Knee sleeves or knee wraps are a great addition for streetlifting, CrossFit athletes, and powerlifters. Whether you’re a professional athlete or simply looking for extra knee support during your workouts, using knee sleeves can definitely make a difference.
In this blog, you’ll learn about the difference between knee sleeves and knee wraps, and the benefits of training with knee support. We also recommend specific products so you can get started right away.
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What are knee sleeves and how do they work?
Knee sleeves are elastic sleeves worn around the knees during exercise. They’re made from stretchy materials like neoprene and are designed to support and stabilize the knees during movement.
In addition to providing support, they can also help reduce knee pain and improve blood circulation in the area.
Knee sleeves are a popular tool among athletes who train intensely, such as weightlifters and runners, because they can help prevent overuse and knee injuries.
Best Knee sleeves
Below you’ll find our favorite knee sleeves, carefully selected for their support, comfort, and durability. Whether you’re lifting heavy, running long distances, or training for a competition, these sleeves offer reliable performance for every athlete.
Best streetlifting knee sleeves: MPDS
The MPDS Ultra Tight Knee Sleeves are designed with streetlifting in mind. They provide firm compression and stability without limiting your range of motion. The stiff neoprene material offers extra support during heavy dips and squats, helping many athletes move with more control.
What stands out is the tighter fit compared to average sleeves, making them especially suitable for serious lifters who want maximum support during their sets. Thanks to the solid design and secure fit, they’re a natural choice for streetlifters looking to boost performance without sacrificing comfort.
Best priced: Zeuz knee sleeves
The ZEUZ Powerlifting Knee Sleeves are made from 90% neoprene and 10% nylon, and are designed to provide solid support during heavy lifts like squats. Thanks to the material blend, the sleeve feels both sturdy and flexible, offering a good balance of comfort and mobility. These sleeves are slightly less stiff than the MPDS version.
Given their sharp price and high quality, they’re definitely worth considering.
What are knee wraps and how do they work?
Knee wraps are long rectangular strips of fabric that are wrapped around the knees to provide support and stability during training.
They are applied using a specific wrapping technique to ensure optimal support. When wrapped tightly, they create a compression effect around the knees, which helps stabilize the joints during movement.
Wraps are mainly used by athletes who train intensely and regularly place heavy stress on their knees, such as weightlifters. For exercises like the squat, knee wraps can offer significant added value.
What is the difference between knee sleeves and knee wraps?
There is a clear difference between knee sleeves and knee wraps, even though both are used to support and stabilize the knees during exercise.
Knee sleeves are a single piece and are pulled on by sliding them over your foot and lower leg before positioning them around the knee. They provide support and stability but are not as firm as knee wraps.
Knee wraps, on the other hand, are made from stiffer material, such as cotton, and are wrapped around the knees using a specific technique. They offer more rigidity and support than knee sleeves but are also more difficult to apply and remove.
Knee wraps are often used by weightlifters who need extra stability during heavy lifts.
Choosing between knee sleeves and knee wraps
Which option is best for you depends entirely on the type of sport you’ll be doing.
Knee sleeves offer solid support, but not nearly as much as what’s possible with knee wraps. That’s why powerlifters often prefer knee wraps for their heavy lifts.
However, there’s another key difference between wraps and sleeves — the ease of use.
Knee wraps need to be wrapped in a specific way to provide proper support. This makes them harder to put on and take off. Knee sleeves are much easier to use, which makes them a smarter choice for beginners.
Benefits of using sleeves or wraps during training
There are several benefits to using knee sleeves during training.
First, they provide support and stabilization for the knees, which can help prevent overuse and injury. This is especially useful for athletes who train intensely and regularly place heavy stress on their knees, such as weightlifters and runners.
Second, knee sleeves can help reduce knee pain by offering support and improving blood circulation. This allows athletes to train longer and harder without being held back by discomfort in the knees.
What should you look for when buying knee sleeves?
There are a few important things to consider when buying knee sleeves.
First, it’s essential to choose the right size. Sleeves that are too small won’t fit properly and can feel uncomfortable during training, while sleeves that are too large will slide down and lose their supportive function.
That’s why it’s recommended to measure your knees before ordering to make sure you get the correct size.
Second, consider the thickness of the sleeves. Thicker sleeves provide more support but can limit your mobility. Thinner sleeves offer less support but are more comfortable to wear. It’s important to decide what matters most to you: support or comfort.
The most common thicknesses are 3 mm and 7 mm. Which one suits you best depends mainly on the type of sport you’ll be using them for.
The 3 mm sleeves offer the least support and are ideal for everyday use or activities like running.
The 7 mm sleeves are the best choice for heavy strength training, such as squats or other forms of powerlifting or CrossFit. They offer maximum support but reduce flexibility as a result.
Fitness equipment
Interested in other fitness gear? Check out our guides on wrist wraps and resistance bands.
