can benefit as well. Falls are unavoidable at this age. Toddlers tend to fall with their hands first, therefore elbows and hands, in particular, require protection.
However, if your child is secure on their bike and merely rides it to school or around the neighborhood, padding may not be essential. Wearing a sturdy helmet should be sufficient for leisure bike riders.
Best Kids’ Elbow and Knee Pad Sets
The great part of protective sets specifically marketed to kids is that you can get all their protective needs in one matching package; elbows, knees, and wrists. Here are the market-leading sets we’ve found for kids of all ages.
Best All-Rounder Protective Set: OutdoorMaster Elbow Pads and Knee Pads for Kids
Sizes Available: S (3-8yo), M (8-15yo)
If you’re looking for a protective set of elbow, knee, and wrist guards all in one set that will work for every wheeled sport, you can’t go past OutdoorMaster.
The hard outer shell design of this 6-in-1 set provides robust protection to crucial joints, whilst the attaching material is skin-friendly and breathable, ensuring your child comfortable wear.
The inclusion of wrist guards means the set is also appropriate to use with skateboards and roller skates where this extra level of joint protection is required.
This set is slip-on, so needs to fit over their clothing with a velcro fastener. There’s a fair bit of flexibility in sizing so the set can grow with your child.
Pros
- Color choices – available in a wide range of colors to suit your child’s preferences.
- Shell – the PP shell gives your child maximum protection
Cons
- Durability – Some customers have reported issues with durability and velcro wearing too quickly.
- Sizing – note that these pads are made to fit over clothing. If your child is in jeans, coats, and winter wear, they may need to go up a size
Best Kids Bike Knee and Elbow Set: Schwinn Kids Protective Bike Gloves, Knee and Elbow Pads
Sizes Available: One Size
Suitable for children aged five and above, however, some parents claim that it will suit youngsters as young as three years old; moreover, the strap is adjustable.
They’re ideal for toddlers who ride balance bikes. Because of the quality of the shells, they will protect your child from impact.
With a simple design, the set is trendier and more mature-looking than others for this age range.
The package contains not just elbow and knee pads, but also gloves that are simple to put on and adjust. The gloves on the Schwinn have a Velcro fastening, so your youngster can put them on by themselves.
Pros
- High-Quality Material – the material used in these pads ensures that they are durable and comfortable.
- Shell – the shell is made from hard plastic which offers a lot of protection.
Cons
- Size Issues – some may find that the size that they order is too small
- Lack of wrist protection – the bikers’ gloves will not provide sufficient protection for skaters.
Best Skater Knee & Elbow Pad Set: Bosoner Knee Pad And Elbow Pads
Sizes Available: S (3-7yo), M (8-15yo)
This ensemble from Bosoner is our top selection for kids who like to mix their wheeled fun with roller skating and skateboarding. They are ideal for children aged three through to 13 years old, approximately.
Your child will appreciate the protection cushions, which are constructed of vented EVA foam and are comfortable.
The material breathes, allowing the rider to stay cool even on hot days. The straps are elastic with a hook and loop fitting, easy to adjust to fit the wearer. They do not need to slip on over clothing making them easier to put on than many brands.
Because the set is multi-functional, your young daredevil may use it while roller skating, riding their scooter, or biking around the park. They’re light and flexible while yet guarding against falls and tumbles.
Pros
- Selection of Colors – your child can pick what color they want out of a selection of four varieties (pink, purple, blue, and black).
- Affordable – this knee and elbow pad set are very reasonably priced compared to others without compromising quality.
Cons
- Durability – these pads are not the most durable and will not be able to put up with repetitive hard impact.
Best Soft Knee & Elbow Pads: Simply Kids Innovative Soft Kids’ Knee and Elbow Pads
Sizes Available: S (2-4yo), M (4-8yo), L (8-11yo)
Simply Kids’ elbow and knee pads garnered rave reviews, with parents applauding their softness and flexibility while still providing protection; some children find the hard shell plastic very uncomfortable.
The product is constructed of skin-friendly neoprene, which is commonly used in wetsuits. It’s elastic and breathable, and your youngster will like wearing it.
With three layers of barrier materials, the pads will keep your infant secure. These heavy-duty layers work to cushion the impact in the event that the user falls. In addition to providing excellent protection, the material’s suppleness allows your child to move freely.
There are several bright and playful patterns available for kids to choose from.
Pros
- Three layers of material – the additional layers provide lots of protection from impact.
- Comfortable – the material is also very flexible and soft.
Cons
- Size – the sizes run a bit small for some older kids, choose sizing carefully as it’s a very snug fit.
- Lack of wrist protection – gloves are included in this set but not full wrist protectors, may not be suitable for skaters but works great for bikes and scooters.
Best Toddler Protective Pads: Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Knee and Elbow Pads
Sizes Available: One Size (Recommended 3-5yo)
Aside from the exciting Paw Patrol motif, the kit is also quite robust. It has adjustable Velcro straps for a comfortable fit. Then there’s a breathable mesh material that keeps the covered portions fresh and cool.
The set is appropriate for youngsters ages three to five. However, some parents have stated that it is best suited for children aged two to four. If the kit is a little oversized to begin with, the Velcro straps make it simple to alter.
This knee and elbow set for biking is available in several different colored Nickeloden themes if pink’s not their thing!
Pros
- Breathable – the mesh used makes the pads very breathable which keeps your child nice and cool and prevents heat rashes.
- Adjustable – the velcro straps allow you to adjust them so that they fit perfectly.
Cons
- Padding – these pads do not have a lot of padding compared to others but still offer protection against more minor accidents
What To Look For In Knee And Elbow Pads For Kids
Since their job is to protect your child from getting hurt in the event of an accident, it can put a lot of pressure on getting the right ones. Luckily, there is an easier way to know what pads you should get and that is by breaking it down and paying attention to the individual factors.
Material
You must assess the materials chosen to assure your child’s safety and comfort. To survive falls, the outside shell is typically robust and sturdy, commonly made of quality plastic.
Padding can be found beneath the protective shell. Manufacturers often use impact-absorbing foam or polyurethane for knee and elbow protectors. This is what you should seek if you want complete protection.
Have a good thing about the material from which the pads are made from. Because physical exercise causes perspiration, you’ll need a material that is lightweight and breathable to ensure your kid is comfortable. Cotton and mesh are two ideal materials for this, and some pads use both.
Comfort
Making sure your child is comfortable whilst wearing their knee and elbow pads will make them much more willing to wear them again and again. Comfortable pads will be designed in a way that moves with your child without rubbing or digging in.
Sleeve pads are a great option regarding this because they increase blood flow as well as work as compression pads. Not only this but they are very comfortable and will work seamlessly with the joints and curves of your child’s arms and legs.
Size and Fit
The vast majority of knee and elbow protectors are one-size-fits-all. This is because they may be tightened to fit appropriately on the joint. If you are petite or overweight, however, you need to get customized pads that will suit the user precisely.
Most knee elbow pads may be tightened for a suitable and secure fit. When purchasing protective pads, you should learn about the fitting method. Some items include elastic straps to help them fit better. You should also look at the product’s sizing chart.
Sizing is one of the most difficult aspects of selecting the best elbow and knee protectors for toddlers. Some manufacturers provide size criteria that you may use to discover the ideal fit for your toddler, but you should also consider the child’s weight and height. It is often as simple as comparing your child’s clothing size to the size of the elbow and knee pads.
If they are wearing bulky outerwear, it may be prudent to choose a size up so that the protective padding can fit over their clothing.
What to Look For in Knee and Elbow Pads
Since their job is to protect your child from getting hurt in the event of an accident, it can put a lot of pressure on getting the right ones.
Luckily, there is an easier way to know what pads you should get and that is by breaking it down and paying attention to the individual factors.
Material
You must assess the materials chosen to assure your child’s safety and comfort. To survive falls, the outside shell is typically robust and sturdy, commonly made of quality plastic.
Padding can be found beneath the protective shell. Manufacturers often use impact-absorbing foam or polyurethane for knee and elbow protectors. This is what you should seek if you want complete protection.
Have a good thing about the material from which the pads are made from. Because physical exercise causes perspiration, you’ll need a material that is lightweight and breathable to ensure your kid is comfortable.
Cotton and mesh are two ideal materials for this, and some pads use both.
Comfort
Making sure your child is comfortable whilst wearing their knee and elbow pads will make them much more willing to wear them again and again.
Comfortable pads will be designed in a way that moves with your child without rubbing or digging in.
Sleeve pads are a great option regarding this because they increase blood flow as well as work as compression pads. Not only this but they are very comfortable and will work seamlessly with the joints and curves of your child’s arms and legs.
Size and Fit
The vast majority of knee and elbow protectors are one-size-fits-all. This is because they may be tightened to fit appropriately on the joint. If your child is petite or overweight, however, you need to get customized pads that will suit the user precisely.
Most knee elbow pads may be tightened for a suitable and secure fit. When purchasing protective pads, you should learn about the fitting method. Some items include elastic straps to help them fit better. You should also look at the product’s sizing chart – it’s not always consistent across brands.
Sizing is one of the most difficult aspects of selecting the best elbow and knee protectors for toddlers. Some manufacturers provide size criteria that you may use to discover the ideal fit for your toddler, but you should also consider the child’s weight and height.
It is often as simple as comparing your child’s clothing size to the size of the elbow and knee pads.
Summary
That was our list of some of the best elbow and knee pads you can get for your child. If you get them any of the options on this list, you can have peace of mind that they will not only be protected against scrapes and bumps but will also be excited to put on their cool new pads.
Don’t forget you’re child will also need a properly fitted helmet before they head anywhere on their wheels. You may also want to check out next:
- Our guide on how to properly fit a kid’s bike helmet
- A selection of the best dual-certified helmets for skateboarding
- Why you will also want a dual-certified helmet for roller skating
- Our selection of the best scooter helmets for little kids
Jump back over to all our safety gear reviews for kids’ wheeled toys
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