Standard explainer · EN 14404
Knees are consumables in the flooring, plumbing and electrical trades — bursitis and worn cartilage arrive by instalment, one kneel at a time. EN 14404 is the standard that separates real knee protection from packing foam, and it has one catch every trouser buyer should know.
The types
EN 14404 covers knee protection in four types; the everyday pair are Type 1 — pads strapped directly to the leg, independent of clothing — and Type 2 — foam inserts that live in the knee pockets of work trousers. Type 1 wins for all-day dedicated kneeling trades (floor layers, tilers): it stays centred on the knee as you move and takes bulkier padding. Type 2 wins for mixed work — always there, nothing to forget, no straps cutting circulation behind the knee — which is why knee-pocket trousers took over the trades.
The levels
| Level | Tested for | Honest read |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Flat surfaces, no penetration requirement | Comfort padding — fine for occasional kneeling indoors |
| Level 1 | Flat and uneven surfaces, penetration ≥ (100 ± 5) N | The trade default — handles site floors, screed, joists |
| Level 2 | Harsh conditions — kneeling on stones/rubble | Groundworks, demolition, landscaping |
The catch
Questions
Only with certified inserts fitted — and strictly, EN 14404 certification applies to the insert and trouser combination, because the pocket's position and fit determine where the pad sits when you kneel. Trousers plus the maker's matching inserts is the defensible buy.
Level 1 is the working default for trades — tested on flat and uneven surfaces with a penetration requirement. Level 2 adds protection for kneeling on stones and rubble (groundworks, demolition). Level 0 is comfort padding for flat indoor surfaces and shouldn't be doing a trade's daily work.
When the foam has visibly compressed, cracked or thinned — for a daily kneeling trade that can be every few months. The insert is a consumable: it protects by absorbing, and absorbed is exactly what old foam no longer does.
Everything decoded here is stocked as certified garments and PPE, embroidered where it makes sense.