10 Best Knee Braces For Running – 2024 Buyers Guide
Whether you need something to help ease pain from an injury, or you just want to avoid strain, we have selected some of the best knee braces out there on the market that will keep your knees happy and healthy!
Standout Picks
Best Knee Braces for Running
1. Shock Doctor
You really can’t go wrong with this design from Shock Doctor. It is a little heavier and bulkier than some of the other designs out there on the market, but the added bulk means ultimate protection. It provides added heat and compression to soothe joints, and the stiff design supports your knee from anything from running to weight lifting to cross fit.
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One of the things that we love most about this design is that it has an open knee cap to increase your full range of motion. It is reinforced with EVA foam cushioning that provides intense compression to your knee joints to melt away pain and tension.
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While it boasts a pretty bulky frame, it is packed with features that help to lift sweat up and away from your knee. The material used is antimicrobial so that you can wear it all day long. It even boasts vented panels along the back of the knee for maximum comfort as well as breathability.
Price
If you are in the market for something that is heavy-duty, this design from Shock Doctor is a great choice. Users love this design because it is incredibly effective at supporting your joints and easing pain without hindering your range of motion too much.
2. EzyFit
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to this design from EzyFit. We love that it is composed of incredibly durable materials that will hold up quite well over the years, and it clocks in at a super reasonable price point. Plus, it boasts an internal frame that holds in place when worn for long periods of time.
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This lightweight design is free of heavy or awkward internal hardware such as spring for a more comfortable and lightweight fit. To stabilize your knee, it boasts a pair of dual pads along the side of the knee to help take the pressure off of your knee. It also boasts an open patella to boost your range of motion, making it ideal for speed as well as distance.
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It is accented with gel cushioning that really grips your skin and stays put, no matter how much you sweat. Users love that the dual Velcro straps are super easy to take on and off, and allows you to adjust the compression to accommodate your specific needs.
Price
If you are in the market for something that is composed of lightweight and easy materials that are easy to take on and off as needed, this design from EzyFit is a great choice. Plus, it comes in at a super affordable price point that won’t break the bank.
3. Dynamic Gear
If you are recovering from a pretty gnarly injury, you may want to check out this design from Dynamic Gear. While it is a lot stiffer than some of the other designs out there on the market, it is packed with incredibly supportive features that allow you to recover from Meniscus Tear, ACL injuries, Strains, or just general wear and tear. Plus, it comes in at a super affordable price point.
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The frame of this design is reinforced with aluminum springs that help provide ample support to take the pressure off of your knee while increasing your overall range of motion. These aluminum springs are lightweight, and incredibly durable, which makes this design ideal for running.
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What we love most about this design is that it allows the user to adjust the level of compression and protection offered. If you are recovering from a strain, you can adjust the level of compression for the ultimate protection, at the risk of flexibility. If you want something that offers lighter compression for a higher range of motion, you can pull it a little less tightly around your knee.
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While this design is made for some pretty serious injuries, it boasts features to help increase your full range of motion. The open patella keeps your knee cap exposed which helps with fluid motion, and the internal frame in conjunction with the EVA foam shell boosts compression and pain management.
4. MODVEL
Hate the idea of big and bulky gear? If you want to stay light on your feet while keeping your knees protected, you will want to check out this design from MODVEL. What we love most about this option is that it boasts a simple and lightweight frame that protects your knees without a lot of easy bulk. The best part? It is one of the most affordable designs out there on the market!
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The very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it is much smaller and slimmer than many of the other designs that we have seen. It is able to be adjusted with a pair of dual velcro straps to change up the level of compression that you need on your runs.
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This design omits bulky hardware, and instead supports your knee with a pair of dual stabilizers along the side of the knee. It boasts an open patella design that provides a full range of motion, and breathable mesh internal materials that help to keep your knee cool and dry on those long-distance runs on hot days.
Price
If you are in the market for something that provides excellent support without heavy and bulky materials, this design from MODVEL is an excellent choice. We love that it increases your full range of motion, and allows users to adjust the level of compression needed as your knee starts to heal.
5. Mcdavid
This design from Mcdavid is slightly more expensive than some of the other models that we have seen, but we feel that it is well worth the extra cost! It is composed of premium materials that help to support and soothe tired knees to keep you out there on the trails. While it is slightly bulkier than other designs, it is packed with supportive features that really help to ease pain and aid in healing while you push yourself to your limits!
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The very first thing that we noticed about this design is that it boasts Bi-lateral geared polycentric hinges. These hinges help to stabilize your knee joint to shift pressure off of your joints as well as guide your knee for an even and supportive stride.
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Users love this design because it really stays in place as you move. The open patella design helps to aid in a full range of motion, which means that it won’t feel as stiff and cumbersome as some of the heavy-duty designs. It is also composed of latex-free neoprene that provides excellent compression where you need it most.
Price
If you are in the market for something that can keep you out on the trails after suffering from a pretty gnarly knee injury, this option from McDavid is your best bet. While it cost a little bit more than some of the other designs that we have seen, the heightened durability and support make it an excellent value.
6. Zamst ZK-7
This design from Zamst may look simple, but it is packed with advanced features that provide your knee with ultimate protection and support. It boasts a unique construction with proprietary lightweight materials that offer ultimate support for a wide variety of injuries without limiting your full range of motion too much.
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This exterior shell provides your knee with four points of protection and support, which is far superior to other designs that simply offer two areas of added support along the side of the knee. The four points of protection make this design ideal not only for running but cross-training and sports as well.
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We also love that it is composed of Flyweight tech that helps lift hot air up and away from your knee for a cool and comfortable fit that you can wear all day long. It also boasts something called ROM-Tech, which is a pre-curved design that contours easily to the gentle curve of your knee for a more comfortable (and less stiff) fit.
Price
If you are in the market for something that provides a high level of stability and protection without the use of heavy and bulky materials, this design is worth checking out. It is important to note that it comes in at a much higher price point than many of the other designs that we have seen, but the premium materials and smart fit makes it worth every penny!
7. Berter
What we love most about this design from Berter is that it is super lightweight, and isn’t as large as some of the other designs out there on the market. This option falls just above and below your knee, making it one of the lightweight options. It has an open patella design for easy motions, and gel padding for extra comfort and support.
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The very first thing that we noticed is its size. It boasts a slightly smaller frame that sits just above and below your knee to keep things light and easy. It is able to be affixed to your leg with a pair of velcro straps that makes this design super easy to take on and off as needed.
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What really makes this option stand out from the crowd is that additional gel padding in key places to help add a little bit of compression as well as comfort without hindering your full range of motion. It even boasts a pair of springs along the side of the knee that removes pressure off of your joints so you can train without pain.
Price
If you are in the market for something that is simple and affordable, this option from Berter is a great choice. We love that it is small, lightweight, and is incredibly supportive. The lightweight materials provide excellent compression, and small airway holes along the surface help to move air to your knee to keep it cool and dry as you train.
8. TechWare Pro
The TechWare Pro is a great choice for beginner runners and seasoned pros alike. It offers helpful padding and great protection, as well as durable support for your entire knee. This brace is made for active runners and allows for a greater range of mobility and flexibility while still offering alignment support.
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You get a great deal of support with the TechWare Pro, and your entire knee will feel the supportive pressure and stability. It is a good choice for runners who want excellent support without giving up a lot of their mobility.
Style
This brace is an all in one design with two long wrap-around straps and goes above and below the knee. This allows for a custom fit and adjustable support as you go through your runs. Users rave about the simple yet effective design of this knee brace.
Value
This is a very affordable option that should be well within the budget of any runner. If you are thinking about upgrading your running gear and need a new knee brace, then this is a great product to consider!
9. Neo G
For those who need some high-grade support and stabilization, look no further than the Neo G Advanced Hinged Brace. This option is specially designed to provide optimum support and stabilization to the knee. It can be a great aid for arthritis or a simple fallback for a runner’s knee. The hinge system ensures your leg stays in a relatively consistent range of motion and this greatly reduces the odds of pulling or tearing something.
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This brace is medical grade, providing reliable and quality compression and potentially making it the first choice for those who need rehabilitation and orthopedic relief. The neoprene material is perfect to provide a bit of heat for sore joints and best of all, this brace can be worn on either knee.
Style
The side hinge keeps this brace snug without restricting movement in the back of your knee. It is only available in blue and the sizing is one-size-fits-all but it does have velcro closures that allow you to get a close fit.
Price
This knee brace is definitely more pricey than some others on our list, but that's because it is a medical-grade device. If you find that other braces just don't offer enough support or coverage, then it's definitely worth the investment.
10. Freetoo
This brace is a simpler option that features 3D weave and silicone materials for perfect fit. This particular material also makes it non-slip and super comfortable. The reinforced spring retaining strap design may be more firm than some runners want but it's also a great option for those who want targeted support.
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The spring retaining straps give you some room to control the tightness of this knee brace. The area around the knee is lightly padded to reinforce the support and help with tracking and motion.
Style
It’s made of silicone and it helps to minimize the swelling and pain while running. Chafing won’t be a problem here, and the material is also good quality so you shouldn’t have issues with an unpleasant odor.
Price
This is a quality knee brace that comes at an incredibly affordable price!
Sources
- , When Knees Need Support, Health Website
- , When are knee braces helpful?, Heatl Org
- , How to Choose the Right Knee Brace, Brand Website
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