If you don’t have time to read the entire review and want to find out the best knee braces for running, then we recommend Cambivo 2 Pack Knee Compression Sleeve as the best choice.
For a runner, the knee can often be a troublesome joint, whether due to an impact injury, a sprain, or simply through wear and tear. To help support the knee so one can continue running as pain-free as possible, a knee brace is the solution most runners turn to.
If you love to run but your knee needs support, read on, and you will see our reviews of 5 of the best knee braces for running. you will also gain more insight and information on their most important features.
We’re going to review the following knee braces for running:
- UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
- Physix Gear Sport Knee Support Brace
- Vive Adjustable Hinged Knee Brace
- Cambivo 2 Pack Knee Compression Sleeve
- Sleeve Stars Knee Support Brace
Best Knee Brace for Running Reviews
UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
Whether running is your only sporting pursuit or one of many that you participate in, this simple, one-piece knee support brace from UFlex can be used for all of them.
Product Highlights
This knee brace from UFlex can offer support and compression for your knee for multiple sports, including running, football, athletics, tennis, hiking, and soccer. One practical advantage of this is it negates the need to buy numerous knee braces for each sport, which saves you money.
It is made from a combination of an elasticated material and silicon with elastic, ensuring that it can stretch in any direction to have maximum flexibility in your movements. The fabric is waterproof, breathable, and anti-bacterial, so it will help keep your knee dry and allow sweat to evaporate.
The silicon wave in the knee brace prevents it from slipping as you are running, thus avoiding the need to stop at random intervals to adjust it.
Compression from this knee brace is a vital aspect of its benefits, including limiting muscle fatigue, protecting your knee, reducing swelling or inflammation, and promoting blood flow.
There is also the support it provides your knee, not just when it is 100%, but more importantly, when you might be carrying a slight strain.
What I Like
The compression this knee brace for running provides for your knee is exceptional and ensures that it is supported and can be, no matter what sports you are participating in.
What I Don’t Like
When it is brand new and just out of the packaging, it has a distinctive odor, which many users might find unpleasant, although it reduces as it is used.
Pros
- Waterproof for wet weather
- Elasticated to promote flexibility
- Silicone wave keeps brace secure
- Breathable to allow sweat to evaporate
- Excellent knee joint support
Cons
- Thick fabric may make the leg too warm
- It might be too big for smaller users
Physix Gear Sport Knee Support Brace
This is another very simple knee brace for both male and female runners that comes in various sizes to suit, and you also get to choose the color.
Product Highlights
The first thing we notice about this is that it’s pretty stylish, if possible, for a knee brace. It has decent patterns on both the front and the back and if you wish to color coordinate your running kit, you can choose either black/pink or black/grey.
As far as wearing the knee brace, the materials used are a combination of nylon and Lycra, and this first enables you to stretch it in all four directions so that you can put it on quickly. This stretching also means it should be very comfortable when you run, as it effectively matches your knee’s movements.
Whether you suffer from issues such as swelling or inflammation in your knee or more serious ailments like osteoarthritis, the Physix knee brace will help to support it. At the same time, you run and, as such, reduce, if not eliminate, the pain.
Making sure your knee area is neither too cold nor too warm is another feature of this knee brace. In warm weather, it is breathable, allowing excess heat and sweat to escape, and in cold weather, it will help retain warmth in your knee.
What I Like
While it may not be at the top of most runner’s priorities when looking for a knee brace, the appearance of this one is particularly pleasing, especially given the choice of colors.
What I Don’t Like
After prolonged use, this knee will occasionally try to slide down from the knee area, which may be not very pleasant for some who take part in long workouts.
Pros
- Flexible to promote movement
- High level of support for knee
- Keeps knee warm in winter
- It easily slides on and off
- Breathable fabric
Cons
- Sizes seem smaller than stated
- Poor return policy
Vive Adjustable Hinged Knee Brace
This hinged knee brace from Vive is beneficial for runners with injuries or ailments who require a high degree of knee support.
Product Highlights
Injuries do not always mean you can’t run, but if you have one and want to run, a strong knee brace is highly recommended, such as this one from Vive.
First, the primary material is neoprene, which provides thermal compression but does not do so at the expense of your knee getting too warm while you exercise and becoming uncomfortable. Instead, the neoprene makes the knee brace breathable so that heat can escape and sweat does not build up.
Enhancing the support of your knee are the aluminum hinges within the knee brace, which provide both lateral and medial stability. This, in turn, reduces the likelihood of strains, sprains, and twists to your knee while you run. The hinges are removable if you require less support or feel more comfortable running without them.
The knee brace is secured using Velcro fasteners, which are extra strong and give your knee even greater stability.
The Vive knee brace is one-size-fits-all, so there is no need to measure your leg/knee size, but you do get to choose which color your knee brace is: black, beige, or gray.
What I Like
Support is everything when it comes to knee braces for running, so the fact that this knee brace has strong aluminum hinges is very welcome.
What I Don’t Like
Depending on how you wear this, the smaller straps might slightly pinch, which, at best, is annoying and, at worst, painful.
Pros
- Breathable neoprene material
- Universal sizing
- Aluminum hinges enhance stability
- High level of lateral support
- Choice of three colors
Cons
- Velcro straps can curl up
- Needs regular repositioning
Cambivo 2 Pack Knee Compression Sleeve
Our next review looks at a knee brace, which is super-easy to put on and has an excellent range of colors, and if you want value, how about getting two instead of one?
Product Highlights
The last point we made in the intro is a reference to the fact that this Cambivo knee brace comes in a two-pack, so you can either use one on each knee or give the other one to a running partner or friend who might need it.
We also mentioned the color choices, and while it is for the trimming, you get a choice of no less than nine different color options.
Regarding looking after your knee while you run, the Cambivo has several benefits. The first is the silicone double lining, which should prevent the knee brace from slipping and thus keep it in place while you are running. The greater thickness also provides extra reinforcement to the support without reducing the comfort of the knee brace in any way.
The anti-bacterial fabric is very flexible, so your movement should not be hindered as you run. It is also breathable, which promotes the evaporation of sweat and reduces the chances of overheating. The other main benefit provided to your knee while wearing this knee brace includes improved blood flow and reduced swelling.
What I Like
The double-lined silicone interior helps keep this knee brace in place and provides excellent support for your knee, especially if you are recovering from an injury.
What I Don’t Like
When first worn, you may feel itchiness caused by the silicone material, although this recedes after several uses.
Pros
- Anti-bacterial material
- Breathable to reduce sweating
- Promotes blood flow
- Choice of 9 colors
- Two packs is excellent value
Cons
- Sizes are larger than stated
- Elastic needs to be more robust
Sleeve Stars Knee Support Brace
Our final review looks at an open patella-type knee brace that can support your knee for running and many other sports, including hiking, basketball, and gym sessions.
Product Highlights
This knee brace has universal sizing; therefore, it has an adjustable fitting instead of selecting your leg size option. This is achieved using the two straps, which have Velcro fasteners.
You place the brace over your knee, wrap each strap around your leg, and then fasten using the Velcro. From here, you can adjust the strap so it is either less or more tightly wrapped around, depending on how secure you want the brace to be.
It is made from neoprene, making it breathable to reduce sweating in your knee area, and this also ensures no moisture can come in the other way should you be running in wet conditions.
The material and the dual stabilizers within the sides of the brace provide support. This ensures that your knee is kept stable and helps reduce the chance of sprains and twists. It will also reduce the risks of more serious stress and impact injuries, including ligament tears and cartilage damage.
For existing knee conditions like arthritis or meniscus tears, this knee brace is ideal for helping to support your knee. At the same time, you recover so that any discomfort or pain that might be felt while walking or running is minimized.
What I Like
Every leg and knee size will be different, so being able to fully adjust this knee brace to fit correctly and at its most comfortable is a big plus.
What I Don’t Like
The robustness of the Velcro is not great, and its ability to hold the knee brace in place over the long term is compromised.
Pros
- Breathable neoprene material
- Fully adjustable straps
- Offers excellent support
- Can aid recovery from injuries
- Suitable for many sports
Cons
- Rather bulky
- Unpleasant plastic smell
Buyer’s Guide
With your knee being one of the most important joints in your body, especially if you are a runner, purchasing the correct knee brace is essential. To do so, it is vitally important that you are fully aware of all the main features and buying options of the knee braces you are considering.
To help you with that task, we have created this simple buying guide to take you through what we believe are the six most important features of knee braces.
They are not in any particular order, especially as the importance of any one feature may differ between individuals. However, in their entirety, they are what you should be considering when choosing the knee brace for running you wish to buy.
Types
There are two types of knee brace for running. The first is a sleeve type, which is usually a single piece of fabric, and this is worn by simply sliding it onto your leg and positioning it across your knee area.
The second is called the ‘open patella’, and instead of a single sleeve, it has straps which are fastened using Velcro once you have the knee brace in position.
Levels of Protection
The protection that a knee brace will give you when running is mostly in terms of supporting the knee so that it has as much stability as possible. The compression that the knee brace provides also promotes blood flow.
Knee braces can help those who are recovering from an injury by reducing inflammation, and they also generate heat within the muscles, which aid recovery, too.
Support
Support is the primary function of a knee brace, and although the level of support is not something by which knee braces are graded, there are some differences in how it is achieved.
Knee braces fastened using straps, tend to use the hinges within the brace. With sleeve braces, the support is achieved by the nature of the material and the way it uses compression. Silicone is used on the inside of the brace to keep the sleeve from moving, enhancing the support.
Styles
While knee braces are not exactly what you would call a ‘fashion accessory,’ there are some options in terms of their design.
The simplest ones are those sleeve-type knee braces that have color options, with some having several to choose from. Other than that, it is a choice between the simple sleeve knee brace or the more noticeable hinged knee brace.
Value
Knee braces tend to be relatively inexpensive, and they usually cost a lot less than the running shoes you might be wearing on your feet. Prices range from around $15 to $45, depending on the size. Look for any of them coming as a two pack instead of a single knee brace, as these offer better value for money.
Breathability
To allow sweat to evaporate and thus keep your knee area cool and your knee brace from generating odor, you want the material used for the knee brace to be breathable. This is especially the case with sleeve knee braces due to them not having any open areas.
Best Knee Brace For Running FAQ
How do I run without hurting my knees?
While any underlying condition can cause pain in your knees when you are running, one of the best ways to avoid pain is to wear a knee brace. This will give your knee the support it needs to prevent injury and reduce any stiffness that might occur.
How do I protect my knees when running?
One of the best ways to protect your knees is to ensure a proper warmup before running. This loosens the muscles and avoids the risk of stretching cold ligaments within the knee area.
Once again, a knee brace is the best solution to protecting your knees because it provides stability and keeps the knee joint warm.
What does a knee brace do?
The primary benefit of a knee brace is that it supports the knee joint. This support reduces the risk of injury due to sprains or twists that might otherwise occur. The compression the knee brace provides also promotes blood circulation around the knee.
How easily can you run with a knee brace?
While it may take some time to get used to running with a knee brace on, it should not inhibit your movement to the extent that you cannot run. If you are using an adjustable knee brace, you could try adjusting the strap if you feel that the knee brace is uncomfortable.
Do knee braces help runners’ knees?
Knee braces are beneficial if you are recovering from a knee injury as they protect the knee and thus allow you to exercise sooner than you otherwise might. On the flip side, knee braces help you avoid injury in the first place, thanks to the support they give your knee when running.
Final Thoughts on the Best Knee Braces for Running
Hopefully, our buying guide and FAQ relating to knee braces for running gave you all the information you were looking for. We also hope the product reviews have helped you move closer to choosing which one you want to buy.
For our part, we like the Cambivo Knee Compression Sleeve. Its double-lined silicone provides a high level of knee support and helps keep the knee brace in place.
The cherry on the cake is that when you purchase, you will receive two knee braces, which constitute excellent value for money and give you a brace for each knee.
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