In this post, we’ve reviewed top-rated knee braces for basketball players. Your knees can take quite a beating when you play fast-paced sports like basketball. They propel you, enabling you to make the perfect jump shot and they absorb part of the impact when you land. They also provide stability when you’re making sudden turns. Make sure and see our section with Videos on how to prevent knee injuries while playing basketball.
Take all these things into consideration and you have a high probability of basketball players injuring their knees. Thankfully, investing in the best knee braces for basketball can allow you to stay on the court (see what we did there). There are a couple of other good knee brace overviews on Better Braces and The Hoops Geek.
If you are here to get right to the recommendations here is an early peek at our choices:
Top 8 Basketball Knee Braces:
- Bauerfeind GenuTrain NBA Knee Brace
- CAMBIVO 2 Pack Knee Brace
- McDavid Hex Knee Pads for Basketball
- Crucial Compression Knee Compression Sleeves
- TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
- POWERLIX Best Knee Brace for Basketball, Weightlifting, Sports
- Neo G Class 1 Knee Brace Support For Basketball
- SS SLEEVE STARS Knee Support Brace
1. Bauerfeind GenuTrain NBA Knee Brace
The Bauerfeind GenuTrain is our favorite knee brace because it comes at a reasonable price (for the quality, it is a high-end knee brace) and offers excellent support.
It’s made using an exceptional knit fabric that conforms to the shape of your knee. This eliminates the need for straps, which are common with other types of braces.
What’s more, the knit material is light, breathable, and moisture-wicking to provide the highest level of comfort as you play.
This knee brace comes in a variety of sizes to ensure that every player can find the right fit, plus, it’s easy to wash.
Another aspect you’ll love about the Bauerfeind is the medical compression technology incorporated all around it. According to the manufacturer, this boosts circulation in the knee area; hence improving endurance and aiding with muscle recovery.
Pros
- Made using knit material that contours to the shape of your knees and calves
- Available in several sizes to provide a supportive fit
- Medical-grade compression for proper circulation
Cons
- High cost
2. CAMBIVO 2 Pack Knee Brace
If you’re not looking to invest in pricey gear, the CAMBIVO Knee Compression Braces are an affordable option. You’ll get two knee supports for the same price that you’d pay for a single brace. 74% 5-star ratings on Amazon caught our attention.
These braces are specifically designed for use in activities that exert a great deal of stress on your joints. This means that they’re not only suitable for basketball but also football, cycling, tennis, volleyball, skiing, and golf.
For utmost comfort, the braces are made with double anti-slip silicone. They are thicker than standard sleeves, enabling them to provide additional strength without compromising on comfort.
We also like that they come in different sizes and patterns. Choose from small to XX-large, and from colors such as black, orange, blue, green, and pink.
That said, there are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure your braces last a while. One, don’t toss them in the washing machine alongside your basketball apparel. Instead, hand-wash and then air-dry.
Pros
- Fit for a range of sports
- Silicone construction for strength and comfort
- Helps to manage knee pain caused during exercise
- Comes with a free ebook
Cons
- Needs to be hand-washed, which can be time-consuming
3. McDavid Hex Knee Pads for Basketball
McDavid Knee Pads are a step up on the price scale. But for the hefty price tag, you’ll get cutting-edge Hex technology. If you watched the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament this year you saw many of the athletes wearing these knee pads.
This is a superior closed-cell foam padding, which is incorporated in moisture-wicking fabrics. This helps to keep athletes cool while providing more protection during high-intensity sports like basketball.
These knee sleeves are available in numerous colors. They also come in several sizes which include: youth, adult small, adult medium, adult large, adult x-large, and adult xx-large.
Another noteworthy feature of these knee supports is their design that slightly extends to the calves. This way, both your knees and legs are protected from possible scrapes and cuts.
Pros
- Hex cell foam padding for ultimate protection from impact
- Extended design to protect your calves
- hDc moisture management technology that keeps the braces cool and odor-free
- Comes in multiple sizes and colors
Cons
- Expensive
4. Crucial Compression Knee Compression Sleeves
These Knee Compression Sleeves by Crucial Compression are another option worth considering. Although they’re made in a limited number of colors, they have a lot to offer.
For instance, they feature the manufacturer’s Power Support technology that boosts blood flow and heats up muscles in your knee area. This ensures that you’re getting sufficient oxygen and it reduces the accumulation of lactic acid that can affect your performance.
The ComfortFlex knee sleeve design is another feature worth mentioning. This ensures that the braces fit snugly without compressing your knees and calves excessively.
In case you purchase a knee sleeve that doesn’t fit you, Crucial Compression gives you the freedom to return the product and receive a complete refund or replacement.
They’re also made with a dual silicone grip, which keeps them intact regardless of how rough the game gets.
Pros
- A dual silicone grip keeps the braces in place
- Comes with a ”perfect fit” guarantee
- ComfortFlex design for comfort
- Improve blood circulation to help you perform better
Cons
- Only available in black or grey
5. TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
In some instances, closed patella braces worsen knee injuries by exerting excessive pressure on the patella.
If you want to avoid this, you can invest in TechWare Pro Knee Support Braces that have an open patella design. This keeps the patella properly aligned, preventing further injuries. Another aspect we love about this design is the alternating pattern of the hook and loop straps. This ensures that there is uniform support and compression all-around your knee.
Also, these braces are customized for women, men, and youth players. They come in 4 sizes- medium, large, x-large, and xx-large- enabling you to find a pair that fits you perfectly.
Pros
- Open patella design that offers more knee flexibility
- Even support and compression thanks to the alternating pattern of the straps
- Suitable for kids, men, and women
- Made of moisture-wicking neoprene to keep you dry
Cons
- No guarantee is provided for ill-fitting braces
6. POWERLIX Best Knee Brace for Basketball, Weightlifting, Sports
When choosing basketball knee braces, few people care about the design. But if you’re a style-conscious player, the POWERLIX comes in a blue and black combination that will make you stand out.
More importantly, these braces feature an exceptional knitted design along with two silicone gel strips to prevent slippage.
These braces can be used for a variety of sports other than basketball. They’ve been made in a way that helps them exert even pressure across your knee joints. This, in turn, provides optimal muscle support as you engage in high-impact activities.
The money-back guarantee is another feature that draws buyers to POWERLIX. If you end up with a pair that doesn’t fit correctly, all you need to contact their customer service and you’ll receive a replacement or refund.
Pros
- The anti-slip system keeps the braces in place
- Features stylish, lightweight, and breathable construction
- Provides maximum muscle support when playing intense games
- Comes with a 6-month money-back guarantee
Cons
- It seems to be longer in the pictures but doesn’t seem to have as much coverage when you receive it and put it on.
7. Neo G Class 1 Knee Brace Support For Basketball
If you’re looking for braces that offer little support but maximum flexibility, the Neo-G Class 1 is a great option.
They have an open knee pattern, which consists of a hole and a support buttress located on the front. The purpose of this design is to minimize pressure at the kneecap and the surrounding bursa; hence allowing maximum movement.
Also important to note is that the braces are made using heat-therapeutic neoprene. This material boosts blood circulation in the knee region, which in turn, helps you to perform optimally.
These knee supports also feature a wrap-around design that results in a better fit than pull-up styles. With wrap-around, you can easily adjust the braces to fit your knee. As a result, the Neo-G only comes in one size, which can fit either the left or right knee and it’s unisex.
Furthermore, they have been tested and found to comply with the standards required for Class 1 Medical Devices. They’ve been approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA, Health Canada, and the MHRA.
Pros
- Open knee design to allow kneecap movement
- Made of heat therapeutic neoprene that warms muscles
- Feature a fully adjustable compression
- Complies with standards set by FDA, MHRA, and Health Canada
- The wrap-around style ensures a snug fit
Cons
- The velcro strap needs a little movement; sometimes, it catches on the fabric
8. SS SLEEVE STARS Knee Support Brace
For those on the smaller side, SS SLEEVE STARS Braces are the ultimate solution. They are available in only one size S/M, making them suitable for players with knee sizes 12 to 21 inches.
Featuring an open patella design, these braces help to ease the pain around your knee and to relieve any muscle soreness you may experience while playing.
What makes these knee sleeves so effective is the fact that they’re made of high-quality neoprene. This material is soft to the touch, feels light, and has moisture-wicking capability. This means you don’t have to worry about sweat accumulating on your knee area and affecting your performance.
The SS SLEEVE Braces are so versatile that they can be worn around the kneecap or over clothes. Regardless of how you wear them, you’ll receive adequate protection and support.
Pros
- Provide maximum knee protection
- Equipped with 2 straps to enhance snug fitting
- Made of neoprene which absorbs moisture
- Great for relieving pain and muscle soreness on your knee joints
Cons
- Too rigid on the kneecap; hence uncomfortable for some players
Basketball Knee Injuries And How To Help Prevent Them
Check out this video that compares NBA players (Russell Westbrook vs. Derek Rose) that get knee injuries and those that don’t. The narrator is a little monotone but the information is really interesting.
Derrick Rose ACL Injury
Dr. Brian Sutterer, MD, a sports medicine specialist in Rochester, MN who practices at Mayo Clinic, goes deeper on Derrick Rose’s ACL injury in 2012. He explains some knee physiology first and then really gets into why jumping and landing might have played a role in Derrick Rose’s ACL tear. This video explains in simple terms how the movement of our body can lead to ACL injuries and how to train athletes to improve their movement in order to prevent injury. He starts the specific discussion of Rose’s ACL injury around the 3:30 mark.
Guide to Buying Basketball Knee Braces
With all the options available, it can be daunting to choose the perfect pair for knee support. Consider these factors to narrow down your choices:
Level of protection
Before you start shopping for a knee brace, determine how much protection you need. Some braces are advertised as offering different protection levels starting from 1 to 3.
- Level 1 braces offer very little support but the highest flexibility. These are recommended for relieving pain and providing mild-to-moderate support.
- Level 2 braces offer more support and less flexibility than level 1. But even with minimal flexibility, they allow a reasonable range of movement. If you’re experiencing ligament instabilities or tendonitis, these braces are great for providing relief.
- Level 3 braces offer the highest amount of support but very limited movement. These are usually bulky than level 1 and level 2 braces.
Tightness of the Brace
How tight do you want the braces to be? The best braces are those that strike a good balance between compression and comfort. In other words, they shouldn’t be overly tight that they restrict movement. They should also not be too loose that they keep slipping off.
Durability
You might want a pair that you can wear to other activities like your morning run. In that case, you should choose something that withstands wear and tear really well.
Most manufacturers use neoprene for their braces because it offers great resilience. However, remember to examine the other factors that determine the product’s durability. These include the quality of stitching, build, and thickness level.
Size
The trick to buying one that fits you is to take your individual measurements and compare them to the given chart. Even if you’ve purchased a particular size before, it’s wise to take measurements as these charts vary from one brand to another.
Keep in mind that putting on an ill-fitting brace can cause basketball players more harm than good. Not only can this restrict proper movement but it can also place too much pressure on certain parts of your knee, making you vulnerable to injuries.
If you’re worried that the braces won’t fit properly, check the return policy of the manufacturer. In many instances, they allow buyers to return the product and receive a replacement or refund. Still, this policy is tied to a specific timeframe, so ensure you contact the manufacturer immediately if you have any issues.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that knee braces for basketball are a vital piece of gear when playing basketball. Designed with moisture-wicking, these braces keep you dry throughout the game while also protecting your knees.
If you’re struggling to find the right pair, try the brace from Bauerfeind GenuTrain. Although they’re more expensive than most braces, these are ergonomically designed to conform to the shape of your knees. They also have medical-grade compression to improve circulation and they’re available in different sizes. Oh yes, and they have the NBA logo (that can’t come cheap!).
If you were looking for a gift for your basketball player check out this article.
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Troy Wright
I am a lifetime basketball enthusiast and loved playing basketball competitively through high school. I still try and play at least 3 times a week and explore all kinds of equipment and training to keep myself on the court and continually getting better. I am a college basketball fanatic and move onto the NBA when March Madness ends.
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