Thread for repairing elbow and knee pads
- Thread starter Blueberry
- Start date
Blueberry
Member
tim.rose2
Active member
Whipping twine + speedy stitcher. I've tried aquasure, UHU, and sikaflex to splog over the stitches. All three seem to give similar results. Just depended upon what was to hand when I finished sowing.
I don't find warmbac knee / elbow pads stand up to the same level of beating they used to. Having got very bored with sowing knee pads back together I'm currently on home made knee pads which don't have any stitches, just a shit ton of sikaflex.
I don't find warmbac knee / elbow pads stand up to the same level of beating they used to. Having got very bored with sowing knee pads back together I'm currently on home made knee pads which don't have any stitches, just a shit ton of sikaflex.
PeteHall
Moderator
Another vote for speedy stitcher and the waxed nylon thread they supply for sewing any caving gear (though I have no experience sewing knee pads specifically).
Out of interest, are the offending knee-pads the Velcro type, or the pull-up type?
I've never had an issue with stitching failing before wearing out the main pad, for the pull-up type. Sure, the seams get a bit tatty but never to the point of needing sewing before the pad is holed and ready for the bin (and that's with the warmtex coating too, for maximum life on the pad).
The Velcro type obviously have a lot less stretch, as only half of it is stretchy neoprene and the other half non-stretch webbing with Velcro, so they have a lot more strain on the stitching and obviously fail much quicker.
Out of interest, are the offending knee-pads the Velcro type, or the pull-up type?
I've never had an issue with stitching failing before wearing out the main pad, for the pull-up type. Sure, the seams get a bit tatty but never to the point of needing sewing before the pad is holed and ready for the bin (and that's with the warmtex coating too, for maximum life on the pad).
The Velcro type obviously have a lot less stretch, as only half of it is stretchy neoprene and the other half non-stretch webbing with Velcro, so they have a lot more strain on the stitching and obviously fail much quicker.
Blueberry
Member
Pull up type
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I found the waxed speedy-stitcher thread does wear through in high abrasion areas (unless you coat it all with aquasure), recently been experimenting with this:
Blueberry
Member
mine too, hence the post
pwhole
Well-known member
I'm on about my tenth pair of elbow pads now, and the pad itself never wears out. I have a Speedy Stitcher, but found these incredibly difficult to repair due to the need to get all the overlaps tucked in, and pierced my fingers twice - gave up in the end and bought some more. Can't we just lean on Warmbac to use better thread? Seems like the most obvious solution!
andrewmcleod
Well-known member
I've never got anywhere near the pad wearing out (although I wonder if it helps that I glue a pad of neoprene on the inside).
It's always the straps pulling away from the pad (and I've switched to non-velcro specifically to make this a bit slower, because with the velcro ones you tend to tighten them more and there's less elastic to stretch and take out strains).
It's always the straps pulling away from the pad (and I've switched to non-velcro specifically to make this a bit slower, because with the velcro ones you tend to tighten them more and there's less elastic to stretch and take out strains).
PeteHall
Moderator
Looking at your picture, I can't really see why you'd bother repairing that. It just looks like the cosmetic bit around the side has come loose, not the actual strap that holds it onto your knee.
What's the benefit of sewing it up?
I continue using mine like this (and much worse) until they are worn through, and have never had a strap break on a knee pad. I have once had an elbow pad break on the strap.
Personally, I'd save my sewing efforts for a tackle bag bottom, or oversuit leg, where my time investment returns a tangible benefit.
tim.rose2
Active member
Pull on type - the straps part company with the pad (the Warmtex seems pretty indestructible). The edging as per the photo above seems to last no more than a couple of trips. The strap joints then follow a few trips later. Don't think I've managed more than 10 trips out of the last two pairs I've bought before having to start sowing. I'll try to post some photos later showing the problem.
Disclaimer - Portland's caves are especially harsh on knee pads so I expect them to die fairly quickly, but not as quick as the current ones which are definitely falling apart rather than wearing out.
In contrast I have a pair of the old blue warmtex knee pads from years ago I lend people. Not a lot of 'knee' left in them but all 4 straps are still fine having never been repaired. I've not looked at the different between the designs but the new ones are no where near as good.
Disclaimer - Portland's caves are especially harsh on knee pads so I expect them to die fairly quickly, but not as quick as the current ones which are definitely falling apart rather than wearing out.
In contrast I have a pair of the old blue warmtex knee pads from years ago I lend people. Not a lot of 'knee' left in them but all 4 straps are still fine having never been repaired. I've not looked at the different between the designs but the new ones are no where near as good.
pwhole
Well-known member
To be honest I was spitting angry having to replace them so soon when they last went, as they're not cheap, and then you have to throw them away when the strap fails. I keep trying to think of other things I could do with the pads, but not much comes to mind, other than coasters.
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