In outdoor performances, your knees haul more than just your weight and the weight of your backpack. The synovial fluid within the knee joint saves the bones from wearing away during everyday use. However, the added pressure of keeping up with an inclined surface on a hike is another story altogether.
A knee brace in your hiking gear is a must. It gives your knees the support they need while the ball and socket joint expands and contracts your muscles. Choosing a knee brace might take more than a second when you have to consider support and pain relief, but the breathability of the fabric, an adjustable design, and custom fit for your hiking needs.
Quick Recommendations
- Best Overall Knee Brace: UFlex Knee Compression Support
- Best For The Money: EXOUS Knee Support
- Best For Hiking Downhill: McDavid Maximum Support Knee Brace
- Best For Knee Pain: Omples Hinged Knee Support
- Best For Women’s: CAMBIVO 2 Pack Knee Brace
- Best For Trail Running: TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
What Is Knee Brace?
A knee brace is worn on the leg, usually on the front of the thigh, to provide stability and support for someone with a weak or injured knee. In the case of hiking, a knee brace can be used to reduce the chances of injury or pain from excessive pressure on the knees.
A knee brace usually covers your knee, strapping around it and enveloping the muscles of your thigh and foreleg. The risk of injuries, pain, and discomfort are reduced significantly when you wear it on hikes and treks. It provides assisted knee movement, shielding the weakest part of your knees from exertion and pressure.
Let’s start with the reviews of our top picks.
Best Overall Knee Brace
1. UFlex Knee Compression Support
UFlex Athletics Compression Support is designed for sports performance that engages your knees’ ball and socket joints. To protect your knees from injuries, the UFlex Knee Compression Support braces your patella and wraps around your thigh perfectly.
The 3-D knitted structure comes with a four-way flexibility, reducing any hindrances in mobility. The fabric is soft and elastic, which keeps the brace in place, so slipping and sliding isn’t a cause for concern. To top it off, the breathability of the fabric wicks away sweat and decreases the chance of bacterial growth and rashes.
The product is great for running, hiking, weightlifting, and any sport that might exert great amounts of pressure on your knees. A silicon grip lines the edges of the brace, keeping it in place and providing a shape-hugging fit that can be worn under your hiking gear without causing snags and bunching.
Many consumers rated it the best product for light exercise and walking. It has alleviated aches, pains, and knee discomfort for many of them. The chart provided helps you make a purchase that fits your size and optimizes compression according to your weight and measurements.
Moreover, these knee braces have a compression sleeve and flexible straps that fit on the knee without being too tight or too loose. Overall, the material quality looks excellent compared to other braces.
Pros
- Comes with Velcro straps for extra comfort and support
- Lightweight and Breathable
- Available in three different sizes
- Flexible movement
- Reduce the pain during hiking
Cons
- Not so suitable for a very fat person
Best For The Money
2. EXOUS Knee Support
EXOUS Knee Support is an excellent option for outdoor explorers with arthritis or ligament-related injuries.
The brace is designed to isolate your patella by strapping four ways around your knee. It separates the knee cap by adjusting to four independent compression anchors, allowing a range of 360 mobility.
The brace was reviewed as the most reliable source of support for lateral and medial ligaments, providing protection against the jumper’s knee and patella tendonitis. The brace has adjustable straps that fasten around your thigh and foreleg, protecting your patella against uncoordinated movement.
Once pressure is exerted onto your knee, the brace absorbs the shock. It divides it evenly around the patella so your joint doesn’t give out against friction.
The brace is structurally non-bulky and has a slim fit so that you can wear it under your clothes. The fabric is breathable and porous, so your skin doesn’t overheat and break into rashes.
It has a quick drying out time in case of clamminess or a hike around a rainy trail. Another plus point is the flexibility to adjust, a vital feature yet missing in most top knee supports.
Pros
- Made with Durable material
- Flexible and Comfortable
- Good for long hikes
- Good for hiking upward
- Comfortable
Cons
- Its Velcro straps are not so strong
Best For Hiking Downhill
3. McDavid Maximum Knee Support
A favorite of athletes and sports junkies worldwide, the McDavid Maximum Support knee brace can be your hiking buddy. The structural durability of this brace can be seen in its ‘hook and loop’ closure, which provides an added layer of protection against knee displacement and tendonitis.
This brace is also an example of an open kneecap design that supports bending and extension while helping to protect your patella. The features restrict your knee bending further than a 45 angle, allowing you to retain a precise step without draining your knees of strength.
The starlet of this brace is the padded buttress for the patella. While it exposes a small surface area of your knee cap, the cushioned opening adjusts around the patella and keeps it in place.
One minor drawback of wearing it for an extended period is that the side braces might cause little trouble for the knees as they jab a bit, which is uncomfortable. The padding keeps your skin abrasion-free.
In addition, this knee brace contains a couple of spring plates on the sides to give your knees a slight push during hiking, skiing, or trekking.
Pros
- Perfect Compression
- Adjustable Straps
- Durable and Flexible
- Provide good stability
- Hight quality material
Cons
- Available in only one color and limited sizes
Best For Knee Pain
4. Omples Hinged Knee Support
Buying hinged braces usually keeps people on their toes. The risk of the hinges jabbing you in the side of the skin reacting to the hinges might keep you second-guessing. However, Omples Hinged Knee Brace is one of its kind when it comes to lateral support.
A basketball player with a torn ACL swears on the authenticity of this brace as he wore one to a game. The brace allowed great flex and extension to his knees while he had to jump and run to score.
Omples Hinged knee Brace promises a range of motion even if you have hyperextension because not only does it have a hook and loop closure but X-shaped straps.
The X-shape straps are the stabilizer that your patella needs while your ligaments are ailing. They crisscross over each other to provide maximum support, optimum movement, and a push against strain.
This is one of the braces that is made of premium neoprene and sports a porous design so you can indulge in extreme sports without worrying about ticks, itches and rashes.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable Material
- Moisture-wicking
- Provides warmth and comfort
- Easy movement
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Strap can be uncomfortable
Best For Women’s
5. CAMBIVO 2 Pack Knee Brace
A compression knee brace designed to keep your knees stabilized against dislocation and knee displacement. CAMBIVO 2 Pack Knee Brace is the best option for you if you want to keep your knees at a certain angle during the elevation of hiking or trekking.
The brace is studded with seven cogs and supports a side stabilizer that enhances the function of keeping your knees in a fixed position. The 3-D knit technology of the fiber allows an optimized fit that stretches and shrinks according to your exercise needs. The fiber’s elasticity makes it a slim fit, reducing friction, bunching, or slipping.
The best quality of CAMBIVO is its gel pad that cups the soft patella. While you hike, trek, of camp, you are susceptible to meeting uneven ground and jutting surfaces that directly affect your joints. Thus, the gel pad ensures maximum shock absorption and proportionates the energy released so you can step surefootedly. It assures that you don’t exceed the angle of flexion (0-135) by enabling its ten fine angles for synchronized movement.
Pros
- Comfortable and smooth
- Provide outstanding knee support
- Durable
- Two at the price of one
- Solid support
Cons
- Not Adjustable
Best For Trail Running
6. TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
The TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support is another example of an open patella design. This a heavy-duty brace that some buyers have used before and after surgeries and sworn on its durability.
The snug and comfortable fit of the brace allows your patella to be where it is supposed to be. Knee displacement, tendon injuries, and ligament tears are areas of expertise, as they provide bidirectional support to your knee.
The TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support is an excellent option for hikers or anyone who wants extra support and stability for their knees while tearing through an inclined surface.
It provides optimized compression, and the hook and loop closure keeps it wound tightly around your leg. The slim fit design doesn’t interfere with your hiking gear without bunching or bulking up. You can wear it without the risk of poor blood circulation, sweat-caused infection, and sores.
This durable and reliable brace also comes with an adjustable design, and you can comfortably adjust the fitting for each activity. The brace provides good stability and relief from pain while you hike uphill or downhill.
Pros
- Comfortable movement
- Adjustable
- Available in different sizes
- Good support and comfort
- Does not slip
Cons
- Some issues with sizing
7. Abco Tech Patella Knee Strap
A light backpacker’s first priority, the Abco Tech Patella Knee Strap is an adjustable strap that supports the knee while running, hiking, or trekking. These straps provide your patella with the support it needs.
They are worn right under your patella so your hyperextension can give it a rest. The high-quality material is comfortable and soft, and the straps are adjustable to provide a custom amount of compression. The fabric absorbs the sweat and helps to keep the knee cool and dry.
Additionally, this knee strap is perfect for hikers who frequently hike on steep or rough terrain. The strap helps to stabilize the knee joint, preventing displacement of the patella. As a result, hikers can enjoy their time on the trails without worrying about knee pain.
Additionally, the Abco Tech Patella Knee Strap is comfortable to wear. It can be quickly adjusted to achieve the perfect fit. However, it might take time for you to get used to it. However, with time, it gets better and more comfortable.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Good for hiking and running
- Adjustable straps
- Comfortable even for long duration
Cons
- Not suitable for skinny legs
- Straps bit short for heavy guys
How To Choose The Knee Brace For Hiking?
Choosing the hiking knee brace is not always an easy task. There are many different brands and models of knee braces available on the market today. Some are designed for specific activities, while some are designed for general use. So how do you choose the best one?
In order to choose the right knee brace for hiking, you need to look for the following factors.
Material
Material is the first thing you need to consider while buying the knee brace. Two types of material are commonly used in the knee brace.
- Neoprene
- Nylon
Let’s discuss them in detail.
Neoprene
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that has been widely used in the past few decades. It’s a good material for hiking knee brace because it provides comfortable and flexible support. It also absorbs sweat and water well, which means that it can keep your legs dry and cool even when walking or running long distances.
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fiber that has been around since the 1930s. It’s a good material for hiking knee brace because it provides lightweight support with good durability, but it doesn’t absorb sweat or water well, which means your legs will be wet and sweaty after walking or running long distances.
Lastly, we would recommend Neoprene material because Neoprene is the best material for a hiking knee brace. After all, it provides more cushioning than Nylon does, and it’s also more durable than Nylon.
Design
There are four main knee brace designs for hiking and backpacking:
- Hinged braces
- Knee sleeves
- Strap braces
- Knee Supports
Hinged braces
Knee braces with hinges allow you to move your knee freely. This is an excellent alternative for hiking knee support because it allows for forwarding and backward movement while restricting side-to-side movement.
Knee Sleeves
Knee sleeves are designed to provide support for the knee without restricting movement. They are generally made of neoprene material and fit over your knee.
Strap Braces
Strap braces sit beneath your knee cap rather than covering the knee. These apply concentrated stress to your knee for flexibility, and they provide excellent support for your patella in particular. If you have problems like tendinitis or gout that create pain while you walk or hike, these may be the most acceptable hiking knee brace for you.
Knee Supports
Supports are designed to provide support for the knee but not restrict your knee movement. Supports come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials, but most have some elastic band that wraps around your leg just below your kneecap to help stabilize it during movement.
Size
When it comes to the size of the knee brace, you should not make a hasty decision. The perfect size of the knee is the essential factor to consider.
Although some simple hiking knee braces are one-size-fits-all, the majority are available in various sizes, allowing for superior stability and more comfortable to wear.
The measurements you’ll need vary depending on the style you’re purchasing. Some styles have sizes that correspond to measures above or below the knee, while others have sizes that correspond to measurements across the middle of the knee.
Adjustable Strap
An adjustable strap is essential for hiking downhill. It provides the user with the ability to adjust the tightness of the brace depending on their needs. Your activities will be made more accessible with an adjustable strap. You do not need to pull the brace forwards or backward during your journey.
It is typical to lose the braces during climbing because of the uphill, downhill, jumping, and other steps. So, if you have the option of adjusting it, it will work nicely with your knee.
Moreover, the strap should also be made from a material that is not too tight or too loose for the knee brace to offer stability and comfort.
Comfortable
It’s essential to think about how comfortable your knee brace is. You should ensure that you pick something that won’t restrict movement, which means you’ll need a knee brace that fits your size.
Moreover, If you buy a knee brace that will be uncomfortable to wear while hiking, then there is a good chance you will not enjoy your hike correctly.
FAQs
Should You wear a knee brace when You hike?
A knee brace can always be a part of your hiking gear so you can be worry-free should an injury occur to you during a hike. If you have an old injury that reoccurs often, a knee brace will help reduce its chances of hindering your hiking progress.
Additionally, knee braces help you to escape the risk of hyperflexion and keep your knee cap in place so your ball and socket joint is kept protected. During a hike, the pressure exerted on your joints is evenly distributed around your knee when you wear a knee brace.
What Helps Knees While Hiking?
A knee brace provides assisted support to your knees while you hike. If you are on an inclined surface, your knees have to bear the brunt of your weight and the weight of your backpack and work against gravity.
These battles are easily fought when you wear a knee brace, which alleviates pain, decreases the risk of patellar tendonitis and provides bidirectional support to your knees.
A good knee brace and hiking shoes are always a good idea to tear through treacherous terrain.
How To Prevent Knees From Hurting When Hiking Downhill?
The first thing you need to do is to stretch your quadriceps. It is the muscle group on the front of your thigh. This will help to take pressure off of your knees. You should also try hiking with poles or a walking stick for balance.
Moreover, you can use the knee wraps for hiking or any other support that will help reduce the pressure on your knees. It is essential that you don’t hike downhill too fast, too steeply, or for too long at a time. If it’s hard for you to stop this habit, try hiking uphill instead of downhill until your muscles are more potent.
What helps knee pain after hiking?
One of the best ways to prevent knee pain from hiking is by stretching before and after your hike. You should warm up before you start your hike; this will loosen up your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which will reduce the risk of injury during the trek.
Wearing a knee brace also alleviates pain by keeping your patella immobile and resting. It helps to create a warm, comfortable and supported space for your knee joint to move around while you return to a routine level of exercise.
Conclusion
We hope that we were able to assist you in searching for the best knee brace for hiking. Keep in mind that, as we already stated, each product on our list has its unique set of advantages and disadvantages. After extensive testing, every product’s description was prepared, so you don’t have to buy each one. It is also essential for you to do your research before making any decision.
Related: