Cycling is one of the most practiced sports in the world. Whether professional or amateur, it requires a lot of discipline and endurance to perform well. Although it has many health benefits, it is also very prone to injury, especially to the knee.
To avoid these accidents in this joint, it is most advisable to use knee braces, which are explained in detail in the following article with their types, features, functions and even the most common injuries in cyclists.
What is the best knee brace for cycling injuries?
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Green, Pink and Grey
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2 pieces
- Uses: Rehabilitation and sport
- Elastic Fabric
- Double Anti-Slip Silicone
- Ergonomic & Adjustable
- Sport Design
- Unisex
Double Anti-Slip Silicone
Various Colours and Sizes
Stretch Fabric
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Grey and Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Discreet design
- 2 per order
- No material specified
The ergonomic design reduces pressure on the knee and improves joint stability. Thanks to the anti-slip silicone material, located in strategic areas in the support, the elastic knee brace does not slip during use. It is made of a 3D technology fabric, which makes it a lightweight and easy to carry ligament protector. Please note that the knee brace is not recommended for people who suffer from itching.
- Sizes: S-M-L
- Colours: Blue and Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with Elastic Band
- Strong compression
- Elastic Band for better fit
- No material specified
The elastic band prevents meniscus injuries and inflammation in the bursae thanks to its unique anti-slip system. It is recommended by top Olympic athletes, as the compression it exerts on the strategic places behind the knee is continuous and guarantees the highest quality standards. If you don't choose the right size, it is likely that the fitting system will not be efficient.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Black, Green
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Good fit
- Strong compression
- Not machine washable
The technology used in the manufacture allows the neoprene material to achieve a better and faster recovery from knee injuries or post-surgical stages. It can also be used by patients with arthritis or joint wear. The different sizes, for men and women, offer a mesh back ventilation that decreases moisture build-up. Be careful because the pain may not go away if you don't choose the right size knee brace.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Black
- Material: Spandex
- No. of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Breathable design
- Good compression
- Hight Quality
- 2 Per order
- One size only
- Delicate wash
The side supports and double silicone loops make this compressive garment support and stabilise the knee during use. Ideal for summer use when volleyball, fitness or lifting heavy objects at work. Stimulates blood circulation just by wearing it for a few hours a day. Please note that this item is not useful in cases where the injury is advanced.
- Sizes: L-XL
- Colours: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with velcro fasteners
- Hight Quality
- Strong compression
- 3 adjustable straps
- Easy to use
- Few sizes available
- Voluminous
Its neoprene straps wrap around the circumference of the joint, providing extra support and improved knee support. It is ideal for use when training or needing to recover from injury because its inner lining is skin-friendly and the breathable loop fabric does not collect moisture or fungus. Please note that this knee compressor is not suitable for users with blood circulation problems.
- Sizes: S-XL
- Colours: Grey
- Material: Spandex, Nylon, Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with strap and velcro
- Strap for better fit
- Good compression
- Lightweight design
- Hight Quality
- Few sizes available
- Only one per order
The different sizes, with adjustable fabric and external elastic strap, will offer you the compression you need to feel comfortable and forget about pain and swollen knees. In addition, the velcro fastening is ideal for customising the sleeve circumference when you need your blood circulation to be stimulated. In some athletes the compression is not good enough to keep the knee stable.
- Sizes: M-L-XL
- Colours: 2 Options: Grey, Pink
- Material: Nylon, Latex
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Variety of colours
- Good compression
- No small sizes
Ideal for wearing to the gym, running, cycling or just walking around your home. They are easy to put on and the technology of the materials will not cause it to shift or wrinkle when you wear it. Their side straps work as support to prevent the joint from straining during overloads. Keep in mind that in some people the knee brace does not fit properly because the size chosen is not correct.
- Sizes: Size 0 - 7
- Colours: Grey and Blue
- Material: Cotton, Elastane, Polyester
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Breathable fabric
- Machine washable
- Omega Pad
- Strong compression
- Only one per order
- Difficulty in choosing sizes
The knee sleeve, with specially designed front silicone protector, generates increased blood supply and massages strategic points of the kneecap. This structure increases heat in the area, providing therapeutic benefits to the user. Lateral supports provide greater stability without restricting joint movement. In some products, the compression is not sufficient according to the user's expectations.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries in cycling?
Cycling is a very difficult and demanding sport that requires a lot of preparation and endurance. It requires you to use your feet and legs and pedal with them steadily until you reach your desired destination. Lack of warm-up, overuse or sudden movements of the knee can lead to injuries of varying severity, the most common of which are listed below.
Tendonitis
It is an injury that usually occurs in athletes, people with osteoarthritis, overweight people or when the knee is overloaded. It is also called medial facet tendonitis and consists of the tendons of three muscles: Rectus medialis, sartorius and semitendinosus. They are located on the inside of the joint. When these tendons become inflamed, they cause pain, stiffness and swelling.
Chondromalacia of the patella
Chondromalacia is caused by damage to a cartilage, but when we talk about the kneecap, we mean that the cartilage underneath is affected. It can be caused by any type of trauma, but is most commonly caused by overuse, and the main symptom is knee pain.
Athletes are the most affected, but it can be said that almost all sports are prone to it. Cyclists are prone to cartilage wear when they put excessive stress on the cartilage, i.e. when they exercise or train every day without a break. In addition, riding on unpaved or rough terrain exposes the knee to the full force of the tread.
Tendonitis
Also known as iliac ligament syndrome, it is caused by overuse or friction of the iliac ligament, a thick tendon that runs from the pelvis to the tibia. This leads to inflammation of the tendon of the tensor fascia latae muscle, which is very painful, with discomfort concentrated in the lateral area of the knee.
Cyclists are most affected because the nature of this sport requires them to aggressively flex and extend their entire lower body until the joint becomes overloaded and swollen. It should be noted that the pain increases with use, so absolute rest must be maintained or the symptoms will recur.
Dislocation
A subluxation is when the kneecap slips just a little. It should be noted that the kneecap is a bone that is supposed to protect the knee and the quadriceps joint. Without it, you cannot bend, flex or extend the knee joint. It can be caused by a severe blow or trauma to the area that causes severe pain and eliminates the ability to pedal.
Cyclists can suffer from subluxation because they put a lot of pressure on the kneecap when pedaling constantly and intensely. This trauma can recur because the tissue around the bone is weak. Therefore, it is recommended to wear a knee brace to support the joint and prevent re-injury.
Meniscus tear
This is a very common knee injury that directly affects the meniscus. There are many causes, such as accidents, sharp turns, wrong movements and even your own body weight can cause this contraction, resulting in stiffness, pain and swelling in the area.
Since this is a common trauma in the general population, the risk is greater in cyclists, especially amateurs who are unaware that they are at high risk from high speeds, the mechanics of the bike, or traffic because they train on roads with car traffic. To avoid this, it is most advisable to wear proper protection, such as knee sleeves that prevent this type of injury.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for basketball cycling
Before any purchase, you need to know the product in detail, at least the most important aspects. First of all, you need to know what you are going to use it for, and then consider other aspects such as material, price, dimensions or design. All these doubts can be cleared in the next section.
Depending on the function
- Knee braces for pain relief: pain is common in cycling, especially in the knee, as it is usually overloaded. Sports knee braces can prevent and relieve this discomfort by putting the ligaments into a resting state so you don't have to stop riding.
- Knee supports: this garment is often used to protect against injuries that occur when moving the knee, as trauma to this area can cause you to stop racing or playing sports. Knee braces are made of different materials such as silicone or possibly padding, which prevent direct impacts on the joint and also prevent the jerky movements common in cycling thanks to their stabilizing effect.
- Open knee brace: this part has the peculiarity of having an opening in the front part of the knee that allows a perfect adaptation to the kneecap. This point is very important because the knee brace acts as a support so that the joint is not overly stressed during use. Therefore, it could be a viable option for cyclists who do not want to put additional stress on this joint.
- Closed knee brace: perfectly covers the entire knee area. Mainly used after an injury or for some athletes who prefer to cover the entire joint for better protection. It can be very useful for cyclists if they do not want to expose their kneecap in case of an accident.
Material
The market for these garments has developed greatly, as well as their materials. Today, they use those that are breathable, absorb moisture and adapt to the body so that it does not move from its original position, creating the necessary compression. Among the materials used are spandex, nylon and neoprene. They are used in different proportions (depending on the purpose), so the quality and functionality are much higher.
Type of support
It is very important that the garment stays in place and does not slip or shift no matter what movements you make, especially for cyclists as this could be a disadvantage in a professional race. Here we recommend and explain some materials that you can use to avoid this type of accident.
- Velcro : This type of closure is commonly used on knee braces because it is comfortable, easy and provides support. It is also usually used to increase compression, so you have two functions in one material.
- Hinges: this is a locking mechanism, much smaller than Velcro, but harder. They are often placed on the sides, which leads to greater stability of the joint, as it prevents the mobility of the knee brace for its great adjustment, which can be determined by the person who will use it.
- Neoprene: This is the most commonly used material for making ankle braces. It fits perfectly to the skin and provides all the benefits that this garment has for you, without the need for an external item. It is advisable to test its effectiveness in practice, because although it is comfortable, it does not go as deep under the skin as previous models.
Size
When choosing a knee brace, the size of the joint is one of the most important points to achieve this goal. To do this, place a tape measure around the circumference of the knee and compare it with the manufacturer's specifications to find the size that suits you.
Design
The vast majority of knee braces are unisex, so you won't have any trouble finding the right one for you. The most common colors are black, white, gray, blue and green, as well as numbers or lines that add a modern and eye-catching accent.
Cyclists have a great advantage in using them, as they are made of the best materials to be able to perform the necessary bends and reach the goal of the sport. In addition, their designs can even be customized. In this way, you can choose the one that is most similar to you or give it a personal touch and still feel supported.
Prices
There are countless models and designs on the market today, so determining the price depends on many factors: Type of knee brace, material, utility, product quality, design and manufacturing. But thanks to globalization through the Internet, it is possible to create a price statistic that evaluates a budget from the lowest to the most expensive.
Are compression knee sleeves really effective for cycling?
There are different opinions about the use of compression knee sleeves, most of them are positive. Their benefits in terms of protection and recovery have been confirmed by various studies over the past decades. Originally it was developed for therapeutic purposes, today it is the best option for every athlete.
To show that it works in the field of cycling, a brief summary of its benefits is given:
- Prevents and improves injuries.
- It generates a better transport of the blood circulation.
- Helps prevent serious diseases such as lymphedema and varicose veins.
- Relieves pain.
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
So don't wait until you have some kind of trauma in this area to start using it, because one bad movement could mean the end of your career. You don't need to consult a specialist to know which knee brace you should buy, because you can use it with a light degree of compression for your daily run. So, you have no excuse when it comes to your health and well-being, so be ahead of the problem.