Any water sport has its risks and wake boarding is no exception. This, of course, includes a variety of knee conditions – from minor to serious. Luckily, that’s where the best knee brace for wakeboarding comes in.
These knee braces can help you recover, if not prevent injuries from happening in the first place. Thus, making wake boarding even more enjoyable.
The problem, however, is that there are so many (too many?) of these knee supports to choose from. My team and I have been in that situation countless times now. So, we tested dozens of these products, put a very specific set of criteria in place, and streamlined the best ones. Check ’em out!
Our Top Picks
Best Compression Sleeve: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Our knee support is your fail-proof choice for both injury prevention, recovery, and pain relief.
Best for Recovery: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
These Cocoons offer superb compression along with heat/cold therapeutic properties.
Best for Injury Management: Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Don’t let its name fool you, this brace stabilizes more than the kneecap. It also has side stays for lateral protection and sleeve-like compression.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Top 5 Knee Braces for Wakeboarding
1. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Superb compression
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Maximum freedom of movement
- For prevention and recovery
Cons
- Only 2 color options
- Lacks support for serious sprains
Our sleeve is the most well-rounded support for water sports in the market.
We designed the ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve to fit all occasions, whether it be to help you recover from injuries or to help protect your knees from them.
Our secret lies in compression. This acts as a preventative measure that boosts blood flow and keeps your knee joint warm in the water. Not to mention, these same benefits help with recovery from injury, too.
- Material: Nylon, Spandex
- Size: S-XL
- Color options: Black, Green
2. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
Pros
- Can be heated/frozen
- Super comfortable
- Durable
- Great for injury recovery
Cons
- Only 1 color
- Expensive
The cold/warm properties of the Cocoon Knee Flex Pro make it great for recovery.
What separates the Cocoon Knee Flex pro from its competition is that you can heat it up or freeze it. This, in turn, helps you warm up before you step on that board or cool down your knees right after.
The therapeutic effects of temperature, along with its super comfortable compression, means it’s great for injury recovery as well as relief from pain and swelling on your joints.
Plus, it’s durable. I’ve had mine for months and it still feels and functions like new. Pretty pricey, though.
- Material: Lycra, hydrogel.
- Size: S, M, L.
- Color options: Blue.
3. Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Pros
- Compression like a sleeve.
- Side stays for ligament protection.
- Patella buttress for kneecap stability.
- Freedom of movement.
- Neoprene and latex-free.
Cons
- A bit bulky.
- Takes some time to put on.
This well-rounded brace will protect your knee in all the right places.
First, it provides compression like a sleeve. This in itself gives a bit of stability. Now add in the side stabilizers for lateral protection and the patella buttress for kneecap security.
This makes for a great, all-purpose knee brace that will help you hit the water safely while your joint heals from a mild or chronic injury.
However, it does take a bit of patience to put on properly. It can pinch the back of your knee otherwise.
- Material: Neoprene alternative, velcro, aluminum spiral stays.
- Size: S-4XL.
- Color options: Black.
4. Nvorliy Knee Compression Brace
Pros
- Made specifically for water sports.
- Top-notch 2.5mm neoprene.
- Solid compression.
- Supportive.
Cons
- Runs a little big.
- May roll down.
Nvorliy’s compression sleeve was specifically designed for wakeboarding.
When it comes to water sports, neoprene fabrics are the most resistant. Nvorliy knows this and made a sleeve for this particular setting.
Another property of neoprene is that it’s great at keeping the joints warm, which in turn boosts blood flow and promotes recovery. But a big downside is that it may run big for some.
- Material: Neoprene
- Size: S-3XL
- Color options: Black
5. McDavid Knee Brace with Side Hinges
Pros
- Helps prevent ACL tears
- Sturdy hinges
- With velcro straps
- Preserves freedom of movement
Cons
- Durability issues
- Expensive
The sturdy hinges of the McDavid Knee Brace protects wakeboarders from sprains.
Wake boarding athletes carry one of the highest risks of ACL injuries in any sport. Here’s what the data says:
“The prevalence of ACL tears in this data set, 42.3%, is the highest reported in the literature for wake boarding and one of the highest for any sport.” – Harlan M. Starr, MD and Brett Sanders, MD
Hence, the need for prevention – and that’s exactly what McDavid’s Knee Brace brings. I’m confident that the hinges will help protect your knees from hyperextension but are flexible enough that they don’t impede your movement.
Although, they don’t feel quite as comfortable as the Cocoons and our Knee Force knee brace. The stitching on the hinges aren’t all that durable either. Given how pricey it is, these issues are why it fell to the bottom of my list.
- Material: Neoprene
- Size: S-XXL
- Color options: Black
Factors to consider when choosing the best water sports knee brace
Comfort and Stability
With water sports such as wake boarding and kite surfing, how well your braces stay in place need to be top priority. Otherwise, you’ll feel uncomfortable wearing them and you’ll be distracted from putting on a good show.
Look for features such as the silicone straps in our Knee Force brace, or the velcro straps of BraceAbility and McDavid. Although, more important is picking the right size.
Related: How tight a knee sleeve needs to be
Durability and Quality
The more serious you get about the sport, the more time you’ll find yourself wearing knee braces. Hence, why it’s crucial to find one that’s made with top-notch materials and fabrication.
Other Features
Some added features cater to very specific needs.
For example, BraceAbility’s lightweight construction, open-patella design, and buttress make it the ideal choice for patellar problems whereas McDavid’s hinges boost your knee strength as a preventative measure.
Other braces like the Cocoons, our Knee Force brace, Braceability, and some other products have unique features, too. Keep an eye out for those before making a decision.
Value for Money
Last but not least, aim to buy a knee brace that gets you the most out of your money. Many products have very similar feels and features, so include price, promos, freebies, and coupon codes in your things to consider.
Why you should trust Knee Force
Kris is a physical therapist who specializes in sports rehab and sustainable fitness. His expertise has led him to treat athletes from a wide variety of sports with an even wide array of sports injuries.
He also has his fair share of knee ailments, from full-grade ACL tears to MCL and meniscus injuries on both knee joints. Hence, he draws his medical opinions from both evidence-based knowledge and experience.
For this article, he tested several braces, took note of important features, and compared his own findings with other people’s experiences. Finally, he chose what he found were the best ones
Conclusion
And there you have it – the most amazing knee braces for wake boarding and water sports! I’ve narrowed down your choices to a few products that serve specific purposes, so you shouldn’t be having that much of a hard time choosing any more.
But, if you’re not satisfied with either of these, just use our buyer’s guide to form your own conclusions. Now, hop on that board and ride the water!
