5 Best Knee Braces for Hiking Reviews 2022 | In-Depth Buying Guide
As a hiking enthusiast, I’m really fussy when it comes to equipment. For me, hiker deserves only the top equipment for hiking, keep you comfortable even if you are climbing a mountain or walking through the woods.
This is especially true for knee braces for hiking. Knee braces happens to be one of the most important pieces of hiking equipment you can carry since it’ll keep your knees comfortable the entire time. If you’re also an avid hiker, here are 5 of what I consider the best knee braces for hiking that you can wear for your hiking trips.
Our Picks For Best Knee Braces for Hiking
Best Value | Best Rating | Premium Choice |
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Sparthos Knee Compression Sleeves | Physix Gear Knee Brace for Running and Hiking | EXOUS Total Patella and Knee Support Brace |
Physix Gear Knee Support Brace
Based on my experience, Physix provides some of the most comfortable knee braces for hiking. This is because of its durable 4-Way Stretch Lycra which doesn’t squeeze the knees too much.
Due to this, it fits perfectly to the shape of your knees, making it extremely comfortable.
Aside from comfort, it also provides total support for your knees. Unlike other brands, it’s not suffocating and stiff. It is actually very flexible and perfect for high-intensity sports activities just like hiking.
One of the ideal things about this brand is that it can relieve pain from stiff muscles, swelling, or sprains. It is also breathable due to the type of material used. Overall, it is one of the most popular knee braces for hiking for the average hiker.
Sparthos Knee Compression Sleeves
Sparthos is one of the few brands of knee braces for hiking that is actually recommended by most trainers and doctors, and there’s a good reason to that.
It is good for people who experience stiffness or soreness in their knees. It can even help people who have arthritis and tendonitis.
For hikers, it is one of the most sought-after knee braces that help regulate blood circulation. Due to this, the blood gets more oxygen which can help you hike longer and move faster.
Finally, this knee brace is known for its anti-slip system. This knee braces for hiking has silicon strips that allow the sleeve to stick in the right place without slipping. With this feature, you don’t need to keep on pulling up your knee brace like you would with other brands.
WOLFWAY Copper Knee Brace
The WOLFWAY knee braces specialize in supporting people who do very intense exercises such as lifting, running, and Squatting.
What makes it great is that it allows you to move in any direction without stiffening up. It is also great for people who have suffered knee injuries.
One of the most noteworthy things about this brand is its extremely soft material that is very lightweight. Because of this, it is very comfortable and breathable for your knees.
Aside from that, it is also odor-free. It doesn’t carry any odor because it can absorb the sweat, enabling your knees to be free of any sweat smell or odor. It is also very lightweight and comfortable.
Run Forever Sports Patella Strap Knee Brace
Run Forever has always been a brand that is well-known and well recognized in the market. Its Patella knee strap is one of the more popular products among hikers because it is one of the most flexible in the list.
With its flexibility, it can match the shape of your knees, thus allowing you to move more easily.
One of the interesting things that I found about this brand is that it is registered as a high-class product by the FDA. During its registration, it was already classified as a Class A Medical Device which means that it is made of top-grade quality materials.
Exous Knee Protector
One of the most flexible knee braces on the list, it literally hugs your knee to give it stability. It also has a non-slip fit feature. This feature allows the knee brace to stay in place no matter how much you sweat.
This knee brace also comes in a standard size and tightness so that you don’t need to pick the right size and tightness level.
Other than that, it has a 4-point strap system that allows it to stretch up to a max of 20 inches. Lastly, it has a 100% money back guarantee attached to it! This shows that the company is brave enough to say that everyone is happy with this hiking product.
Things to be Consider Before Choosing The Best Knee Braces For Hiking
Those are some of the brands that I think are great for hikers. Now, out of the five choices that I’ve given above, which one should you buy for your trip? You can take a look at my buying guide to help you decide which knee strap to buy.
Design - the first thing to look at is the design. It might not be the most important factor to consider, but it does play a role in how you purchase. To put it short, buy the one that has a design most appealing to you.
Type - just to give you an idea, there are two types of knee braces that you can find. These are the open patella type and the closed patella type. The open patella types give less pressure on the legs, making them more lightweight and comfortable. The closed patella puts more pressure on the knees but gives them more support and balance.
Size - the size will all depend on which fits your knees. The key to knowing your right size is to try the brace on. Choose the one that feels the most comfortable since you’ll be roughing it in a bit while in the woods. Don’t get one that is either too tight or too loose, otherwise you’ll have a hard time hiking.
Style - there are two styles that you can choose from - the wraparound and the slip-on. As the name implies, the wraparound knee brace literally needs to be wrapped around either the front or the back of the knee. The slip-on brace, on the other hand, is like a slip-on shoe where you can just slip your feet in. You put this on by simply slipping it through your feet and pulling it up to the knee. The type that you’ll pick will solely depend on your preference and comfort.
Types of Knee Braces for Hiking
Just now, we discussed two types of knee braces based on whether they are closed patella or opened patella. In this section, we’ll discuss the types of knee braces based on their overall structure and function. Here are the three main types of knee braces:
Knee Cap
This is the best type for those hiking in rough terrain. It can protect your knees if you fall down and keeps your knees safe from wounds or cuts from branches and trees. They are also very light and comfortable to wear which makes them perfect for hiking.
Knee Strap
This one protects the back of the kneecap rather than the front. It is the most practical to use when you are going on longer hikes so that your legs can have more air to breath.
Dual Action Knee Strap
This type is one of the most popular knee braces among hikers. It gives support for the knees and the areas surrounding the knees. It is also ideal for hikers with aching knee joints or muscles since it offers a very strong support.
How a Knee Brace Can Help in Hiking
As you can see, knee braces are a big help when it comes to hiking. That said, a pair of knee braces shouldn’t be optional - it should never be forgotten.
Final Note
Having the right type of knee braces is extremely important when hiking because it’ll determine how well you perform. Knee braces also give a lot of benefits as I’ve already mentioned above. So if you want to have a high performance, you need to buy one of the best knee braces for hiking.
The list I’ve provided showcases some of the premier brands you can find on the market. With this, you can hopefully narrow down your choices and just choose the best out of 5.
I also hope my short buying guide will help you further narrow your choices so you can choose the top one. If you’re an avid hiker like me, you’ll definitely appreciate the usefulness of knee braces.
