Abstract: A knee pad includes an irregularly shaped flat single piece material that is folded to form an articulated (bent) pad to provide protection for a user's knee. The pad includes side walls to protect the side of the knees. The side walls may also help prevent rotation of the knee pad about the user's knee. The pad is covered with a cover to which an attaching structure is attached. The knee pad is attached to the user's leg through the attaching structure. The attaching structure may include a flexible sleeve and an optional zipper. Straps provide additional tension and help prevent rotational or upward or downward movement of the knee pad with respect to the user's knee. An optional additional pad may be attached to the articulated pad. A hard shell or cap may be placed on the front of the cover. The shell will withstand impacts that may tear the cover, which may be nylon. The shell is preferably removable. An elbow pad or wrist pad may be used under the same principles.