Best American Football Thigh & Knee Pads of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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American Football Thigh & Knee Pads are essential equipment for players who want to protect their lower body from impact during games and practices. These pads are designed to provide maximum protection to the thighs and knees, which are often vulnerable areas for football players. Made from high-quality materials, these pads are durable and comfortable to wear. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, investing in a good pair of thigh and knee pads is a wise decision to help prevent injury and keep you playing at your best.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Gill Neoprene Knee Pads for Water Sports Cover #TOP 1
Gill Neoprene Knee Pads for Water Sports
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Rehband Men's Rx Knee Support Bandage Navy Cover #TOP 2
Rehband Men's Rx Knee Support Bandage Navy
ftb score rating icon 9.8
McDavid HEX Force Knee Pads for Comfort Cover #TOP 3
McDavid HEX Force Knee Pads for Comfort
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 American Football Thigh & Knee Pads

#TOP 1

Gill Neoprene Knee Pads for Water Sports

Gill
GI-4519
Black
1SIZE
Gill Neoprene Knee Pads for Water Sports Cover
Gill Neoprene Knee Pads for Water Sport, Sailing, Paddlesport, Boardsports, Stand Up Paddleboarding & Wakeboarding

The Gill Neoprene Knee Pads offer essential protection when kneeling during water activities. Designed with high abrasion-resistant materials, these pads ensure durability and safety, allowing you to enjoy your time on the water without worry. The hardwearing knee overlay provides additional support, making them perfect for sports like sailing and wakeboarding. With adjustable hook and loop closures, you can easily customise the fit to suit your comfort, whether worn alone or over outer layers.

What We Like
Durable and protective design
Adjustable fit for comfort
Suitable for various water sports
High abrasion resistance
#TOP 2

Rehband Men's Rx Knee Support Bandage Navy

105308-11-3
navy
Rehband Men's Rx Knee Support Bandage Navy Cover
Rehband Men's Rx Knee Support 5 mm Bandage Navy M

The Rehband Knee Support is designed for those who engage in high-intensity sports, especially weightlifting. With high compression, it provides excellent support to your knees, helping to reduce the risk of injury during strenuous activities. The strong stabilisation feature ensures that your knee stays properly aligned, making it easier for you to perform at your best. Additionally, its good heat retention keeps your muscles warm, which can enhance performance and recovery. This popular choice among fit CrossFitters demonstrates its effectiveness in demanding sports environments.

What We Like
High compression support
Strong knee stabilisation
Good heat retention
Popular among athletes
#TOP 3

McDavid HEX Force Knee Pads for Comfort

6446R-B-L
Black
McDavid HEX Force Knee Pads for Comfort Cover
Mcdavid Knee pads HEX Force (x2)

The McDavid HEX Force Knee Pads offer excellent support and comfort for your legs. They bring a touch of heat, which can help soothe your muscles during play. With an ice pack feature, these pads effectively prevent injuries and strains to your tibia, ensuring you stay safe while playing. They are made from very light materials, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods without feeling weighed down. Additionally, the padded tibia area provides extra protection, allowing you to focus on your game without worry.

What We Like
Lightweight and comfortable
Injury prevention features
Padded for extra protection
Heat and ice pack support
#TOP 4

McDavid HEX Dual-Density Thudd Short for Athletes

737DD-BK-3XL
Black
McDavid HEX Dual-Density Thudd Short for Athletes Cover
McDavid HEX Dual-Density Thudd Short, Dual-Density Pads for Thighs, HIPS & Tailbone, Helps Reduce Pulls & Fatigue, Moisture-Wicking Fabric, Adult Size Black

The McDavid Thudd Short offers premium comfort and maximum protection with its advanced 14mm and 9mm Dual-Density HEX pads, ensuring your thighs, hips, and tailbone are well-protected during intense activities. The compression technology helps to support large muscles, thereby reducing the risk of pulls and fatigue, allowing you to perform at your best. Designed for elite athletes, these shorts provide precise coverage with newly engineered hip pads. Additionally, the moisture-wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry, enhancing your overall comfort while you play.

What We Like
Best-in-class protection
Reduces muscle pulls
Moisture-wicking fabric
Designed for elite athletes
Supports performance and recovery
#TOP 5

McDavid Rival 7-Pad 3/4 Tight with Thigh Guards

29369166493
Adult: L
McDavid Rival 7-Pad 3/4 Tight with Thigh Guards Cover
McDavid Rival Integrated 7-Pad 3/4 Tight, Maximum Coverage & Comfort with Hard-Shell Thigh Guards, Great for Football & Lacrosse (Adult)

The McDavid Rival 7-Pad Tight offers exceptional protection for athletes engaged in football and lacrosse. With its hard-shell thigh guards and 7-pad coverage at the hips, thighs, tailbone, and knees, you can feel secure during contact. The advanced protection features are designed to meet high school football regulations, ensuring safety on the field. Additionally, the high-quality comfort provided by the durable foam padding ensures you remain comfortable while playing, making this tight an excellent choice for athletes seeking both performance and protection.

What We Like
Maximum protection for contact sports
Comfortable, breathable compression
Easy machine-washable care
Meets high school regulations
Anatomically contoured design
#TOP 6

Jupiter 7mm Compression Knee Sleeves

Jupiter
JUPITER19052823
Brown Camo
Jupiter 7mm Compression Knee Sleeves Cover
Jupiter Knee Sleeves (1 Pair), 7mm Compression Knee Braces for Squats,Weightlifting,Powerlifting,Cross Training for Men & Women

The Jupiter Knee Sleeves are crafted from 7mm thick neoprene, providing strong support and comfort during your workouts. Their breathable and sturdy design allows for excellent knee support without limiting your movement. Additionally, the versatile design adds a stylish touch to your gym attire, letting you express your individuality. With these sleeves, you can enhance your workouts by reducing discomfort and gaining the mental edge needed to push your limits.

What We Like
Strong support for knees
Stylish and versatile design
Comfortable fit during workouts
Durable and washable materials
#TOP 7

Yxmeiguo Football Calf Compression Sleeves

Black & White
Adults
Yxmeiguo Football Calf Compression Sleeves Cover
Football Leg Sleeve for Adults & Youth - 2 Pairs, Calf Compression Leg Sleeves Men Boy, Leg Sleeves for Men Football Sports Athletes (White & Black, Adults)

The Yxmeiguo Leg Sleeves are crafted from lightweight, breathable fabric, ensuring ultimate comfort during your game. You can enjoy a snug fit that offers effective compression without being too tight or loose. With flexible bands at the top and bottom, these sleeves stay securely in place, allowing you to concentrate entirely on your performance. They also provide relief from shin splints and aching calves, offering essential support while you run or play sports.

What We Like
Comfortable, breathable material
Secure fit during activities
Relieves shin splints pain
Keeps calves cool and dry
Versatile for various sports
#TOP 8

Mcdavid 7746 Hex Padded Compression Pants

7746R-BK/CM-XXL
Black
Mcdavid 7746 Hex Padded Compression Pants Cover
Mcdavid 7746 Hex Padded Compression Goalkeeper 3/4 Pants for Hip & Thigh Protection and Support — Ideal for Football (One Pair)

The Mcdavid 7746 Pants offer exceptional comfort and protection for football goalkeepers. With flexible fabric and strategic padding, you can enjoy enhanced protection around your hips, thighs, and knees during play. Thanks to hDc Moisture Management Technology, these pants keep you cool and dry, whether you're in practice or on game day. Their muscle compression design supports large muscle groups, helping to reduce fatigue and cramping, so you can perform at your best.

What We Like
Excellent hip and thigh protection
Moisture-wicking keeps you dry
Reduces muscle fatigue and cramping
Lightweight and breathable design
#TOP 9

ZORBULAY Silicone Patellar Tendon Support Strap

ZORBULAY
HANDleg01
BLACK
ZORBULAY Silicone Patellar Tendon Support Strap Cover
Patellar Tendon Support Strap,Silicone Knee Strap Patella Support Patellar Knee Brace Patella Tendon Support Strap for Hiking, Soccer, Jumpers Knee, Tennis,Basketball, Running, Volleyball & Squats

The ZORBULAY Knee Strap offers excellent support for your patellar tendon, ensuring a secure fit that adapts to the natural curves of your knees. Its non-slip design keeps the strap firmly in place during activities like running, basketball, and volleyball, preventing it from sliding during intense movements. This brace is suitable for various sports, especially those involving frequent jumping and landing, enhancing your overall performance. Made from high-quality materials, it promises durability while remaining comfortable, allowing you to focus on your game without discomfort.

What We Like
Non-slip design for secure fit
Suitable for various sports
Durable and high-quality materials
Comfortable for long wear
#TOP 10

EvoShield Large Protective Thigh Guards

A500 L
Black
EvoShield Large Protective Thigh Guards Cover
EvoShield Protective Thigh Guards, Large

The EvoShield Thigh Guards offer an innovative protective solution for athletes. Their air-activated design allows you to easily prepare the guards by simply opening the foil pouch, which begins the moulding process. Once activated, the soft pads conform to your body, ensuring a perfect fit that enhances your performance. Additionally, these guards are ultrathin and lightweight, making them feel like a second skin while providing robust protection. With an athletic design tailored by elite athletes, you can move confidently without any restrictions.

What We Like
Custom moulding for perfect fit
Ultrathin and lightweight design
Air-activated for easy use
Breathable mesh for comfort
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are football leg pads called?

Quilted hip pads date to the 1890s and are one of the earliest pieces of protective football gear known. Today, hip and tailbone pads are made of plastic and protect the hips, pelvis, and coccyx or tailbone. The pads are inserted into the pockets of a girdle worn under the football pants.

2. Are knee pads allowed in football?

In 2013, the N.F.L. mandated the use of thigh and knee pads but most knee pads now are smaller than a slice of bread and wafer-thin. Thigh pads are only a little bigger. The only other required protection is a helmet and shoulder pads.

3. What do leg pads do in football?

Benefits of Football Thigh Pads Thigh pads guard the front of the thigh to protect football players from the various impacts their upper legs might endure during a game. Thigh bruising, in particular, can hamper an athlete's ability to run.

4. What sports use knee pads?

Knee pads are worn in many recreational and sporting activities such as cycling, rollerskating, skateboarding, cricket, volleyball, handball, basketball, gridiron football, polo, dancing, etc. In polo, knee pads serve primarily to protect the rider's knee when "riding off" an opponent.

Editor's Notes

During our american football thigh & knee pad research, we found 45 american football thigh & knee pad products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 23,641 customer reviews through our big data system to write the american football thigh & knee pads list. We found that most customers choose american football thigh & knee pads with an average price of £42.68.

The american football thigh & knee pads are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of american football thigh & knee pads, including Gill, Rehband, Mcdavid, Jupiter, Yxmeiguo. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 281 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.