9 Best Kids Knee and Elbow Pads

If your child is riding a neighborhood bike, a skateboard, a scooter, or a mountain bike, kids knee and elbow pads can be a lifesaver! Not only do they minimize injury, they can give your timid child the confidence to keep trying, or your adventurous child the security to keep pushing themselves outside their comfort zone.

And what about all those average, neighborhood riders – do they need knee pads? We’ve seen time and again that knee and elbow pads give kids a sense of protection that allows them to explore and be adventurous beyond their normal inclinations. And clearly, knee and elbow pads can help prevent even minor injuries.

Group of kids ages 3 to 14 wearing kids knee pads

We’ve tested knee pads on kids ranging in age from 1 to 14 and found several favorites that provide solid protection and are comfortable. We’ve also tested pads that get great ratings on Amazon, but are a sure pass in our book. Scroll to the end to see the pads that didn’t make the cut!

Our Favorite Kids Knee and Elbow Pads

Pads Age Range MSRP
Flexible Pads for Everyday Biking
Simply Kids Pads Set 2 - 11 $28
woom Neebows 4 - 12 $39
Hardshell Skateboarding and Skate Pads
Outdoor Master Pad Set 3 - 10 $21
Strider Pad Set 18 mo - 5 $19
Triple 8 Saver Series Pad Set 5 - 11 $45
MTB Pads for Trail Riding
7 Protection Transition Pads 18 mo - 12 $30-$60
Troy Lee Speed Sleeve 8 - 12 $49
G-Form Knee and Elbow Pads 7 - 12 $55
Fox Youth Launch D30 12 - 14 $69

Beyond biking, we highly recommend pads for kids who ride in-line skates as those falls can be particularly abrupt and hard. In fact, the CPSC recommends pads for kids riding scooters and roller skates to decrease injuries. It’s also not a bad idea for timid kids first learning to ride a hoverboard.

What about kids on balance bikes?  Pads are great, but consider getting gloves as well, as kids often fall hands first. Zippyrooz are our favorite for toddlers and preschoolers.

Flexible Knee and Elbow Pads: Everyday Riding

Kids riding bikes, especially those sticking to the neighborhood, don’t fall nearly as often as kids attempting tricks on skateboards. As a result, the hard plastic shell found on most “skate pads” are a bit of overkill for bike riding. In addition to being bulkier, sweatier, and less flexible, skate pads can also limit the natural pedaling motion.

As a result, for biking we highly recommend soft, flexible pads without a hard, plastic shell. In addition to being soft and comfortable, they also provide plenty of protection during a fall.

Comfortable and Easy to Use Pads Set

Simply Kids Knee and Elbow Pad Set

Simply Kids knee and elbow pad set in pink camo, and toddler wearing the set.

MSRP: $30 (price includes knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves)

SIZES AVAILABLE: Three sizes S (2-4), M (4-8), L (8-11)

With long velcro straps that attach anywhere to the velcro on the pad, the Simply Kids knee and elbow pads are easy to tighten or loosen for the perfect fit for your child.

The fabric and pads are breathable and soft, making them fit more naturally than cheaper pads we’ve seen. The open back is a bonus in the summer time, leading to less sweat and a cooler ride. As a result, kids are less likely to want to take them off.

Be aware that these kids bike pads are available in two different versions. 1st Gen has standard shorter knee pads along with elbow pads, as seen in the image above. 2nd Gen has shin guards attached to the knee pads, along with elbow pads. The shin guards make the pads pretty bulky, so unless you feel shin guards are absolutely necessary, stick to 1st Gen. On the Amazon link provided above, pads are 1st Gen unless labeled as 2nd Gen in the color selection.

High Quality Pads with Silicone Strips

woom Neebow Knee and Elbow Pads

Child wearing woom neebow knee pads

MSRP: $39 (knee pads), $39 (elbow pads)

SIZES AVAILABLE: Three sizes S, M, L. Small size is a good, snug fit on our 45″ tall, 50 pound tester.

With thin, stretchy mesh along the back of the pads, woom Neebow knee and elbow pads maximize breathability and comfort. We also appreciate that there is no seam along the back, which can quickly irritate skin.

The top and bottom cuffs of the Neebow pads have silicone strips to help keep them from shifting out of place during a ride. There’s even an additional silicone “X” behind the pad for additional grip on the knee cap.

The padding itself is soft and flexible, but is also thicker than most. As a result, the padding sticks off the knees or elbows more than other pads. This feels less integrated with your limbs than brands like G-Form or Simply Kids. Our 3-year-old tester, however, wore them without complaint for several hours.

While woom makes toddler bikes, the smallest elbow and knee pads are not toddler sized. Be sure to measure your child and compare against woom’s official sizing guide (found on the listing linked to above). As a reference, the size small was a good, snug fit on our tall 4.5-year-old who is 45″ tall and 50 pounds.

Hardshell Skateboarding and Skate Pads

Hard shell pads are designed for the sudden and sharp impacts that occur during skateboard and skating falls. However, comfortable hard shell pads can also be used for biking. Keep in mind that while these pad sets often come with wrist guards, those guards should never be used for biking as they restrict a child’s ability to flex their wrists, which restricts their ability to steer and brake.

Hardshell Pads with Great Cushioning

Outdoor Master Knee and Elbow Pad Set

Young girl riding bike and wearing Outdoor Master knee and elbow pads

MSRP: $15 (price includes knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards)

SIZES AVAILABLE: Two sizes S (2-5), M (6-10)

There is a sea of options on Amazon for cheap hardshell pads for kids. To be honest, most of them are junk. These sturdy pads by Outdoor Master are the same price as most of them, but offer significantly better quality and performance.

Two things make them better than your average hardshell bike and skate pads.

(1) They offer a really great fit. With an enclosed sleeve, even 3-year-olds can put them on by themselves. The additional tightening straps are just the right length, so there isn’t any excess strap hanging loose and dangling.

During our testing period, our little tester fell quite a bit. And each time, those pads stayed right in place! Her cheaper pads shift out of place quite frequently.

(2) The Outdoor Master pads have more cushioning than average. While walking around the house on his knees, our 10-year-old tester exclaimed, “It’s like walking on clouds!” Cheaper pads on Amazon have much thinner padding inside of the hard shell.

The primary drawback to these pads is that because they aren’t open in the back, knees and elbows get sweatier in the summer. That said, even in the Texas heat, our testers preferred the Outdoor Master pads over their cheaper, “less sweaty” pads. Additionally, fabric on the inside of an elbow can irritate some kids.

PROS:

  • Extra cushioning
  • Enclosed sleeve and Velcro system are easy enough for young kids to manage on their own
  • Super fun colors and designs
  • Stay in place really well, even after a crash

CONS:

  • Also comes with wrist guards, so you may be paying for more than you need (never use wrist guards while biking!)
  • Enclosed back gets sweaty in the summer
  • Only 2 sizes

Toddler Knee and Elbow Pads to Grow With

Strider Knee and Elbow Pad Set

young boy wearing strider bike pads for kids

MSRP: $29 (also available as a set with gloves for $40)

SIZES AVAILABLE: 1 size grows with kids 18 months to 5-years-old

FULL REVIEW: Strider Knee and Elbow Pads for Toddlers

After the success of the Strider Balance Bike, Strider set out to create a quality protective pad set that actually fits really young riders. These Strider pads are a great investment for toddlers and smaller kids.

Coming standard with two sets of pads, the smaller set of pads can be used as knee pads first. As kids grow bigger, that smaller set can be converted to use as elbow pads and the larger set is then used as knee pads.

You also have the option of buying a set with gloves, which we definitely recommend – balance bikers usually fall hands first, so gloves are actually more important than knee or elbow pads!

PROS:

  • Comfortably fit the smallest riders (a rare feature!)
  • Simple, effective, and affordable
  • Much better quality than most safety pads
  • Smaller toddler knee pads convert to elbow pads as the child grows

CONS:

  • Scratch fairly easily

Pad Set for Multi-sport Kids (Biking + Skateboarding)

Triple 8 Little Tricky & Saver Series

boy wearing triple 8 little tricky kids bike pads set

MSRP: Little Tricky -$45, Junior Saver Series – $45

SIZES AVAILABLE: Little Tricky Junior 5-11, Triple 8 Saver Series -5 years to adult

FULL REVIEW: Triple 8 Pad Set

Well-designed for the price, Triple 8 pads come in a wide range of sizes for young and older child riders. Wide straps help to better secure the pads to knees and elbows, and full coverage pads provide solid protection while flexing with movement.

While hardshell pads aren’t needed for neighborhood bikers, they are pretty necessary for sliding to bail out of a skateboard trick. If your child is trying out new tricks on his scooter or skateboard at the skate park, these Triple 8 are your best bet.

The pads also come with wrist guards that are essential to prevent sprained or broken wrists while skateboarding.

PROS:

  • Thick EVA foam
  • Full-coverage, durable plastic protective cups
  • Easily moves and flexes with the body
  • Sets come with wrist guards that are great for skateboarding (not useable for biking)

CONS:

  • Bulkier than other pads

Kids and Youth MTB Pads for Trail Riding

If you’ve got a little shredder on your hands, most of the major mountain biking brands offer knee and elbow pads for kids. Their sizing options vary wildly though, so not every brand may have a set that will fit your child.

Widest Variety of Sizing Options

7 Protection Transition Knee and Elbow Pads

two sisters wearing seven idp kids knee and elbow pads

MSRP: $30 (kids), $60 (youth) – Prices are for knee or elbow pads, not both

SIZES AVAILABLE: Kids S, M, L, Youth S/M, L/XL, Adult

With extended coverage and sizes to accommodate just about everyone, the 7 Protection Transition Pads are easily some of the best pads we’ve ever tested, and the best fitting pads for your smallest balance bike riders.

As a brand focused on protective gear for mountain biking, 7 Protection guards are extremely durable and well made. The Transition pads extend higher and lower than standard kids’ knee pads for extra protection needed while mountain biking, and feature a breathable sleeve for less sweat and added comfort.

While the Youth pads’ length may be a bit much for neighborhood riders, the Kids pads are smaller overall and perfect for any type of young rider.

The protective core uses body heat to mold to your little rider’s knees, making them surprisingly comfortable and allowing kids to maintain the same level of agility and maneuverability as riding without pads. We were super impressed as we watched our little balance biker sprinting with ease in the hot Texas summer sun.

Because these pads feature a sleeve rather than a velcro system, they are harder than other pads to get on and off, but stay in place really well. They are also offered as elbow pads.

PROS:

  • Body-heat conforming pads are comfortable and promote agility
  • Lightweight and breathable
  • More coverage than most kids’ pads
  • Best-fitting pads for young balance bike riders (18mo – 2 years)
  • Exceptional quality

CONS:

  • Sleeve makes them harder to get on and off than velcro systems

Soft and Flexible Comfort

Troy Lee Designs Speed Sleeve

Boy wearing Troy Lee Design speed sleeves and getting air

MSRP: Knee Pads: $49   Elbow Pads: Not available in kids or youth sizes

SIZES AVAILABLE: Youth M, Youth L

After our Kid Bike Tester went for his first ride with the TLD Speed Sleeves, he couldn’t stop raving about them. So much so that Mom ordered herself a pair too! (They also come in adult sizes.)

These pads are insanely soft and bendy (even more so than G-form), and allow you to focus on the ride, rather than on how your knee pads are kind of annoying. They stay in place really well, without being overly tight.

While we’d recommend the TLD Speed Sleeves for any kid, if your child hates wearing knee pads, you should give these a try.

PROS:

  • Soft and flexible front and back for effortless comfort – you can forget you’re even wearing them
  • D30 inserts flex for easy riding, but solid on impact
  • Easy to get on and off
  • Silicone rings keep pads in place well

CONS:

  • Not available as elbow pads in kids sizes

Soft and Flexible, Available as Elbow Pads

G-Form Protective

young biker wearing G Form protective kids elbow and knee pads while riding his bike

MSRP: $35 – $50 depending on size

SIZES AVAILABLE: Youth S/M, Youth L/XL (from G-form); Toddler XS/S, Toddler M/L (from Prevelo)

FULL REVIEWG-Form Protective Pads

Soft, flexible, lightweight, and breathable are not adjectives normally used to describe protective gear. But G-form pads are well known for being some of the most comfortable pads on the market. Even our finicky little riders don’t complain about wearing them!

While many pads now offer “harden on impact” technology, G-Form pads were the pioneers in this area for kids. G-Form pads contour to your child’s body and allow kids to move nimbly and easily. And then… they harden upon impact to protect when you actually need protection! Cool, right??

In Summer 2022, Prevelo Bikes partnered with G-form to make smaller sizes for toddlers. These pads are currently only available on Prevelo’s website. The pads are incredibly flexible and comfortable, but be aware that the sleeve portion is quite long and will cover a majority of a small rider’s limbs.

PROS:

  • Super safe – extended protection compared to traditional pads, without added bulk or weight
  • Very comfortable – soft and bendy to conform to the contours of the wearer and they harden on impact!
  • Very durable, but also come with a lifetime warranty
  • Flexible fabric allow pads to fit kids for several years
  • Washable

CONS:

  • Sizing can be challenging
  • On the expensive side

Youth Knee Pads with Extended Protection for Downhill

Fox Launch Pro Youth

Boy on mountain bike wearing Fox Launch youth knee pads

MSRP: Knee Pads: $69   Elbow Pads: $59

SIZES AVAILABLE: One size, best for older kids 12+

If your shredder is advancing in skills and tackling more aggressive terrain, the Fox Launch Pro Youth knee pads and elbow pads offer the extended protection you’ll need. With additional shin, forearm, and side coverage, these pads are a bit bulky for standard trail rides, but ideal for downhill and high speeds.

Our 14-year-old kid tester regularly rocks everything from the Utah downhill to black diamond Bentonville trails, so crashes are the norm. The Launch Pro Youth have held up incredibly well and kept his knees and shins unscathed. We have not yet tested the elbow pad set.

PROS:

  • Extended shin (and forearm) and side protection
  • Velcro tightening system for better longevity of use
  • D30 inserts for more flexibility, while solid on impact

CONS:

  • Only available in one size

Kids Knee Pads We Tested, But Didn’t Love

We are always on the lookout for new products to add to our lists. Often times the products we receive we simply can’t recommend, or our other favorites are considerably better.

CRZKO Kids Pads Set

crzko red kids knee and elbow pads

Although these pads get amazing reviews on Amazon, we found them to be very cheaply made and almost impossible to use. The elastic straps on the set we ordered were too long and couldn’t fasten tight enough to use on our small framed 7-year-old tester. No matter how we adjusted the straps, the pads were simply unusable.

Bosoner Kids Knee and Elbow Pads

Blue and black Bononer kids knee and elbow pad set with wrist guards

The Bosoner knee and elbow pads for kids are an “Amazon’s Choice” with over 5,000 reviews and 4.5 stars. A bit puzzling to us. While they fit better than the CRZKO pads, they weren’t comfortable. As soon as our testers put them on, they asked to take them off. Additionally, their quality is quite basic and they offer very little soft cushioning.

While these cheap pads will certainly work in a pinch, there is no reason to buy them when you have other affordable (and much better) options like the pads from Outdoor Master.

The Best Bike Helmets for Kids: We put over 50 kids bike helmets to the test to find out which helmets offer the best fit, protection, and comfort for kids.

The Best Bike Helmets for Babies and Toddlers: Bike helmets for toddlers and preschoolers need to properly fit a child while on a bike, but also while in a bike trailer and a child bike seat. Find out which helmets came out on top.

The Best Dual-Certification (Skateboard) Helmets: Helmets for biking and for skateboarding have different certification requirements. We put the top brands to the test to find the best.

Kids Bike Accessories and Other Protective Gear: A list of all the fun and necessary accessories for riding bikes with kids.

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