Created with quality in mind, the Uflex Athletics Knee Sleeve is our top pick for the best knee brace for football. Combining superior compression with a low-profile design, Uflex will give you the support you need throughout the game. Keep reading to see our reviews for other top choices.
Best Choice - Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
Uflex designed their brace with special 3D knitting to ensure durability, and it features dual silicone strips to prevent slippage.
Buy on AmazonFootball is understandably a sport that can put some strain on your knees. Depending on your position, you may find yourself running, jumping, squatting, and performing quick turns—all of which can cause some knee pain from time to time. If you find yourself looking into knee braces to provide extra support, then you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to see our choices for top knee braces.
Our Top Picks
Best Choice
Uflex
Athletics Knee Compression
Top Performance
Shock Doctor
Hinged Knee Brace
Can’t Count it Out
Vive
Hinged Knee Brace
The Ten Best Knee Braces for Football
| Product | Brand | Latex-free | Sizing | Men or Women | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression Sleeve | UFlex | No | S, M, L | Men & Women |  |
| Hinged Knee Brace | Shock Doctor | Yes | S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL | Men & Women | |
| Hinged Knee Brace | Vive | Yes | One size fits most | Men & Women | |
| Compression Sleeve | Cambivo | Not specified | S, M, L, XL, XXL | Men & Women | |
| Open-Patella Knee Brace | Exous | Not specified | One Size Fits Most | Men & Women | |
| Compression Sleeve | Sable | No | S, M, L, XL | Men & Women | |
| Open-patella Knee Brace, | TechWare Pro | Yes | M, L, XL, XXL | Men & Women | |
| Compression Sleeve | Powerlix | Yes | S, M, L, XL, XXL | Men & Women | |
| Open-Patella Knee Brace | Bracoo | Yes | One Size Fits Most | Men & Women | |
| Compression Sleeve | Blitzu Flex Plus | Yes | S, M, L | Men & Women | |
Best Choice: Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
Buy on AmazonThe Uflex stands out due to its high-quality fabric and special 3D knitting technology that protects against tears. The material is lightweight and low-profile, yet provides optimal compression to keep your knee stable throughout the game. The compression fabric reduces inflammation, stimulates blood flow, and helps to relieve pain.
Main Features
- Breathable material
- 3D knitting technology
- Anti-slip silicone strips
- Antibacterial fabric
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compression sleeve that reduces inflammation
- Rip resistant
- 3 sizes to help find optimal fit
Cons:
- Less support than a hinged brace
- Order includes only one sleeve
Top Performance: Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace
If you need more protection than compression, then the Shock Doctor is worth a look. This brace features heavy-duty support hinges to increase lateral stability.
The Shock Doctor is made with premium materials and has a unique X-fit strap system to keep the brace secure during the match. While the brace is bulkier than some of the others, the Shock Doctor is made with N-tex vented airflow system to enhance comfort.
Main Features
- Removable hinges
- X-Fit strap system
- Open-patella design
- Easy-grip tabs for quick application
Pros:
- Superior support
- Premium Design
- Impact absorbing pads
- Performance level 3: medium stability for moderate to major strains and sprains
Cons:
- Bulkier than most knee sleeves
- Six sizes can make it challenging to find the correct fit
Can’t Count Out: Vive Hinged Knee Brace
The Vive is an excellent brace for when you need strong lateral stability. The Vive has dual support hinges and is an open patella design that provides support at the kneecap. The Vive’s neoprene material increases blood flow to provide therapeutic heat during exercise, and it is comfortable enough for all-day wear.
Main Features
- Removable aluminum support hinges
- Open patella design
- Neoprene material
- Extra strength fasteners
Pros:
- Excellent lateral stability
- More support than most knee sleeves
- Comfortable enough for exercise or all day use
Cons:
- One size fits most
- Velcro fasteners can wear out
The Other Knee Braces for Football We Reviewed
Cambivo 2 Pack Knee Sleeve
The Cambivo is a budget-friendly double pack that features 3D knitting to prevent rips and tears. This design also means that your knee won’t be irritated by sewing lines while running. This knee sleeve provides compression to optimize blood flow and warmth, and the Cambivo has double silicone gel strips to prevent slipping.
The Cambivo comes in multiple sizes and colors to assure you can find one suitable for your style. While the fabric sleeve enhances blood flow, some may prefer the tighter fit of a neoprene brace.
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Exous Knee Brace
One unique feature of the Exous is that it has four straps to create 360-degree compression and a “comfort gap” behind the knee to prevent bunching. The Exous is an open patella brace that stabilizes the kneecap and supports patellar tracking.
This brace is built with side stabilizers to give you more support than sleeves and straps can usually provide. The Exous only comes in one size, however, so a custom fit may be a challenge to achieve.
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Sable Knee Sleeve
When you want a compression sleeve but don’t want to spend a lot of money, then check out the Sable. This double pack provides quality compression at a reasonable price point.
This sleeve is designed with breathable fabric, and it comes with a lifetime warranty to provide peace of mind when purchasing. Be forewarned that the Sable has many knockoffs — Sunvalley Brands is the sole authorized seller.
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TechWare Pro Knee Brace
The Techware Pro is an open patella knee brace that comes with bidirectional straps to allow you to adjust the amount of compression. This neoprene brace is designed with moisture-wicking material to help keep your knee dry during the game.
The TechWare is built with four spring stabilizers to provide lateral knee support. Knee braces like the TechWare do not typically provide as much warmth as a compression sleeve, however.
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Powerlix Compression Knee Sleeve
The Powerlix is a compression sleeve suitable for either strenuous exercise or all-day use. It is designed with lightweight compression fabric and comes with two silicone gel strips to help prevent slipping.
The fabric material also avoids the itchiness and smell that some find in neoprene sleeves. On the other hand, fabric sleeves may wear out a little faster than neoprene sleeves.
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Bracoo Knee Support
The Bracoo’s unique feature is a patellar stabilizer ring that supplies enhanced support for the kneecap. Its open patella design allows for optimal patellar tracking and has alternating velcro straps that can attach to essentially any point along the brace. The Bracoo only comes a single size, however, and the velcro may lose effectiveness over extended use.
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Blitzu Flex Plus Compression Sleeve
The Blitzu is a compression sleeve double-pack that won’t break your budget. These sleeves feature 4D compression technology for comfort and to allow for full knee range of motion.
The neoprene material is breathable and is designed with UPF50+ sun protection as well. The Blitzu comes in three sizes, three styles, and a one-year hassle-free warranty. While neoprene is durable, some do not like the feel or smell of the rubber synthetic.
Buy on AmazonWhen would you need to wear a knee brace for football?
If your knees start to give you an irritating pain during the game, then a brace or sleeve can help give you more support and stability. A knee brace or sleeve can provide compression to control inflammation, and may be helpful in preventing any small issues from getting worse. A knee brace or sleeve won’t protect you from injury due to tackling, however.
If you are considering a knee brace for football, we recommend consulting with your orthopedist, physical therapist, and coach to see what might work best.
What to consider when buying a football brace
Material
The two main types of material for football braces are fabric and neoprene, and they each have their advantages. Fabric braces may tend to be lighter and more breathable, but they may not be as durable as neoprene. Nor do they tend to provide as much compression. Neoprene, on the other hand, can be more durable and provide a higher level of therapeutic warmth.
Durability
Football can be a demanding sport to the knee brace, so another factor to consider is durability. For fabric braces, look for reviews that mention durability and clues in the item description that point to the quality of the material and stitching. Neoprene braces tend to be more durable, but research any potential wear points like velcro straps and stitching lines.
Single or double-pack
Football is one of those sports where both knees tend to undergo the similar amounts of stress. If both knees are hurting, or if you are looking to provide general knee support but are not having any specific pain issues, then a double pack may be better for you. If you only want to brace one knee, then you can usually get more brace for your buck if you go with a single pack.
Weighing All the Factors
Taking everything into consideration, the Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve gets our vote as a top brace for football due to its superior quality and comfort. If an open patella brace is more to your liking, then have a look at the Shock Doctor or the Vive Hinged Knee Brace. We recommend that you consult with your doctor to help you narrow down your choices or to seek further guidance when choosing a knee brace.
Best Choice - Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
Uflex designed their brace with special 3D knitting to ensure durability, and it features dual silicone strips to prevent slippage.
Buy on Amazon