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Introduction
Hello everybody! Welcome back to another incredibly exciting blog post here on Rapid Rabbit Braces and Supports! And a special welcome to you if you are a first time reader!
Today we are talking knee sleeves. Of all the bracing/support products for your knees, sleeves are some of the most diverse. They really do come in all shapes, sizes, fits, and many have different levels of support. If one thing is for sure, no two knee sleeves are the same.
And that’s why I’m here! As a former collegiate and semi-professional athlete, I’ve gone through my fair share of knee sleeves- and I still wear them to this day as I stay active. I’m always looking for the greatest and the best products for joint support out there- and knee sleeves are no exception.
Knee sleeves are awesome because they are so versatile- whether you are looking to keep muscles and tendons compressed, light or moderate support, protection from scrapes, keeping muscles loose, or even just for looks- there is a knee sleeve out there for you.
There is also variety across sports- a knee sleeve for a weightlifter isn’t necessarily the knee sleeve a soccer player would wear.
So without further delay, let’s take a look at the best 10 knee sleeves out there!
Bracelayer KX1- Won't (can't) slip down!
Bracelayer knee sleeves are extra special for one main reason- the sleeves are built directly into compression pants!
Bracelayer has long been one of my favorite products ever because of this. For the longest time I struggled with trying to keep my knee sleeves up as they constantly rolled down during activity.
This issue is a thing of the past with Bracelayer, as the knee sleeves are built right into the pants. They are made of neoprene, and for the KX1 they are 1.5mm in thickness. They provide excellent and noticeable stability and are great for both activity AND recovery.
If you have had issues with your knee sleeves falling down in the past, this is the product for you. However, if you think the compression pants are too much for what you are looking for and only want sleeves, read on!
If you’ve already made up your mind, check them out directly on the Bracelayer website AND use the code RRB15 for 15% off your order!
Iron Bull 7mm Knee Sleeves- Best for weightlifters!
These knee sleeves by Iron Bull are really no joke. As someone who would classify themselves as a novice weightlifter who just lifts to stay in moderate shape, some would say these are too much sleeve for me.
But they look sweet and they are some of the most supportive knee sleeves I’ve ever worn, so who cares?
While these sleeves by Iron Bull are technically for serious weight and powerlifters, don’t let that deter you from getting them. After all, knee sleeves don’t discriminate :)
The support they give is insanely good. They are 7mm sleeves, which is a lot thicker than anything else on this list. For that reason, these are great for outside of the gym as well- wear these all day every day, and for any activity.
If the Iron Bull knee sleeves sound good to you, check them out here, directly on the Iron Bull website.
Stoko K1 Flux- The best support, and the most hi-tech!
Sorry, this isn’t technically a knee sleeve- it’s much better. I assumed that, if you’re on this page right now you’re interested in low-profile support that isn’t bulky like traditional knee braces.
The Stoko K1 Flux definitely checks both those boxes easily- it is extremely low profile as it’s technically a compression pant that provides BETTER support than a traditional knee brace, and completely blows a knee sleeve out of the water when it comes to support.
You can read my full review on the Stoko K1 Flux here, but essentially these pants are interwoven with cables that can be tightened at your leisure using a dial. These cables provide support for your knees, hips, and even lower back.
So if you need some extra support and want something low profile the Stoko K1 Flux pants are great, but if you are looking for knee sleeves exclusively read on!
If these sound good to you, check them out here, directly on Amazon.
Tommie Copper Knee Sleeve- Best for every day use!
The Tommie Copper knee sleeve is one that I’ve worn for years and years, and it’s truly one of my favorites.
I’m not really sure about the supposed benefits of copper infused clothing- it might work, and it might not (shrugs).
Beyond that though, this is a tremendous and stylish knee sleeve that is perfect for every day use. This is a sleeve that is great for all day use as well- its low profile and provides light support while keeping the muscles around the knee compressed.
I like using this knee sleeve for running and walking, or for recovery if my knee is a little sore. For something with a little more ruggedness to it, read on!
If you like the Tommie Copper Knee Sleeve, check it out here, directly on Amazon!
NEENCA Professional Compression Knee Sleeve- Great all around!
This knee sleeve by NEENCA is a bit of a sleeper pick in this list- but don’t you dare underestimate it!
My wife uses this knee sleeve for everyday use, and she reports it's one of the best knee sleeves she’s ever worn. The highlights are definitely the material- it’s high grade and breathable. Secondly, this sleeve will not slip down your leg! So while Bracelayer is still the ultimate choice for a knee sleeve that can’t slip (it’s literally attached to your pants) I would put this knee sleeve as a close second.
This sleeve also has the supportive stays, or rods, on each side of the sleeve like some other knee products, although they aren’t quite as rigid.
This product comes HIGHLY recommended by my wife- and she’s always right.
If this sounds good to you, check it out here, directly on Amazon.
Bauerfeind Sports Compression Sleeve- The most versatile!
If you’ve spent any time on my blog, you know how obsessed I am with Bauerfeind products. While much of what I look at is more rugged and stiff knee braces, this knee sleeve is excellent.
As soon as you touch it you will feel that it’s of the highest quality, and when you try it on you’ll also notice that it grips just a little bit better than almost any other knee sleeve you’ve ever tried on.
While it doesn’t have rigid stays or any other type of gadget, you can rest assured that this is a high quality compression knee sleeve that will stay up and provide excellent compression and support to your knee.
This knee sleeve is great for injury prevention and allows for wonderful range of movement, although it is one of the more expensive sleeves on the list.
If this sounds good, check out the Bauerfeind Sports Compression knee sleeve on Amazon!
Nike Pro Open Patella Knee 3.0- A knee sleeve with a little bit extra!
As we all know, Nike makes tremendous products. It is a world-renowned brand, and one that comes with a lot of trust.
I am happy to say that this trust is well earned for this product, the Nike Pro Open Patella 3.0 knee sleeve (not the flashiest name out there, but it gets the job done).
This is a brace I have used for a long time when I am having a little trouble with a single knee, as for a knee sleeve, it provides very good support and protection. It’s really comfortable for use in any sport, but I would hesitate against using it as an all day, every day sort of knee sleeve that you wear for general support as it can get a bit uncomfortable for that.
But if you are looking for a great, supportive knee sleeve for sports that isn’t bulky but keeps everything in line, this product is for you. If you’re looking for more of an all day, every day time of sleeve, check out the ones on this list from Tommie Copper or Sparthos.
If this product by Nike is what you’re after, check it out here, directly on Amazon.
Sparthos Knee Compression Sleeves- Most budget friendly!
These knee sleeves by Sparthos are perfect for the more budget oriented shopper. They are great, basic sleeves- they are thin and stay up, and are really good for everyday use.
They also come in pairs, so that’s great for those of us who have developed pain in both knees!
These knee sleeves are great for people who just need a little bit of extra support and don’t want to break the bank. Wear them with confidence, and I would also recommend sizing up!
Nike Advantage Knitted Knee Sleeve- Looks great and does it all!
This is the second Nike product on my list! Nike is obviously known for making a lot of great sports equipment, but is not usually the first thing people think of when it comes to knee sleeves or knee braces.
Like all Nike products, the Nike Advantage knee sleeve provides excellent moisture wicking, and is a great product for every day use as it is slim and not encumbering.
It also looks great! If appearance helped with knee support, this would be the best knee sleeve on the list :)
Even so, this is a great knee sleeve for those who want some useful compression of the muscles around the knee with some light support, and want to look good while doing it. This is a great ‘casual’ knee sleeve for me that I mostly use when walking the dog :)
Bracelayer KX2 Alpine- The best for cold weather!
I’m writing this in summer on my back deck and it's about 100 degrees. But I’m sure that for some of you, winter and cold weather sports are never far from your mind. I mentioned bracelayer already at the top of this article, and the Bracelayer KX2 alpine pants are very similar- except they have a warm and soft insulating thermal base layer built into them rather than being simply lycra. The knee sleeves of the KX2 are also 2mm instead of the 1.5mm of the KX1, so you get some extra support.
I use the KX2 Alpine’s for skiing, hockey, snowmobiling, and any cold-to-cool weather activity.
Thank you for reading!
Until next time!
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