Best Knee Sleeves For Squats, Powerlifting, CrossFit and More

Our top knee sleeves cover the best options for joint warmth, compression, and functional fitness training.

Knee sleeves are an important piece of gear in every gymgoer’s equipment bag. They can help to provide joint protection, warmth, and stability. They can even help to inspire confidence when you know you have the right ones on, which is why we have compiled a list of what we think are the best knee sleeves on the market. Like most pieces of supportive equipment, their use comes with a time and place, so it’s not a bad idea to keep yourself equipped with a pair for times you need them most. A sleeve’s benefits will be dependent on your strength sport, preferences, and knee sleeve wants/needs. 

We’ve been on a mission to find the best knee sleeves for powerlifting, weightlifting, CrossFit®-style workouts, knee warmth, and even heavy squats. Below are our current favorites, and keep in mind that this list was built off of our judging criteria for each knee sleeve, and you may find that a different fit from our top choices works better for you. Overall, our goal is to connect you with the best sleeves for your lifting preferences, or at least to make knee sleeves’ presence known to you if you’ve never seen them before.

Best Knee Sleeves

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. We are doing our best to keep this article updated based on what’s currently in stock at various manufacturers.

Best Knee Sleeves

When picking the best knee sleeves, there are a number of factors that go into it. The best sleeves have to serve their purpose, have great construction, be reliable and durable, and accommodate the widest variety of users. That is why we decided to select Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves as our top pick here.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

Utility and longevity are the name of the game when crowning something the best, and to be the best, a product has to check off all of the right boxes (and then some).

These knee sleeves from Gymreapers are the real deal. They are made from premium neoprene and designed to provide warmth and joint protection, as well as support throughout even the most grueling leg workouts. They are made with reinforced stitching, and can slip on easily with a full range of sizes to fit even you quadzillas out there.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

These neoprene knee sleeves come in three different color combinations, and with your purchase, you'll receive a free gym bag. They are constructed with reinforced stitching, and retain heat.

Who Should Buy Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Athletes looking for a solid all-around knee sleeve with support, comfort, and durability built into the design. 
  • Trainees who have sensitive skin and appreciate a non-irritating material, such as neoprene.
  • Those looking for maximum support and compression spread evenly around the knee that can stand up to heavy loads.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Those who would prefer a thinner knee sleeve primarily for warmth.
  • Athletes who would prefer a straight sleeve rather than a contoured sleeve.

The Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves are designed with the strength athlete in mind, and if you are going to be moving heavy weights, then these are going to be your friend. They are versatile enough to support a traditional bodybuilding style workout or CrossFit WOD, and accommodate repeated efforts.

Read our full review of the Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves.

Best Knee Sleeves for Squats 

Knee sleeves and squats can go hand in hand. When looking for sleeves to support your knees during the squat they should be supportive, comfortable, and durable since they are supposed to be protecting the knees during heavy loads. These knee sleeves hit the mark.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

One big reason we picked Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves as our top choice for squats is their ability to stand up to repeated heavy squats and leg sessions. These are great for both training and competition, so you only have to buy them once. They can support those who train in both high-bar and low-bar squat.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

These neoprene knee sleeves come in three different color combinations, and with your purchase, you'll receive a free gym bag. They are constructed with reinforced stitching, and retain heat.

These sleeves are made of durable neoprene and are a great value as they’re priced lower than similar competitors. Gymreapers even includes a free carry bag to neatly store the sleeves. Plus, they come in three attractive colors: black/white, black/red, and green/black to match your other Gymreapers gear. The company suggests sizing down one size for those that prefer a more snug, contoured fit. 

Jake tests Gymreapers knee sleeves
Jake tests Gymreapers knee sleeves

Who Should Buy Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Lifters who want maximum support for their heavy training and squat sessions.
  • Athletes who are looking for a pair of reinforced, high-quality, and durable sleeves able to take abuse for many years to come.
  • Lifters who compete in the USPA as they are approved for use in that Powerlifting Federation (though we recommend you always double-check the rules).

Who Shouldn’t Buy Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Someone who wants less compression and is just looking for warmth.
  • A beginner who may not have the need for a serious knee sleeve yet.

These are great in terms of function, design, and durability. If you are looking to get some serious squat sessions in, we’re confident these can help.

Best Weightlifting Knee Sleeves

The best knee sleeves for weightlifting need to provide support, but not limit mobility in exercises like the snatch, clean & jerk, and squat. The Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0 are a prime option for weightlifting enthusiasts. 

Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0

If you watch any weightlifting competition you’re sure to see these knee sleeves on many of the athletes competing. The thinner material of the sleeves allows for a comfortable and complete range of motion with minimal bunching, especially when moving through large ranges of motion like those of the Olympic lifts. If you’ve had other knee sleeves catch on the bar, you’ll be happy to know that these are designed to prevent catching.

Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0
Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0
Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0

Hookgrip makes these iconic weightlifting knee sleeves that are the favorites of athletes worldwide for good reason. These lightweight knee sleeves are designed to provide light support and knee joint warmth without restricting mobility. They're also easy to put on and take off.

Some folks prefer more support and these are admittedly thinner than other knee sleeves, so they won’t provide as much rebound. If that’s alright with you, then you can snag these in three different sizes and three colors — blue, pink, and black. Arguably one of the best aspects of these sleeves is the price — about $14 per pair — making them very affordable.

Who Should Buy Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0

  • Weightlifters who want a sleeve that won’t get in the way or catch on the bar.
  • Athletes who want a supportive knee sleeve that also doesn’t hinder mobility or range of motion.
  • Lifters who want to stop up on knee sleeves, so they don’t have to rewear or wash them as often to help preserve elasticity. You can pick up four pairs of these for the price of a pair of competitor sleeves. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0

  • The beginner lifter who doesn’t have a specific need for knee sleeves yet in their career.
  • Those who want a knee sleeve that is designed to fit very tightly and provide a large amount of rebound support.
  • Anyone that wants a wider color or design range to choose from may be disappointed with the color options here.

If you’re a competitive weightlifter or practice the Olympic lifts often, it’s hard to find a more iconic piece of weightlifting gear than the Hookgrip Knee Sleeves. They’re designed to provide light support and warmth without sacrificing the mobility that you need for weightlifting.

Read our full review of the Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0.

Best CrossFit Knee Sleeves

CrossFit® and functional training are chock full of movements that are taxing on the knees and joints. That is why it is important to have gear — like this pick — that you can rely on to provide much-needed support throughout even the hardest WODs.

Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

Since a lot of the movements require a substantial degree of flexibility at the knee and hip, the thicker knee sleeves can sometimes impair that mobility, and many athletes prefer knee sleeves with similar support and compression without the added bulk — that’s why we picked the Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves as our top choice for CrossFit knee sleeves. 

Element 26 6MM Knee Sleeves
Element 26 6MM Knee Sleeves
Element 26 6MM Knee Sleeves

These competition-approved, anatomically-contoured knee sleeves are made of 100 percent non-irritating neoprene material. They are six millimeters thick and provide compression alongside their reinforced stitching.

These heavy-duty neoprene knee sleeves are designed with reinforced stitching and provide compression to the knee evenly all around to provide confidence that they can support you through even the toughest WODs. They do double-duty work as well since they are also great for support for your max effort attempts. Each sleeve is 10 inches long to ensure complete coverage of the knees and at 6mm, these sleeves offer slightly less bulk than traditional 7mm knee sleeves.

Who Should Buy Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

  • Athletes who focus primarily on functional fitness such as CrossFit training since they provide great support for workouts that can be tough on the knees.
  • People who want significant knee support when performing squat variations.
  • Those who want the support of a heavy-duty sleeve without the extra bulk.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

  • Folks who want knee sleeves that don’t provide as much compression will want to look elsewhere.
  • Those who prefer a thinner knee sleeve should opt for a different pick on this list. 

These sleeves are likely to provide added stability to the knee joint, which athletes who perform single-leg movements like pistol squats and lunges will appreciate. They come with a lifetime warranty and are priced lower than a lot of comparable sleeves which makes these a great value, in our opinion.

Best Powerlifting Knee Sleeves

Competitive and recreational powerlifters alike know that a good pair of knee sleeves can separate a successful squat session from a bad one — we think these sleeves are great for heavy lifts.

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

To perform well in the squat — and even the deadlift, if you prefer — you need a durable pair of sleeves that can handle heavy weights, on top of your own body weight. The Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves can go the distance and then some. Not only are they constructed with reinforced stitching and high-quality neoprene to endure thousands of reps of squats, but they’re also USPA compliant, making them a reliable choice for meet day. However, they aren’t the cheapest option on the market, so if you’re looking for a bargain, there are better picks for you on this list. 

Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves
Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

These neoprene knee sleeves come in three different color combinations, and with your purchase, you'll receive a free gym bag. They are constructed with reinforced stitching, and retain heat.

Who Should Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Lifters who compete or practice the sport of powerlifting will appreciate the durability of these sleeves.
  • Gymgoers who want significant knee support when performing various types of squats.
  • Athletes who need sleeves that are approved by the USPA.

Who Shouldn’t Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Lifters who don’t want any restriction in range of motion at the knee.
  • Buyers on a budget who want to get some workable knee compression for cheap. 

Gymreapers has done their homework in developing their entire line of products, and it shows through with these knee sleeves. They can work for powerlifting main lifts such as squat and deadlift, or provide support for the accessory movements, as well. They are even a solid choice for those who just like doing heavy barbell training

Best Knee Sleeves for Warmth

When you’re working out, keeping the joints warm is important to help prevent injury. There are lots of ways to accomplish joint warmth, but the most common is to throw on a pair of knee sleeves. These are our favorites if you want your knee joints to stay nice and toasty. 

Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves

Despite being 7mm thick, these knee sleeves have a relatively low-profile design that aids in improving comfort. The main function of these sleeves is to provide compression and warmth through the neoprene material. Once you slip these on and start warming up, you’ll feel the warmth — we noticed that they’re almost suctioned onto the skin by your sweat after only a few minutes. That may sound kind of gross, but Rehband made some downright effective sleeves.

Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves
Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves
Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves

These knee sleeves are meant to provide compression, support, and warmth thanks to a thick yet low-profile 7mm neoprene design. There’s a size to fit you well with options from XS to 2XL making these a good fit for nearly anyone.

If you struggle with swelling, the compression provided here may help reduce that and the joint pressure you might experience during repeated bending of your knees. To achieve the optimal pressure, you can pick these up in a range of sizes from XS to 2XL for the price of about $44.99 per sleeve, which is a bit expensive for knee sleeves but not a lot more than similar options.

Who Should Buy Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Lifters who are looking for added warmth and compression around their knee joint will like this design that puts those aspects at the forefront.
  • Folks who want a variety of sizes to choose from. You can select from XS to 2XL depending on your leg girth.
  • Anyone who has knee swelling can find these potentially helpful since Rehband boasts that they may help prevent swelling and joint pressure.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves

  • Athletes who want knee sleeves that are thinner may want to check out other options since these are 7mm thick. 
  • People who prefer more color options may be disappointed with black being the only color available here. 
  • Anyone on a tight budget — there are cheaper options on this list as these are about $44.99 each.

If you need heavy knee support, you’ll be rather happy with these more heavy-duty sleeves. The Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves can help with swelling, compression, warmth, and joint pressure. If you don’t mind the price, these are particularly warm sleeves.

Best Knee Sleeves for the Money

Budget conscious shoppers are always looking to get the best product for their money, and we get that. Knee sleeves aren’t the most expensive piece of equipment, but saving some money here might mean you can spend it on something else — like a better belt or pair of lifting straps. We recommend the Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves if you want the most bang for your buck.

Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

These are the Goldilocks of knee sleeves. They’re affordable and provide similar stability and compression to a 7mm sleeve, with the improved mobility of a 5mm sleeve. For those of you who are looking for a more stiffer sleeve, but don’t want to go with the thicker 7mm sleeves, the Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves are our favorite pick — these are made of a durable neoprene with reinforced stitching.

Element 26 6MM Knee Sleeves
Element 26 6MM Knee Sleeves
Element 26 6MM Knee Sleeves

These competition-approved, anatomically-contoured knee sleeves are made of 100 percent non-irritating neoprene material. They are six millimeters thick and provide compression alongside their reinforced stitching.

They provide solid stability to the knee, offering just enough bounce to be noticeable but not mess up your groove. They’re versatile enough to support CrossFit, and come at a pretty reasonable price. However, if you’re looking for minimal compression and a less constrictive sleeve, despite the good deal, these sleeves may not be for you. 

Who Should Buy Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

  • Athletes who enjoy an array of different workouts such as CrossFit and Weightlifting, and want the versatility of these sleeves.
  • Trainees who are looking for a high-quality product at an affordable price.
  • Someone who likes the security of a lifetime warranty.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves

  • People who would prefer having sleeves with less compression will want to select a thinner option from this list, like the 5mm sleeves.
  • Trainees who are just looking for warmth from their sleeves can find a better option. 

If you are looking for some warmth and not much compression or support, these are unlikely to be your best option. For those who like the durability to take abuse, and the slightly thinner design of these sleeves, they are an easy choice to pick up. 

Best Knee Sleeves for Mobility

For us, these are the sleeves we grab at the beginning of a training cycle when we are doing higher-rep workouts (and as competition gets closer, the reps get lower, and the weights get heavier, we opt for something a bit thicker).

Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves

Rogue designed these knee sleeves to provide warmth and light support while still allowing for the full range of motion you need to train properly. The contoured configuration helps to prevent the material from bunching when bending, which is common with thicker sleeves. You can sit deep into a squat with these on comfortably, and likely not experience any pinching while still receiving noticeable support.

Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves
Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves
Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves

These knee sleeves are thick enough to provide support, warmth, and compression while still being thin enough to prevent bunching and pinching. You can choose from from pre-selected colors or customize your own design using Rogue's Zeus feature.

These come in five premade colors — Black, Camo, Red, Navy, and Royal — but you can also use Rogue’s Zeus feature to fully customize them to your liking. The premade sleeves cost around $65 per pair while custom ones are about $85. Both come in sizes from XS to XL.

Who Should Buy Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves

  • Lifters who are looking for added warmth without an overly thick design that gets in the way of mobility.
  • Folks who want lightweight and flexible sleeves that allow for easy movement while minimizing bunching and pinching.
  • Anyone who wants a customizable knee sleeve will appreciate the Zeus feature that Rogue provides.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves

  • Athletes who want knee sleeves that provide maximal stability should opt for a thicker option. 
  • People who are on a tight budget may be able to find cheaper options on this list. These aren’t the most expensive sleeves, but they aren’t the cheapest either.
  • If you don’t like contoured knee sleeves and prefer a straight design, these might not be the right fit for you.

When you have a lot of knee-bending exercises to complete on your leg day (like squats, lunges, and more) then you’ll appreciate having a knee sleeve that provides a bit of support and warmth without compromising your mobility. These are our go-to sleeves to satisfy those needs.

How We Chose the Best Knee Sleeves

Knee sleeves may look simple, but they’re not as straightforward as they seem. Throughout our best knee sleeve search, we looked at multiple aspects that make up a great sleeve. First, we considered the knee sleeve’s stability, thickness, and material. Neoprene and cotton are the most commonly used materials. Next, we looked for the mobility or rigidity of the sleeve during a variety of movements. After that, we assessed the sleeve’s ability to keep our joints warm during a workout. Finally, we looked at the construction and durability, or actual design of the sleeve, and how it may function for certain athletes.
Knee Sleeve Infographic
Other design features for consideration are the stitching placement and quality, as well as whether the edges are contoured or not. If you plan on competing, you’ll want to check if the sleeves are approved for competition by your chosen federation’s governing body. We expand on these considerations below.

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Knee Sleeve Stability and Material

A knee sleeve’s material will often influence how stable a sleeve is under the bar. The most common material used in knee sleeves is neoprene, which is composed of a family of synthetic rubbers. This material is used for a variety of applications but has gained popularity in lifting due to its ability to remain flexible and stable over time.

The thickness of neoprene will also add to a sleeve’s stability. Common neoprene thicknesses range from three to seven millimeters, and the most common thicknesses used by strength athletes are five millimeters and seven millimetersCompetitive Weightlifters can be seen using a variety of knee coverings from sleeves 3mm thick, knee wraps, and oftentimes 7mm thick sleeves. Other materials used in addition to neoprene are nylon, spandex, and various cotton blends. The mixture of these materials with neoprene is what gives sleeves their soft flexible nature.

Nylon and spandex are often used in lighter sleeves and tend to be more form-fitting to the joint. These materials stretch very well and allow a sleeve to hug the knee tightly without slippage. Cotton is another common material you’ll find in a sleeve and give them their soft texture on the skin. With our stability assessments, we analyzed a sleeve’s actual make and the activity it was being applied to.

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Mobility and Rigidity

This measure has a lot to do with the above point and often comes down to a sleeve’s thickness. A thicker sleeve will often limit mobility, and provide more support throughout movements. Conversely, thinner sleeves will work best with mobility-focused athletes like Olympic lifters and functional fitness athletes. Material plays a role in this assessment, but so does the actual knee sleeve design.

For this assessment, we analyze how a sleeve follows the joint in different movements. A more mobile sleeve won’t hinder performance due to mobility issues. On the flip side, when we analyzed a sleeve’s rigidity we looked for support in bottom lifting positions. For example, the bounce coming out of the hole on a squat.

[Related: How To Choose The Perfect Knee Sleeve]

Joint Warmth

Before sleeves became popular for recreational lifting purposes, they were often used solely for joint warmth. In fact, some athletes use sleeves without even realizing that one of their primary functions is to keep the knee warm. Material, strength, sport, and fit will all play a role in this factor, as the level of compression will also influence some of the joint’s warmth under a sleeve.

In our warmth assessments, we look at multiple factors that influence a sleeve’s ability to keep the joint warm. For example, we took into consideration how the sleeve fit and what type of material it was made of. The main factor we looked for was simple: how the actual sleeve worked to keep the joint warm.

Construction and Durability

There are a lot of ways that knee sleeves can be designed, so we tried to identify as many as we could. For example, different sleeve designs include four-panel, tapered, and cylinder. These different forms of construction will influence almost every other factor that will cater a sleeve’s perfect fit to you.

The most common sleeve design is a tapered fit, which is your standard fitting sleeve. This sleeve is versatile and will work for multiple athletes in a variety of sports, an example of this would be the Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeve. The cylinder-esque design is most commonly used in more rigid sleeves like Exo and Gymreapers sleeves. The four-panel design is the least common of the three and has multiple pieces of material sewn together into one sleeve.

Different sleeve constructions will come with different rates of durability. For example, some sleeves have reinforced stitching, which can range from hooked stitching to quadruple stitching. In addition to a sleeve’s stitching style, the placement of stitching also matters for durability. You don’t want the stitching to be in a place that is making constant contact with knurling, as this will cause them to fray quicker, thus reducing their durability and longevity.

Another method to predict a sleeve’s durability is to look at its edges. Most sleeves have hemmed or enclosed edges that will prevent them from ripping or fraying prematurely. Also, the tighter a sleeve’s edges are cared for, then the less chance you have of them stretching out over time.

Possibly the biggest factor in a sleeve’s durability is the material used. A good sleeve will utilize a high-grade neoprene, spandex, nylon, or blend mixture that doesn’t stretch out quickly under constant load.

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How Much Do Knee Sleeves Cost?

Knee sleeves range in price, much like any other piece of lifting gear. The disparity in cost is due largely to the quality and longevity you can expect from the product. Cheaper knee sleeves, which usually run between $20 and $30 for a pair, generally lack reinforced stitching and will start to show signs of wear after a few sessions.

Best Knee Sleeves Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves $59.99
Best Knee Sleeves for Squats Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves $59.99
Best Weightlifting Knee Sleeves Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0 $14.00
Best CrossFit Knee Sleeves Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves $39.97
Best Powerlifting Knee Sleeves Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves $59.99
Best Knee Sleeves for Warmth Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeves $44.99 each
Best Knee Sleeves for the Money Element 26 6mm Knee Sleeves $39.97
Best Knee Sleeves for Mobility Rogue 5mm Knee Sleeves Starting at $65.00

Higher-end knee sleeves, on the other hand, are often double stitched, hold their stronger elasticity for longer, and often will have anti-microbial linings or properties already built-in to prevent the all-t0o-familiar stinky knee sleeve smell. These sorts of options will range from around $40 per pair to $60 or $70 per pair. They’ll often come with a warranty as well so you know how long you can expect the sleeves to perform at their best.

What To Consider Before Buying Knee Sleeves

There are multiple reasons an athlete can utilize a knee sleeve. Below are a few examples of when different specific strength athletes will reach for a sleeve. Also, we’ve created our own knee sleeve that aims to match the criteria we assessed all of the knee sleeves in below and more on that below.

Why Athletes Use Knee Sleeves

The three main types of lifters that will wear knee sleeves are powerlifters, weightlifters, and CrossFit or functional training athletes. For the sake of simplicity, we’ve lumped recreational athletes in with CrossFitters because they have less specific needs as well. Here are three primary reasons why athletes across a variety of strength sports take advantage of the benefits knee sleeves offer.

  1. Powerlifters will typically use a sleeve to support their knee’s stability in squats, quad, and hamstring training. Oftentimes a stiffer, more rigid sleeve will be this athlete’s go-to since they’re training with heavier loads frequently. Sleeves can help an athlete build confidence in their heavy movements, and provide the knee with added compression. In addition, there are a few sleeves that are approved for competition, so they’ll offer stability and joint warmth over extended rest periods. Thicker knee sleeves also tend to offer a bit of assistance at the bottom of a squat with getting out of the hole. 
  2. Weightlifters will utilize a sleeve for light joint support and warmth. These athletes will need a sleeve that’s mobile and follows the joint without inhibiting mobility. Since this athlete is often catching the weight in the bottom of a squat, a sleeve can’t limit their ability to achieve depth, so thicker, more rigid options are usually not ideal. Also, this athlete will be taking longer rest periods, so a lighter sleeve can be useful for remaining comfortable and maintaining joint warmth in-between sets.
  3. CrossFit, functional, and recreational athletes will utilize a sleeve that fits their specific needs best. This athlete performs a variety of movements throughout one workout, so a sleeve that’s versatile is often their best fit. Support, mobility, and design will all play a role in how the sleeve impacts their performance. For example, someone starting CrossFit, or possibly more cardio-based movements, may reach for a lighter sleeve so they don’t feel confined/limited by a stiffer neoprene sleeve.

Final Word

There are multiple models of knee sleeves in the supportive strength market. This list may seem daunting at first, but when you consider your sport and needs, then it can become increasingly easier to make your sleeve selection. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that sleeves are great additions to training, but not the end all be all for knee joint health.

If you’re having trouble making a decision on the right knee sleeve for you, then I’d recommend asking yourself three questions. First, what do you need the sleeve for most (sport, health, etc)? Second, how much stability do you want from a sleeve — this will be informed by whether or not you compete. Third, what sleeve fits comfortably into your budget? Confidently answer these three questions and you will be happy with your final sleeve decision.

FAQs

How much do knee sleeves cost?

Knee sleeves, like any piece of lifting gear, range in price from relatively inexpensive at around $20 per pair — which may only last a few lifting sessions — to the most expensive, high-end sleeves at around $60 or more. Higher-end knee sleeves tend to hold their elasticity better, are generally made to last longer, and often even have anti-microbial linings.

What is the best knee sleeve?

The best knee sleeve is a combination of multiple attributes. For starters, great construction is the first sign of high quality knee sleeves. Ideally, you want a sleeve with neoprene that is void of excess stretching, and you want reinforced stitching to prolong durability. Another sign of high quality knee sleeves is a warranty, as this shows a company’s confidence in their product. For us, we think the Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves are the best knee sleeves on the market right now because they check all those boxes, and then some.

What are the benefits of knee sleeves?

Knee sleeves offer multiple benefits for fitness enthusiasts and strength athletes. Their main benefit is providing a light level of support around the knee joint.

Another major benefit is that they provide warmth to the knee joint, which is beneficial for athletes working out in colder settings or want help warming-up. Lastly, they can be a tool for providing mental reassurance under heavy loads.