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Best Compression Knee Sleeves

 

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Finding the Best Knee Sleeves - Buyer Guide

The knee sleeves market is pretty saturated so it can be difficult to know where to start when looking for a pair. In this article I'm going to break down the different types of knee sleeves & give you my top picks from each category. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and I'll get back to you right away!

1.) Flexible/Soft Knee Sleeves - These are a favorite among powerlifters because they offer a ton of support but also allow you do easily keep your knees warm in between sets without being too restrictive. The main downside is that because they're made with spandex many people complain that they slide and move around during the workout. This can be an annoyance but isn't a deal breaker by any means. *This type of sleeve is great for: Bench, squats (light to moderate), accessory work.

2.) Neoprene Knee Sleeves - These are very similar to flexible/soft knee sleeves except they have a much slimmer & "tighter" fit because they're made with neoprene instead of spandex. They have all the benefits mentioned above plus provide much more support so if you're going for a PR these are probably your best bet. I've also seen many people claim that this style does a better job wicking away sweat & keeping their knees warm during those long rest periods. *This type of sleeve is great for: Squats, PR attempts & heavy accessory work.

3.) Wraps/Hex Knee Sleeves - These sleeves are best known for their ability to significantly increase your lifts within the first few wears. This is due to the fact that they're made with a very thick material which provides an insane amount of support and stability when squatting or pressing. The downside to these types of knee sleeves is that they really cut down on your mobility during squats so if you have bad knees and rely on good form you probably want to avoid this style altogether. *This style of sleeve is great for: Lifting PRs (especially when combined with "squat suits"), heavy accessory work, anybody with bad knees.

Knee Compression Sleeves for Sports

Running - These are great for any sort of running activity (and even walking). These are extremely comfortable and do a really good job at keeping your knees warm. Knee sleeves are a perfect way to add an extra level of support during long strenuous runs. The added support can help prevent injuries while the compression & sweat wicking properties will increase circulation & performance.

Cycling -If you're going on a long bike ride this is a must have item because they'll keep your knees warm, give them some much needed compression, and stop them from getting chafed by your saddle .

Skiing/Snowboarding - Winter sports are hard on the body so it's important to make sure taking care of yourself before, during, and after any activity. Knee sleeves can be worn for warmth or as a preventative measure against injury. They're also great to wear under jeans if you don't want cold snow getting in your boots!

Golf -Similar to running, knee sleeves are perfect for any sort of golfing because they'll provide just enough compression & warmth to keep your knees healthy. They're also great for cold days when you have to be out in the snow or rain!

If you need an even more detailed breakdown on the best knee sleeves based off price/quality/comfort take a look at this article I wrote about them .

Knee Sleeve Conclusion

There are many different reasons you may need a knee sleeve; from preventing injuries to an already weak knee to reducing pain. More than likely you will need a specific type of knee brace for your particular needs. Once you have determined exactly what those needs are, you can begin to search through the different choices available.

Knowing how to narrow the selection field will help make the choice that much easier. The right information provides you with the tools you need to eliminate the sleeves that won’t work for your specific injuries/needs. With the right tools, you can be confident that the choice you make will be the right one.

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