Snowboarding is typically safer on the knees than skiing. But, many times when you fall, the front of your knee pushes inward and injures your ligaments in the process. Hence, the need for the best knee braces for snowboarding.
You have many choices for these knee braces. As a matter of fact, I’d say there are too many – and that makes choosing what’s best suited for you unnecessarily challenging.
To help make things easier, our team of physical therapists tested dozens of these braces. Eventually we came up with a list of the best. We included reviews for each as well as a short buyer’s guide as well. Check them out!
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
A minimalistic compression sleeve – thin enough to fit comfortably while keeping your knee warm and safe. High-quality materials at a good price.
Best for Injury Recovery: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
This versatile sleeve gives all the benefits of compression with heat and cold therapy. Perfect for boosting recovery from all types of knee injuries.
Best for Stability: Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Keeps your knee cap in place, adds an extra layer of protection to your ligaments with its side stabilizers, and provides the benefits of a sleeve.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Top 10 Best Knee Braces for Snowboarding
1. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Thin and breathable.
- Several sizes available.
- Uniform compression.
- Doesn’t limit movement.
- Won’t bunch up.
Cons
- No additional features.
- 2 colors available.
ArmaJoint’s sleeve provides compression, which promotes blood flow and helps your muscles react faster.
See, the warmer your muscles are, the easier they’ll contract. This can in turn enhance your performance and prevent any knee injury.
This is the kind of advantage you want from the best knee brace.
Also, this knee brace is so thin and breathable you’ll forget you have it on. However, I do miss having more colors to choose from, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you’ll wear it under your ski pants.
- Material: 80% nylon, 20% spandex.
- Size: S-XL.
- Color options: Black, green.
2. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
Pros
- Compression from sleeve.
- Therapeutic benefits of hot and cold therapy.
- Incredibly comfortable.
- Fits on other joints.
- Way more durable than average.
Cons
- Pricey.
- One color available.
The Cocoon Knee Flex Pro is the most versatile sleeve we’ve ever tested.
Apart from providing the usual benefits of a compression sleeve, it also has the advantages of hot and cold therapy. You can use the heat to warm up your knee before getting on the board, or the cold to reduce swelling after your training.
This is thanks to their hydrogel filling. This leak proof material retains temperatures and also makes the compression sleeve much more durable than others.
However, the higher quality and versatility do show in the price tag. But honestly, this knee brace is worth every penny. Plus, you can use it on your other joints as well.
3. Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Pros
- Basically a hinged sleeve.
- Side and kneecap stability.
- Adjustable straps for customization.
- Latex and neoprene-free.
Cons
- Somewhat bulky.
- Takes some time to put on.
Braceability made a hinged sleeve with superpowers.
See, this one has the best of all worlds – the compression from sleeves, the added protection from side stabilizers, and a U-shaped buttress on the patella hole to keep your kneecap in place.
This is the best knee brace if you’re in the final stages of knee injury recovery, or if you have recurrent injuries and want to prevent them from happening.
A downside is that it’s a little bulky, so it may limit some movement. This is a tiny tradeoff for all the protection it provides, though.
- Material: Neoprene alternative, velcro, aluminum spiral stays.
- Size: S-4XL.
- Color options: Black.
4. Bauerfeind Sports Knee Support
Pros
- German medical grade aid
- Anatomically designed for natural fit
- Sensorimotor integrated for stabilization
- Easy to slip on / off
- Anti-slip
- Alleviates all knee ailments
- 30 day satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Not recommended with sensitive skin
- Expensive
Baurfeind’s Sports Knee Support is German engineering at its finest.
Baurfeind is a famous health brand that offers many joint supports. This, of course, includes their best knee knee brace that’s featured on our list.
What makes this specifically great for snowboarding, however, is that it has a pre-curved anatomical design that’s made for incredible fit. It also features an anatomically contoured pad for your patella.
In turn, these features help keep your kneecaps in their place and your ligaments in tact – all without slipping down your knees.
Although, all of its bells and whistles as well as the brand’s reputation for excellence also makes this one of the priciest knee compression sleeves in the market. It also feels a bit rough on the inside, so it’s not the best choice if you have sensitive skin.
- Size: XS-2XL
- Color options: Black, pink, Rivera
5. Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace
Pros
- Best in class knee support
- Highly durable hinged brace
- Heavy duty bilateral dual hinges
- Breathable material that does get too hot.
- Anti-slip
Cons
- Can restrict movement due to extra support with dual hinges.
- Takes a bit of time to put on.
Choose Shock Doctor’s Hinged Knee Brace if you’re looking for maximum support.
Like Bauerfeind, Shock Doctor’s joint supports are known for quality and this hinged knee brace is no exception.
As you might have expected, this knee brace comes with hinges on both sides to provide your knees with extra support. It also comes 2 straps that help keep the brace in place as well as an open patella design that makes sure your kneecaps track optimally.
All these features make for a knee brace that helps prevent ACL and other ligament injuries while also optimizing your knees for movement. What I don’t like, though, is that the Shock Doctor compression sleeve can be cumbersome to put on. The hinges also take some getting used to.
- Material: Spandex
- Size: S-3XL
- Color options: Black.
Recommended: Reviews of the top knee braces for ACL injuries
6. Thx4 Copper Sports Compression
Pros
- Optimized design created under professional supervision
- Human Physiology Technology integrated
- Highest copper content
- Easy to wear and comfortable fit
- No slipping or loosening of grip
- Warranty
Cons
- Some complains about product being tight above knee and loose below knee
The THX4COPPER Sports Compression Knee Sleeve is made to be worn for long hours.
First, it’s designed under the supervision of trainers and physiologists. So you can be sure that this compression sleeve is made with comfort and reliability in mind.
What makes it one of the top knee braces for skiing and snowboarding, however, is that its fabric is infused with copper. This metal helps kill odor-causing bacteria, keeping you smelling and feeling fresh.
But, even without copper, this knee brace just feels comfortable and offers solid compression. But, while I thought the fit was great, some of our team members complained that it can be too tight up top and loose below the knee, so maybe it’s not the best if you have smaller calves.
- Material: Nylon, copper
- Size: S-2XL
- Color options: Black.
Recommended: Top knee braces for skiing
7. Crucial Compression Knee Sleeve (Pair)
Pros
- Ergonomically designed
- Quick action and very effective
- Improves blood circulation
- Thin and lightweight
- Multiple sizing
- Warranty
Cons
- Sizing chart has issues
Crucial Compression’s knee sleeves offer the best value for money
Crucial Compression has been our go-to recommendation whenever anyone asks us about affordable but effective knee braces.
For one, it costs less than the average. Second, it comes in pairs. Third, its compression is just as awesome as any other on today’s market. It’s also sleek enough that other people won’t notice them if you wore them under your clothes.
What I will say, however, is that their sizing isn’t all that accurate, so it may roll down from time to time. It’s also not the most durable knee brace on this list (though it’s still quite sturdy given its price).
- Material: Nylon
- Size: XS-2XL
- Color options: Black, black/pink, gray
8. DonJoy Reaction Web Knee Support Brace
Pros
- Innovative design
- Adaptive web technology
- Dynamic stabilization
- Very minimal and lightweight
- Progressive pain relief and sustained recovery
- Multiple sizing and colors
Cons
- Poor customer service
For maximum pain relief and freedom of movement, DonJoy’s Reaction Web Knee Support has you covered.
Straight up, this knee support is the most unique looking product on this list. The webbed design stretches and contracts with your knee joint as it bends and straightens. This allows it to absorb impact which, in turn, protects your knees and relieves you of pain while you focus on shredding all that snow.
The web also has an open patella design while the back of the knee brace is contoured. Overall, these designs help keep your kneecaps in place without disrupting comfort.
Truly, if DonJoy had better customer service, this product would be so much higher on our list.
- Material: Spandex, nylon
- Size: XS-3XL
- Color options: Blue, grey, pink, red
9. Alpha Genial Knee Brace Support
Pros
- Optimal knee support
- Updated V wrap design
- Caters to knee injuries, ACL, MCL, tendonitis, etc.
- Single unisex size
- Quick pain relief and padded support
- 1 year return policy
Cons
- The wrap is bulky
The Alpha Genial Knee Brace offers all-around support with its unique locking system.
What differentiates Alpha Genial’s Knee Brace Support from the rest of the knee braces on the market is its locking system.
It uses a pair of velcro straps that start from below your knee cap, crosses over behind your knee, then comes back around to the front and above your patella.
Along with pair of side supports, the locking system ensures that the knee brace fits you the way you want it to and that your knee joint has extra support all the way around. Hence, the one-size-fits all theme.
However, we do wish they still had size options. This knee brace is also quite bulky and cumbersome to put on.
- Material: Neoprene
- Size: One size fits all
- Color options: Black
10. McDavid Maximum Support Knee Brace
Pros
- Optimal knee support
- Updated V wrap design
- Caters to knee injuries, ACL, MCL, tendonitis, etc.
- Single unisex size
- Quick pain relief and padded support
- 1 year return policy
Cons
- The wrap is bulky
The McDavid Knee Brace offers maximum support but it also comes with a heavy price tag.
This McDavid Knee Brace is the most supportive of the brand’s many other products. They are also durable and come with bilateral side hinges, an open patella design, and a pair of velcro straps.
The hinges are what gives your knees maximum support while the opening around the patella makes sure that your kneecaps track well with movement. The velcro straps, on the other hand, reinforce fit. Overall, it can help heal medial and lateral instability that comes with ligament injuries.
This particular McDavid Knee Brace, however, is also quite expensive. The sizing chart also isn’t all that accurate as our team had mixed results.
- Material: Neoprene
- Size: S-2XL
- Color options: Black
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Knee Braces for Snowboarding
Comfort and Stability
Getting yourself a comfortable and stable knee brace is mandatory for an efficient and proper recovery. If your knee brace is not comfortable, you won’t wear it for long hours. The best knee braces for snowboarding keep your knee joint very stable to ensure that your condition is not aggravated.
Durability and Quality
A durable knee brace will be able to cope with the high demand of a snowboarding athlete. Our listed best knee braces for snowboarding are of the highest quality and won’t break down due to overworking.
Cost and Value
We have listed prices of knee braces that are of varying costs. You should not only get one that fits your budget, but your knee brace should also fulfil your requirements adequately. Remember, getting a knee brace is a cheaper solution to going to a doctor for a worsened condition.
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 wider array of knee injuries.
He also has his fair share of knee ailments – from full-grade ACL tears, torn menisci, and other ligament injuries on both knee joints. Hence, he draws his medical opinions from both evidence-based knowledge and experience.
For this article, he and our team of physical therapists tested dozens of knee 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 for snowboarding.
Conclusion
Choosing the best knee braces for snowboarding will be a lot easier on your part if you would take the time to evaluate the features, pros, and cons of each product on this review. Unfortunately, evaluating different knee braces takes (a lot of) time.
Hopefully our list of knee braces cuts that time down. If it hasn’t and none of the knee braces we recommended were up to your standards, you can always refer back to our buyer’s guide to help you out.
As a recap of our top 3, the ArmaJoint Knee Sleeve is the best overall compression sleeve; the Cocoon Knee Flex Pros are the best knee braces for recovering from knee injuries, and Braceability’s knee braces are the best for adding stability.
