2008Operating forum
Selection and use of knee pads for on-set operating work
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Soft foam knee pads made from materials like expanded rubber offer comfort and low weight for standard operating on smooth surfaces but may come off during running or falls.
- Hard plastic shell knee pads with interior padding provide better protection during running or on rough terrain like gravel and asphalt.
- Skateboarding and inline skating knee pads offer good protection at lower cost than specialized tactical gear and are readily available used.
- Different knee pad types should be chosen based on the specific shoot conditions and terrain to balance protection with comfort.
- Hard plastic shell knee pads may slide significantly on impact, potentially causing the wearer to continue moving forward after falling.
- Practicing falls while wearing knee pads before using them on a shoot can help identify unexpected sliding or other performance issues.
- Knee pads should always be included in an operating kit regardless of cost or brand chosen.
Depends on
- Experience reported from 2008 with specific product availability that may have changed.
- The sliding behavior of hard plastic pads was anecdotal from one user's experience and may depend on surface conditions and specific product design.
- No systematic comparison of protection levels between different pad types was provided.
- Discussion focused on kneeling and falling scenarios but did not address all potential on-set hazards.