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This article will reveal to you all that is important to know before buying a knee brace.
To do this, however, we must first find out what are the aspects that influence the choice: from the materials to the use we will make of it, passing through size and design. Everything matters when it comes to choosing the knee brace that best suits our needs.
The first thing to do is ask ourselves a series of questions. It is a key step to find out which is the perfect knee brace for you and budget the budget to invest in the purchase.
Why do you need it? Remember that sports knee braces are completely different from those for protecting our joints after suffering an injury.
Table of Contents
The most important things in a nutshell
We must know that the knee braces are not used only by professional sportsmen, or by those who practice a sport that puts the knees under great stress. It is a multipurpose product, intended for various types of users, because they not only protect, but help to heal any injuries.
Our knees perform the important function of supporting the weight of the whole body, therefore, during sports practice, it is one of the areas that is most affected by each movement. Whether we are sportsmen or have suffered an injury, the knee braces, without a doubt, will protect us.
There are numerous models of knee braces on the market, which gives us plenty of options to choose from. To make sure we make a successful purchase and buy those that are most suitable for us, whether for protection or for a specific ailment, during the article we will talk about all the variants on the market.
The best knee braces on the market: our selection
There is a wide range of knee braces on the market, although some are more suitable for specific needs than others. For this, we present below a careful selection of the best options on the market, to help you find the knee braces that best meet your needs. Be careful.
OMERIL Knee Brace
The Omeril orthopedic knee brace is designed to be used for a long time and for any activity. The breathable nylon and lycra fabric adheres to the shape of the leg, while the seams protect the knee with a 4-way compression action.
The reduced thickness allows the device to be worn even under jeans and trousers, making it suitable not only for sports activities, but also for recovery from injuries and the prevention of pathologies. In the package there are two knee braces.
This COMPRESSION KNEE BRACE is seamless, moisture wicking and anti-odor. Its 3D knitted fabric perfectly blends with breathable polyamide and spandex, offering a comfortable, sung, ergonomic feel, which can make it easy to wear them all day long.
It has 4-Way stretch compression support design which relieves pressure and reduces stress on the knee-joint during intense exercise and heavy usage. It relieves acute & chronic knee pain from arthritis, strains, sprains, and fatigue.
Anoopsyche Knee Brace
It is Made of breathable neoprene, it contains four metal springs that keep the knees firm during the exercises, while the patella is protected by a silicone guard. Adjustable thanks to the straps, it is recommended for lifting exercises and movement sports.
It is best for protecting from sprains and aiding in injury recovery. It also helps to relieves acute and chronic knee pain from arthritis, strains, sprains, and fatigue.
This knee brace has a patella stabilizer to holds the patella in proper position and to stabilize ACL, PCL, LCL, and MCL ligament.
MUBYTREE Knee Brace Knee Compression Sleeves
The fabric of the two knee braces contained in the package is breathable, and the non-slip silicone keeps them in place even for prolonged periods of time. To keep the knees protected there is an elasticated mesh that also improves blood circulation.
Mubytree knee brace Protect your knee from getting injured and apply stable pressure during sports or daily.
It has silicone gel which helps to keep the brace from rolling.
Bracoo Knee Support, Open-Patella Brace for Arthritis
This principle is used to relieve pressure at the knee and to properly mobilize the patella during intense activities. Athletes and hikers like to use it to limit the risk of sports injuries.
It also relieves pain in arthritis, strains, and sprains. And if you have it permanently around your knee during the post-operative period, it will speed up recovery.
It is made of neoprene and free of latex, which is soft, flexible but above all breathable. It does not obstruct sweating or blood circulation.
Thanks to the possibility of customizing the 3 fixing bands of this orthosis, it adapts to different morphologies of the knee having a circumference between 31 and 46 cm. A piece can suit the right leg or the left leg and it is very discreet in pants.
Danish Endurance Knee Brace Support Sleeve
When you do intense exercise, the pressure on your knee is enough to cause pain. This compression orthosis can relieve it very well. In the event of more severe shocks causing sprain, sprain and even rupture of ligaments, this splint also helps you take care of your knee.
It swells slightly and heats the part it covers. Recovery will be faster, and your kneecap will gradually free itself from its pain. Aside from healing injuries and relieving pain, this splint can also support your recently operated knee.
The fabric of the DANISH ENDURANCE knee brace, made of nylon and latex thread, is very flexible and comfortable. Its 3D circular technology is used to reduce the risk of skin irritation linked to its use.
Buying Guide: Everything you need to know about knee braces
There are many types of knee braces on the market. Obviously, it is not the same thing to simply use them to protect your knees from possible impacts in a sport at risk, or on prescription after suffering an injury. That’s why, to clarify, below we will answer the most frequently asked questions about this product.
What are knee braces?
As the name implies, the knee braces are protection used to cover the knees and avoid injuries caused by any impacts or blows while practicing sports. In addition to those specific for sport, there are others to treat meniscus injuries and to stabilize ligaments.
What are knee braces for?
Before buying knee braces, it is advisable to know what their exact function is. The choice of the type of knee braces that we are going to buy, in fact, is largely determined by the use we will make of it. In the following lines, we are going to specify the different reasons why we can use knee braces. What’s your case?
- To prevent injury: If we have accused knee pain, using protection to support it will make us feel more comfortable.
- Due to an injury: If we have already suffered an injury, and we are in the recovery phase.
- Because we are in the post-operative phase: in this case, the use of knee braces was prescribed to us by our doctor.
- For sports: if we want to protect our knees during extreme sports, or simply to avoid any injuries, especially if we are beginners.
What types of knee braces are there?
The knee is a robust joint, but at the same time delicate, since it is made up of many elements: muscles, ligaments, the meniscus, and other bony parts with different characteristics. For this reason, there are numerous models of sports knee braces, made with various materials. Below, we list them in detail:
| Guy | Features |
|---|---|
| CrossFit knee pads | Canvas: ensure compression and regulate the temperature. Neoprene: keep us warm and help us prevent injury. Compression, "bandage" model: extreme compression. They are used to improve your sports performance. |
| Racing knee pads | They cushion the impact and vibration. They bring stability to the patella. |
| Knee pads for other sports | They are the ones that are used for skating, cycling or playing hockey. They are more complicated than the previous ones, because they have a fairly large padded cushion in the center. They serve to protect the knees from injuries and the kneecaps from possible impacts. |
| Knee pads for meniscus | They ensure that the entire knee is wrapped in a compact manner, so as to reduce the risk of injury to the meniscus. A suitable choice if you have recently suffered from an injury and the musculature of the affected area is not developed. |
| Canvas knee pads for sports | For those who have suffered an injury or localized disorder and want to avoid new ones. |
| Orthopedic pre and post-surgical knee pads | This specific type must be purchased exclusively on prescription according to the specific case. |
| Ligament knee pads | They have lateral reinforcements or rigid or flexible bands. They are used in the recovery phase after an injury to the cruciate or lateral ligaments. |
| Patellar knee pads | Most knee ailments depend on the kneecap. The most common are tape ones, which guarantee a certain stability to the joints. Typically, they are neoprene. They usually leave the patella part uncovered. They bring compression and heat, reducing the possibility of injury. |
How to choose the right size for my knee braces?
Choosing the right size for your knee braces is essential because they will have to wrap the knees well and not move. To find out what the correct size is, measure the circumference of the knees with a flexible tape measure, keeping the leg straight. If it doesn’t have one, use a rope that you can then measure later.
How are knee braces used?
The knees are very likely to suffer injuries while practicing various sports; therefore, the use of excellent knee braces is important. But we don’t always know how to wear them properly. Here are some tips to make sure they can perform their function properly.
- Wear the knee braces correctly: being an elastic accessory, you will only have to put them on the ankle and slide them up to the knee. Once worn, you will need to tighten the straps by wrapping them around your knees.
- Better to wear them with shorts: wearing comfortable clothes will allow us to put on and take off the knee braces more easily. Shorts are among the preferred clothing.
- Remove them from time to time: let the skin breathe by removing the knee braces from time to time.
- Use them whenever you can: The knee braces must be used both during the practice of high impact sports and if you have suffered from a major knee injury. If this is the case, we recommend that you use them regularly, to protect your knees for as long as possible.
- Keep them with care: Keeping your knee braces clean and well-preserved will prevent them from getting damaged quickly. For this, it is important to check the manufacturer’s directions on how to store them properly.
What material are the knee braces made of?
| Materials | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Neoprene | It maintains its shape and does not yield easily. | If you are recovering after an injury, you will need something more resistant. |
| Copper | They improve circulation. They prevent injuries. They help reduce the recovery time after an injury. | They are more expensive than those made with other materials. |
| Canvas | They do not give off odors. They are more comfortable than neoprene ones. | They tend to yield over time. |
| Velcro | Easy to adjust, they stay still even as we move. They have various sizes. | They tend to break down in a short time. |
Should you buy very cheap knee braces?
The problem with buying knee braces at a very low price is that they will probably also be of low quality. This means that they will not support the muscles sufficiently, and that despite being comfortable, they will not be effective. Furthermore, they are likely to spoil sooner than expected. Nonetheless, if we simply want knee braces to be worn occasionally for sports, it is logical not to invest in a high-end product.
Purchase criteria
There is a wide rank of knee pad models on the market. It therefore becomes necessary to compare different items before embarking on the purchase. In this section, we list the most important factors to evaluate before choosing the model you will buy, to help you select the knee braces that best suit your needs.
Dimensions
There are knee braces of various sizes, but the essential thing is that they give the right support to the knee, remaining firm while adapting to the body to ensure comfort. It is essential that the knee brace is adjustable, like some of the models that we have proposed in our selection.
Anti-sweat properties
Almost all medium or high quality knee braces have features that make them moisture proof, to prevent sweating easily while doing sports. This is a very useful property because not only will you feel more comfortable with this type of knee pad, but you will also keep your protections cleaner longer.
For men or women?
As usually happens in sports, the physiological differences between men and women are considered for the creation of the respective accessories, and the knee braces are no exception. In fact, among our proposals, you have probably already noticed this distinction. Those for men are a bit more voluminous, while those for women are usually smaller.
Transpiration
Quality knee braces are made with materials that guarantee air transpiration and are comfortable while wearing them. To find out if they are breathable, look for a model where the small holes for air to pass through are visible. And, if you can’t establish it easily or decide to buy online , read the article description carefully.
Shock absorption
Some knee braces have a layer of solid foam between the lining and the inside. It is a material that absorbs shocks and relieves the impact of any falls, strengthening the protection of hands and head. This feature, at first glance, may seem of secondary importance, but in reality it contributes substantially to the general safety of those who use knee braces.
We must therefore ensure that, in one way or another, the protections contain a layer of this foam.
Up or down?
Knee braces are more voluminous than other types of protections that are worn on clothes. For this reason, there are smaller models that are worn under clothing. What is the best option? Keep in mind that the more voluminous your knee braces are, the more they will protect you, especially if you play extreme sports and / or are a beginner. Smaller versions are more suitable for experts.
Did you know that in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the knee braces were concave and movable, made of steel or iron for the purpose of protecting the knees, and were part of the armor of the warriors?Quality of knee braces
Just like any other type of item on the market, a higher price will also correspond to a higher quality. Economic protections tend to break or be more easily damaged, and not be very breathable. This is why you should think long term: if you know that you will practice a sport assiduously, it will make more sense to invest in a better product.
Conclusions
If you are wondering what the best knee braces of 2020 are, our selection has given you an idea of the models that might be right for you. Each has characteristics and functionality which makes it more or less suitable for a different sport activity or various cases of knee injuries. The important thing is to choose the product that best meets your needs and tastes.
As you may have noticed, a knee brace can really make a difference in the practice of some sports, especially if you are a novice and it is an activity in which the knees are subjected to particular stress. You have to choose the knee braces suitable for you and your goals, among the many proposals available to you. And remember: safety, even in sports, is a priority.
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