People who regularly go jogging, on marathons or just like to run in order to stay in shape know that knee pain can sometimes come in the way of fully enjoying this activity.
Knees are quite the troublesome joint and a very sensitive part of the body. And if you aren’t careful enough anything from minor to serious knee problems can occur.
As for people who have chronic knee pain and desperately want to get moving, a knee brace can help with pain reduction. We will examine some of the best braces for runners from companies like Your Best Brace and the online retailer Amazon.
What to Look for in a Runner’s Brace?
First, you should consider different types of braces there are on the market and depending on those types, see what fits you best. There are several things every runner should consider before investing in a good brace for runners. We can easily divide them into three categories:
- Hinged Knee Brace – used when recovering from a major knee problem,
- Wrap – Around Brace – when suffering from mild pain,
- A Knee Strap – fantastic for people who “suffer” from the runner’s knee.
Apart from these major types of braces, you should also consider the overall tightness and consider choosing between a brace or a sleeve.
When considering the tightness think about the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears — you need to find a supporting knee brace that is going to be just right.
When it comes to the brace vs. sleeve, braces are more suitable for supporting the knee and keeping the kneecap in place, while on the other hand, a sleeve is very comfortable as it easily stretches around your knee, prevents further swelling and promotes blood flow.
How Can a Knee Brace Help You When Running?
Well, the first thing you should know is that a knee brace isn’t there to aid you with running by itself. It can’t be used as a tool that will improve your running so if you have healthy knees they will only be a burden to your movement.
Knee braces are specifically designed for people with knee problems and who need a little extra support when running. So all the people who recently had a knee injury, knee operation or have some kind of chronic knee pain will greatly benefit from knee braces for runners as they support the kneecap greatly!
Vive Hinged Knee Brace
A hinged brace for knee designed and produced by Vive is a fantastic solution for runners who recently injured their knee or have artistic knees. It has an aluminum hinge that greatly supports your knees.
That is one of the reasons why they offer such fantastic support for your kneecaps and can help you get back on track. It is very breathable, lightweight and comfortable even for marathons.
What are the pros?
- Very comfortable
- Suitable for wearing the whole day
- Easy to use
What are the cons?
- Bulky
- Not suitable for people with either very large or very small knees
UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve Support
UFlex knee compression sleeve is perfect for the reduction of swelling, stiffness, and soreness of the knee. It has a heating effect that people with runner’s knee, jumpers knee and arthritis greatly benefit and feel and instant relaxation. It has a silicone anti-slip compression that guarantees that it will stay on your knee during your running session.
What are the pros?
- They are suitable for men, women, and kids
- Made to be very durable
- The heating effect for muscular recovery
What are the cons?
- It has to be put on before dressing
TechWare Knee Brace Support
TechWare knee brace support is perfect for people who had some major knee injuries as it provides fantastic support around the entire knee. They are also suitable for people who suffer from meningitis or arthritis. It is made from neoprene which makes TechWare very breathable and lightweight and the anti-slip silicon will make sure your brace stays where it should be.
What are the pros?
- Comes in various sizes
- Has full support of the knee
- Has straps for adjusting of tightness
What are the cons?
- The size chart is not 100% accurate
- Takes time to put the brace on and off
Bracoo Knee Support
Bracoo knee support gives fantastic support to people who suffer from arthritis, had strains and sprains. It relieves pressure and reduces the stress on the knees. It is made from the very breathable neoprene which promotes blood circulation. They have customizable Velcro straps that prevent the brace from slipping down. Great for people who sweat a lot because they have perforated moisture vents.
What are the pros?
- Relieves acute and chronic pain
- Great for post-surgery
- Thick neoprene provides great protection
What are the cons?
- One size only
Sleeve Stars Knee Support
Sleeve Stars knee brace has several great attributes. It is greatly used by people with arthritis and who suffer from meniscus tears. It offers great support to people who are recovering from any pain injury. It is made from the fantastic breathable and lightweight neoprene. They have dual stabilizers which offer even greater support to the entire knee.
What are the pros?
- Universal size with adjustable fitting
- Great for running even in wet conditions
- Fantastic support with reducing ligament tears or cartilage damage
What are the cons?
- Very bulky
- The unpleasant smell of the brace (much like plastic)
Conclusion
Hopefully, this review has given you an overall insight into the types of braces for runners, what to look for regarding tightness, size, and material when investing in one and has also given you a great insight into some of the best knee braces on the market.
