It did not take me long to realize that weeding from a standing position was only a short-term exercise. Kneeling down to dig out roots is so much more effective…
but not without its challenges.

The search for solutions was a journey of several years.

foam kneeling pad

(about $10)

The first step was a simple, inexpensive one, protecting my knees from wet, mud & rocks.  The rectangle piece of foam is lightweight and easy to move around.  I just throw it into the weed bucket with the rest of my tools for handy storage at the end of the day.

folding kneeling bench

Then came a birthday gift …. (catalogue listings for $50+)

This is a luxurious option.  It has the protective benefits of a simple kneeling pad plus the bonus of handhold assistance while getting up & down from the ground– surprisingly useful & appreciated even after a few hours in the garden.

Inverted, it becomes a stool.  I’m hard-pressed to recall using it that way — but I’m sure I did a couple of times at least.

I like that it folds up for storage.

It’s a bit cumbersome to lug around the garden, but this is just whining on my part.  I quickly gave up the simple kneeling pad & used this instead.

Eventually, I found the bench was just too awkward for slopes & confined spaces, so I searched out other options.

foam knee pads

About 10 years ago, I got a  $30 pair of knee pads from a garden centre.

It’s so convenient to strap them on & not have to reposition a kneeling bench whenever I move about the garden.  That said, knee pads are not trouble-free.

The strap highest on the leg is elastic with velcro closure.  It’s comfortable as my thigh flexes but stretched out quickly.  The velcro clogs up.  The non-stretch webbing of the lower strap works well to keep the knee pads from sliding down my calf.  The strap adjuster loosens during use, so I need to tighten the belts throughout the day.

When planting from a kneeling position, the gap between the pad & my bended knee collects soil resulting in filthy jeans.

The cloth outer surface of the knee pad wore out long before the usefulness of the other components.
Duct Tape to the rescue.  🙂
Fashion sacrificed.  😦
I recovered the exterior several times before finally giving in to vanity & looking for a better solution.

pants with built-in knee pads

I’d already used C’s logger pants for blackberry bashing.  (Purchased long ago for who knows how much?)

Logger pants are designed to be tough-wearing.  They protect thighs & knees with extra quilted padding sewn right into the pants.  (Here’s an inside-out view of them.)  They’re heavy & HOT.  I get so dirty that they need to be washed every day. I reckon the washing machine would wear out agitating that kind of bulk longterm.  So its a pass.

I found some carpenter pants with knee pockets to hold removable foam knee pads.  Sensible idea,  but I dismissed them because of cost ($100+). I get my garden jeans at the thrift store inexpensively – this costly new option was too much of a price difference for me to get past.

Confident there’s another way, I set out to create an apron / chaps invention from thrift store materials. Unfortunately, it was beyond my sewing skills / patience.

Then I remembered something I already owned…

Hiking Shell Pants

Living on the Pacific “Wet” Coast teaches a person about enjoying the outdoors, even in the rain.  Gortex is my friend.  One breathable rain jacket I bought came with a handy pair of hiking pants.  (The set cost $200, but I would’ve paid that for the jacket & felt the pants were almost a freebie).

The pants are a rain-resistant version of snow pants.  A full-length zipper runs along the outside of each leg.  When I’m walking through tall, dewy grass, the wet wicks off the material.  I unzip along each leg to allow air circulation & cooling as needed.  Snaps at ankles & waist hold the pant legs in position, so they continue to protect.
Lightbulb moment – – I can wear knee pads under these hiking pants.
No soil ingress behind the knee pads.
Cleaner jeans.  🙂

This works a treat during either end of the gardening season. After dividing perennials, I throw my lightweight outer shell into the wash & come inside with relatively clean jeans.  🙂
One problem: Double layers are not the answer for summer gardening.
So close…
The search continues…

gel knee pads

My 2nd pair of knee pads came from a lumberyard for $50.

The gel padding is a lovely upgrade from the garden centre knee pads.

The hard outer shell is much tougher than the cloth covering of my 1st pair, too. The accordion-shaped upper ridge reminds me of something from a spacesuit but is much better at blocking soil ingress.  My jeans stay cleaner.    Moisture collects behind the shell, so the knees of my jeans get wet.
Sweaty knees – who knew?  A minor inconvenience.

I first worried that the adjustable rubber straps with their buttonholes would be the weak point of the product.  Over a couple of years, the straps stretched a bit, but not beyond their usefulness.   That flexible strap makes wearing comfortable, yet it stays firm enough that the pads don’t slide down my calf.  It was the button itself rather than the belt or buttonholes that turned out to be the weak point.  One day it just sheared off.

C came to the rescue this time with a small drill bit & some zap straps to bind the belt permanently in position.
Crisis averted. 🙂

A few weeks later, a button on the other knee pad sheared off too.  That’s when I noticed a crack opening along the edge of the accordion joint. I guess they’re pretty much done for, even though they’re otherwise in good shape.

These tough kneepads have been such steadfast, comfortable workhorses.  I’d hoped to be set for life.

Back at the lumberyard, exact replacements are nowhere to be found.
Curses!
These knee pads were so well suited for my tasks – – what now?  The options on the shelves were designed for roofers & floor installers – – all too big & bulky for me.  I don’t want to go back to the garden centre knee pads – too problematic…  What have I missed?  What do you use?

Finally, I searched online &  was directed to a local industrial safety outlet.  I picked up a  new set of the gel knee pads & am back in business – for now…

-30-

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