Hiking is a rewarding activity that includes a variety of health benefits. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors while getting a little exercise and spend some quality time with friends.
There are so many reasons to go hiking that it’s hard to find reasons not to. One of the biggest factors holding people back from enjoying the great outdoors is the health of their body and in particular their knees.
Hiking is an intense leg workout that involves navigating uneven surfaces and obstacles on the trail. Your knees take the majority of the beating and one small misstep can tweak a knee and bring your hike to a screeching halt. If you suffer from a history of knee pain finding the best knee brace for hiking will give you added support and confidence for years to come.
Types of Hiking Knee Braces
Knee braces are used for a wide ranging set of knee problems and conditions. They are available in three basic styles: functional knee braces, prophylactic knee brace, and knee sleeves
Functional knee braces
Functional knee braces are used to give support to a knee that has incurred damage. They are used after an operation to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of the ligaments inside the knee while stabilizing the affected area (source). Functional knee braces are prescribed by a doctor and should be used according to your doctors recommendation.
Prophylactic knee braces
Prophylactic knee braces are used for preventative measures rather than post surgery (source). These knee braces are used to support than knee and prevent injuries from happening in the first place. They limit the motion and add support of a functional knee and are often used by people who suffer from arthritis.
Knee sleeves (technically not braces)
A knee sleeve is not the same thing as a knee brace. It doesn’t provide the same amount of support that a knee brace does, however, it does provide some support and is used to protect a knee that has been injured before from further damage. Knee sleeves are going to provide less swelling and limited pain after after a hike.
Benefits of knee braces
A knee brace does not perform as well as good ligaments in the knee. If you do suffer from light ligament damage a knee brace will give you extra support at low loads.
For hikers who suffer from arthritis, which is a common affliction as we age. A knee brace is going to apply pressure to the area and provide additional support to the affected area during a hike.
If you are recovering from a knee injury a not using a knee brace for strenuous activity there is a chance that you may re-injure your knee. A proper prophylactic knee brace is going to support the injured knee and the exercise will help strengthen the affected area.
A dislocated knee has a tendency to pop out of place. A knee brace is going to support the knee and compress the ligaments and muscles around the area, preventing another dislocation to occur.
Advantages of knee braces
- Support lightly damages ligaments
- Aids hiker who suffer from arthritis
- Preventing another injury during recovery
- Maintains the form when dislocation is an issue
Hiking knee brace buying guide
Finding the correct knee brace can make the difference between a successful hike and no hike at all. It’s important that you understand how to avoid knee pain and what to look for in the best knee brace, there’s not a one size fits all solution.
Sizes
There are knee braces that are one size fits all and others that offer a wide range of sizes. All of us have different body shapes and the one size fits all option doesn’t always work.
The best idea is to try it on and see if you can take it on a short trail, the last place you want to find discomfort is halfway through an 8 mile hike.
Comfort
Hiking is going to take you through different types of terrain and you’re going to be taking awkward steps quite often. It’s important that your knee brace fits comfortably in all situations. The fabric should not bunch up and be able to absorb sweat which will prevent slippage.
Knee sleeve/knee brace
This entirely depends on what you are using it for. If you are recovering from an injury or surgery, a knee brace is going to offer better support and will be a better option. If you have occasional knee pain that acts up during moderate activity or just want extra compression, then a knee sleeve will do the job.
Adjustment
On a hike, you are going to be testing the limits of your knee brace with each step up and around obstacles on the trail. Your knee brace needs to have well fitted adjustable straps so you can make changes as you progress on the trail. The straps should not cause any friction and align your muscular joints to your patella tendon.
Quality construction
A knee brace that lasts for a few hikes is not worth your money. Don’t sacrifice quality when it comes to your knees, after all, they need to last for more than a handful of uses.
Closed or open patella
Open patella knee braces keep the knee cap uncovered, some models leave it completely uncovered while others have just a small opening for the patella tendon. Closed patella knee braces cover the patella tendon and provide a little more support than the open style. Your decision on closed versus open patella knee braces should be made in conjunction with the advice of a licensed practitioner.
The 5 best knee braces for hiking
There are a lot of knee braces and sleeves on the market and it’s hard to figure out which one will give you the best support. We took a look at the best selling models and put together a list of the most popular ones out there. Here are our top 5 picks for the best knee braces and sleeves for hiking.
TechWare Pro Knee Brace
This knee brace has a slim profile that offers excellent support and holds the knee in place firmly. The slim fitting design allows the leg and knee to flex naturally making it comfortable to wear on a hike. This knee brace is popular among athletes due to its comfortable fit, durable stitching, and tough material.
It has a center strap that goes one way, while the top and bottom straps go the opposite way making the adjustment well-balanced. This knee brace is well-constructed and the alternating straps provide an extra level of comfort that other knee braces don’t offer. The 4 string stabilizer guarantees that your kneecap is stable and well protected.
Pros:
- Bi-directional support
- Supportive
- Fits large legs
Cons:
- Limited flexibility
- Stretches over time
- Sold in singles
VIVE Hinged Knee Brace
This knee brace is designed for an active lifestyle for people who suffer from arthritic, weak or injured knees. It can be used on either knee and the straps allow adjustment for people of all sizes. The compression provides support to injured or sore ligaments, muscles, joints, and tendons.
Is it made with a neoprene material that should allow for ventilation, however, there are reports that it could use better airflow. There are aluminum hinges on both sides of the brace for added support and they can be removed for less support during the healing process. Overall, it’s a comfortable and versatile knee brace that can be adjusted and modified as you progress on the trail.
Pros:
- Easy to put on
- Provides support
- Reduces knee pain
Cons:
- Not well ventilated
- Lack rigidity
- Only one size
- IMPROVED KNEE STABILITY AND SUPPORT: The Vive hinged knee brace provides comfortable support while recovering from injuries or surgeries, and additional stability for weak or arthritic knees. The reversible, nonslip knee brace also provides soothing compression and retains therapeutic heat to reduce swelling and inflammation, relieve knee pain and promote healing on the left or right knee as needed.
- ADJUSTABLE OPEN PATELLA DESIGN: Secured with four strong fastener straps, the Vive hinged knee brace easily adjusts to fit most adults. The open patella design relieves pressure on the knee cap while providing stabilizing support for ACL and MCL injuries, for helping relieve strains, sprains, and for patellar tracking.
- REMOVABLE SUPPORT HINGES: Improving medial and lateral stability, the hinged knee brace includes two removable hinges to support the knee ligaments, tendons and joints. Made with tempered aluminum, the hinges are easily removed from the integrated sleeves when less support is needed.
- BREATHABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Naturally moisture-wicking, the hinged compression knee brace is made with a latex-free, neoprene blend that stays cool and dry all day. The breathable brace is lightweight and features a slim profile that can easily be worn under loose fit clothing. Perfect for exercise and daily activities, the non-slip material will not bunch, pinch or irritate the skin for maximum comfort.
EXOUS Knee Brace
The EXOUS Knee Brace offers 4 point compression that’s adjustable. There are 2 large straps on the top and bottom of the knee brace with 2 smaller straps in the middle to support the kneecap. This makes the knee brace fit comfortably on most knee sizes and limits the chance of slippage on a hike.
The style of this brace is large and it rests high on the thigh and low on the calf. There is a .5″ gap on the back of the knee brace that is there to prevent uncomfortable bunching behind the knee. Overall, it is an affordable brace that doesn’t lack in quality, comfort, and support.
Pros:
- Soft inner tube
- Good compression
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Sleeve bunches
- Short straps
- Only one size
- Full 360 Degree Stabilizing Support - Our 4-way patented strap design gives a dependable knee stabilizer. Fully adjustable using 4 independant compression anchor points with dedicated patellar tracking isolating the kneecap helps with pain in jumper's knee, patella tendonitis, helps meniscus tears size guide [medium]
- Full Range Of Motion Do What You Love - For both men & women for left & right knees. If you exercize such as soccer, running, hiking skiing that needs supportive lateral and medial ligament protection this is the brace for you. The 360 degree dual cross torsion compression will give you the best in class neoprene open patella support on the market size guide [medium]
- So Comfortable It Stays In Place - Most generic 2 & 3 strap open patellar knee braces all have the same issue they slide down on walking cause annoyance, adjusting itching and overheating. We built this knee brace from the ground up to resolve these common flaws and provide a much better way to support the knee It's ideal for arthritis, osteoarthritis dislocation, size guide [medium]
- Easy to put on under clothes and a joy to wear with minimal adjusting. Less than 6oz with a slimline profile giving maximum support and stabilization over generic 3 strap models. Its flexible, breathable and most importantly feels like your not even wearing it. We urge you to watch the videos and read our customer feedback to see how our product really sets itself apart size guide [medium]
UFlex Athletics Knee Sleeve
This knee sleeve is one of the least expensive on the market and extremely flexible. The sleeve is meant to provide pain relief and support the knee while protecting it from injuries. It is also has a heating effect which to keep the muscles around the knee warm, stimulates blood flow, and increases muscular recovery.
It’s a spandex and latex blend with double silicone anti-slip grip that prevents the brace from falling down during intense activity. This knee brace is perfect for a hike or everyday use to add a little extra support to your knee.
Pros:
- Excellent compression
- Great ventilation
- Good grip
Cons:
- Tearing issues
- Tight fit
- Slides down
No products found.
Mava Sports Knee Support
Mave Sports Knee Support is lightweight and comfortable while offering great support. This knee sleeve is effective at reducing arthritic pain and comes in 5 different sizes to accommodate all shapes and sizes. It is recommended for all types of outdoor and indoor use.
It is comprised of a unique bamboo and charcoal blended material and doesn’t have a high amount of stability compared to 5 and 7mm knee sleeves. The soft material does have a snug fit which allows them to stay in place and the blended material provides an anti-itching effect. They are machine washable and dry quickly making them perfect for washing on the go.
Pros:
- Doesn’t slip
- Good for sports
- Adequate compression
Cons:
- Loses support after washing
- Top rolls down
- Gathers behind knees
- PAIN RELIEF from arthritis, joint pain relief, tendonitis, post-surgery, swelling as well as strains and sprains. The Mava compression knee sleeves reduce inflammation and swelling associated with injuries.
- ANATOMICALLY SHAPED to prevent injuries and accelerate your recovery. Its heating effect improves circulations and promotes muscular recovery. Great for healing, recovery and rehab.
- ANTI-SLIP SILICONE and elastic support material to offer stable compression. No slipping, no rolling off, no sliding down. So you won’t have to readjust them. They will stay put.
- COMFORTABLE for EVERYDAY WEAR: Good knee support with no stiffness. No itching. Designed for full mobility & comfort. Easy to wear thanks to its light and soft material. Unisex.
Hiking knee brace FAQ’s
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding knee braces for hiking.
Should I wear a knee brace for hiking?
Knee braces are a great way to add a little extra support for your knees if you have ever experienced knee pain during or after a long hike. They are not a fix for a knee injury, so it’s important to consult your doctor if knee pain persists.
How can I strengthen my knee for hiking?
According to Gore-Tex the best exercises to strengthen your knee for hiking are:
- Goblet squats
- Step-ups
- Downhill lunges
- Hanging knee raises
- Kettlebell deadlift
- Stairmaster
Is hiking bad for your knees?
Any type of repeated impact on your knees takes a tole over time and hiking is no different. It’s important to strengthen your knees, stretch before each hike, and don’t take the hike if your knees are sore that day.
Why do my knees hurt when going downhill?
When you head downhill the impact on your knees is increased due to the fact that your knees are taking most of the downward impact. If you have prior conditions, knee pain while heading downhill is going to be significantly more painful.
Should a knee brace be tight?
A knee brace should be snug, but not tight. You want to find a balance between the knee brace staying in place while not constricting the blood flow. The best way is to use the manufacturer’s sizing chart and give them a test run around the neighborhood before jumping into a 8 mile trek.
The Verdict
Finding the right knee brace for hiking is unique to the individual and depends on what level of structural support you need. Choosing a means to support your knee will make the difference between an enjoyable hike and a potentially painful one for years to come.
There are countless knee braces available and the best one for you may not be the best for someone else. Take your time and read through reviews, talk to your doctor, and determine which knee brace is the best fit for you.
