Having played volleyball for over 9 years now, it’s safe to say I have had my fair share impact injuries from landing on my elbows.
In fact I actually have 2 horror stories relating to this exact situation.
Luckily neither of the stories are personal experiences but were in fact team mates.
One was a long time ago and one very recent.
When I first started playing volleyball we used to train in a leisure centre that had a solid wooden floor not these new spring loaded floors that we have become so accustomed to.
Anyway to cut a long story short my teammate and friend dives for a ball and all of sudden I hear a loud thud and then a trail of blood. As my friend lands on his elbow he not only splits the skin but inflames the bursa (the sack of fluid between the elbow and arm)
His elbow instantly balloons and becomes very inflamed.
Now this isn’t a particularly serious injury, in fact I’m sure many of you have experienced bursitis in one form or another from Volleyball.
The difference between the usual bouts of bursitis and my friend, is that he split the skin and this caused quite a serious infection in the bursa itself.
After going to the doctors and then being immediately transferred to hospital, he was quickly seen to and his bursa was drained of fluid and the infection removed where possible.
After spending nearly 3 days in hospital he finally left 100% fit and healthy.
Now fortunately this story has a happy ending but when thinking that something so common such as landing on your elbow in volleyball required hospital intervention, it really puts into perspective just how important Elbow pads can be.
Now in volleyball people wear elbow pads for a number of reasons, not just protection.
In this article I am going to cover the top 10 elbow pads for volleyball that will hopefully cover some of these other areas to ensure you can find the perfect elbow accessory.
The best elbow pads you can currently get for Volleyball are the McDavid 6500. These pads come with a compression sleeve that extend from the Bicep to the wrist and have a hexagon shaped thick padding.
The compression sleeve not only allows for a comfortable fit but also offers great flexibility whilst sporting other benefits such as muscle growth.
Now although the McDavid is my number 1 pick, I appreciate that everybody has a different perception or idea when it comes to what exactly they are looking for when it comes to elbow pads.
Below I have compiled a list of my top 10 picks for Volleyball elbow pads.
Before I dive into the list some of you may be thinking.
“He said he had two stories but has only told me one?”
And yes you would be right, sorry to tease you like that but I will dive into the second story at the end of the article as I appreciate some people don’t care about my stories and simply want to know my recommendations.
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Table of Contents
McDavid 6500 – 1
As you already know from the paragraph above, my number 1 pick for best volleyball elbow pads are the McDavid 6500.
The McDavid Brand has a very strong foothold in the protection and support business.
They have been one of the leading brands for many years now and continue to impress with each new innovative support they release.
The McDavid 6500 was originally designed for Basketball & Handball players.
The compression sleeve that runs from the mid-bicep to the wrist allows for excellence compression to the full arm keeping it warm and aiding in muscle support, recovery and ultimately growth.
The sleeve also sports what McDavid call HydraVent hDc Moisture Management Technology, in short this helps remove sweat from the athletes skin keeping the area cool and free of things such as sweat rash.
The sleeve is constructed using 4 needle flat seams which allow for a greatly reduced risk of rubbing or irritation.
Despite the obvious benefits of the arm sleeve, the main reason we are here is for the elbow protection.
Thankfully the McDavid sports a 9mm closed cell hexagonal foam pad which conforms around the elbow for excellent comfort and protection.
This hexagonal foam pad is permanently bonded to the sleeve for strength and durability meaning this elbow pad offers great value due to a McDavid 6500 standing the test of time.
If you need an elbow pad that really ticks all the boxes for a good price you need look no further.
Now I get this sounds like an infomercial for the McDavid 6500 but it honestly is a really good product that providing fits tightly will not let you down.
For sizing etc I would suggest looking through some of the amazon reviews to make sure you get your perfect size.
Check out the price and reviews by clicking below image.
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Bodyprox Elbow Protection Pads – 2
2nd on the list is the Bodyprox Elbow Protection Pads.
These elbow pads are the first recommendation that comes to mind when people say they require a lot of protection for their elbows.
These pads offer the best protection of any of the pads of the list.
Bodyprox states that these pads are built using abrasion-resistant materials with a thick foam padding around the elbow.
This construction although it offers fantastic impact protection and support it does come at a cost.
Due to the nature of the pads they are extremely snug when it comes to fit and this can lead to heat struggling to escape.
For some people this may not be a huge concern but to others a ground breaker.
Overall the pads are designed for protection and support not for ventilation so with this in mind if you are after the most protection possible look no further.
The foam padding is strategically placed to relieve the pains and strains from various ailments such as: tennis elbow, gold elbow and tendonitis.
They offer 3 different sizes to choose from and to help ensure you get the right size the website offers a handy way of determining your size.
As noted on the site where you measure between sizes it is recommended you go up to the next size.
Variants
Small: 7.5 – 10 Inches
Medium: 10 – 12 Inches
Large: 12 – 14 Inches.
If you want the most protection available then scroll no further and click through to Amazon on the below image
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Tandem Sport Elbow Pads – 3
As we arrive at the number 3 spot we come to the first purpose built elbow pads.
Now I am going to level with you, I had never even heard of these until I started researching for this article.
The Tandem Sport Elbow Pads are purpose built elbow pads designed to prevent floor burns from repeated contact with hard floor surfaces.
The elbow pad is constructed using a flexible foam knit which allows the player to slip their arm straight in the pad, making it both comfortable and protective.
These elbow pads do not boost an extended sleeve or extremely thick padding strategically positioned to prevent things such as Tennis elbow, they are simple in design and do exactly what they say on the tin.
For your everyday player who is tired of leaving the court with burns or bruised elbow these are just the ticket.
They are extremely affordable, durable and well built.
When all these factors are taken into account it makes these an extremely attractive yet affordable option. For those of you who are looking for something a bit more hi-tech I suggest you turn to some of the other options.
For a simple, affordable elbow pad designed specifically for Volleyball players it is ebay to recommend the Tandem Sport Volleyball Elbow Pads.
If you want to purchase these elbow pads ready for your next game you can click the below image to be re-directed straight to Amazon.
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Kukome Breathable Protective Elbow Support – 4
Coming in at the 4th spot we have the most affordable option on the market.
Now obviously where costs are heavily reduced the quality of the product and technology available is also reduced.
Now that’s not to say that the Kukome elbow supports are not good quality, as that certainly isn’t the case especially given the extremely competitive pricing point.
Much like the pads above these are simple in design and serve the purpose of offering protection from impact or burns when taking part in sporting activities.
These elbow pads have a much firmer pad than the others on the list which offers a greater overall impact protection however the firmer padding can actually leave the elbow feeling a bit beaten up after repetitive falls.
That being said it is still preferable to not having pads and swollen elbows.
The pads are small in length compared to the others on the list although they are still ample large enough to fully cover the elbow from impact.
There really isn’t much more to note about these pads.
They are simple, durable and affordable making them a great budget selection if you want protection without breaking the bank.
You can check the current on Amazon by clicking the below image.
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RDX MMA Elbow Pads – 5
If you were intrigued by the McDavid 6500’s but thought maybe the price was just a little steep I have some good news with this slightly cheaper alternative.
The RDX MMA Elbow Pads (Sometimes known as the RDX HY Elbow Pads) offer many of the same features as the McDavid for nearly 20% cheaper.
As you can probably guess from the name, these elbow supports were designed for Boxers or MMA athletes.
The RDX HY Elbow pads sport a compression sleeve that runs from the bottom of the bicep to just below the middle of the forearm. The compression sleeve helps protect joints and will improve circulation which helps muscle growth and injury prevention.
The Sleeve and support also features what RDX refer to as, MMT technology which offers incredible moisture wicking and zero odours.
The elbow area has sufficient padding with Ayz-F elastic design which helps conform the pad to the elbow which not only offers better protection but also stops the padding from slipping past or over the elbow area.
The last feature that makes this elbow pad a really good pick up is the Lightweight carbon fibre fabric which offers an additional layer of strength and support to the pad.
All of these features packed into the elbow pad make it a great purchase, especially for the price.
Like I said if you liked the look of the McDavid then this is certainly a serious competitor.
If you want to check the price you can do so by clicking the below link and heading over to Amazon.
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Copper Compression Elbow Pads – 6
I have taken a bit of a gamble with number 6 as I personally have never nor know anyone that has used these compression sleeves.
They certainly seem to be the new kid on the block and therefore I can’t guarantee that these pads are perfect for you.
This is the main reason I have ranked them at number 6 and not higher.
Now you may be confused as to why they are even on this list even though I don’t know if they are actually any good.
Well the answer is simply, they look too good to not be noted on the list. When you look at the features offered and design they look like another variant of the McDavid 6500 and the RDX HY Elbow Pads.
The unique selling point of these compression sleeves is the copper element.
Many major brands jumping on the copper bandwagon state that the compression sleeves are copper yet contain a maximum of 4% copper nylon.
These compression sleeves have up to 88% Copper nylon which vastly exceeds all its competitors.
Now I am not going to lie I don’t fully know all the benefits of using copper nylon over other alternatives although copper is known to be anti-microbial and odourless which is already a major win for a compression sleeve that is going to be used in high intensity activities.
To learn more about Copper compression garments I would suggest reading the below journal
Bonded to the compression sleeve is a foam padded elbow protector to ensure the elbow remains unscathed in high impact activities, the foam padding also prevents friction burns.
From the ratings currently received it appears that it has helped many people who suffer from ailments such as golfers elbow and tennis elbow.
For those who want a unique elbow pad and understand the benefits of copper nylon over the alternatives may want to give the Copper Compression Elbow pads a try.
You can view the price and reviews at Amazon by clicking the below Image
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Nahdah Premium Compression Sleeve & Gel Elbow Pads – 7
I have included these elbow pads for those who are looking for an alternative protection padding to foam.
These elbow pads feature a silicone gel pad over the traditional EVA Foam.
The benefit of silicone gel over EVA foam is that the gel doesn’t flatten over time like the foam padding will.
With that being said I still favour the foam over the gel hence why they are number 7 on the list.
The sleeve is constructed of a nylon which offers flexibility as well as support and comfort.
In the soft terry cloth elbow liner is a 9mm gel cushion which as noted above is Silicone gel which allows impacts to be dispersed through the gel.
The sleeve starts at the base of the bicep and finishes halfway down the forearm which means there is ample coverage for your elbow to ensure you don’t get friction burns or impact wounds.
If you have experience with EVA Foam and you weren’t impressed then maybe the rather silly named gelbow pads might be for you.
You can see the price and reviews by clicking the below image, this is a link that will take you directly to Amazon.
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Mizuno Elbow Pads – 8
As we move further down the list we finally see one of the first reputable Volleyball brands on the list.
Now as you would expect from Mizuno the elbow pads are fantastic and given the fact they are purpose built for Volleyball they are certain to do the job at hand.
Featuring an elasticated sleeve with sectioned EVA Foam pads, these elbow pads offer great flexibility as well as fantastic impact protection allowing you to make great defense plays with confidence.
Aside from the previously mentioned features though these pads don’t offer anything exception when compared to some of the others in the list.
This wouldn’t be a huge issue as additional features and tech don’t always equate to better quality.
However, given the high price point of these elbow pads it is difficult to recommend them over the ones noted above.
If you are someone who prefers trusted brands over new and upcoming brands then you will be in safe hands with the Mizuno Elbow pads.
Just expect to pay a slight premium for the brand name though.
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Triple Eight Stealth Hardcap Multi Sport Pads with Kevlar – 9
Now look I get it you are reading the title and already thinking they are overkill.
Honestly.
You are probably right, for the vast majority of players regardless of severity of previous injuries/ existing ailments these would be too much.
But for those who have had extremely serious injuries before the hardcap over the thick EVA Foam or Gel might be the best option.
These pads were designed for participants of extreme sports such as snowboarding, skateboarding etc..
Now Volleyball is not exactly considered an extreme sport but clearly the people who think that haven’t played on a rock solid timber floor because honestly I have had worse falls playing Volleyball than I ever have in extreme sports.
With that being said this recommendation is still reserved for people who have previously experienced serious injuries where breaks are likely to reoccur.
The pad is made of plastic and is then reinforced with a kevlar exterior cover. This is held in situ by a perforated neoprene slip on sleeve that has ample length to cover the elbow.
The perforated neoprene allows for good ventilation which keeps the skin cool and free of sweat which reduces the sleeve from slipping or sliding when using the pads.
You can find these on Amazon at the below image if you want to find out more and check the price.
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Minilujia Sponge Sleeves – 10
The last elbow pads on the list are designed for people with small arms which by this I mean juniors and children.
These elbow pads are made up of a thick sponge which given the weight that is falling on the pads is more than ample.
These elbow pads are extremely popular and for good reason.
These elbow pads are affordable, comfortable and well built which make them a great choice for any juniors upto the age of 14.
The sleeve is constructed of high performance elastic and coated in a soft plush nylon material to ensure it remains comfortable, flexible and breathable.
These are offered in 2 different sizes both XS and S
XS is suitable for children 4-8 whilst small is suitable for children aged 9-14 years.
If you are looking for some elbow pads to protect your little one then the sponge based elbow sleeves are a good option.
They seem to be selling out fast at the time of writing this so if you are interested you can find them on Amazon at the below link.
There you have it my top 10 list of elbow pads for volleyball.
I have given you my best recommendation as well as some solid alternatives so hopefully you have found something that will work for you and protect your elbows from any more burns.
So if you’re still here I take it you want to hear about the 2nd horror story?
Well to tell you the trust the injury wasn’t actually that bad and the story was very similar to the first one you heard, the timing is the thing that makes this one more of a horror story.
My friend and teammate (no not the same player as before) had a similar situation where they swandived for ball and ended up taking the brunt of the impact of their elbow. By the time they got home their elbow had swollen to over 3 times the size so they took themselves down to the hospital.
They were asked to return in a couple of days to have the elbow drained.
The date that he returned was around 16th March 2020 which is just as COVID-19 starting spreading like wildfire locking countries down left right and centre.
Now knowing what we know now this may not have been such an unnerving experience, but walking into a hospital with a COVID-19 ward and doctors and nurses testing positive for the virus you can see why this caused my friend quite a lot of distress.
Like I said this was right at the start of all the lockdowns where we had very little data on the virus and only the terrible headlines dominating the media.
Fortunately he came out the otherside just fine and did not contract COVID-19 whilst in hospital.
Again in the grand scheme of things everything worked out fine but it was just another example of how something so small and common caused a great deal of discomfort and distress.
So moral of the story.
Get yourself some elbow pads.
