Our team of physical therapists, doctors, and sports enthusiasts tested dozens of joint supports and, ultimately, found the best knee brace for volleyball. 8 of them!
The goal of these knee supports is to boost your performance and treat or prevent injuries. For volleyball players, we found that knee sleeves and stabilizers straps worked best.
With so many choices, though, it all can be overwhelming. To help streamline your process, here are reviews of the best volleyball knee braces. And, in case neither of these braces satisfy you, we included a short buying guide at the end as well.
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: ArmaJoint Knee Compression Sleeve
Compression to enhance your performance, protect your knee joints, and reduce pain. Focus on the game, we’ll take care of your knees.
Best for Recovery: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
This versatile knee sleeve is also a hot and cold pack. Use the heat to prepare your knee for a match, or the cold to reduce the inflammation afterward.
Best for Patellar Tendonitis: Braceability Patellar Tendon Strap
The targeted compression of this strap helps relieve pain from jumper’s knee. Plus, you get a wide variety of sizes to choose from.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Best knee brace for volleyball (full reviews)
1. ArmaJoint Knee Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Uniform compression
- Improves blood circulation
- Durable and comfortable
- Doesn’t limit range of motion
- Fits under sports knee pads
- For prevention and recovery
Cons
- No direct pressure on patellar tendon
- Not for a severe sprain or meniscus injury
The compression from the ArmaJoint knee sleeves has you fully covered, on and off the court.
The premise is simple – compression improves blood flow, keeping your knee joint filled with nutrients and warm.
Your muscles will react faster as a result and reduce your risk for soft tissue injury. This is a huge advantage to have while attacking or defending your half of the court.
Also, these sports knee braces tend to enhance your range of movement, not limit it. Play safe and focus on the ball – the ArmaJoint sleeves will take care of your knees.
- Material: 60% Nylon, 30% Elastic, 10% Spandex
- Size: S-XL
- Color options: Black
2. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
Pros
- Heat/Cold therapy in one
- Use it on other joints
- Uniform compression
- Extremely comfortable
- Durable and leakproof
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Only one color
The Cocoon Knee Flex Pro is the most versatile recovery tool you’ll ever have.
Regardless of how experienced you are, you’ll inevitably have knee joint pain at one point or another. It’s the price athletes have to pay for playing volleyball.
But the Cocoon was designed to ease that burden on the go. Unlike typical neoprene sleeves, it combines the effectiveness of compression with the therapeutic benefits of heat and cold.
You’ll be able to warm up your joint before volleyball matches or reduce the swelling afterward. And the best part is that you can wear it on other joints too, like an elbow or ankle brace, for example.
- Material: Lycra, hydrogel
- Size: S, M, L
- Color options: Blue
3. Braceability Patellar Tendon Strap
Pros
- Targeted compression on patellar tendon.
- Fully adjustable.
- Neoprene for durability.
- Stays in place.
- Variety of sizes.
Cons
- May be difficult to wear under a sports knee pad.
- 1 strap per pack.
Braceability’s knee strap can relieve patellar tendonitis while you focus on your game.
If most of your knee problems are under your kneecap, try this strap. This minimalistic garment can relieve your patellar tendon symptoms while in the court.
The best part is that it won’t limit mobility. And its neoprene fabric will make sure it stays in place for the whole game.
One drawback is that it can pinch a little on the back due to the velcro. You may need a few tries to adjust it before playing.
- Size: XS-XL.
- Material: Neoprene, velcro.
- Color options: Black.
4. Bauerfeind Sports Knee Brace
Pros
- Extra stability
- Patella silicone pad for knee cap issues
- Breathable
- Doesn’t restrict movement
- Durable and comfortable
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Silicone can irritate sensitive skin
This Bauerfeind knee brace has a little bit of everything.
This knee sleeve has a support type that uses side stabilizers to help keep your knee ligaments safe without restricting movement. This is ideal if you’re recovering from a knee sprain.
Also, the patented patella silicone pad massages the tissues around your kneecap. This is extremely helpful for the early stages of patellar tendonitis – also called “jumper’s knee.”
This knee brace is a tool to heal the most common injuries in volleyball players. But it’s excessive if you only want to increase your performance, or manage mild pain and swelling.
- Material: Nylon, elastane, cotton, polyester
- Size: XS – 2XL
- Color options: Black, blue, pink
5. IPOW 2-Pack Knee Strap
Pros
- Direct pressure on patellar tendon
- Comfortable padding
- Stays in place
- Fits under knee pad
- Great price
Cons
- Bulky velcro
- Stretches over time
- Can pinch a little
IPOW knee straps are a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise quality.
This minimalist design is incredibly effective for some of the most common volleyball injuries, particularly those that affect the patellar tendon. This not only includes jumper’s knee but Osgood Schlatter’s disease, too.
Each pack includes two straps. You could wear one on each knee, or alternate them to prolong their quality of life.
The only drawback is that it can pinch the back of the knee if you don’t put it right. It may take some time to learn how to wear it properly, but it’s 100% worth it.
- Material: Composite fiber, velcro
- Size: One size fits all, from 10 to 18 inches in circumference
- Color options: Black, pink, white
6. Run Forever Knee Strap
Pros
- Direct pressure on patellar tendon
- Durable neoprene
- Stays in place
- Fits under knee pad
- Great price
Cons
- Slip-up design
- Can pinch a little
- Stretches over time
Run Forever offers another high-quality knee strap at an affordable price.
The neoprene from these straps makes them more durable than others. Also, this material tends to be gentle on the skin while keeping the knee support in place.
A big but for me is its slip-up design. I prefer wrapping the strap around the knee, instead of slipping it up. But, a teammate loved these straps for that very same reason.
What we both agreed on is that IPOW’s straps are more suitable for smaller knees. They fit knee circumferences starting at 10″, while Run Forever straps start at 13″.
- Material: Neoprene, velcro
- Size: One size fits all, from 13 to 19 inches in circumference
- Color options: Black, grey
7. Crucial Compression 2-Pack Knee Sleeves
Pros
- Comes in pairs
- Budget-friendly
- Ample sizing options
- Extra-long
Cons
- Silicone rashes in sensitive skin
- Slips down
- Bunches up behind knee
A pair of compression knee braces for the price of one.
This volleyball knee sleeve will keep your knee warm during a game, but the construction isn’t as high quality as ArmaJoint’s knee sleeve or the Cocoons.
Also, be careful if you have sensitive skin – the silicone may cause rashes or welts. But if you don’t have this issue, the Crucial Compression sleeves can be the budget-friendly option you needed.
- Material: Nylon, spandex, silicone grip
- Size: XS- XXL
- Color options: Black, black /pink, grey
8. McDavid Knee Compression Sleeves
Pros
- Hex foam pad for durability and flexibility
- Comfortable, breathable, and discreet
- Protects knees from direct trauma
- Wide size and color options
Cons
- Expensive (but comes in pairs)
- No support
A bit pricey but it sure is worth the money.
The McDavid Knee Sleeve comes in at a price that’s a little bit higher than most other knee sleeves but given its durability, fit, and the protection it gives your knees, we think it’s well worth it.
The material of the sleeve itself offers breathability, sweat absorption, and discretion. So I’m not worried about it feeling uncomfortable over the course of your games. Furthermore, there’s a foam hex pad on the front for protection in case you land on your knees.
The hex design also makes it both flexible and durable, giving you unrestricted movement along with protection. What I will say, however, is that it doesn’t offer a lot of support, so it won’t protect your ligaments so much as the other knee sleeves on this list.
- Material: Foam
- Size: S-XXL
- Color options: Black, white, navy, pink, royal, scarlet, mgrid
Recommended: Top knee pads for volleyball
Factors to consider when choosing the best knee support for volleyball
The goal of the knee brace
You must be crystal clear on what you want to get from your sports knee brace. See, both sleeves and straps can provide pain relief, but they do so in different ways.
Knee sleeves keep your knee joint muscles warm throughout the game.
This helps your knee muscles react faster to whatever you have to do – whether attack or defend. Another benefit is helping prevent common injuries, like sprains or strains.
Now, a stabilizer knee strap puts direct pressure on your patellar tendon.
This is ideal to treat or prevent jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis). In turn, this can help you play for longer and relieve pain below the kneecap during the game.
This can help: What kind of knee brace do you need
Comfort
You don’t want your mind half focused on the ball, and half focused on how uncomfortable your knee brace is.
The goal is to find a knee brace so comfy you forget you have it on.
To settle this quickly, consider how uncomfortable the knee brace will be if you dive on your knees to save a ball.
In this scenario, compression knee braces with minimalistic designs are the most comfortable option. Check the Knee Force, Cocoons, or Crucial Compression sleeves in that case.
This means that knee straps may be uncomfortable, more so if you don’t put them right. They could dig in your skin if you fall on your knees without the knee pads on.
It’s a minor trade-off for easing your tendonitis.
Level of stability
Compression can offer enough stabilization if you want to prevent injuries or treat mild knee sprains.
But, it may not be enough for more severe injuries. In this case, a knee brace with side hinges can be extremely helpful for the healing process. The Bauerfeind would be a fine choice.
Yet, keep in mind that the more sturdy the hinges, the less comfortable the knee brace tends to be.
Durability and quality
Most knee braces inevitably stretch over time, regardless of how well you take care of them. But choosing high-quality materials will prolong their quality of life.
This is particularly true with knee straps, due to the pulling required to fit them properly.
Also, some low-quality silicone strips may break down in the washing machine. This means that some knee braces must be hand-washed to increase their durability.
Value for money
For young volleyball players and newbies, we recommend choosing brands selling knee braces or straps in pairs.
That way, you can alternate them to prolong the life of the support. These tend to be budget-friendly options, too.
Now, for professional volleyball players, we’d suggest investing in a high-quality knee brace. The right knee support can help you prevent injuries or even boost your recovery.
If that’s you, make sure to consider knee braces with coupon codes or bundle options before adding anything to your shopping cart. You’d save money twice – in the purchase and later on, in rehab.
Why you should trust KneeForce
Mitch Torres is a physical therapist specializing in lower back and leg injuries. For this comparison of knee braces, he drew from his experience treating countless volleyball players.
He also researched the latest scientific evidence regarding knee braces for volleyball. Then, he tested many products along with the KneeForce team. He cross-referenced their experiences with other athletes’ and finally reached a verdict.
Mitch is the lead editor of KneeForce, where he gives professional advice while making sure the content is up-to-date and to the highest standards.
Conclusion
Now you know that the best volleyball knee braces are knee sleeves and straps. They come in a variety of designs, materials, and price tags to fit any volleyball player – rookie or pro.
As a healthcare professional, I hope this list saves you time on research so you can hit the court safely. But, if none of these knee braces fit your needs, make sure to use the buyer’s guide to find your ideal knee support.
Finally, please remember that no knee support can replace a sound rehabilitation program. If you have any health or fitness problem or your pain is getting worse, play it safe and go to your physiotherapist!
