Knee sleeve is a simple sleeve for the knee that is either elastic or made of elastic (elastane) material. Knee sleeves for CrossFit have a myriad of advantages when compared to a standard knee-pad design.
CrossFit knee sleeves are beneficial for any kind of weightlifting, martial arts, running and other disciplines where you need protection of your knee joint. They are lighter, more flexible and more universal than a traditional knee pad.
Knee sleeves are simple knee joint support without any other additional features.
A standard knee padding contains only support for the knee joint but a CrossFit knee sleeve contains a number of additional features:
- They control the rub of skin on skin on the knee joint
- They prepare your knee joint for any movements
- They provide compression for fast recovery after strains and activations of muscles and ligaments
Knee sleeves can be worn both by professionals and amateurs, runners and weightlifters, athletes and simply those who want to protect their joints. In this review, we have gathered the best knee sleeves based on their quality, reliability, features and cost.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| AEOLOS Knee Sleeves | Best Overall |  |
| EXOUS BODYGEAR Knee Sleeves Compression & Support 7mm | Budget Pick |  |
| Stoic Knee Sleeves | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. AEOLOS Knee Sleeves
This product gives a great deal of protection from falling injuries and knee injuries such as knee tendonitis and ligament injuries by providing a lot of support to the knee joint while lifting weights and doing squats.
This product is easy to wear, have been found to be a simple and fast procedure due to the fact that they are seamless without holes for the users to put their feet in and pull on.
Users who have used these knee sleeves have found them to be extremely comfortable to wear, reporting that they do not feel as if they are wearing anything at all.
2. ProFitness Knee Sleeve Squat Support and Compression
Pros:
- It provides exceptional support for the knee joint during heavy lifting.
- It also helps to minimize knee injuries and recovery time.
- It can be worn for long hours without any issue of discomfort.
- It is effective for knee pain.
- It is breathable and easy to wear.
- It comes in a variety of sizes to choose from.
Cons:
- Does not come with a size chart. It is not ideal to order without knowing the exact size.
- It does not have hyperextension features.
- It is not effective for people over 250lbs.
This knee support sleeve provides the best support and compression for powerlifting and weight training. It is a smart choice for people who work in high risk jobs such as driving. It is also effective for women and teenagers who engage in heavy lifting when doing their chores.
It is made from high quality fabric that is not only breathable but also comfortable. The knee support sleeve is versatile since it can be worn under different types of clothing. It can also fit different sized knees. The sleeve assists in preventing knee injuries and promoting faster healing. It can be worn for long hours without any discomfort.
3. Stoic Knee Sleeves
Pros:
- Excellent durability
- Great fit
- Protects the knees
- Comfortable with a snug fit
Cons:
- Can become unbearably hot when worn during a workout involving vigorous exercise
- Sizing chart push you to go up one size. That can lead to too tight.
4. Iron Bull Strength Knee Sleeves 7mm
Pros:
- Designed by competitive strength athletes
- Integrated ice guard
- Shock absorbing design
- Moisture- wicking material
- Comfortable fit for all day use
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Sizing is based off of thigh circumference, not knee measurements.
- Leakages with movement
Overall, these Iron Bull strength knee sleeves are designed for squatting in front, back, and overhead positions. They are a well-built pair of knee sleeves that should provide you with the support that you’re looking for.
These knee sleeves are designed to be worn for your heaviest squatting workouts. The design is lightweight, and the shock absorbing materials will ensure that your knees are comfortable during your workout.
The extra thick, 7mm neoprene is designed to compress the knee joint and add stability. A built in ice guard ensures that you can be prepared for any sort of workout that you do.
5. Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeve
Pros:
- Comfortable and sweat wicking fabric.
- Comes in three sizes (S/M/L) for a tighter fit.
- Three hole progressive resistance and support system.
- Can be worn alone or under other gear.
Cons:
- Can be uncomfortable to wear all day.
- The sizing is pretty small.
- Pricey.
The Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeve is one the best CrossFit knee sleeve if you are an weight lifter, wrestler, or in any sports where you can benefit from compression while working out. It retains your body heat, so it can be used in both hot weather and cold weather.
The Rehband Sleeve’s knee sleeves is made with neoprene material (wet suit material) and comes with 3-hole progressive compression system. The system allows you to find which level of compression is most suitable for you.
The sleeve is also very flexible, it is built with a breathable material and has been designed to be snug, but not tight, so you should experience no discomfort while wearing it.
6. Sling Shot Mark Bell Strong Knee Sleeves
Pros:
- Helps to reduce pressure on the knee
- Non-slip and compression fit
- Greater proprioception
- Recommended by famous bodybuilders
- Made from high quality, stretchy, durable material
- Easy to wear and remove
Cons:
- Too heavy for summer training
- Does not provide enough warmth on cold days
Sling Shot, a brand that is well-known in the industry, provides its customers with a specially-crafted knee sleeve that is made from a stretchy and durable material. It’s meant for providing support to your knees when doing various exercises such as the squats, power-walking, walking lunges, side lunges, and dynamic stretching.
This comfortable, durable, and breathable material can mold to your knees for a snug, comfortable fit and will help provide you with the required support. The stronger and better quality material makes them last for a longer period of time while providing the required right support.
If you are someone who is looking for a best knee sleeve for squats, this is one product that you need to check out. It goes easy on your knees, and provides the right amount of support every time you practice an exercise.
7. Knee Sleeves
Pros:
- Available in a range of colors and sizes.
- Available in 6mm, 4mm, 3mm and 1.5mm sizes.
- 8-9mm Neoprene offers a minimal restriction for powerlifting.
- Good quality 4-way stitching.
The size isn’t accurate. It is quite bigger than the description. You need to be alert about the sizes when you buy it.
This is one of the best knee sleeves for crossfit. The Nordic Lifting Knee Sleeve wrap around your knee and lifts the knee joint to minimize the knee dropping. When the knee drops during squat and leg press, the hamstrings and hip flexors take the brunt of the force.
The lifting of the knee joint minimizes the forces and creates mild compressive forces that are beneficial for overall knee health. These also give you a boost in a strength and will be one of your best partners during squats and leg presses.
8. RockTape Assassins Knee Sleeves
Pros:
- These knee sleeves have been rigorously tested for strength and durability and all of the RockTape CrossFit knee sleeves are re-enforced with heavy duty thread in order to withstand the toughest weightlifting challenges.
- RockTape Assassins are flexible enough to keep you warm while you are at the gym and sturdy enough to protect your joints from aches and pains caused by heavy weightlifting.
- Although the RockTape Assassins are a favorite among athletes that are training at blazingly high tempos, runners that are putting in massive mileage, and cross trainers that are at it as often as three times per day, some athletes do not find them effective because they state they are not thick enough to provide enough support.
- These RockTape Assassins can be a bit pricey, especially if you are using a pre-wrap that does not stretch very much.
9. EXO Sleeve Compression Knee Sleeves Designed
Pros:
- Great value
- Great flexibility and mobility
- Easy to clean
- Radiates heat in cold weather
- Contours well to knee
- Stays in place
- Doesn’t bind
- Neoprene material cushions knees
- Washable material
- Durable
(M, L)
The EXO knee sleeves are a great value for the price. They are great for any CrossFit athlete or athlete who lifts. They provide great support while you are working out. These sleeves would be recommended to anyone who have pre-existing knee conditions.
These braces aren’t compression bands made of elastic neoprene. The neoprene is firm enough that these sleeves offer bracing support for your knees. They aren’t too thick, so they don’t feel like they’re going to hinder your ability to move your knees.
10. EXOUS BODYGEAR Knee Sleeves Compression & Support 7mm
Pros:
- Quality neoprene material.
- Reinforced stitching at main stitching points.
- It is non-slip and adjustable to ensure a perfect fit.
- Excellent quality equal to, if not better, than other more expensive brands.
- Available in several different sizes.
- Comfortable when working out.
- Drastically reduced knee joint pain during squats.
- They provide a natural feel on the knee joint, minimising compression.
- Great quality for the price.
- A good investment.
Cons:
- If you are between sizes, the smaller one might slip a little.
- The neoprene over the knee and ankle areas is slightly thicker than other knee sleeves, so it might not fit perfectly in a knee brace.
- Due to the neoprene material, it might smell a bit out of the box.
- The stitching can cause the fabric to bunch up around the tendon, depending on how you wear your knee sleeves.
- It can take a while to get used to these sleeves.
However, this is a high quality pair of knee sleeves for the price. The compression is good and copes with heavy squatting very well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best knee sleeves for CrossFit?
Our recommendation if you are serious in CrossFit is to go for the Groove Palms Wellness Compression sleeves. The sleeves are made from 3 layers of the material called " Coolmax " which is t he best material to keep your muscles cool and your joints safe. The Groove Palms sleeves also have a nice shape that is intended to provide support while offering maximum flexibility. Here are some of their key features:
What are the best knee sleeves for squatting?
For squatting, the knee wrap needs to be something thin and comfortable that will not bind or bunch up as you move around the gym. It needs to give you a bit of compression, but not be so tight that it causes pain or a pulled muscle.
Some things that we would look for in the best knee sleeves for weightlifting are the following:
- Lightweight: The knee sleeves need to be thin and lightweight while still providing enough support to be beneficial. For some people, this means not wearing your knee sleeves while doing CrossFit.
- Moisture Wicking: Knee sleeves that are made from moisture wicking material keep your legs dry, which can help prevent them from chafing.
- Comfort: A comfortable knee sleeve will not rub, pinch, or chafe as you move around your workout. The best knee sleeves will be well-designed to fit your body.
Are SBD knee sleeves the best?
Not to make a big deal over it or anything, but we're going to say it: SBD knee sleeves are the best. For starters, they were the first to make them on a wide scale. As a result, we've put in hundreds of thousands of hours of work to perfect them. And perfect them is just what we've done.
We understand how knee sleeves should fit. We understand how knee sleeves should perform. And we take the time to find out what our customers expect.
Above all, we understand what matters most to those who wear our sleeves. You won't find a single SBD knee sleeve for sale at a cheap price. What you will find, however, is value. We don't ask much — we're just looking for alternatives that fit well, that perform well, and that you can afford.
With that said, it's time to turn over the reins to our customers and let them do the talking.
How many pounds do knee sleeves add to squat?
A pair of good knee sleeves will add about four or five pounds to your squat. It depends on the brand and how much compression they have. The more compression, the more they will add. The brand that you choose very often depends on the shape of your knees, what you are looking for in terms of weight, and the color.
If you are looking for a pair that is good for Olympic lifting, it is hard to go wrong with the Rehband 7051 which is the world famous knee sleeve. It adds about four and a half pounds to your squat so it is one of the best sleeves for squat, deadlift and bench press. This is the sleeve that is used by pretty much all the top lifters in the world.
Conclusion
Whether you are a professional athlete or just starting your fitness journey, it is vital for you to take care of your joints and stay injury-free.
There are many different kinds of knee sleeves out there or you can even use knee braces as they are also great.
Our number one choice for the best knee sleeves for Crossfit are the Rehband 7mm. Other brands might be cheaper, but will give you a short-term solution. Thus, invest once and take care of your joint with knee sleeves that are durable and made of high-quality material.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| AEOLOS Knee Sleeves | Best Overall | |
| EXOUS BODYGEAR Knee Sleeves Compression & Support 7mm | Budget Pick | |
| Stoic Knee Sleeves | Upgrade Pick | |