Best Knee Braces For Walking & Running : 2018 Reviews & Guide

Walking and running have proven health benefits and are a great inexpensive form of exercise. However, if you have knee pain these simple workouts are almost impossible. The pain you feel in your joints can stop you from jogging or even walking leisurely.

Luckily, you can use a knee brace to help with pain management and support. The right knee brace can help you perform better and enjoy running and walking without the usual pain. Here, the best knee braces for walking and running are reviewed and compared to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Benefits Of Knee Braces

Knee braces are meant to provide you with support as you recover from an injury or as you deal with chronic joint pain. They’re not meant to be a primary treatment for pain but they can help relieve aches in the joint and allow you to move easier so you can get exercise through walking or running. Some of the benefits of using a knee brace are:

Knee braces can help with pain management for those of you suffering from mild to moderate pain and discomfort. They provide cushioning and structural support that keep your joints warm and stable. There are even some stronger braces that can help with weight distribution to relieve pressure on injured areas of the knee.
Results vary from person to person, but most people who use them report a reduction in knee pain when compared to others who didn’t use one while walking or running. 

You get the structural support you need from a knee brace because your joint is being held snuggly by the brace. You also get a different kind of support—peace of mind. With the knee brace, you’ll feel more comfortable while walking or running instead of worrying about hurting yourself or suffering from a lot of pain.
The presence of the brace can act as a safety net that allows you to do activities that you’d normally be too afraid to do without it. Similarly, the brace can act as a reminder for you to be more mindful of how much stress you put on your body during your walk or run so that you don’t overdo it.

With your knee brace, you can get back to normal activities besides walking and running. If your lack of mobility or your pain kept you from working out or doing things with your friends and family, a knee brace can help you get back to your active life.

When you’re in less pain and have proper joint support, you won’t need to take as many pain relievers because you’ll physically feel better. People who use knee braces have reported taking less over-the-counter pain medications as well as prescription anti-inflammatories.

Types Of Knee Braces For Walking And Running

There are different types of knee braces available on the market. They are made differently and offer different benefits. In general, there are three different types:

The type of knee brace you use should be based on your individual needs but in most cases, people looking for knee braces for walking and running are looking for a functional brace since it doesn’t limit mobility. It’s best to talk to your doctor when figuring out what kind of brace to use as they can help you figure out what ligaments need the most support and what you can do with your specific injury.

Of course, there are also different brands of knee braces that offer their own features and functions. To help you navigate the sometimes confusing market, three of the top knee braces have been reviewed so that you can figure out which one is best for you and pick one up to try on your own.

The Winzone knee brace is a sleeve brace that is made to provide support to your knee as you walk or run. It has an open patella for free mobility and can fit larger knees as it has a circumference of 21.7 inches. It’s a thin sleeve without any buckles or bonding so it’s easy to wear underneath your pants without too much bulk. If you have manageable pain or are recovering from Meniscus Tear and are looking for some knee support, this sleeve is a great option.

This knee brace slips on easily and stays in place as you move around. It’s made of neoprene so it’s machine washable and won’t make you sweat like other braces can do. The brace features an adjustable Velcro closure to accommodate all sizes. It’s moderately priced considering the quality material and features. It also comes with a money back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the product.

2. CopperJoint Copper Knee Sleeve

The CopperJoint Copper knee sleeve is a moderately priced knee sleeve that features copper-infused material in a four-way compression design that offers your knee support and stability. Unlike other knee sleeves that offer a one-size fits most design or with adjustable straps, this sleeve comes in different sizes so you can choose the best fit for yourself. 

For the best fit, measure five inches up from the middle of your knee around your thigh. The smallest size will fit thighs that measure around 14 inches while the largest size will fit thighs that measure around 22 inches. It offers all-day support while still giving you full mobility as you walk, run, or even play sports like basketball or football.

The CopperJoint knee brace is best for those recovering from an injury or dealing with chronic pain from arthritis or tendonitis. The compression sleeve relieves sore muscles while also helping with joint pain and inflammation. Due to the sleeve design, it can easily be worn under clothes as there are no buckles or straps attached to it

It is made of a unique copper-infused material that is made from copper ions instead of copper oxide. It offers thermal support to your joint for pain relief while remaining breathable. It also wicks away sweat so you still feel cool instead of sweaty and uncomfortable. More so, it won’t slip, chaff, cause itching, or smell after prolonged wear. It is also said to be germ-free and fungus-free.

3. Ultra Flex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve

The third knee brace is the Ultra Flex Athletics knee sleeve. Like the CopperJoint sleeve, it features a compression design and offers thermal support for pain relief and muscular recovery. It provides support to your knee during physical activities including walking and running while also helping reduce inflammation and external swelling. This sleeve is great for people recovering from anything from minor injuries to invasive injuries. It’s also great for those of you suffering from chronic conditions like arthritis

This also comes in specific sizes for men, women, and even children. It also goes up your thigh so measure about four inches above the middle of your knee to find your true size. The knee sleeve comes in small, medium, and large with the small fitting knees around 15 inches and the large fitting sizes as large as 22 inches around. You can also choose between moderate and high compression to get the support that’s best for you. The proper compression will help with muscular endurance while also giving you protection and support.

The Ultra Flex sleeve uses 3D technology to create a compression sleeve with a closed patella design that stretches in four directions for a comfortable no-slip fit. It’s so comfortable that it can even be used for activities like yoga and aerobics where you bend and straighten your knees often. It is a lightweight sleeve made of nylon and Lycra and is flexible as well as durable. Like similar sleeves, it can be worn under clothing in a discreet fashion since it has no padding, buckles, or straps.

The compression sleeve is reasonably priced and is actually more affordable than similar sleeves on the market. It also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee from the manufacturer.

Conclusion

These three knee braces are some of the most well-received ones on the market. They have high customer reviews and have even been noted by medical professionals for their usefulness in pain management and support. When looking for a knee brace for yourself it’s always important to look at their features, the price, and if it fits your specific needs.

Consider your condition and what you’re looking to be able to do with the help of the brace. For example, if you’re a runner dealing with arthritis a support sleeve with compression materials might be better than a buckle brace that is designed more for joint stability. Look at these featured best knee braces for walking and running and see which one fits your needs and your budget and try it when you’re ready.