Gul Pro D30 Kneepads

[sam1991]

So I made a bit of a discovery recently and after finally getting them underground a bit, thought I’d share the experience, as these are honestly the best kneepads I’ve ever used!

I recently bought a pair of Gul Pro D30 kneepads from Amazon; they popped up on my search when I was looking to replace my Warmbac kneepads and I thought they looked really cool, so went ahead and purchased them. The RRP on these is £60 but they seem to come up for £40 regularly.

They are a sleeve design with open backs, the front covering is Kevlar, and between the Kevlar and your knee is reasonably thick D30 pad; for those of you who don’t know what D30 is, it’s a compound used by the military that remains fluid/squishy during normal movement but upon sudden impact becomes solid and dissipates force. It’s normally used in motocross/phone cases/military clothing applications. The sleeve has a Velcro tightening strap at the top to ensure a good fit, and the entire kneepad is made from 5mm neoprene.

Anyway, so I took these on two trips, a dry trip (Aggy to music room) and a wet trip (Swildons short round trip) and could not believe just how good they were, they absolutely blow my Warmbac kneepads out of the water!

On both trips, the pads didn’t need adjusting at all for the entire trip; they stayed exactly where I put them, and because of the sleeve design Gul have used they don’t dig in or ever become uncomfortable. Because of how D30 works, they mould around your patella really nicely, and despite the smaller surface area of the actual pad the fact that they sit properly means you don’t even really notice they are there. In terms of fit, I found that the large size fits best placed over the undersuit (they’re a bit too tight to go over an oversuit, though I have rather large quads so a smaller caver might get them to fit).
I haven’t had a chance to use them for SRT yet, but I would imagine because of the increased mobility with the design, they would again be more comfortable than standard pads. Durability wise, they still look and fit fine (only two relatively short trips, so time will tell), but at the moment I couldn’t recommend them enough!

 

[Ian Ball]

Very interesting. quality knee pads are worth knowing about

 

[rm128]

I’m currently in the market for some knee pads. I’ll certainly give these a look, based on your excellent review. Ta for that!

 

[sam1991]

I’m currently in the market for some knee pads. I’ll certainly give these a look, based on your excellent review. Ta for that!

I have noticed there seems to be stock issues with them but they do come up if you hunt enough! My next step is probably to double them up with my Warmbac pads and see how comfortable/practical they are for longer crawls (though mostly to protect the knee fabric on the oversuit)

 

[rm128]

Noted. Thanks Sam.

 

[tim.rose2]

I've been using these for a couple of years now...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makerfire-Protective-Protector-Anti-Slip-Collision/dp/B082X6TNDK/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B082X6TNDK&th=1

I have killed one pair in that time but have 2 more still in service. I wear them under my oversuit with a pair of warmbacs over the top on the outside of my oversuit as normal. Not had bruised knees since! They seem to survive Portland chert and definitely make caving more comfortable. A single pair of Warmbacs simply isn't enough on Portland. I've not tried it but I don't think they'd last long if used on their own - maybe in less hostile caves.

They do pinch around the backs of the knees if you spend a lot of time knelt down / crawling, but I've only had that problem during 4 to 5 hour digging trips excavating crawling height phreatics and even then the pinching is preferable to the bruises.

Am tempted to give the gul pads a go as well.

 

[sam1991]

I've been using these for a couple of years now...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makerfire-Protective-Protector-Anti-Slip-Collision/dp/B082X6TNDK/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B082X6TNDK&th=1

I have killed one pair in that time but have 2 more still in service. I wear them under my oversuit with a pair of warmbacs over the top on the outside of my oversuit as normal. Not had bruised knees since! They seem to survive Portland chert and definitely make caving more comfortable. A single pair of Warmbacs simply isn't enough on Portland. I've not tried it but I don't think they'd last long if used on their own - maybe in less hostile caves.

They do pinch around the backs of the knees if you spend a lot of time knelt down / crawling, but I've only had that problem during 4 to 5 hour digging trips excavating crawling height phreatics and even then the pinching is preferable to the bruises.

Am tempted to give the gul pads a go as well.

I actually had a look at these and was tempted to give them a go; only reason I got the Gul ones instead was because I wanted to see how D30 would hold up in a cave, as it’s a fascinating material. Might a buy a pair then if you reckon they’re worth a shot! Do you find they help hold the Warmbacs in place a bit better for being more pliable?

 

[tim.rose2]

No use for holding warmbac's in place; well not as I wear them, these under my oversuit and warmbacs over. The warmbacs still move around and get gravel under them. I see the warmbacs as brilliant for protecting your oversuit / less robust knee pads underneath and providing grip, but not great at protecting your knees.

 

[sam1991]

No use for holding warmbac's in place; well not as I wear them, these under my oversuit and warmbacs over. The warmbacs still move around and get gravel under them. I see the warmbacs as brilliant for protecting your oversuit / less robust knee pads underneath and providing grip, but not great at protecting your knees.

I’ve had a lot of issues with the strap stitch points on the last few Warmbac pairs I’ve had? After three or so trips the strap has ended up clinging on to the pad just via the black trim section around the edge, as all the fabric on the stitch point has just disintegrated

 

[tim.rose2]

Can't help there - I use the standard pull on ones. They do seem to break fairly quickly but I probably get a year of approx. 1 trip a week out of them before they're dead. It's always the neoprene strap that breaks at the point it joins the front of the pad. My knee pads do get a proper bashing though.

 

[andrewmcleod]

I’ve had a lot of issues with the strap stitch points on the last few Warmbac pairs I’ve had? After three or so trips the strap has ended up clinging on to the pad just via the black trim section around the edge, as all the fabric on the stitch point has just disintegrated

I have a similar experience, despite coating the stitching in Aquasure/Seamgrip...

 

[cavemanmike]

I know it’s not the same but I use snickers carpet fitters knee pad’s in my undersuit which has pockets in the knees.they’ve got polystyrene ball’s so you don’t get any dead spots in the kneeling position

 

[PeteHall]

I’ve had a lot of issues with the strap stitch points on the last few Warmbac pairs I’ve had? After three or so trips the strap has ended up clinging on to the pad just via the black trim section around the edge, as all the fabric on the stitch point has just disintegrated

I have a similar experience, despite coating the stitching in Aquasure/Seamgrip...

I don't think I've bought any new ones for a few months, so not sure if this is a new problem, as it's not something I've come across yet...

Out of interest, are you guys using the pull-up or velcro variety?

I've always preferred the pull-up ones and have never had an issue with stitching. Sure, they get pretty tatty, but they always go through middle before the strap fails.

The velcro type obviously have less stretch as the strap is rigid, so in my view this is a real weakness. It also makes them less comfortable and mors prone to falling down, all before considering that the velcro might get clogged up and lose its stickiness.

If it's a new problem, and affecting both sorts, I wonder what's changed. It's not like Kermit to change a design for no reason, so I wonder if it's the material that's changed? New supplier perhaps? I'll ask the question next time I see him.

 

[sam1991]

I don't think I've bought any new ones for a few months, so not sure if this is a new problem, as it's not something I've come across yet...

Out of interest, are you guys using the pull-up or velcro variety?

I've always preferred the pull-up ones and have never had an issue with stitching. Sure, they get pretty tatty, but they always go through middle before the strap fails.

The velcro type obviously have less stretch as the strap is rigid, so in my view this is a real weakness. It also makes them less comfortable and mors prone to falling down, all before considering that the velcro might get clogged up and lose its stickiness.

If it's a new problem, and affecting both sorts, I wonder what's changed. It's not like Kermit to change a design for no reason, so I wonder if it's the material that's changed? New supplier perhaps? I'll ask the question next time I see him.

I’m using the Velcro variety; mine aren’t the Kevlar type (not that it matters, because they haven’t lasted long enough for the pad itself to even be scuffed).

I always struggled with the pull-up type; they either seem to flap around and get in the way or cut off the feeling in my feet, without ever actually protecting my knee 😂.

I did wonder if it might be a dodgy batch; I know plenty of people who have pairs that have lasted for years without deteriorating, whereas my latest pair I bought after Christmas maybe have one or two trips left in them.
I did buy some DeWalt floor layers knee pads after reading an American caver review them; the pads themselves were super comfy but they didn’t stay put for more than a few minutes, and my attempts to jury-rig the pads onto better straps ended about as well as I expected!

 

[tim.rose2]

I use the pull on ones. Have been for over 20 years and have gone through many pairs. Always go at the join of the strap to the pad. Stitching usually starts to break within a few trips (approx. 10) and it's down hill from there gradually disintegrating over about 30 to 40 trips I guess. Eventually I sow the straps back on with whipping twine and probably get another 5 to 10 trips out of them before chucking them in the bin. By that time there's usually still some (but not much) life left in the warmtex. As far as I'm concerned nothing's changed. No complaints from me. I just accept that's where they wear through. Given the types of caves I tend to spent my time in they get a severe battering so replacing knee pads more frequently than most is expected. Bit of an aside but my elbow pads wear in exactly the same way.

Might try coating in aquasure / seamgrip before first use. Not thought of that before.

 

[sam1991]

I use the pull on ones. Have been for over 20 years and have gone through many pairs. Always go at the join of the strap to the pad. Stitching usually starts to break within a few trips (approx. 10) and it's down hill from there gradually disintegrating over about 30 to 40 trips I guess. Eventually I sow the straps back on with whipping twine and probably get another 5 to 10 trips out of them before chucking them in the bin. By that time there's usually still some (but not much) life left in the warmtex. As far as I'm concerned nothing's changed. No complaints from me. I just accept that's where they wear through. Given the types of caves I tend to spent my time in they get a severe battering so replacing knee pads more frequently than most is expected. Bit of an aside but my elbow pads wear in exactly the same way.

Might try coating in aquasure / seamgrip before first use. Not thought of that before.

I actually had a pair of pull-on ones that I glued to some old long wet socks that I snipped the feet off, and the wraparound design worked quite well (plus if they did shift from crawling you still had some padding), but they restricted movement rather a lot. On the contrary I’ve had Warmbac elbow pads and cuffs that have taken a huge amount of punishment and after washing they both look near enough brand new!

 

[andrewmcleod]

I don't think I've bought any new ones for a few months, so not sure if this is a new problem, as it's not something I've come across yet...

Out of interest, are you guys using the pull-up or velcro variety?

I've always preferred the pull-up ones and have never had an issue with stitching. Sure, they get pretty tatty, but they always go through middle before the strap fails.

The velcro type obviously have less stretch as the strap is rigid, so in my view this is a real weakness. It also makes them less comfortable and mors prone to falling down, all before considering that the velcro might get clogged up and lose its stickiness.

If it's a new problem, and affecting both sorts, I wonder what's changed. It's not like Kermit to change a design for no reason, so I wonder if it's the material that's changed? New supplier perhaps? I'll ask the question next time I see him.

I use the adjustable velcro-strap-and-buckle ones, which I know are less robust than the pull-on variant (but less faffy). Maybe I should just try the pull-on ones again...

 

[Pitlamp]

Does anyone remember the "Bomp proof" rubbery tacklebags that made an appearance a number of years ago? Jayrat was selling them if I remember right. There were very hard wearing but also pretty heavy, which I suspect is why they never really caught on. But I remember thinking at the time that the stuff they were made of would make a great knee pad outer layer, if properly shaped.

 

[sam1991]

Does anyone remember the "Bomp proof" rubbery tacklebags that made an appearance a number of years ago? Jayrat was selling them if I remember right. There were very hard wearing but also pretty heavy, which I suspect is why they never really caught on. But I remember thinking at the time that the stuff they were made of would make a great knee pad outer layer, if properly shaped.

I’ve seen a couple of these around recently on club trips and asked where they came from. Apparently they’re very rare now, though even years later are still solid!
I’m assuming someone has already tried, but would be interesting to create an oversuit with built in, ‘half moon’ (covering the whole front half of the knee) knee pads and an elasticated seam to almost create a sleeve fitting. Could even make the entire lower leg section from neoprene to keep it all snug (like the Warmbac wetsuit, but just the legs), as my diving wetsuit has built in knee pads and they’re super comfortable. I’m assuming someone has tried this and it didn’t work for whatever reason