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.

A hinged brace can feel bulky or restrict movement. If your brace was prescribed, ask your clinician or fitter when to return to running and whether to wear it.

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: Pull-on sleeves are a lightweight option. If you use a prescribed hinged brace, check with your clinician before switching to a sleeve.

• 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 pants combine a compression base with built-in knee support. Independent sports science testing shows Bracelayer improved stability, balance, and proprioception in athletes with knee injuries without restricting performance. Read about the testing.

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!