Over 75% of our customers prefer 1" cushion inserts and we recommend them if you:
work on your knees 8+ hours a day
have had any knee problems or surgery
if you weigh 200+ lbs
if you prefer the maximum protection we offer
However, some of our customers that have thinner legs or smaller builds (men & women alike) prefer the 5/8" when it comes to getting a better knee cup fit. You can see from the photo that the 5/8" does provide a deeper knee cup shape, but less cushioning.