Mikasa 830/832 Review

Comfort: 9

Durability: 9

Cushioning: 8

Profile: 10

Review:

The Mikasa 830/832 knee pads are the best knee pad on the market. The antimicrobial fabric offers a comfortable material that moulds tightly around your knee ensuring there is minimal movement of the knee pad when diving. The cushioning is designed to accomodate maximum range of motion by providing a low profile shape and flexible contour lines. This shape protects both below and above your knee cap as well as both sides. This is great for not only conventional forward diving but also lateral rolls. Because these low profile knee pads are designed more for performance than protection, the cushioning is effective for softer contact with the ground which should occur when diving correctly. If perhaps you are just starting out, a slightly thicker knee pad that is less mobile but offers more protection may be the way to go. The biggest issue with these knee pads is that they only come in two sizes: junior and senior. This makes it a little more difficult to get a perfect fit, however the elastic material generally makes them flexible enough to fit many different body sizes and shapes.

Knee pads are one of those items that you aren't going to get multiple years out of. If you are a big sweater the knee pads will eventually be smelling quite unpleasant. The antimicrobial breathable fabric helps but you will still need to wash them, and the more they are washed the more the elastic will deteriorate. Overall I was very happy with how these knee pads lasted. The padding remained well cushioned throughout their lifespan, and there were no tears in the fabric, only some loss of elasticity towards the end of their life. I managed to get over a full season out of this set of knee pads which I was very pleased with.

I think these are the best knee pad available as their high quality durable design combines good cushioning and comfort while still prioritising performance through a slim profile.

Rating: 9/10

Pros

• Perfect profile designed for maximum comfort

• Padding in key spots

• Extremely durable material

• The best knee pad on the market for a very low price

Cons

• Enough cushioning is provided for someone that knows how to dive properly. Perhaps a beginner would rather a knee pad with more padding

My verdict: I think these are the best quality knee pads on the market! Their flexible material and thin profile allow great range of motion, while the cushioning offers enough protection to the front and sides of the knee.

Value: $45 AUD - Quite cheap for a top of the range product!

Questions?