Personal Trainers Love These Knee Braces for Recovery and Compressive Support (2024)

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Want to put your guard up? Shock Doctor is your brand. This company, which made its name with mouth guards, offers all kinds of support, healing, and protection products for athletes. Their Knee Compression Sleeve is made of vented neoprene with stretchy lycra bindings and a grippy silicone lining, which makes it breathable, comfortable, and moisture-wicking (which can mitigate irritation) with a secure fit.

This brace also comes in sizes small through extra-large and can be adjusted to accommodate the unique curve and width of each person’s leg. The compression provides gentle support while promoting patella (or kneecap) alignment and alleviating minor aches and pains.

Material: Lycra, neoprene, silicone | Fit: Size S–XXL

Equate–a health and personal care line under Walmart’s umbrella is able to offer support at an accessible price. This one-size-fits-most Adjustable Knee Brace has a three-strap system and reinforced buttress, so the wearer can control the intensity of compression, as well as a “comfort sleeve” to decrease discomfort behind the knee. It’s recommended by the brand both for athletes with knee sensitivity or weakened muscles as well as people who work on their feet all day.

Material: Polyester, latex | Fit: Adjustable

Designed especially for pain recovery and sports protection (though the brand also touts its efficacy for arthritis), the ergonomic Neenca Professional Brace goes out on a limb. It is available in a range of colors, from pink to copper to basic black, and its patented design uses a combination of gel pads around the kneecap and double-sided spring stabilizers to keep the knee warm and joints lubricated. Silicone strips are meant to keep the brace from slipping, while thicker-than-average moisture-wicking material made from a blend of nylon and spandex creates extra, chafe-free reinforcement.

Material: Nylon, spandex, silicone, metal | Fit: Size S–XXXL

The open-patella Doufurt Knee Brace is designed specifically for people who are recovering from injuries, such as meniscus tears or ACL issues. Elements including an adjustable buckle and pressure belt, and springs on each side of the kneecap help create stability and drive blood flow to the area to reduce swelling and accelerate the healing process. The interior neoprene fabric absorbs moisture, while the exterior is a perforated mesh for breathability.

Material: Neoprene, spandex, metal | Fit: Size S–XL

When it comes to knee injuries and injury prevention, immobilizing the joint entirely can put you at risk for further wear and tear. That’s why Bodyprox, a self-described “therapeutic gear” company, prides itself on its Knee Brace, which features an open patella design with a padded ring to support the natural position of the kneecap without undue pressure, as well as dual springs to absorb impact and insulation to warm the muscles, promote circulation, and reduce swelling while relieving pain. Made from a nylon-spandex fabric blend with an adjustable velcro strap, this brace is comfortably compressive and breathable and allows for a full range of motion.

Material: SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber), nylon, spandex | Fit: One size fits most or XL

Does your health hinge on your brace? Your best bet is the Shock Doctor Ultra Knee Guard, which lifts the area around the kneecap to protect your joint, making it ideal for everything from proactive injury prevention to post-surgical joint protection. This top-rated model offers the brand’s highest level of support for moderate to heavy-duty activity. It’s extra supportive thanks to bilateral hinges (or hinges that pivot smoothly) with hyperextension stops (which prevent the knee from over-straightening) and impact-absorbing base pads (to protect the knee from excess pressure when you land after a jump). Two back straps cross over the back, adding extra stability, while four-way stretch spandex allows for movement.

Material: Spandex, neoprene, aluminum | Fit: Size S–XXXL

DonJoy was originally co-founded in 1978 by a Philadelphia Eagles offensive line captain, and the original products were braces for joints. So, it’s not surprising that this brand (which is now owned by the medical technology company Enovis) would appeal to elite athletes and anyone with a ligament sprain or who is recovering from a tear. The price point is not low, but this high-tech hinged option might be helpful for anyone who has to bend at the knee while they play or work, as the opening behind the knee allows for less chafing.

Material: Polyester, spandex, nylon, neoprene | Fit: XS–XXXL

Attention, athletes! The Cambivo Knee Brace was designed (in multiple colors) with sports therapy in mind. This sleeve may not be intended for healing from serious injuries like some of the more blinged-out options on our list, but it’s ideal for maximizing athletic ability and for preventive protection. Whether you're a runner, hiker, cyclist, ballplayer, or HIIT enthusiast, the stabilizing pressure and increased warmth for circulation, plus an anti-slip silicone grip, will minimize stiffness without sacrificing comfort.

Material: Nylon, latex, spandex, silicone | Fit: Size S–XXXL

Modvel’s founder was inspired to start his company after experiencing knee pain himself. He was frustrated when he couldn’t find a knee brace that was both effective and comfortable. Thus began his consultations with orthopedic experts and his quest for innovation. Today, this California-based business focuses on addressing pain and maintaining comfort, so their Compression Knee Sleeves are designed to do just that. Made from a blend of nylon and latex, these braces are easily washable, breathable, and come in a wide range of sizes that can be worn all day. They are also especially helpful for osteoarthritis and minor strains.

Material: Spandex, nylon, latex | Fit: Size S–XXXL

The TechWare Pro’s aim is to keep its clients active. So often knee injuries can keep you from getting the exercise you need, but this accessible brace offers support without breaking the bank. The Knee Compression Sleeve gets a leg up from its donut-shaped patella gel pad that surrounds the kneecap to offer support and gentle compression. That element is bookended by spring stabilizers at the sides to encourage natural alignment for your joints. It’s good for reducing tendonitis and inflammation so you can keep moving.

Material: Nylon, spandex, latex | Fit: Size S–XXL

Runners with pain from repetitive motion and overuse of muscles may appreciate the DonJoy Anaform, which addresses common jogging ailments like shin splints. This compression sleeve has foam buttresses that add pressure to relieve pain in the calf muscles, which can radiate to the knees. This stabilizing style also features reflectivity for visibility at night, which is so important if you tend to jog in the evening.

Material: Neoprene, lycra | Fit: Size XS–L

The customer is always right—at least according to Physix Gear Sport. And knee braces can be uncomfortable, even if they’re safe. So, based on feedback from shoppers, the company has continually tweaked its creations, offering Support Sleeves that are designed to help wearers feel as comfortable as possible. Offering light support as compared to a hardcore brace, these four-way compression accessories are ideal for promoting muscle and joint recovery, reducing swelling and soreness, and wearing in various scenarios. This version offers a better range of motion than a bulkier brace while still being supportive.

Material: Nylon, latex, silicone | Fit: Size S–XXL

If you're looking for a brace to wear during work or for long periods of time, this may be the pick for you. This medical-grade, German-made compressive brace is able to stay in place throughout the day without slipping down your leg thanks to lateral plastic stays that extend vertically down either side of the knee and keep the soft, knitted fabric stretched tight. It incorporates the brand’s signature Omega+ Pad, which secures the kneecap in place and reduces swelling, and a bendable viscoelastic gel material at the meniscus wings (or supportive pads that work with the knee’s c-shaped cartilage) that is meant to apply targeted massage to the joints and stimulate healing. Online reviewers noted that it was comfortable to wear during physical activity and that it felt comfortable and supportive on their knees.

Material: Polypropylene, polyester | Fit: 0-7C

This brace is lightweight but compressive, with a breathable material and open patella design, making it an ideal choice when it comes to relieving knee pain. In our research, we found that most customers who left online reviews loved that it kept their knees feeling stable and secure—thanks to three bi-directional straps and four stabilizers—and that it didn't cut off their circulation after they wore it for an extended period of time.

Material: Neoprene, silicone | Fit: M-XXXL

With all the talk about the importance of incorporating weights into workouts these days, many people are spending more time squatting and lifting—which means they need additional knee support. Enter Rogue, the official supplier for USA Weightlifting, the CrossFit Games, and the World’s Strongest Man Competition. Its 7MM Knee Sleeves, which come as a pair and are proudly one of the only options on the market made in the USA, have extra thick SBR (or synthetic rubber) and neoprene construction to reduce knee strain during and after a workout, whether you’re Olympic training or just heavy lifting.

Material: SBR/Neoprene blend | Fit: Size XS–XL

If Spiderman had a knee brace (and runner’s knee), it would definitely be DonJoy’s Reaction WEB Knee Brace. This innovative alternative to more traditional sleeves and braces employs an “elastomeric” web designed to pull pain away from the knee by absorbing shock and dispersing energy. Held in place by top and bottom adjustable straps, it stabilizes the kneecap or patella on all sides to bring it into proper tracking position. Plus, it comes in super bright pink, blue, red, and gray and a vast array of sizes.

Material: Nylon and spandex | Fit: Size XS-XXXL

When Nike says, “Just do it!” the lauded sports company might be talking about slipping on this super simple Knitted Knee Sleeve. Not over-complicated but well constructed, this 4-way stretch protective piece with foam padding offers the benefits of compression without the hassle. This is a great option that doesn’t require a lot of thought, and it’s made with Nike’s signature polyester-based moisture-wicking material instead of less breathable neoprene. Plus, its streamlined design and signature swoosh make it aesthetically pleasing with most workout looks.

Material: Nylon, rubber, and polyester | Fit: Size XS-XXL

FAQ

• What does a knee brace do?

  In the context of sports therapy, the main purpose of a knee brace is to provide compression around the joint to encourage blood flow to the area, minimize swelling, and reduce knee pain. Falzarano tells Byrdie that compressive technology may also "help your muscles function better, increase your athletic performance, and reduce muscle fatigue."

• How do you put on a knee brace?

  The proper way to put on a knee brace depends on the design. With a standard compression sleeve, you'll slip your foot into the hole and then pull it over your bare leg up to your knee. If you're using a wrap-style brace, you'll place the back of your knee against the inner middle, then wrap it around and secure the straps.

• How long should you wear a knee brace?

  How long to wear a knee brace depends on what you're using it for—injury recovery, arthritis relief, exercise support, etc. A knee sleeve is typically worn for at least a week and may or may not be taken off at night for sleeping. Having said that, follow the instructions provided by your orthopedist or physical therapist if you're using one for medical reasons.

Updated byShannon Stubbs

andCaitlyn Martyn