For those of us who have ever used crutches, you quickly realize that you may need padding in some areas in order to feel more comfortable. Under the arms and on the hands will be the most logical places to add crutch pads. This guide will show you the best crutch pads, where they should be put, and how to use add them to your crutches.
The proper crutch pads can help you ease the pain of putting weight under your arms to take the weight off of your injured leg, knee, or foot. It can even make your hands more comfortable when gripping a crutch let’s learn what to look for when purchasing crutch pads and some of the best ones you can get.
Best Overall
Vive Crutch Pads

The contoured crutch pads from Vive have extra soft padding that helps to eliminate irritation and chafing while in use. The easy-to-install pad quickly and easily secures to the crutch pad.
With moisture wicking material and a nonslip hand grip this makes using crutches more comfortable.
Score: (4.8 / 5)
- Vive Crutch Pads
- What are crutch pads?
- Why you should use crutch pads
- Top 5 Best Crutch Pads
- 1. Ultima Stainless Steel Pediatric Bath Chair
- 3. Crutcheze Premium USA Made Crutch Pad
- 2. Vive Crutch Pad
- 3. Vive Sheepskin Crutch Pads
- 4. Crutch Comfort Deluxe Soft Fleece & Foam Crutch Accessory Set
- 5. Universal Crutch Underarm Pad Covers
- Best Product Buying Guide
- Ease of use
- Padding should be comfortable
- Ease of cleaning needs to be taking into consideration
- Cost plays a role in these types of products
- Frequently asked question in regard to using crutch pads
What are crutch pads?
Cruth pads are essential for comfort when using crutches. Typically these pads are made from high-density foam padding that provides a lot of relief under the arm when weight is put down on the crutch under the arm. The best crutch pads help to eliminate pressure and chafing that can cause pad in the hands and armpits. These are really simple and easy to use products that help with mobility products like a crutch.
Why you should use crutch pads
You should use a crutch pad to gain a more comfortable experience when using crutches. These pads can help you stay more comfortable longer while they are under your arms. Not only can they keep you moving longer but they can also protect your skin from abrasion and pressure.
Same for your hands. Using pads on the grip can easily keep your hands fresher for longer. Not only will your palms feel better for longer but they can protect your hands and skin from irritations as well.
Top 5 Best Crutch Pads
Our Rank | Crutch Pads | Our Score |
---|---|---|
1. | Vive Crutch Pad | ![]() |
2. | Vive Sheepskin Crutch Pads | ![]() |
3. | Crutcheze Premium USA Made Crutch Pad | ![]() |
4. | Crutch Comfort Deluxe Soft Fleece & Foam Crutch Accessory Set | ![]() |
5. | Universal Crutch Underarm Pad Covers | ![]() |
Editors Choice
1. Ultima Stainless Steel Pediatric Bath Chair

Vive crutch pads are our runner-up for the top crutch pads. Vive is a big name in all types of cushions and pads and makes a really good product people love. Made from high-density soft foam padding that helps anyone feel more comfortable longer while using crutches.
For those of us who have ever used crutches know that the underarm without padding can be painful and cause pressure and irritating chafing.
These like most crutch pads are simple to use. They fit most standard size crutches and stretch over rubber crutch pad and it stays in place by a hook and loop strap.
This pad is also breathable and retains its shape and provides a nonslip cushioning surface that is really comfortable.
Score: (4.8 / 5)
Pros
- Breathable, nonslip cushion
- Easy install
- Very comfortable
- Reduces irritation
- Contoured foam padding
- Fits standard crutch
- Moisture wicking material
Cons
- May not always stay in place
Bottom-line: Those looking for a great crutch pad with moisture wicking material and a contoured foam padding the Vive crutch pad is a top choice. This pad fits on most standard and even youth crutches.
2. Vive Sheepskin Crutch Pads
This crutch pad uses a faux sheepskin exterior that is extremely comfortable on the skin. The inside uses a high-density foam padding that allows for weight to be put on the crutch and still be comfortable. The outer layer of sheepskin helps to eliminate irritation and chafing and reduce pain and pressure on the armpits and hands.
These pads easily fit over almost any standard crutch for adults and tough underarm crutches. All the needs to be done is to stretch the crutch pads over the insisting rubber pad. They are fastened together quickly with a fastener strap.
The soft hand grips come included with the truth pads for extra comfort. These will easily help anyone using crutches feel more comfortable.
Score: (4.7 / 5)
Pros
- Faux sheepskin exterior
- High-density foam padding inside
- Easy to install
- Soft hand grips included with crutch pads
Cons
- May be to bulky for smaller individuals
3. Crutcheze Premium USA Made Crutch Pad
Our best overall crutch pad is from Crutcheze. These crutch pads are made from high-quality medical-grade foam padding that is thick and dense for the best comfort and protection against skin irritation. We also like that this particular model uses moisture-wicking breathable covers that help to keep the skin dry and comfortable.
We also believe that this type of product needs to be very simple to use and these types of crutch pads are just that. They simply stretch over the existing rubber pads on the crutch and use a hook and loop for a snug and instant fit. These products are made in the United States of America and have a 60-day money-back guarantee. One size fits all standard crutches from youth to adult underarm crutches.
For cleaning it is just as easy. Machine was in cold water and let line dry.
Score: (4.7 / 5)
Pros
- Easy to use
- One size fits all
- Antibacterial
- Abrasion-resistant
Cons
- Some reviews say padding will slip
4. Crutch Comfort Deluxe Soft Fleece & Foam Crutch Accessory Set
The Crutch Comfort set includes 2 ultrasoft fleece underarm crutch pad covers. These are really comfortable pads that are sculpted of memory foam pads and feel really great on the skin. They are designed with moisture-absorbing fleece and are easily washable to keep clean.
These come in a multitude of colors for anyone’s style. They make a very easy and excellent way to make crutches more comfortable. This set includes the underarm padding and hand padding.
Score: (4.6 / 5)
Pros
- Extremely comfortable on skin
- Washable by hand
- Set includes two armrest pads
- Well made and look great
Cons
- May not have enough padding for some as other crutch pads
5. Universal Crutch Underarm Pad Covers
Just like the above crutch set from Crutch Comfort, these are just the underarm pad covers. You still get the same sculpted memory foam pads with an outside fleece cover that feels great on the kind has is great at moisture absorbing. These are washable, easy to install with a simple hook and loop fastener system.
If you are looking for a simple and easy way to just have extra padding on your underarm cruth pads these make a great choice.
Score: (4.6 / 5)
Pros
- Extremely comfortable on skin
- Washable by hand
- Well made and look great
Cons
- May not have enough padding for some as other crutch pads
Best Product Buying Guide
Most cruth pads are designed to give comfort to those of us when need to use crutches because of foot surgery, sprains, and other issues that cause us to have to use a mobility device to get around. Although it may not feel like a huge deal when knowing what to get with a crutch pad there a few things to keep in mind to try and get the best crutch pad for your needs.
Ease of use
Crutch pads need to be simple. We mean they need to take literally seconds to put over the existing underarm pad so you can get going. Most do. The ones we listed above all are easy to install. Slipover and hook and go.
Padding should be comfortable
The entire purpose of using a crutch pad is you want more comfort than the standard rubber underarm pads that are currently in place. Look for memory foams or high-density foams that provide excellent comfort, even underweight from your body.
Thickness of foam
The thickness of the foam that is being used is important. This will determine if the foam will protect and ease the pressure of the rubber pads that are used on the crutch. If you put your weight on the crutch and still can feel the pads then the foam probably is not thick enough.
Foam pad shape
When it comes to shaping an ergonomic shape typically provides the most comfort. This means the shape should fit over the crutch pad snug and are typically contoured to find the shape of the crutch better than other types of shapes.
It should be known after research square foam pads typically are not as comfortable especially those that have the same thickness and do not tapper at one end.
Ease of cleaning needs to be taking into consideration
Cleaning your armrest pads should be simple. Because they are used under the arm they will be more prone to sweat and therefore cleaning. Most of the above crutch pads have a cover that can be taken off and washed. This is an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Cost plays a role in these types of products
You should not have to pay a fortune for these types of products. Look for price ranges under $20.00 even for pairs of crutch and hand pads together. Crutches are a temporary mobility aid and we feel like you should not have to place large amounts of money into something that is only temporary.
Frequently asked question in regard to using crutch pads
How do I put crutch pads on? The process is very simple. Simply tuck one of the armrests into one of the pads. Crutch pads tent to stretch so you will now want to stretch slightly the other end and wrap that over the other end of the crutch pad and secure it. Depending on what method the crutch pad uses to secure the pad in place.
What thickness of padding should I get? Because are talking about underarm padding for crutches you should look for at least one inch at the top of the pad that will go under your armpit. This should give you enough padding that you will not feel the rubber part of the crutch.
So, what is the best crutch pad?
Looking for a simple, easy-to-use crutch pad that provides excellent comfort at a reasonable price? If, so we have made our choice.
Our top choice for the best crutch pad is…
Providing excellent support, easy to clean, easier to put on, and at a great price, these are a perfect crutch pad for just about anyone.