- 50% Polyester / 22% Rayon / 28% Elastic
- D.F. CUT pad for greater freedom of movement
- 6" sleeve length
- Complete patella, lateral, and medial protection
Mizuno LR6 Volleyball Knee Pads - Pros
For starters, the Mizuno LR6 volleyball knee pads are made from a poly/cotton/spandex blend and provide a comfortably snug fit. Aside from black and white, Mizuno offers these volleyball knee pads in several highlighter colors so adding flash to your uniform is easily obtainable.
These Mizuno volleyball knee pads are noticeably smaller than the other options currently on the market. The shortened sleeve length is intentional and allows for a lightweight, less restrictive volleyball knee pad. One of the biggest benefits of going with these Mizuno knee pads is how they feel when they are on. The dynomotion fit eliminates stress points and bunching making them feel as though there is nothing there. This enables players to move freely around the volleyball court and won’t impede their ability to jump while on offense.
In terms of practicality, the Mizuno LR6 volleyball knee pads offer complete patella, lateral, and medial protection. Although they are small in size, the cushioning is adequate for more advanced players who don’t spend a lot of time on their knees. The compact design also keeps the volleyball knee pads secure during gameplay unlike some of the bulkier options on the market.
Mizuno LR6 Volleyball Knee Pads - Cons
With that being said, there are a few problems with the Mizuno LR6 volleyball knee pads. First off, they do not cater to “scrappy” volleyball players. The Mizuno volleyball team designed the knee pads to allow a free range of motion but it's at the expense of additional padding. They also lack durability if they are consistently being landed on so if you spend a lot of time on the ground (even if you have great form), you should consider a bigger option such as the ASICS slider.
All in all, the Mizuno LR6 volleyball knee pads are a fantastic choice if you are looking to buy. Due to the thinner padding, these volleyball knee pads are best for players who are NOT new to the game. Beginner volleyball players should target knee pads that have thick padding (this may limit mobility) in order to protect from bruising.
Mizuno keeps the “all around” player in mind when they design their equipment and the VS-1 volleyball knee pads are no exception. They are very light and do not limit movement making them terrific for players who play in both the front row and back row. The Mizuno volleyball engineering team highlights the following features:
- Poly/Cotton/Spandex blend
- 9" sleeve length
- DF. Cut Pad
- VS-1 padding
- Mizuno Intercool ventilation system
Mizuno VS-1 Volleyball Knee Pads - Pros
The first thing you will notice is the Mizuno VS-1 volleyball knee pads are a Poly/Cotton/Spandex blend. The sleeve is 9” (much bigger than the LR6) so it extends above and below your kneecaps. The long sleek sleeve design gives volleyball players a traditional knee pad feel while still enabling an excellent range of motion.
Similar to the LR6, the Mizuno VS-1 volleyball knee pad has a dynomotion fit cut pad. This DF cut eliminates stress points and bunching which allows for more flexibility. In terms of protection, these Mizuno volleyball knee pads have VS-1 padding which covers the patella, lateral, and medial areas of the knee. While the padding is pretty thin, it surrounds the most important parts of the knee without feeling big or bulky.
When it comes to being used in a volleyball game, the Mizuno VS-1 volleyball knee pads hold up quite well. The 9” sleeve does an excellent job at keeping the pads in place so you won’t have to worry about them shifting while you are diving. Because longer sleeved volleyball knee pads often make players sweat, Mizuno developed an intercool ventilation system to increase breathability. The intercool ventilation system makes for a more comfortable experience and helps to prevent the dreaded smelly volleyball knee pads.
Mizuno VS-1 Volleyball Knee Pads - Cons
There is certainly a lot to love about the Mizuno VS-1 volleyball knee pads but they may not be a perfect fit for everyone. One of the most commonly expressed problems is that these Mizuno volleyball knee pads can be too tight for volleyball players with larger legs. The Volleyball Tips team has noticed that the knee pads usually stretch to fit the player who is wearing them but the tightness of the pads is a completely valid concern if you have legs that are bit larger.
Something else to be to be aware of is the padding might be too thin for beginner volleyball players. If you fall directly onto your knees while wearing the VS-1s, you will likely come away with some type of bump or bruise. These Mizuno volleyball knee pads were designed for intermediate to elite volleyball players so if you are just starting out, you should consider knee pads with thicker padding.
All things considered, the Mizuno VS-1 volleyball knee pads are a terrific alternative to the smaller sleeved LR6 volleyball knee pads. The lightweight design allows for a phenomenal range of motion while simultaneously protecting the most important parts of the knee. These Mizuno volleyball knee pads come highly recommended but the thin padding should steer less advanced players towards knee pads that are a bit thicker.
Nike has deals with college volleyball teams across the country so it comes to no surprise that the Nike volleyball engineering team has a ton of money for research and development. The enormous R&D budget turns into state of the art products like the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads which consist of the following features:
- Dri-FIT fabric
- Ventilation zones
- Shock-absorbing foam
- Contoured construction
Nike Streak Volleyball Knee Pads - Pros
The first thing that you will notice about the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads is the Dri-Fit fabric. Made to enhance comfort, the Dri-FIT fabric does a terrific job to absorb sweat and keep you dry. In addition, these Nike volleyball knee pads have ventilation zones at the back of the knee to increase the breathability.
The interior lining of the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads is extremely soft and makes the comfortability one of its biggest advantages. When it comes to aesthetics, the Streaks are offered in several colors making them a fun option if you’re looking to show off some flair!
In terms of practicality, the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads have shock-absorbing foam that offers solid protection. The contoured construction allows for a natural range of motion so they aren’t restrictive like some of the other pads on the market. This makes them a great option for any position because they will not limit your ability to jump or move side to side on the volleyball court.
Nike Streak Volleyball Knee Pads - Cons
While the Volleyball Tips team believes the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads offer adequate padding, it is important to realize that these pads were designed for volleyball players with a bit of experience. If you are new to the game or play in a way that would be considered “scrappy”, it might be a good idea to look into a thicker padded knee pad.
Durability is also a concern when it comes to the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads. They have a tendency to develop holes if they are continuously landed on so newer players should steer clear. With that being said they should last a full season if you are an intermediate to elite volleyball player.
Overall the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads are terrific if they are paired with the right volleyball player. The lightweight design makes them a great fit for any volleyball position but could lead to bumps and bruises for beginner volleyball players. If you do decide to go with the Nike Streak volleyball knee pads, don’t worry about the initial tightness because they will stretch out and feel great after a week or two!
By enhancing the padding, ASICS created a volleyball knee pad that is extremely effective in limiting the bumps and bruises related to diving on the volleyball court. The ASICS volleyball engineering team highlights the following features:
- Polyester 45%/ Nylon 16%/ Rubber 39%
- 9 1/2" sleeve length
- One size fits most adults (measure around center of knee): 12"-18"
- Wide coverage and low-profile PU pad
ASICS Slider Volleyball Knee Pads - Pros
For starters, the ASICS Slider volleyball knee pads consist of a combination of polyester, nylon, and rubber. This makes for a sleeve that will initially feel tight but will loosen up after a bit of use. You will notice that the sleeve length is the longest on this list at 9 1/2”. The extra length allows for extended coverage which ultimately translates into more protection.
When it comes to protection, the padding itself is a low-profile PU (polyurethane) pad. As compared to the other volleyball knee pads on this list, the ASICS Slider padding is definitely thicker. The thicker padding is strategically placed in areas of risk thus allowing newer more aggressive players to dive at will. Despite it’s bigger size, this ASICS volleyball knee pad is lightweight and designed to allow a free range of motion.
Another huge benefit to going with the ASICS Slider volleyball knee pads is their durability. As opposed to some of the smaller knee pads on the market, the ASICS Sliders tend to last multiple seasons. In addition to holding up during aggressive play, these ASICS volleyball knee pads won’t deteriorate from being washed in a washing machine so dealing with smelly volleyball knee pads is a thing of the past!
ASICS Slider Volleyball Knee Pads - Cons
Although these ASICS volleyball knee pads can be quite effective, it is important to understand why they are not for everyone. The first issue is they are only available in two sizes (youth and adult). While they do fit most volleyball players perfectly fine, the “one size fits all” sleeve should be on your radar when looking to make a decision. These ASICS volleyball knee pads have also been described as “big and bulky” by many elite volleyball players. They are designed to bend where needed, but the padding is quite thick and can feel restricting to players who move a bit quicker.
Taking everything into account, the ASICS Sliders are a solid set of volleyball knee pads. Their protection and durability make them a great fit for volleyball players who are looking for some additional coverage. If you are new to volleyball or just need some extra padding due to your aggressive play, these ASICS volleyball knee pads should be put on the top of your wish list.
5. Mikasa Volleyball Knee Pads
Known best for their manufacturing of sports balls, Mikasa has been involved in volleyball for more than 100 years. Because of this and their interactions with professional volleyball players across the globe, the Mikasa volleyball engineering team knows what it takes to protect yourself on the court. By studying volleyball player movement and evaluating in-game impacts, the Mikasa volleyball team developed these top tier volleyball knee pads. They highlight the following features:
- Contour nylon elastic sleeve
- Antimicrobial / Fights odor
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Advanced patella protection
- Innovative flexibility
Mikasa Volleyball Knee Pads - Pros
For starters, these Mikasa volleyball knee pads have a nylon elastic sleeve that allows for a tight but comfortable fit and covers roughly 8” from top to bottom (hybrid in size between larger and smaller pads on this list). The fabric itself is made with antimicrobial properties responsible for not only fighting illness such as staphylococcus infection, but also odor causing microbes.
In addition, the fabric wicks away moisture which means it pulls sweat from your skin to the top of the fabric thus making it easier to evaporate. In layman's terms, these Mikasa volleyball knee pads will keep you dry, help protect you from infections, and won’t smell like death after a volleyball match.
As far as protection, these Mikasa volleyball knee pads offer full knee coverage with a concentration on your patella (kneecap). The contoured cut allows for terrific lateral movement while the lightweight padding absorbs impact without feeling big and bulky. Because of the flexibility, Volleyball-Tips recommends these volleyball knee pads for more advanced players who are not limited to just the back row.
Mikasa Volleyball Knee Pads - Cons
Similar to the ASICS Sliders, these volleyball knee pads only come in two sizes (youth or adult). Although they fit the average player fine, you may want to consider one of the more size specific options. We also advise staying away from the Mikasa volleyball knee pads if you are a newer and/or more aggressive player. From what we have seen, they offer a bit less protection due to the thinner padding. With that being said, they offer adequate protection if used correctly by higher level volleyball players.
All things considered, these Mikasa volleyball knee pads are a great fit for full rotation players with some experience. Because of the thinner padding, newer players should look elsewhere to prevent injury. Take a look at some of our other reviews so you can be ready for your next volleyball season!