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Upskill Friction Kneebar Pad

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  • Lee Cujes trusting to the pads - DWS in Vietnam.
  • Lee Cujes about to sink the sketchy kneescum on O Draconian Devil 8b+ (32), Kalymnos. Now downgraded apparently.
  • Lee Cujes pad testing on Mort Aux Chevres 7b/25 - onsight in Sikati Cave, Kalymnos.
  • Sketchy kneescum (one of the sketchiest!) helps me get through the crux on Spray-A-Thon 8a+/30, Rifle, USA.
  • Kneebar shake-out preserves energy for my onsight of this 7b+/26 in Rodellar, Spain.
  • My hardest onsight - fuelled by the Upskill pads. The route is the insane Fun de chichunne 8a (29), a 40m roof voyage in the Grande Grotta of Kalymnos. This is one of the world's ultimate kneebar routes.
  • Elder statesman Dave Reeve (in his 60s!) uses the Friction pad on his hardest send - Three Men and a Ladder 7b+/26, Coolum Cave, Australia.
  • Local hotshot Matt Schimke works his Fruit Bat extension project. Friction pad approved.
  • Danny Friedman joins the clan. Spotted at Mt Coolum.
Price:
$59.95
Weight:
0.35 KGS
Shipping:
Calculated at checkout


Product Description

THE pad to wear for friction scums on difficult climbs. Since their release, hundreds of these pads have been sold to climbers all over the world. Thanks so much for your support, and great feedback!

In designing this pad, there were two considerations. It had to be able to be very tight fitting (to eliminate any movement on the leg) and the active surface had to be covered in sticky rubber (provide maximum friction against the rock). After many prototype iterations, we finally have a kneebar pad for rockclimbing which does the job.

Why is this pad so good?

  1. One size fits all, yet can be as tight as you want it. Three sturdy velcro straps allow for fine adjustment, depending on the route and situation. If the straps are too long, cut them to size (we've designed it with this in mind -- it won't fray).
  2. The strap-on design allows you to fit it over long pants. No more wrestling with neoprene pads. Easy on, easy off.
  3. Durability. I've found I only get a few months out of a regular $30 neoprene knee brace before it is torn to shreds or falls apart. We've used the highest quality materials, best gluing and sewing techniques, and hard wearing rubber so this baby should last a good long while. In fact, I've just returned from 11 months of kneebarring in Kalymnos, Rifle, Maple Canyon, Rodellar, Yangshuo, and Thailand and my pads outlasted my shoes. I'll let you know when I finally manage to kill one.

The only thing left for you to do is decide whether or not it's cheating. But as Dave Graham says "Knee pads are fine to use, so don't let anyone tell you it's stupid or unethical. I am a firm believer they are part of the Future, and do no one harm, just protect the precious skin on top of your knee."

Fit & sizing
It's adjustable, so fits skinny chicken legs right up to burly tree trunks. The fit is just above the kneecap, to about 20cm up the thigh.

What if you want to have your knee covered too?
We've found pad stacking works best. Buy our purpose-built Upskill Undersock and cinch the Friction Pad over the top. It's awesome.

Numbers
The price is for a single pad. Some people just want one, most want two, and some like to mix and match pad styles, buying one of each. Enter the number of pads you would like in the shopping cart.

Testimonials
"This is just awesome" -- Mt Coolum crag local Matt Eaton working his 8c project
"Check this out - no hands!" -- Clint on Separation Anxiety 7c+
"That's cheating" -- Mt Coolum local Matt Schimke
"Nobody has ever found that rest before!" -- Nick, owner Kalandraka refugio in Gran Boveda, Rodellar, Spain

Questions, comments, feedback? Email us!


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Product Reviews

  1. Rad knee pad

    Posted by Neil Monteith on 23rd Jan 2012

    I loved using the kneebar pad in Thailand! Perfect for all those steep limestone routes - it saved my arms for the onsight on many many times.


  2. The best pad I've seen or used

    Posted by Danny on 2nd Dec 2011

    After using these pads at Mt Coolum, Australia and Kalymnos, Greece, I have to say I am 100% satisfied with the performance and functionality. I used to own a nice pair of old wet suit pads, these are way better.

    Performance wise they rock, I can get kneebars/kneescums where others can't. Also I usually get a better result than other climbers using neoprene braces or old wetsuits.

    Function wise these are perfect for me, I prefer to climb in jeans or long pants and you just strap 'em on. No tricky inside out fold up and wrestle like a tube style pad. Also they go tight, as tight as you can handle... Come warmer weather throw on the undersock and you have a winning combo. The undersock can be worn inside out or normal (red or black) so it looks great in photos.

    Ok, so the downsides.... They feel a bit weird at first. But it goes away, it's just a matter of the material softening up and figuring out exactly how and where to put them on, there's a few little tricks... Also they attract alot of attention, everyone always wants a look and a play, and they usually say 'oh that's a much better idea'.

    All up I'd give these pads 9/10 and recommend them! (get the undersock with them)



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