5 Things to Consider When Buying Knee Sleeves
Knee sleeves are a staple accessory used by powerlifters, however, their popularity has steadily increased and even avid gym-goers are finding the benefits of owning a pair.
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What things should you consider when shopping for a pair of knee sleeves?
Competition requirements
How much compression you need
What activity you’re using them for
Shape and style of stitching
Budget
Brands like SBD are often seen as the default option for most people, especially among competitive powerlifters. However, while they offer a high-quality product it may not be the right choice for everyone based on the 5 considerations outlined in this article.
In a hurry? Check out our collection of sleeves for our recommendations on the best knee sleeves for squats and powerlifting.
Competition requirements
The first question to ask yourself before purchasing a pair of knee sleeves is whether you will be competing in them because that will narrow your list of choices down to a handful of brands.
Each federation will have its own list of what is and isn’t approved that can be found on their website, and brands will usually mention in the description of their product whether they are IPF approved. If a product is IPF approved you can assume it’s approved in most other federations since their approval guidelines are most stringent.
However, having “IPF approved” denoted on a product usually means its price includes the cost of having that label, meaning if you have no intentions of competing or of competing in the IPF, looking at non IPF approved equipment may be a better option for you.
We have a whole list of IPF/USAPL Approved Equipment and IPL/USPA Approved Equipment.
How much compression you need
While you may think the more compression the better, that isn’t always the case especially if you plan on wearing your knee sleeves frequently and up to an hour or more in the gym.
Some lifters will own two pairs of knee sleeves, one for competition that is more compressive and another pair that is more true to size and can be worn comfortably.
In my opinion most people should opt to get a more true-to-size pair unless they are exclusively purchasing in preparation for a meet and have already trained with a pair that fits more comfortably in the past.
The last thing you need is to realize the more compressive pair can’t make it over your bare calves just days before the meet.
What activity you’re using them for
While powerlifters arguably popularized the use of knee sleeves, weightlifters, crossfitters and even just those with knee injuries also will own them for extra support and warmth.
And while a stiff and long sleeve is excellent for powerlifting, that might not be what you’re looking for as a crossfitter who has to transition into different movements or a weightlifter who needs a little more flexibility in the sleeve.
While the most competitive powerlifters will wear 7mm thick knee sleeves, other sports athletes or general gym-goers may want to opt for more flexible 5mm or even 3mm sleeves.
Shape and style of stitching
Some knee sleeve brands have added additional features such as non-slip grips or stitching that tapers in order to keep the sleeve in place or to contour and bend better along with your knee joint.
Other knee sleeves come with silicone gel trim along the top for enhanced anti-slip technology. One of the more annoying aspects of knee sleeves is the feeling of them sliding down your leg throughout the workout.
Knee sleeves can also come in a cone shape, which is especially good if you have proportionally larger calves and the more evenly cut sleeves tend to compress your calves too much.
Budget
Ultimately your budget does matter because you shouldn’t have to break the bank for a decent pair of neoprene knee sleeves. While some lifters are willing to stretch their budget since knee sleeves should last you several years unless you just grow out of them, others would prefer to be more mindful of cost.
At the top end knee sleeves will cost in the range of 80-100 USD, a price you can expect with most IPF approved 7mm neoprene sleeves such as SBD and A7.
The next price tier is the 50-70 USD range where you can find the Titan Yellow Jacket. These are still competition-approved and may even be better options than more expensive varieties.
The least expensive varieties can be found in the range of 20-40 USD and are typically lesser-known brands, are less rigid styles or are not approved for competition but can still be great for training. Some examples include Black Crusher and Xena Knee Sleeves.
Final Thoughts
Knee sleeves are a great addition to anyone’s gym bag especially if you are training for strength in the squat; however there are a number of sleeves on the market and it can be confusing trying to decide which one to purchase.
You just need to have a good understanding of what purpose they are serving you, whether the design serves that purpose and of course what you can afford. There are quality products available for all use cases so do your research and find the right one for you!
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Xtand.
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What Knee Brace is Right for Me?
There’s no doubt that knee braces are helpful to manage knee injuries or prevention. But choosing which one is right for your needs can be a bit overwhelming. From hinged and immobilization to compression and prevention, we break down everything you need to know to help you find the right knee brace for you.
Types of Knee Braces
From ACL to LCL instabilities to patella and arthritis pain, there are a number of knee injuries that can sideline your training and daily activities. However, there are a variety of braces to choose from that can help you recover quickly and prevent re-injury to the knee, whether it be for sports, daily functions, pain reduction or post-surgery.
Hinged
A hinged brace is ideal for athletes who need protection and stabilization post-surgery, ACL, MCL or PCL injuries. A bad twist, poor knee to ankle alignment, or wrong way to land are common ways athletes sustain ligament injuries. A hinged brace offers protection to the athlete’s knee, delivering support and stability to heal quickly. Hinges can prevent hyperextension of the knee and offers protection of the ACL, and other ligament injuries, to athletes who don’t want to lose speed by weighing themselves down with a heavy brace.
Hinged knee braces come in two forms: rigid and soft hinged. Soft hinged knee braces are ideal for mild to moderate support whereas rigid hinged knee braces are ideal for moderate to maximum support and offer better protection and stability for contact-sports.
Shop Hinged Knee Braces
Compression/Sleeves
For mild to moderate chronic knee pain and arthritis can be minimized with sleeves and compression braces. These support braces redistribute the weight-bearing load and increases the ability to perform your best during training and sports, helping decrease pain from day-to-day movement, which is no small feat. Can fit under clothing for daily comfort.
Shop Compression Knee Sleeves
Wraparounds
Wraparound styles for athletes provide bracing solutions for mild to moderate knee pain, patellar instabilities and dislocation. Simple and easy to put on and off, allow you to customize the fit for comfort and knee protection. Wrap-style bracing can be worn during activity allowing you to focus on your performance without all the bulk.
Shop Wraparound Knee Braces
Bands/Straps
Help ease runner's knee pain, patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) or acute knee pain with strap and band bracing. These are designed to apply a comfortable, effective pressure on the knee to help alleviate pain. Simple to wear (fits under clothing), and easy to put on, straps can be worn during daily activities and sports.
Shop Knee Bands & Straps
Custom Knee Braces
Custom knee braces are ideal for those looking for a knee brace. Measurements of your knee will be taken and a custom brace will be created for you. We offer custom knee braces available for contact and non-contact sports.
Shop Custom Knee Braces
Open vs. Closed Popliteal
The popliteal is located on the back on the knee brace. An open popliteal has a small opening behind the knee which can help keep the body cool when moving. The closed popliteal means there is no opening on the back of the knee. The closed popliteal can help keep the leg warm when moving in cooler temps.
Open vs. Closed Patella
You may see some knee braces with an opening at the knee cap while others are covered. The braces with an open patella help relieve knee pressure and support the knee cap with tracking assistance. A closed patella brace can help offer compression and knee support. If unsure, you can contact our customer support team for assistance, or speak with your doctor on the better option for your needs.
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Why and How Do Knee Braces Work for Knee Pain, Injury and Instability?
Whether it’s a knee sprain, arthritis, torn ACL, runner’s knee, knee instabilities or knee discomfort, knee braces help support and manage pain. Depending on the injury will determine how the brace will work. But most braces support the knee and help keep it aligned.
“There are a variety of knee braces out on the market today that are specifically designed to provide relief and support for specific conditions,” says Anna Muñoz, M.Ed., ATC, DonJoy Performance® and DonJoy Advantage® Product Manager. “Knee braces have a variety of features and benefits depending on the condition, you may see a buttress for patella support/tracking, a metal hinge for ligament stability, or compression sleeves for swelling. These design features are incorporated into the brace design to help specifically provide relief and support for the Consumer’s condition.”
When should you start wearing a knee brace?
In general, you can wear a knee brace once you start to experience knee pain or want to prevent a previous knee injury. A knee support can be worn during rehabilitation period like post ACL surgery. It’s best to consult with your primary caregiver about when to wear a knee brace.
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Top 3 Knee Injuries
The knee joint is complex and made of many muscles and ligaments, which can make it vulnerable to an array of injuries. These knee problems can happen to anyone at any age during any activity. From participating in activity to getting up from the couch or walking, knee injuries can have a big impact on your day-to-day. While wear and tear to the knee happens over time, ligament damage tends to occur from a sudden twist or reactive movement—especially in sports.1 Here are three common knee injuries and which knee braces can help manage symptoms.
Meniscus
The meniscus2 is piece of cartilage that acts like a pad between your femur or thigh bone and tibia or shin bone. A wrong twist can easily injury the C-shape cartilage which can be a partial or total tear. If you experience a small meniscus tear, then the meniscus stays connected to the front and back of the knee. If you have a total tear, then the meniscus may be left hanging by a thread of cartilage. Depending on the size of the tear and location will determine the seriousness of it.
Braces that can help manage a meniscus tear:
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury
An ACL tear or sprain is most common during sports that involve sudden stops or change in direction, jumping and landing (such as soccer, basketball, football or downhill skiing). Many athletes hear or feel a "pop" in the knee when an ACL injury occurs. Your knee may swell, feel unstable and become too painful to bear weight.3
Braces that can help manage an ACL injury:
Hyperextended Knee
A hyperextended knee occurs when your knee is pushed past its normal range of motion from a straightened position bending too far back in the wrong direction. While mild knee hyperextension may feel sore and uncomfortable—and can take 2 to 4 weeks to heal—serious knee hyperextension can cause damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and cartilage injuries in the knee, which may require surgery.4
Braces that can help manage hyperextended knee:
Consult your physician if you have experienced any of the above knee injuries. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the best treatment, benefits of using a knee brace, and may prescribe physical therapy exercises to help you recover.
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Proper Knee Brace Fit
Knee braces provide support, stability and more depending on the type of brace. To ensure that you get the benefits of a knee brace, it’s important to have the right fit. Most knee braces will require you to measure three areas: One at knee center, one at the thigh and the other at the calf (6 inches above and below the kneecap). Some supports only require the circumference of the kneecap. We provide sizing guidance, so take a look at the size charts and measuring instructions to get the appropriate size.
When wearing, you’ll want the brace to feel snug, but not so tight that it constricts movement or cuts off circulation. If it feels too tight, you may want to consider a different size. You can consult our bracing experts for additional help.
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Our Top 10 Best-Selling Knee Braces
Struggling with knee pain? Whether it’s knee instabilities, a ligament injury or runner’s knee, here are our top 10 best-selling knee braces that can help you manage knee pain symptoms and help prevent re-injury.
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Note: Top braces are based on our top-selling knee braces
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Need More Help?
Our bracing experts will help you identify the best brace from our bracing collection, whether you need support for preventative care, daily use or sports. Shop our Knee Braces or check out our Brace Advisor for a shopping guide.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of wholesale knee strap. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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