The Complete Guide to Compression Knee Sleeves for Running

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Apart from your feet, your knees play a huge role in your running.

They offer you freedom of movement, balance, but most importantly, they bear your entire weight through every pounding step along your numerous miles. But they are not infallible.

The sole fact that you apply a pressure close to 5 times of your bodyweight upon your knees in every step as you run, can sometimes prove to be too much for them to withstand.

Even more when you consider the average distance a runner makes.

Sure, you could always find shoes with extra cushioning, but studies have found that even the right shoes cannot be enough to prevent your joints from suffering from the shock that travels up your body every time your feet strike on the ground.

So it’s easy to see why knee injuries are so common running gear among runners.

Apart from the shock and pressure, the fact that your knees move while running can cause a fair share of wear and tear, leading to pain and progressive tendonitis.

Thankfully, apart from the right footwear, there is another way in which you can help your knees out, and this is where compression knee sleeves come into the mix.

Now, the first thing you’re probably wondering is…

Contents

What are compression knee sleeves and what role do they play in my running?

As their name state, they are sleeves that wrap your knees to add support through compression. They are specially designed to protect the joints from any risk of damage or injury and allow quick muscle recovery.

Let’s take a closer look at their characteristics…

They prevent excessive knee moment

As they tightly wrap around your knee, compression knee sleeves limit the movement of your knee joints enough to prevent any injury that might occur from the wear and tear caused by excessive knee moment and muscle vibration while running.

However, they don’t restrict your natural range of motion as knee braces do, as they are designed only to prevent injuries.

They increase circulation

Knee sleeves help increase blood flow by adding compression to the knee and its surrounding areas. This reduces swelling and minimizes pain, which allows you to perform better and recover faster.

They increase proprioception

Finally, the use of compression knee sleeves while running increases proprioception. This is none other than the capacity your nervous system has to feel the position or placement of your knee joints.

Despite all their benefits, there are things compression knee sleeves are not designed for. Let’s take a look at these common misconceptions…

Common misconceptions associated with compression knee sleeves for running

Compression knee sleeves are not the same as knee braces

Unfortunately, most people tend to mistake compression knee sleeves for anything that wraps around the knee area. Therefore, it’s no wonder to see people talking about compression knee sleeves and knee braces as if they were the same thing.

They differ as compression knee sleeves are made to prevent future injuries, while braces are used to protect your knees from pre-existing injuries.

Knee sleeves cannot replace a proper warm-up

Yes, compression knee sleeves can provide warmth and increased circulation, but they can never replace a proper warm up.

So unless you want to get hurt, don’t ever consider skipping your warm up just because you’re wearing a pair of compression knee sleeves. They’re meant to help, not be a substitute.

Knee sleeves do not replace recovery days

Having a quick recovery thanks to your compression knee sleeves doesn’t mean you can train more or harder. Rest is just as important for a runner as his training.

Skipping or reducing your amount of rest days will increase the risk of injury, as injuries among runners are most commonly associated to overtraining.

Now that you know what compression knee sleeves are and what they’re not, you’re probably wondering…

What should I be looking for in compression knee sleeves for running?

Support

When looking for the right compression knee sleeves to run with, it’s important to consider that they provide enough support and stability to do their job, but allow you move naturally and be light enough to let you endure long distances.

Comfort

Support, stability, and compression are important in a compression knee sleeve, but in an activity that demands such endurance as running, you can never forget about comfort.

Therefore, look for compression knee sleeves that wrap snugly around your knees, but don’t irritate your skin, cause blisters or make you feel itchy.

Also look for sleeves that are lightweight and breathable enough to control moisture and keep your knees as dry as possible.

Durability

A normal runner’s training regime demands durable sportswear, and compression knee sleeves are not the exception. This means you will need sleeves that are durable enough not to rip apart, not to stretch or lose their compression after a couple of runs.

They also have to be washable in order to last, because excessive sweat produced while running will most likely make them smell. So always look for a sleeve you can easily wash without it suffering any damage, preferably those that can be thrown in the washing machine.

To help you narrow your search, here is a handful of compression knee sleeves worth taking a look at…

Top compression knee sleeves for runners

Knee Compression Sleeve by Ultra Flex Athletics

Materials

It’s made from blend spandex, nylon, and latex. It also includes silicone in its anti-slip strips.

Sizing

Small (S): 14.5 to 17 Inches / 37 to 43 Centimeters
Medium (M): 17 to 19.5 Inches / 43 to 50 Centimeters
Large (L): 19.5 to 22 Inches / 50 to 56 Centimeters

Sizing is based on the measurement of the thigh, exactly 4 inches above the knee circumference.

Colors

Dark grey, with orange details.

Price

15$ approximately for a single sleeve (For the latest prices and discounts, check here).

Made with 3D technology and high-quality materials, this compression knee sleeve seems to have all a runner should look for.

Its 4-way stretch capability gives you excellent support and stability, without restricting your movement or flexibility.

It offers optimal compression, which increases your blood flow and allows your muscles to endure more and recover a lot quicker. It’s also capable of providing relief if you happen to be suffering from minor knee pain.

Despite all these features, the Ultra Flex Athletics compression knee sleeve is very comfortable and lightweight. Plus, you won’t have any problem with it slipping down, sliding or even rolling, as it comes with double silicone waves for extra grip.

Knee Compression Sleeve

$13.49

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03/12/2024 07:24 am GMT

Pros:

Regarded as one of the best compression knee sleeves in the market.
Offers enough compression and support, without compromising mobility.
Allows better circulation, quicker recovery and can even relieve minor pain.
It’s made of lightweight materials, it’s very comfortable, yet provides warmth and is quite durable.
Offers extra slippage protection.
Comes at a reasonable price.

Cons:

A few users encountered had concerns about its sizing.
It may stretch after multiple wears.
Package only comes with a single sleeve.
Can only be hand washed.