This Gardening Tool is the Answer to "Gardener's Knee" — And You Can Buy a Stylish One for $15
Goodbye discomfort, hello landscaping bliss. A pain-free summer is just one purchase away.
If you have a green thumb, chances are you have (or could soon have) what's known as "gardener's knee," the inflammation of the kneecap after hours spent kneeling in the soil, plucking up weeds or planting seeds. Modern garden or not, it's a problem that can plague even the toughest of landscapers.
'Gardener's knee, or as the doctors call it, prepatellar bursitis, is what happens when that little fluid-filled sac in front of your kneecap decides it's had enough of your gardening shenanigans and gets all inflamed,' says Gerardo Loayza, founder and CEO at BACQYARD.
It's pesky, painful, and a big problem for your summer plans. But, as it turns out, just one helpful $15 to $40 gardening tool can save the day — a garden knee pad.
9 actually chic garden knee pads
Price: $15
At just $15, this chic white, terracotta, and tan garden kneeler is undoubtedly the best bargain of them all. The tote handle is convenient for carrying and the outer canvas material safely shields the cushion inside. Customers are quite pleased; the pad boasts a 4.6/5 star rating across 10 reviews.
Price: $35
Japanese design is minimalist, simple, and most importantly, thoughtful. Such is the case with the Niwaki Kneeler, a durable, well-designed garden kneeler with deep padding and a removable, waterproof, and machine washable cover. Combine that with the handle for easy transport, plus the stunning $35 price tag, and you have yourself a quality buy.
Price: $46
For the uninitiated, Terrain is Anthropologie's new garden imprint and it's every bit as chic and whimsical as Anthro itself. Exhibit A: this memory foam kneeling pad decorated with a "circa-1810 watercolor illustration by Caroline Maria Applebee, chosen from the Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Collections." And don't worry about damaging the print in the elements — the pad's exterior is neoprene which cleans and dries easily.
Price: $39
Was: $78
I bet you didn't know that Mackenzie-Childs instantly recognizable courtly check pattern came in a garden kneeler, too. This plush, memory foam pad is every bit as chic as its teapot counterparts — and if you buy now, you can get an enticing $40 off.
Price: $18.96
The HappyPicnic kneeling pad doesn't boast a fun or unique design, but it is available in three other solid colors, in addition to grey: blue, pink, and olive green. This pad is extra thick for extra protection — if you already have knee problems or just need some added comfort, this minimalist option could be the one for you. It's also waterproof with a removable cover. Amazon customers gave it 4.7 stars for durability and 5 stars for ease to clean.
Price: $42
For something simple and almost rustic in theme, try this kneeler from designer Sophie Conran, known for her modern farmhouse aesthetic. Twin layers of memory foam wrap around a lightweight EVA foam center safely shielded from the ground by a "100% cotton heavyweight ticking fabric." Perhaps avoid this option if you often work on wet ground; otherwise, though, shop on.
Price: $19.99
If the lovely green design of the Colwelt kneeling pad weren't enough, this $20 purchase also comes complete with a garden trowel and a pair of matching garden gloves. Sadly, there is only one review ... but it's a five star. So we'll take it!
What is a garden knee pad or garden kneeler?
A garden knee pad is a handy piece of memory foam covered in canvas, cotton, or another durable material that plant lovers can use under knee while working in the garden. Such tools 'help spread out all that pressure you put on your knees,' while also keeping your knees dry and protected 'from any sneaky rocks or twigs that might be lying in wait,' Gerardo says. As a result, you can plant, pull, and pluck comfortably and for longer — and with a reduced threat of inflammation over time.
You could use also traditional knee pads for this — the kind that wrap around your leg, more associated with sports and biking — but we're focusing today on the kind you can pick up and carry from garden bed to garden bed. Such options are a bit more sleek and stylish than traditional knee pads (although Gerardo has tried this pair and this pair to successful results), and might prove slightly more comfortable if you dislike the feel of Velcro on your skin.
After a bit of digging, I've managed to track down nine stylish options, all of which should improve an otherwise painful gardening experience. I selected each piece for aesthetics first and foremost but of course made sure to spend some time digging into customer reviews and materials, as well. Goodbye gardener's knee, hello comfort!
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Brigid Kennedy is a freelance writer and former style editor for Livingetc.com, where she scoured the internet for the best and most stylish deals on home decor and more. She also served as the website's in-house sofa expert, completely revamping and reworking Livingetc's expansive sofa buying guide by interviewing a total of 17 interior designers and sofa experts at top brands like Article and Benchmade Modern; sitting on upwards of 50 sofas across both Pittsburgh and New York City; extensively polling her friends and family for their own sofa-buying anecdotes and product recommendations; and traveling to Dallas, Texas, to tour the floor of a couch factory. In total, she estimates she has spent 40+ hours (and counting!) reading, writing, and talking about couches with accredited sofa connoisseurs o then pass that knowledge on to you. She describes her personal design style as colorful and clean, and in her free time enjoys reading, watching movies, and curating impossibly niche playlists on Spotify. She recently relocated from Manhattan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she's decorating and DIYing a new home downtown.
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