Reviving an old post but a lot of good suggestions here.
I use knee pads a lot to protect my knees because I crawl around on stream cobble trying to keep a low profile, and kneel down to photograph and release fish from the net while keeping them in the water. The knee pads often slip down when walking or crawling. Teton Tenkara has a
"More Knee Protection" article. I am going to try some of the Rothco Neoprene Shin Guards but they are bulky and heavy. The "wader gaiters" sound like they can work well to protect breathable waders or your legs when wet wading from the shins to up over the knee but are
darned expensive if you can find them. Seeing this article made me think of something else I could do with old leaky neoprenes.
You could use the legs of old neoprene waders to make "wader gaiters". You might be able to use them by just pulling up over the legs or breathables. But probably best to make them adjustable by cutting them lengthwise and adding some 1" elastic straps with velcro per the pic in the article.
You'd still have the feet for reel cases, the thigh section for reel mats, and the body section for a changing/canoe mat!
BTW, I frequently use old and patched guide weight neoprenes rather than breathables when winter saltwater fishing in the PNW for Sea Run Cutthroat and Resident Coho Salmon. Besides the warmth, it saves my breathables from barnacles, and salt that can degrade stitching. But I think I'll ask around the fly club for neoprene cast-offs
.