When to Wear a Knee Sleeve: 8 Everyday Situations

A soft knee sleeve is not only for sport. Many people wear one in completely ordinary moments of the day, when the knee needs a little more support or when they want to keep it warm. But when does a sleeve make the most sense, and when is it better to leave it off? Here are eight everyday situations in which many people find a knee sleeve helpful, and a few situations where caution is needed.

8 situations when a knee sleeve can help

• Long walks. On longer walks or hikes, a sleeve gives a pleasant feeling of support, especially toward the end, when the muscles get tired. More tips in our article on walking with knee pain.
• Stairs and slopes. Going down stairs and hills puts a lot of load on the knee. Many people feel more confident with a sleeve. See also our article on knee pain on stairs.
• Long days on your feet. Work behind a counter, in a kitchen or in a workshop, or a day of errands in town, can tire the knees. A sleeve can make long hours of standing and walking more comfortable.
• Garden and housework. Bending, carrying, getting down to the floor and up again are hard work for the knee. A sleeve fits under clothes and gives support during these tasks. Use a soft pad when kneeling.
• Cold and damp days. Many people feel their knees more in cold weather. The sleeve keeps the knee warm, as described in our article on knee pain when the weather changes.
• Light sport. Cycling, the gym, yoga or a round of golf are good for the knees, and a sleeve can make the first minutes more comfortable. More in our article on cycling and swimming with sore knees.
• Travel and long sitting. After a long car or bus journey, the knee can feel stiff when you get out. A sleeve keeps it warm, but also stand up and walk around regularly.
• At night. If your knee is stiff and sore in the morning, a soft sleeve worn in bed keeps it warm through the night. More in our article on knee pain at night.

When it is better not to wear a sleeve

• the knee is red, hot and very swollen, or you have a fever,
• the skin under the sleeve is damaged, irritated or itchy,
• you feel tingling or numbness, or the lower leg becomes white or cold,
• you have recently had surgery or a blood clot and your doctor has not approved compression.

Tips for everyday wear

Choose the right size, because a sleeve that is too small squeezes and one that is too large slides down. Pull the sleeve on smoothly, without folds, and make sure it sits in the same place every time. Take it off now and then to let the skin breathe and have a look at it. Wash it regularly so it stays fresh and keeps its shape. More about how gentle pressure works is in our article on how compression works on the knee.

A sleeve is most useful as one step in a bigger plan: regular movement, strong muscles and a healthy weight. Used this way, it can be a pleasant everyday help that makes it easier to stay active.

A sleeve you will actually wear

The best sleeve is the one that does not end up in a drawer. The KeenTrove Bamboo Knee Sleeve is made for exactly that:

• soft, breathable bamboo, comfortable even in summer
• fits snugly but does not dig in behind the knee
• does not lock the knee, so you move naturally
• wear it under your clothes during the day and in bed at night

With 60 days to get your money back, you have nothing to lose.

See the bamboo knee sleeve →

Note: this article is for information only and does not replace an examination by a doctor. If you have circulation problems or diabetes, or have recently had knee surgery, talk to your doctor before wearing compression.