There are many tasks in boatbuilding that require spending a lot of time on one’s knees: kneeling to sand or paint a larger boat; working on all fours to lay out cloth panels when making sails; changing the oil in an outboard’s lower unit. Such jobs are hard on the knees.
I’ve used various kneepads over the years. My most recent and clear favorites are the Leatherhead Kneepads from Troxell. They have a 1″-thick closed-cell-foam core that is contoured to fit around the knee and over the kneecap. The foam is covered inside and out with stretch-fabric-faced 1⁄8″ neoprene. Sewn on the front of each kneepad is a patch of leather-like material, which evidently gives the Leatherheads their name. The Troxell website avoids identifying the material, but many descriptions posted by their retail outlets list it as “faux leather.” Using magnification, I could see a sponge-like layer under the textured surface and beneath that a layer of interwoven fibers. I cut off a small corner of the material, touched it with a flame, and it burned to a black ash with no sign of melting that would occur with plastic. Whatever the composition of the patch, it is remarkably durable. Despite prolonged use over four years the pads’ textured surfaces have no tears, gouges, or scuffs.
Photographs by the authorThe Leatherhead’s 1″-thick foam provides plenty of comfort, and the faux-leather outside patch stands up well to rough and abrasive surfaces.
Below the faux-leather patch on each kneepad is a 7″ × 2″ strip of the hook side of some Velcro. An adjustable neoprene strap, 18″ long × 3″ wide, tapering to 2″, is sewn to the side of the kneepad. The end of its outside face is protected with faux leather; on the strap’s inside face is the loop side of the Velcro.
The Velcro closure system works effectively and has not lost its grip on my kneepads even after years of use and the accumulation of debris on the hook side of the tape.
Putting on the kneepads is quite easy. While holding the pad over the kneecap, the strap is wrapped around the back of the knee, to ride on the top of the wearer’s calf, and pulled taut to keep the pad in place. The end of the strap is secured to the Velcro strip on the front of the kneepad.
The Leatherheads are very comfortable to wear. Each weighing only 8 1⁄2 oz, the pads do not sag away from the knee, so there is no need for a second strap above the knee, which can hinder walking. I don’t wear shorts much (and never while working), but the neoprene’s stretch fabric is easy on bare knees if the weather gets warm. When knelt on, the thick foam cushion distributes weight without creating pressure points. I can put my full weight on the pads against steel carpet tacks, brass canoe tacks, and copper rivets and clench nails without feeling any discomfort, even when a fastening pokes into (but not through) the faux leather.
The Leatherhead’s neoprene strap rides at the top of the calf muscle and keeps the pad in place. The stretch of the neoprene assures comfort while kneeling, standing, and walking.
I’ve been using my Leatherheads for a few years now. They’re stained and paint-splattered, and the hook side of the Velcro has gathered bits of moss, hair, and lint, but they function as well as they did when new. Whatever work may bring me to my knees, I’ll be wearing them.
Christopher Cunningham is the Small Boats editor-at-large.
Super-soft Leatherhead Kneepads are available from Troxell USA for $58.95 for Large (9″ × 8 1⁄2″, reviewed here) and $49.95 for Medium (7″ × 7″).
Is there a product that might be useful for boatbuilding, cruising, or shore-side camping that you’d like us to review? Please email your suggestions.
For more workshop-tool reviews by Christopher Cunningham, see:
DeWalt Dry Hand Vacuum, a convenient cordless vacuum for the shop.
WorkTunes, comfortable muffs that offer hearing protection while incorporating radio and Bluetooth.
Pedal and Paddle Switches, for the safe operating of power tools.
Sized according to use or size of knees?