strong support): Best for heavy weight training and static movements targeting warmth around the knee joint. As the name implies, these sleeves provide cold therapy to various places on the body. In addition to the knee, you can wear them around your ankles, calves, elbows, forearms, and thighs. When compared to other 7mm sleeves, Stoic reigns supreme in terms of firm support. I’m not entirely sure why, but I think Stoic uses a special type of neoprene that takes a long time to fully break in. Like the others we reviewed, the Stoic knee sleeve provides support, compression, knee protection when heavy lifting, and increased performance.

The United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) specifies a set of technical rules for almost all the powerlifting gear. Not only does the gear have to follow these rules, but it should also be produced by certain brands. Looking to up your fitness game without breaking the bank? Or just tired of a knee sleeve that always slips while you work out? Lake et. al (2012) investigated the use of knee wraps vs. no knee wraps. They concluded that lifters who wear knee wraps produce 10% more peak power, on average, when they squat. You can also wear these knee sleeves during sports or for powerlifting sessions for extra support and stability around your knees. After use, you can wash the sleeves in a washing machine, ready for when you next need to use them. However, some users complained that their knee sleeves shrunk in the wash, causing them to become too tight around the thighs.Multi-ply shirts share the basic rules of their single-ply counterparts. They’re only unique in the following points: The types of knee wraps worn for powerlifting are much stiffer than those worn for weightlifting, as weightlifting requires much more knee mobility. Still, some olympic weightlifters will wear light knee wraps in competition. Approved Knee Sleeves by Powerlifting Federation Choosing between knee wraps and sleeves is supposedly a personal preference. I prefer knee wraps because they allow me to lift more weight. Any seasoned powerlifter will wear knee wraps as it’s an advantage in competition.

Stoic /ˈstōik/ a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining. For warm and support, it is okay to wear knee sleeves during a lifter’s novice phase, but it is not a requirement. With so many on the market, it can be tough to figure out which ones are worth your time and money. Most people buy the first pair they see. For many years, this was the only knee sleeve option for powerlifters who wanted a 7mm knee sleeve. However, it wasn't really designed for powerlifting, but rather Olympic weightlifting. Use the 7mm knee sleeve if you're a competitive powerlifter or lifting very heavy weights. Use the 5mm knee sleeve if you're a beginner powerlifter, just starting strength training, or want a more versatile sleeve. Use the 3mm knee sleeve if you want to wear it for non-lifting activities (running, hiking, etc.). How To Put on Knee Sleeves?

Final Thoughts

Sizing for the PowerLix sleeves is determined by a measurement 5″ above the kneecap. This method leads to less consistent results, in my experience. If you have much bigger thighs than calves, you may get extra material bunching up near the knee. Generally, I recommend sizing down on these sleeves if you’re unsure. Refer to the following chart: Size We’ve tested dozens of knee sleeves from some of the biggest names in the industry. We’ve used them for squatting, running, recovery, and more. Here are some of the things we considered when making our list (more below):