Can you run in a knee brace?

If you have recently suffered from a knee injury or just experience some knee instability, it might be tempting to run in your knee brace. But can you run with a knee brace? What are the pros and cons of running with knee braces?

The short answer is yes, you can run with a knee brace. But it might not be the most comfortable thing to do!

There’s a number of things that may cause discomfort when running with knee braces. 

First, knee braces tend to slide down with every few steps, causing you to need to stop and readjust them. The force of running is bound to exacerbate this effect to a maddening degree. 

Second, knee braces can be really uncomfortable when worn directly against the skin. They can cause serious chafing, rashes, or skin irritation even when walking or being sedentary. Adding in sweat and vigorous exercise is a recipe for disaster! You can wear a knee brace over your running pants or leggings, but that still doesn't negate the other cons of running with knee braces.

Third, running with knee brace can throw off your balance by adding some extra weight to one leg. In addition to just being severely uncomfortable, having your balance thrown off while running can lead to a higher chance of injury or reinjury. Not to mention it can make you feel incredibly stiff and awkward to not have a full range of motion due to the restrictive nature of a hinged knee brace.

Moreover, if you are at the stage where you’re considering running with a knee brace, you probably don’t need a knee brace anymore at all! You should definitely consult with your doctor or physical therapist to confirm this, but if you feel up for a jog, you likely don’t need a big bulky brace. 

Whether you need it or not, it can still be very comforting for people who have knee injuries to have additional support as they get back to their favourite physical activities. Using knee support after an injury can give you some peace of mind, while also preventing reinjury. Choosing the right knee support is essential, however, and it seems like a knee brace may not be the best option for running.

Running with Knee Brace or Knee Support

There are a number of options that runners can use for knee support. As we have outlined, using a hinged knee brace is not the best option. We have outlined and compared a few different knee support options on the blog before, so you may want to read our post for more comprehensive information. But just briefly, here are some options you may want to consider.

• KT Tape: An inexpensive and versatile option that is beloved by serious athletes, this fabric tape can be used in a variety of ways to support muscles and joints. It takes a little know-how to use, and can be less effective than some other more intense knee support.

• Patella strap: Exactly what it sounds like! This knee support option is a small band that wraps around the patella (knee cap) to provide stability. A patella strap only works for some knee conditions, and it may not be for everyone!

• Compression sleeves: These are likely the most popular and accessible option for people who are looking to transition off of heavy hinged knee braces. There are a number of known benefits to compression, including additional stability and balance, reduced swelling, and pain relief. These are lightweight, and likely a good option instead of running with knee brace. There’s significant evidence also that compression gear can help improve a runner's performance!

• Supportive apparel: You might not have even heard of this unless you’re super in the know! In the last decade or so, multiple apparel brands have emerged that focus on designing clothing that supports your vulnerable joints. These garments are designed to provide support without any additional equipment like a knee brace or compression sleeve that may shift, slide, or fail. If you’re needing support for your knees, there is one particular supportive apparel company that you should consider… Bracelayer!

What is Bracelayer?

Bracelayer is a leader in the emerging supportive apparel industry, having released the original knee stabilizing compression pants in 2015. Since then, their company has evolved to create two lines of knee support compression pants, the KS and KX collections. They carry a number of versatile designs made from thermal and non-thermal fabrics, so there is likely one that’s perfect for you!

Choose a design from the Alpine collection for thermal knee support options for skiing, snowboarding, winter running, and other winter sports! Choose a design from the KS collection to get knee support with luxury features like phone pockets and an adjustable drawstring waistband. Choose a design from the KX collection for streamlined and lightweight knee support pants for the gym, courts, or trails. 

How they work:

Bracelayer utilizes a built-in Tri-Tech knee support layer in all of their designs. This support layer is similar to compression knee sleeves, but goes above and beyond the standard knee sleeve. Since they are attached directly into the pants, they won’t shift or fall down, meaning you can focus on your task at hand, unlike running with a knee brace!

Bracelayer’s knee stabilizing compression pants have the additional advantage of the powers of compression. While the Tri-Tech layer delivers intense targeted compression to your most sensitive and important joint, the knees, the fabric of your Bracelayer pants works to provide moderate compression across your lower body. Compression keeps your blood flowing to reduce swelling, and has been proven to increase balance, stability, and proprioception. It can also help you keep from succumbing to reinjury – something that running with a knee brace certainly can’t boast!

Members of the Bracelayer team personally love the KS1 for running in most weather, available in both men’s and women’s sizing! But feel free to browse their full collection, compare models on the FAQ page, and decide for yourself which Bracelayer knee compression pants are right for you!