A Quick Review of the Best Motocross Knee Braces
It makes sense to get a motocross helmet to prevent serious head injuries. You might also need to wear other important safety gear, including knee braces. Most offroad riders will get knee pads of some type. While knee guards supply some protection for knee impacts, a knee brace is best for preventing knee injuries.
A knee brace has a system of support around the knee that prevent it from getting injured, unlike a knee guard. It will not only protects from impacts like a knee guard but prevent the knee from moving in positions that can tear ligaments.
In this post, we will be discussing everything we know on how to buy the best offroad / motocross knee braces. If you are unsure about which one you prefer, look at our picks and their reviews. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each, and we hope you can find one that is the right choice for you.
Knee Brace VS Knee Guard
| Knee Brace | Knee Guard |
|---|---|
| Provides impact protection | Provides impact protection |
| Protection from brush | Protection from brush |
| Rock and debris protection | Rock and debris protection |
| Provides protective frame around the knee | Affordable |
| Restrict range of motion | Low supportive level |
| Protects from hyperextension, twisting, and landing injuries (jolts). | Little or no knee ligament protection |
| higher priced | |
| Can be bulky |
What is Motocross Knee Braces?
Knee braces for off-road motorcycle use are very important for healthy knees. Most off-road motorcycle users have hurt or landed on their legs where an injury could have occurred. Motocross riders also tend to have knee injuries, but these can be cut in half with a good pair of knee braces.
Knee injuries can occur to the ligaments and meniscus when maneuvering, falling, or even seemingly small impacts on the knee joint. A brace will take on that force to prevent knee joints from sudden lateral or sideways movement, reducing the impact on your knee joint.
This means that if you ever experience a crash or adjust your position while riding, knee braces will absorb some of the force of the impact, thereby reducing the likelihood of a knee joint injury.
If you look at the chart at the beginning, you are aware of the differences between a knee brace and a knee guard. Knee guards can reduce the impact of objects, like when falling on your knees; the plastic and cushioning take some of the force.
But it can help with anything besides impact. So if your leg moves in an unnatural manner, it won’t protect you against serious knee injuries. It is normally made from hard plastic with foam padding. It also features hardened gel or foam, which serves as the barrier between the rider and the ground.
Experiencing a knee injury can be quite scary, as well as painful. It can hinder your ability to walk, as well as your normal day-to-day life. In addition, you might need to get physical therapy to help you improve your knee’s strength and to decrease the pain after being injured. Based on this, I believe a knee brace is a way to go when going off-road or racing.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from getting knee braces. Better lateral and medial support for your knees, a reduction in leg rotation, helping with leg position awareness and feedback, and they can be used to limit the unnatural range of motion.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Motocross Knee Braces
You need to consider several factors when looking for a good motocross knee brace, and it’s not always about the price. Factors such as protection, adjustability, and comfort, as well as braces that are easy to maintain, make a good motocross knee brace. Read on for more information:
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1. Protection
You might be considering knee braces mainly for knee joint protection. It makes sense to choose one that will function effectively. We recommend that you choose knee braces that have been proven to be safe.
2. Adjustability
Another important factor that you should consider is the knee braces’ adjustability, especially if you are using it for a while when riding. In addition, your preference might be to choose one that is easily adjustable and still provides your knee joints with the protection they need.
3. Comfort
When riding, it is also very important that you are comfortable with whatever safety gear you are wearing. This factor will come in handy with your knee braces, especially if you are riding for extended hours. Knee braces are normally made of a solid external frame, which can be comfortable. Look for padding types, joint types, and levels of breathability.
4. Price
It can be hard to know an item’s quality based on the price. Do some fact-finding if you don’t have all the information you need. Even better, go to a store that sells motorcycle knee braces and try on a couple if you can.
Evaluate each product’s features. If you can try it on, this is the best way to find out how it fits you. This way, you will have an idea if you’re getting what you want. As with any other product, if the motorcycle knee braces are made of higher quality material, expect to pay more.
Our Top Picks for the Best Motocross Knee Braces
In this section, we will be talking about our top 5 recommendations for the best knee braces for off-road and motocross use. Take time to evaluate each product using a detailed summary of their best features, pros, and cons, especially when you need to narrow down your choices. We hope that these braces will be helpful in giving you the information you need to make an informed decision.
1. Pod Unisex-Adult K4 Knee Brace
A good thing to know about the Pod knee brace is that most people find it works well for them. This knee brace has a pivot point that joins the glass-reinforced polymer frame. It can fit a variety of leg sizes with its four adjustable straps and hinge spacers.
These knee braces are lightweight and still remain strong and durable. They have protection for knee impacts with the self-tracking patella guard. In addition, they have extra padding so you can customize it the way you want and not have any pressure points.
These have a 0 – 25 degree extension stop so you can control your range of motion and have the support and protection you need.
Pros:
- Very comfortable to wear
- You can get on and off with ease
- Features hinge spaces
- Customizable
- Protects your knee from injury and impacts
- Lightweight
- Has 4 adjustable straps
- It is registered as a medical device
Cons:
- It may need to be replaced if in a significant impact (Normal for most braces)
- Braces are left, and right specific – it may add time to put them on
Overall
Given that it has customization and is lightweight, you may feel comfortable wearing these good-quality knee braces for long periods.
2. EVS Sports Web Pro Knee Braces
Another good product in this review is the EVS Sports Web Pro, which features four straps like the Pod, and it is also lightweight. It is made of twin-wall carbon fiber for strength, and it is rigid for good protection.
These knee braces have a minimalistic feel covering just enough to provide plenty of strength with lots of breathability. It has a hinge system that provides natural motion with dual hinges and uses aluminum and steel for strength.
The full coverage knee cup can protect well, and the hyperextension lockout will help prevent injury to your joint. In addition, the Sharkskin neoprene helps prevent the brace from moving during riding for stable protection.
Pros:
- Made of high-quality materials
- Offers full protection in a minimalistic way
- Durable and sturdy
- Comes with hyperextension lockouts
- Equipped with 5 adjustable straps
- Provides impact protection and knee injury protection
- Is lightweight
- Medically Certified
Cons:
- Velcro might come unglued
- It may need to be replaced if in a significant impact (Normal for most braces)
Overall
Even though they may be lightweight, they are overall very protective and comfortable. It is rigid yet accommodates flexibility in the hinges and straps.
3. Leatt C-Frame Pro Carbon Knee Braces
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If you are looking for a very strong and sturdy knee brace, you should consider choosing the Leatt C-Frame knee brace. The frame around the knee is made of a very stiff cast aluminum alloy. It also includes carbon fiber protection for the lower shin area. The knee pad will stay in place while your leg move for impact protection.
There are different ways to customize the brace, including different-sized padding. The brace has quick-release straps on the top that are fairly easy to use and seem to work well. The main feature of this brace is that there is no hinge on the inside of the brace, allowing the rider to feel their legs closer to the motorcycle for a more natural ride.
You can adjust the knee lock-out point to your preference within a range and get a good feel, but it may take several adjustments.
Pros:
- Comfortable to wear
- Made of strong and sturdy materials
- Has fastening buttons that offer quicker on/off time
- Has 3 straps but 4 contact points for a secure fit
- Unique joint ensures natural knee bends
- CE 1621-1 certified knee protector
- Build-in fracture points for impact protection
Cons:
- It may not encapsulate the knee joint as well as some like
- Getting them to fit well may not be easy
Overall
Most people who try them seem to feel they offer a good level of comfort and protection, but it may take some customization for the best fit.
4. Alpinestars Unisex-Adult Fluid Tech Carbon Knee Brace Set
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This brace has a polymer carbon construction, so you will get a lightweight feel when wearing them. There are 4 straps for a solid grip on your leg and memory foam in the knee cup for impact protection.
For added protection, the carbon fiber construction makes the chassis rigid, and along with the straps, you can get a solid fit, so the brace stays in place. The full knee guard helps with impact protection when bending your leg.
There is a double hinge for a natural range of motion and hyperextension lockout protection. You have spacers that go on either side of the knee for a customized fit at the knee joint. It comes with some ventilation for cooling.
Pros:
- CE-certified CE 1621-1 K Type B
- Durable and lightweight
- Ventilation points
- Some customization available
- Hyperextension protection and secure knee cap protection
- Comfortable to wear
- Dual pivot hinges
- Quick clips for faster on/off time
Cons:
- Not much first-hand rider information
- A little tight for some. May need the next size up.
Overall
An overall good brace with lots of nice features and lightweight construction. This may be best for thinner-legged individuals, but larger sizes may accommodate all leg sizes.
5. Mobius X8 Knee Brace
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The Mobius X8 knee brace is one of the most impact-protective knee braces. It lacks the ventilation that other braces have but has complete coverage of the knee area from the top of the brace to the bottom.
It has a unique cable system that helps secures the brace to your leg using a strap to provide a very secure fit so the brace won’t move and can protect your legs properly. It is constructed from a PIM glass-filled nylon shell and anodized aluminum parts.
It has anodized aluminum dual hinges for a natural range of motion and riding position. The molded EVA foam can provide comfort, and the impact-absorbing rubber helps with impacts.
Pros:
- Cable routing system
- Durable and overlapping full protection for the knee
- 3 velcro straps and 1 cable-routed strap
- Made of durable materials
- EVA foam
- Good for impact protection
- Good for larger-legged riders
Cons:
- No ventilation system
- A little bulky
Overall
While it may feel warm while you’re wearing it, it still is one of the best knee braces because of its durability and lightweight properties.
Conclusion
Choosing the best of the best might seem a little daunting, but if you think about what’s most comfortable and offers the features you want, you can likely find one that is best suited for you. We just hope you will be able to make a decision that works best for you. Viewing some helmets might help clear your mind, and then you can come back and look again to make a better decision.
