The 8 Best Knee Sleeves of 2024 (Tested & Reviewed)

Knee sleeves are an important piece of gear in every gymgoer’s equipment bag. They can help to provide joint protection, warmth, and stability. They can even help to inspire confidence when you know you have the right ones on, which is why we have compiled a list of what we think are the best knee sleeves on the market. Like most pieces of supportive equipment, their use comes with a time and place, so it’s not a bad idea to keep yourself equipped with a pair for times you need them most. A sleeve’s benefits will be dependent on your strength sport, preferences, and knee sleeve wants/needs. 

We’ve been on a mission to find the best knee sleeves for powerlifting, weightlifting, CrossFit®-style workouts, knee warmth, and even heavy squats. Below are our current favorites, and keep in mind that this list was built off of our judging criteria for each knee sleeve, and you may find that a different fit from our top choices works better for you. Overall, our goal is to connect you with the best sleeves for your lifting preferences, or at least to make knee sleeves’ presence known to you if you’ve never seen them before.

Our Picks for the Best Knee Sleeves of 2024

• Best Knee Sleeves: Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
• Best Knee Sleeves for Squats: Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
• Best Weightlifting Knee Sleeves: Iron Bull 7mm Knee Sleeves
• Best CrossFit Knee Sleeves: Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves
• Best Powerlifting Knee Sleeves: Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
• Best Knee Sleeves for the Money: Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves
• Best Knee Sleeves for Mobility: Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. We are doing our best to keep this article updated based on what’s currently in stock at various manufacturers.

Best Knee Sleeves Video Review

BarBend expert tester and certified nutrition coach Jake Herod shares our picks for the best knee sleeves. Whether you’re looking for the best value, the best knee sleeves for squats, or the best knee sleeves for mobility, we’ve got you covered.

Best Knee Sleeves

When picking the best knee sleeves, there are a number of factors that go into it. The best sleeves have to serve their purpose, have great construction, be reliable and durable, and accommodate the widest variety of users. That is why we decided to select Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves as our top pick here.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

Utility and longevity are the name of the game when crowning something the best, and to be the best, a product has to check off all of the right boxes (and then some).

These knee sleeves from Gymreapers are the real deal. They are made from premium neoprene and designed to provide warmth and joint protection, as well as support throughout even the most grueling leg workouts. They are made with reinforced stitching, and can slip on easily with a full range of sizes to fit even you quadzillas out there.

Specs

• Best For: Powerlifting, General Lifting, Bodybuilding
• Material: Neoprene
• Reinforced: Yes
• Sizes: Small through XX-Large (11.8 inches through 18.3 inches)
• Price: $59.99 per pair

Pros

• These knee sleeves have solid all-around support, comfort, and durability built into the design. 
• Gymreapers used a non-irritating material, so these sleeves won’t irritate sensitive skin.
• The thick 7mm material provides maximum support and compression spread evenly around the knee that can stand up to heavy loads.

Cons

• These aren’t optimal for someone primarily looking for warmth.
• Athletes who would prefer a straight sleeve rather than a contoured sleeve might not like the design.

The Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves are designed with the strength athlete in mind, and if you are going to be moving heavy weights, then these are going to be your friend. They are versatile enough to support a traditional bodybuilding style workout or CrossFit WOD, and accommodate repeated efforts.

Read our full review of the Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves.

Best Knee Sleeves for Squats 

Knee sleeves and squats can go hand in hand. When looking for sleeves to support your knees during the squat they should be supportive, comfortable, and durable since they are supposed to be protecting the knees during heavy loads. These knee sleeves hit the mark.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

One big reason we picked Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves as our top choice for squats is their ability to stand up to repeated heavy squats and leg sessions. These are great for both training and competition, so you only have to buy them once. They can support those who train in both high-bar and low-bar squat.

These sleeves are made of durable neoprene and are a great value as they’re priced lower than similar competitors. Gymreapers even includes a free carry bag to neatly store the sleeves. Plus, they come in three attractive colors: black/white, black/red, and green/black to match your other Gymreapers gear. The company suggests sizing down one size for those that prefer a more snug, contoured fit. 

Specs

• Best For: Powerlifting, General Lifting, Bodybuilding
• Material: Neoprene
• Reinforced: Yes
• Sizes: Small through XX-Large (11.8 inches through 18.3 inches)
• Price: $59.99 per pair

Pros

• The thicker design is meant to provide maximum support for heavy training and squat sessions.
• If you’re searching for a pair of reinforced, high-quality, and durable sleeves able to take abuse for many years to come, then these may be for you.
• These are approved for use in the USPA Powerlifting Federation (though we recommend you always double-check the rules as approvals may change).

Cons

• The compression may be too much for people who prefer a more relaxed fit.
• Beginners may not have the need for such a serious knee sleeve yet.

These are great in terms of function, design, and durability. If you are looking to get some serious squat sessions in, we’re confident these can help.

Best Weightlifting Knee Sleeves

The best knee sleeves for weightlifting need to provide support, but not limit mobility in exercises like the snatch, clean & jerk, and squat. You want length on your sleeve to get as much joint support and pressure relief as possible. The Iron Bull 7mm Knee Sleeves are a prime option for weightlifting enthusiasts. 

Iron Bull 7mm Knee Sleeves

If you watch any weightlifting competition you’re sure to see these knee sleeves on some of the athletes competing. The thinner material of the sleeves (7mm to be exact) allows for a comfortable and complete range of motion with minimal bunching, especially when moving through large ranges of motion, as you do in Olympic lifts. If you’ve had other knee sleeves catch on the bar, you’ll be happy to know that these are designed to prevent catching.

Thanks to their full 11.5-inch length, these sleeves are two inches longer than most other brands, offering more support. You can snag these in five different sizes (small to xx-large) and seven colors, including black/blue, black/charcoal, black/green, black/grey, black/pink, black/purple, and black/red. While these are high-quality sleeves, they’re a little pricey at around $59.99 per pair.

Specs

• Best For: Weightlifting, CrossFit, Warmth, Everyday Wear
• Material: Neoprene, silicone
• Reinforced: No
• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large
• Price: $59.99 per pair

Pros

• Iron Bull’s 7mm sleeves offer optimal support and compression to take pressure off your joints for weightlifting sessions.
• The flexible and thin neoprene won’t hinder mobility or range of motion.
• These are available in seven different colors and a wide size range.

Cons

• Beginners might not have a specific need for knee sleeves yet in their careers.
• These aren’t reinforced.
• There are cheaper options on the market.

If you’re a competitive weightlifter or practice the Olympic lifts often, it’s hard to find a more supportive weightlifting sleeve option than Iron Bull’s 7mm Knee Sleeves. They’re designed to provide support and warmth without sacrificing the mobility that you need for weightlifting.

Best CrossFit Knee Sleeves

CrossFit® and functional training are chock full of movements that are taxing on the knees and joints. That is why it is important to have gear — like this pick — that you can rely on to provide much-needed support throughout even the hardest WODs.

Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

Since a lot of the movements require a substantial degree of flexibility at the knee and hip, the thicker knee sleeves can sometimes impair that mobility, and many athletes prefer knee sleeves with similar support and compression without the added bulk — that’s why we picked the Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves as our top choice for CrossFit knee sleeves. 

These heavy-duty neoprene knee sleeves are designed with reinforced stitching and provide compression to the knee evenly all around to provide confidence that they can support you through even the toughest WODs. They do double-duty work as well since they are also great for support for your max effort attempts. Each sleeve is 10 inches long to ensure complete coverage of the knees and at 6mm, these sleeves offer slightly less bulk than traditional 7mm knee sleeves.

Specs

• Best For: Weightlifting, General Lifting, Bodybuilding, CrossFit
• Material: Neoprene
• Reinforced: Yes
• Sizes: Small through X-Large (13 inches through 19.5 inches)
• Price: $39.99 per pair

Pros

• These are great for functional fitness sports such as CrossFit since they provide a good amount of support for workouts that can be tough on the knees.
• Element toes the line between support and mobility with these sleeves.
• The contoured design helps to prevent bunching behind the knee.

Cons

• Folks who want knee sleeves that don’t provide as much compression will want to look elsewhere.
• These don’t fit neatly into one category, so some people may pass them over for a more specified option. 

These sleeves are likely to provide added stability to the knee joint, which athletes who perform single-leg movements like pistol squats and lunges will appreciate. They come with a lifetime warranty and are priced lower than a lot of comparable sleeves which makes these a great value, in our opinion.

Best Powerlifting Knee Sleeves

Competitive and recreational powerlifters alike know that a good pair of knee sleeves can separate a successful squat session from a bad one — we think these sleeves are great for heavy lifts.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

To perform well in the squat — and even the deadlift, if you prefer — you need a durable pair of sleeves that can handle heavy weights, on top of your own body weight. The Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves can go the distance and then some. Not only are they constructed with reinforced stitching and high-quality neoprene to endure thousands of reps of squats, but they’re also USPA compliant, making them a reliable choice for meet day. However, they aren’t the cheapest option on the market, so if you’re looking for a bargain, there are better picks for you on this list. 

Specs

• Best For: Powerlifting, General Lifting, Bodybuilding
• Material: Neoprene
• Reinforced: Yes
• Sizes: Small through XX-Large (11.8 inches through 18.3 inches)
• Price: $59.99 per pair

Pros

• Gymreapers made these durable enough to stand up to powerlifting workouts where they’ll be put through their paces.
• These provide a significant amount of support and rebound for heavy squats.
• The Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves are approved by the USPA for use in competition.

Cons

• The extra compression may cause some restriction in range of motion at the knee.
• Buyers on a budget might want to look at other options since there are cheaper sleeves on this list. 

Gymreapers has done their homework in developing their entire line of products, and it shows through with these knee sleeves. They can work for powerlifting main lifts such as squat and deadlift, or provide support for the accessory movements, as well. They are even a solid choice for those who just like doing heavy barbell training. 

Best Knee Sleeves for the Money

Budget conscious shoppers are always looking to get the best product for their money, and we get that. Knee sleeves aren’t the most expensive piece of equipment, but saving some money here might mean you can spend it on something else — like a better belt or pair of lifting straps. We recommend the Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves if you want the most bang for your buck.

Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

These are the Goldilocks of knee sleeves. They’re affordable and provide similar stability and compression to a 7mm sleeve, with the improved mobility of a 5mm sleeve. For those of you who are looking for a stiffer sleeve, but don’t want to go with the thicker 7mm sleeves, the Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves are our favorite pick — these are made of a durable neoprene with reinforced stitching.

They provide solid stability to the knee, offering just enough bounce to be noticeable but not mess up your groove. They’re versatile enough to support CrossFit, and come at a pretty reasonable price. However, if you’re looking for minimal compression and a less constrictive sleeve, despite the good deal, these sleeves may not be for you. 

Specs

• Best For: Weightlifting, General Lifting, Bodybuilding, CrossFit
• Material: Neoprene
• Reinforced: Yes
• Sizes: Small through X-Large (13 inches through 19.5 inches)
• Price: $39.99 per pair

Pros

• These sleeves are versatile and may support many different workouts, such as CrossFit, Powerlifting, and Weightlifting.
• The price of these is nice, especially compared to some other options on the market.
• Each pair comes backed by a lifetime warranty.

Cons

• If you want less compression, then you might be better off simply going all the way and opting for a 5mm thick sleeve.
• There are sleeves on the market that are only designed to provide warmth and no rebound if that’s what you’re after. 

If you are looking for some warmth and not much compression or support, these are unlikely to be your best option. For those who like the durability to take abuse, and the slightly thinner design of these sleeves, they are an easy choice to pick up. 

Best Knee Sleeves for Mobility

For us, these are the sleeves we grab at the beginning of a training cycle when we are doing higher-rep workouts (and as competition gets closer, the reps get lower, and the weights get heavier, we opt for something a bit thicker).

Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves

Rogue designed these knee sleeves to provide warmth and light support while still allowing for the full range of motion you need to train properly. The contoured configuration helps to prevent the material from bunching when bending, which is common with thicker sleeves. You can sit deep into a squat with these on comfortably, and likely not experience any pinching while still receiving noticeable support.

These come in five premade colors — Black, Camo, Red, Navy, and Royal — but you can also use Rogue’s Zeus feature to fully customize them to your liking. The premade sleeves cost around $65 per pair while custom ones are about $85. Both come in sizes from XS to XL.

Specs

• Best For: Weightlifting, General Lifting, CrossFit, Everyday Wear
• Material: SBR (Synthetic Rubber) and Neoprene
• Reinforced: Yes
• Size: X-Small through XX-Large (12.2 inches through 18.1 inches)
• Price: $65 per pair

Pros

• Rogue designed these to provide added warmth without an overly thick design that gets in the way of mobility.
• They’re lightweight and flexible, which allows for easy movement while minimizing bunching and pinching.
• You can fully customize your pair of sleeves using the Zeus feature on Rogue’s site.

Cons

• There are thicker sleeves out there that provide more stability and compression. 
• These aren’t the most expensive sleeves, but they sure aren’t the cheapest.
• If you don’t like contoured knee sleeves and prefer a straight design, these might not be the right fit for you.

When you have a lot of knee-bending exercises to complete on your leg day (like squats, lunges, and more) then you’ll appreciate having a knee sleeve that provides a bit of support and warmth without compromising your mobility. These are our go-to sleeves to satisfy those needs.

Benefits of Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves are popular in just about every circle of fitness. They’re as pervasive in commercial fitness centers as they are in dingy powerlifting dungeons and CrossFit boxes. So what gives? What benefits do they provide? Let’s break it down.

Support and Compression

The first thing you’ll notice when you put on a pair of knee sleeves for the first time is that they can be quite a workout to slip on, especially if you’ve picked up a particularly tight pair. Knee sleeves are made from materials like spandex and neoprene so that they can provide compression to the knee area. This compression has a few different purposes, but most people use knee sleeves for support. The compression can potentially act as a non-rigid brace to support the structure of the knee and keep everything in line. They might even provide a small amount of assistance in squat-based movements. Another reason compression is helpful is that it may help to provide some pain relief and even might help reduce swelling.

Warmth

Aside from support and compression, knee sleeves are usually intended to provide warmth to the joint. The parts of your knee that provide lubrication for smooth operation of the joint like synovial fluid and bursa sacs perform better when they’re warm. Just think about how much more limber you feel on a hot day than a cold and blustery one. Knee sleeve materials work double-duty to not only enhance compression but potentially keep the joint warm and functioning at peak performance. 

How We Tested and Chose the Best Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves may look simple, but they’re not as straightforward as they seem. Throughout our best knee sleeve search, we looked at multiple aspects that make up a great sleeve. First, we considered the knee sleeve’s stability, thickness, and material. Neoprene and cotton are the most commonly used materials. Next, we looked for the mobility or rigidity of the sleeve during a variety of movements. After that, we assessed the sleeve’s ability to keep our joints warm during a workout. Finally, we looked at the construction and durability, or actual design of the sleeve, and how it may function for certain athletes.

Other design features for consideration are the stitching placement and quality, as well as whether the edges are contoured or not. If you plan on competing, you’ll want to check if the sleeves are approved for competition by your chosen federation’s governing body. We expand on these considerations below.

[Related: Pros And Cons Of The Safety Squat Bar For Front Squats]

Knee Sleeve Stability and Material

A knee sleeve’s material will often influence how stable a sleeve is under the bar. The most common material used in knee sleeves is neoprene, which is composed of a family of synthetic rubbers. This material is used for a variety of applications but has gained popularity in lifting due to its ability to remain flexible and stable over time.

The thickness of neoprene will also add to a sleeve’s stability. Common neoprene thicknesses range from three to seven millimeters, and the most common thicknesses used by strength athletes are five millimeters and seven millimeters. Competitive Weightlifters can be seen using a variety of knee coverings from sleeves 3mm thick, knee wraps, and oftentimes 7mm thick sleeves. Other materials used in addition to neoprene are nylon, spandex, and various cotton blends. The mixture of these materials with neoprene is what gives sleeves their soft flexible nature.

Nylon and spandex are often used in lighter sleeves and tend to be more form-fitting to the joint. These materials stretch very well and allow a sleeve to hug the knee tightly without slippage. Cotton is another common material you’ll find in a sleeve and give them their soft texture on the skin. With our stability assessments, we analyzed a sleeve’s actual make and the activity it was being applied to.

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Mobility and Rigidity

This measure has a lot to do with the above point and often comes down to a sleeve’s thickness. A thicker sleeve will often limit mobility, and provide more support throughout movements. Conversely, thinner sleeves will work best with mobility-focused athletes like Olympic lifters and functional fitness athletes. Material plays a role in this assessment, but so does the actual knee sleeve design.

For this assessment, we analyze how a sleeve follows the joint in different movements. A more mobile sleeve won’t hinder performance due to mobility issues. On the flip side, when we analyzed a sleeve’s rigidity we looked for support in bottom lifting positions. For example, the bounce coming out of the hole on a squat.

[Related: How To Choose The Perfect Knee Sleeve]

Joint Warmth

Before sleeves became popular for recreational lifting purposes, they were often used solely for joint warmth. In fact, some athletes use sleeves without even realizing that one of their primary functions is to keep the knee warm. Material, strength, sport, and fit will all play a role in this factor, as the level of compression will also influence some of the joint’s warmth under a sleeve.

In our warmth assessments, we look at multiple factors that influence a sleeve’s ability to keep the joint warm. For example, we took into consideration how the sleeve fit and what type of material it was made of. The main factor we looked for was simple: how the actual sleeve worked to keep the joint warm.

Construction and Durability

There are a lot of ways that knee sleeves can be designed, so we tried to identify as many as we could. For example, different sleeve designs include four-panel, tapered, and cylinder. These different forms of construction will influence almost every other factor that will cater a sleeve’s perfect fit to you.

The most common sleeve design is a tapered fit, which is your standard fitting sleeve. This sleeve is versatile and will work for multiple athletes in a variety of sports, an example of this would be the Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeve. The cylinder-esque design is most commonly used in more rigid sleeves like Exo and Gymreapers sleeves. The four-panel design is the least common of the three and has multiple pieces of material sewn together into one sleeve.

Different sleeve constructions will come with different rates of durability. For example, some sleeves have reinforced stitching, which can range from hooked stitching to quadruple stitching. In addition to a sleeve’s stitching style, the placement of stitching also matters for durability. You don’t want the stitching to be in a place that is making constant contact with knurling, as this will cause them to fray quicker, thus reducing their durability and longevity.

Another method to predict a sleeve’s durability is to look at its edges. Most sleeves have hemmed or enclosed edges that will prevent them from ripping or fraying prematurely. Also, the tighter a sleeve’s edges are cared for, then the less chance you have of them stretching out over time.

Possibly the biggest factor in a sleeve’s durability is the material used. A good sleeve will utilize a high-grade neoprene, spandex, nylon, or blend mixture that doesn’t stretch out quickly under constant load.

[Related: Nutrition For Bulking: 10 Tips For Intelligent Muscle Gain]

How Much Do Knee Sleeves Cost?

Knee sleeves range in price, much like any other piece of lifting gear. The disparity in cost is due largely to the quality and longevity you can expect from the product. Cheaper knee sleeves, which usually run between $20 and $30 for a pair, generally lack reinforced stitching and will start to show signs of wear after a few sessions.

Best Knee Sleeves	Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves	$59.99
Best Knee Sleeves for Squats	Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves	$59.99
Best Weightlifting Knee Sleeves	Iron Bull 7mm Knee Sleeves	$59.99
Best CrossFit Knee Sleeves	Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves	$39.97
Best Powerlifting Knee Sleeves	Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves	$59.99
Best Knee Sleeves for the Money	Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves	$39.97
Best Knee Sleeves for Mobility	Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves	Starting at $65.00

Higher-end knee sleeves, on the other hand, are often double stitched, hold their stronger elasticity for longer, and often will have anti-microbial linings or properties already built-in to prevent the all-t0o-familiar stinky knee sleeve smell. These sorts of options will range from around $40 per pair to $60 or $70 per pair. They’ll often come with a warranty as well so you know how long you can expect the sleeves to perform at their best.

Types of Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves come in a few different types, but there are generally one of two categories they fall into — open compression and closed compression.

Open Compression Sleeves

This type of knee sleeve is more often seen in rehabilitation settings and might be worn for longer stretches, even hours at a time. It is easily identified since it has an opening, often on the front where the kneecap is. It may also have straps to adjust the compression. Open compression sleeves offer a few advantages but they have drawbacks as well.

• Breathability: Since the open compression sleeves have a gap for the patella, they allow for improved air circulation and dissipation of heat.
• Flexibility: The open design of this type of sleeve allows for improved freedom of movement which might be better for exercise that requires a lot of repetitive movements such as running or jumping
• Comfort: Due to these being the type of sleeve that some people wear for hours or even all day, they are designed for comfort and often have variable compression through the use of velcro straps

You may find that open compression sleeves don’t provide the same level of pressure around the joint as closed compression sleeves due to the gaps and openings. They also don’t offer the same amount of stability as closed compression sleeves.

Closed Compression Sleeves

These sleeves are the more common type you’ll find in the gym. Closed compression knee sleeves don’t have any openings except where your leg goes through them. They’re more like a tube in shape, though they may be contoured to provide a more ergonomic fit. They offer top-notch performance for lifters and more compression than other options.

• Enhanced Stability: Thanks to the continuous coverage of the joint, closed compression sleeves may provide a more snug fit for superior reinforcement during high-force movements and lateral or twisting exercises.
• Increased Compression: The added compression might be better for people who are looking to gain a bit of assistance out of the bottom of a squat. It may also be helpful for people who are trying to alleviate mild swelling, tendonitis pain, and inflammation. 

The extra pressure and closed design may cause some discomfort, especially for first-time wearers or people with larger legs. These types of sleeves also tend to retain heat more than open compression designs which might become uncomfortable during especially hot or humid workouts.

How to Pick the Best Knee Sleeves for You

There are multiple reasons an athlete can utilize a knee sleeve. Below are a few examples of when different specific strength athletes will reach for a sleeve. Also, we’ve created our own knee sleeve that aims to match the criteria we assessed all of the knee sleeves below.

Why Athletes Use Knee Sleeves

The three main types of lifters that will wear knee sleeves are powerlifters, weightlifters, and CrossFit or functional training athletes. For the sake of simplicity, we’ve lumped recreational athletes in with CrossFitters because they have less specific needs as well. Here are three primary reasons why athletes across a variety of strength sports take advantage of the benefits knee sleeves offer.

1. Powerlifters will typically use a sleeve to support their knee’s stability in squats, quad, and hamstring training. Oftentimes a stiffer, more rigid sleeve will be this athlete’s go-to since they’re training with heavier loads frequently. Sleeves can help an athlete build confidence in their heavy movements, and provide the knee with added compression. In addition, there are a few sleeves that are approved for competition, so they’ll offer stability and joint warmth over extended rest periods. Thicker knee sleeves also tend to offer a bit of assistance at the bottom of a squat with getting out of the hole. 
2. Weightlifters will utilize a sleeve for light joint support and warmth. These athletes will need a sleeve that’s mobile and follows the joint without inhibiting mobility. Since this athlete is often catching the weight in the bottom of a squat, a sleeve can’t limit their ability to achieve depth, so thicker, more rigid options are usually not ideal. Also, this athlete will be taking longer rest periods, so a lighter sleeve can be useful for remaining comfortable and maintaining joint warmth in-between sets.
3. CrossFit, functional, and recreational athletes will utilize a sleeve that fits their specific needs best. This athlete performs a variety of movements throughout one workout, so a sleeve that’s versatile is often their best fit. Support, mobility, and design will all play a role in how the sleeve impacts their performance. For example, someone starting CrossFit, or possibly more cardio-based movements, may reach for a lighter sleeve so they don’t feel confined/limited by a stiffer neoprene sleeve.

Knee Sleeves vs. Knee Braces vs. Knee Wraps

In this triple-threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship, three similar yet vastly different pieces of knee support equipment face off. Knee sleeves are single pieces of tube-like material that are designed to help potentially provide warmth and light compression to the knee area for better stability, flexibility, and confidence when lifting or moving around in everyday life. Knee braces, on the other hand, are often worn for rehabilitation purposes to provide a larger amount of support and may even have built-in restrictions to keep you from going past a certain range of motion. They may also prevent lateral and medial movement of the knee joint to protect the MCL, ACL, and LCL.

Knee wraps are long stretchy strips of elastic-like material that are wrapped extremely tightly around the knee joint with the sole purpose of improving lifting performance and providing aid during squats. You’ll most often find them being used in powerlifting and occasionally weightlifting competitions.

Final Word

There are multiple models of knee sleeves in the supportive strength market. This list may seem daunting at first, but when you consider your sport and needs, then it can become increasingly easier to make your sleeve selection. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that sleeves are great additions to training, but not the end all be all for knee joint health.

If you’re having trouble making a decision on the right knee sleeve for you, then I’d recommend asking yourself three questions. First, what do you need the sleeve for most (sport, health, etc)? Second, how much stability do you want from a sleeve — this will be informed by whether or not you compete. Third, what sleeve fits comfortably into your budget? Confidently answer these three questions and you will be happy with your final sleeve decision.

FAQs