Whether you need the support of a full hinge brace or just some tape, these help keep the crucial joint stabilized.
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If you’ve found yourself suffering from runner’s knee (also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome), you might need a knee brace. Before searching for the best knee brace for you, it’s important that you understand what runner’s knee is and how it typically presents.
Runner’s knee is an overuse injury that can happen from over-training or incorrect mechanics. It may occur due to poor alignment or varying strengths in your legs, or even due to problems with the runners’ feet or footwear. It’s causes the kneecap to wiggle around and feel displaced during movement.
“Patients usually present with anterior knee pain or pain in the front of their knee,” explains Jay Kimmel, MD, who’s an orthopedic surgeon and the co-founder of Upswing Health, a tele-health service that connects patients with orthopedic physicians. According to Kimmel, typical symptoms include that pain in the front of the knee, usually worsened by going up and down stairs and, of course, running.
We spoke with several medical professionals to determine which knee braces are the best for support, pain relief, and runner’s knee.
Wearing a knee brace is usually only recommended under the guidance of professionals who can pinpoint the root of your knee issues, and in conjunction with physical therapy. For most runners, these braces can relieve acute symptoms of runner’s knee. However, knee braces are not recommended for long-term treatment.
“Each brace offers a different level of constraint, and too much constraint causes your body to rely on the brace and not your natural muscles and soft tissue, which is why bracing is not used long-term,” explains Matthew Harb, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee specialist. “The goal for treatment is physical therapy to improve the current condition and protect the knee from future injury.”
It’s important to recognize when it may be time to seek medical attention, especially if your pain does not lessen after wearing a brace. “Runners should seek medical attention when simple treatments such as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) do not relieve the symptoms,” says Kimmel. “Your physician will perform a physical exam and X-rays to see if there is any evidence of malalignment of the kneecap or muscle imbalance.”
“Taping the knee is the least invasive and can be helpful for people who are still very active and involved in sports,” explains Harb. “It also is the least constraining, so it will only mildly adjust how your kneecap moves.” Knee tape is best for those with minor strains who need a bit of extra support on their next run. This is also the cheapest option, though it takes a bit of practice to wrap kinesiology tape correctly.
If you need even more support, consider a sleeve. “It’s slightly more restrictive,” says Harb, and “the benefit is that taking it on and off can be very simple, and you can still use it while being more active.”
On the other hand, a patella-stabilizing brace may help keep the kneecap in place. “This is more constraining, which allows for a range of motion of the knee, but has straps to help with patella tracking and how the kneecap moves,” says Harb. If you plan on remaining very active while you treat your runner’s knee, he adds that you might find this kind of knee brace to be limiting during more intensive workouts. As such, knee sleeves are best used during recovery and mild physical activity.
However, if your doctor determines that a fully restrictive brace is required for your recovery, you may need a hinge knee brace. “The most restrictive, this prevents side-to-side motion of the knee as well as guides the kneecap,” says Harb. He adds that, thankfully, this brace is typically not needed unless you’re suffering from a severe knee injury like a torn meniscus or ligament, osteoarthritis, or severe rheumatoid arthritis.
When it comes to materials, look for one made of neoprene—a tough, rubber-like synthetic that retains heat, which, in turn, can accelerate the healing process. Aloiya Kremer, MD, a sports medicine doctor at St. Elizabeth Physicians in the Midwest, says the material is supportive, compressive, and comfortable. It’s also slip-resistant so you don’t find yourself pulling up your knee brace throughout your run or workout.
Although Harb notes that most braces are allergy- and latex-free, it’s best practice to check the description of your brace or inform your doctor of any allergies you may have before purchasing one.
To find the best braces for runner’s knee, we spoke with three experts: two orthopedic doctors and one sports medicine physician. We asked them what runners should look for when shopping for knee braces and they gave us both general guidelines and specific product recommendations.
Harb, MD, recommends grabbing generic kinesiology tape for those seeking an unobtrusive knee brace; we chose Kinesio due to its popularity and highly rated user reviews. Kimmel, MD, recommends two knee braces for recovery and pain relief: the Cho-Pat Orignal Knee Strap, which “sits under the kneecap and takes some of the pressure off the patella tendon,” and the CopperJoint Compression Knee Sleeve, which provides simple, no-frills relief readily available on Amazon. Kremer, MD, recommends Don Jon braces for her patients, recognizing it as a reputable brand. Our experts have no affiliation or sponsorships with these brands.
For all other picks, we used guidance from our expert interviews and retailer user reviews to determine the best in category for each brace type (tape, sleeve, and strap), and purpose-made options, such as patellar stabilization braces or those with inclusive sizing.
Kimmel recommends this CopperJoint compression knee sleeve made with copper-infused nylon for a simple yet effective knee brace. Although this brace is a sleeve, you don’t have to worry about it slipping down despite any sweat you may generate thanks to its non-slip cuff and moisture-wicking abilities.
And, since this brace offers a four-way stretch, it will move with you (and your knee joints) instead of against them. These are also easier to store than bulkier options on this list.
When it comes to knee straps, Kimmel recommends this one from Cho-Pat. Although this knee strap may be tiny, it is mighty when providing support and pressure to the patellar tendon. It uses surgical tubing to apply pressure below the patellar tendon and keep it tight and stable.
Its small stature is not as restrictive as a brace, so you can participate in your daily activities without it getting in the way. It’s available in a wide range of sizes to fit many body types, although some reviews say that it can easily stretch through overuse.
If you’re seeking a brace that’ll stabilize your patella while playing sports or going about your day, this brace from Lateral J Patella may be what you’re looking for. This J-shaped brace is made with neoprene (although there’s an alternative made with Drytex for those with neoprene allergies), nylon, and polyester Lycra fabric to keep your knee breathing and sweat-free.
Plus, it has adjustable straps that can be moved to fit your comfort and support needs. If you’re a swimmer or simply want to take a bath or shower with the added support, this thick brace can be worn when in water, too.
If you have large legs, consider this compression knee brace from Shock Doctor. It’s available in sizes S through XXXL and can stretch for a concise fit.
It’s made with spandex, aluminum, and neoprene, and it’s one of the bulkiest on our list. However, it has plenty of vents to prevent sweat from becoming trapped and slippery. If you need to make adjustments throughout the day, you can easily do so by pulling on the tabs.
Harb, an orthopedic surgeon, recommends kinesiology tape for active individuals who need a minimally invasive brace for mild support. This latex-free tape from Kinesio is made with high-grade cotton for maximum breathability, comfort, and water-resistance.
It’s recommended that you change out the tape every 3 to 5 days—it can be easily cut using a pair of scissors, then wrapped around the knee. (This takes a bit of finesse, so we recommend asking your PT or doctor to show you how to do it.) Due to the tape’s thinness, you can also conceal this option under your pants or even tight leggings. This is the most affordable solution to mild pain, though the constant replacement can feel wasteful.
This brace prevents hyperextension due to its hinges, which stop at a 145-degree angle, and its four straps for added support.
Additionally, this brace promotes circulation and retains heat due to its neoprene material, thus aiding the healing process. It’s also reflective for added safety when out and about, and especially at night time. Spandex grips the leg and keeps the band in place, and adjustments are as easy as pulling a cinch. It’s quite pricey, though, so this brace may be overkill for those looking to relieve acute pain.
Jenna Clark is a freelance writer who covers commerce, travel, beauty, and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Insider, the Daily Beast, Well+Good, and Taste of Home. When she's not reviewing the latest products or traveling, you can likely find her at a theme park or watching the latest Broadway show.
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