Best Knee Supports for Football

19 January 2023

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From tough Sunday League matches to casual kickabouts with the kids, knee issues can affect footballers at any level. Football is full of dynamic movements like sprinting, jumping and sharp turns, which alongside crunching tackles, can put a lot of stress on the knees, leading to twisting, pulling and tearing injuries.

We understand getting back on the pitch after a knee injury can be a little daunting, but the right knee brace could make the process easier, more comfortable and less painful. Whatever your knee injury or how comprehensive a support you need, our Best Knee Supports for Football guide could help you find your perfect brace.

What Does This Guide Cover?

Best Overall Knee Support for Football
Best Knee Wrap for Football
Best Football Knee Support for Cartilage Damage
Best Football Knee Support for IT Band
Best Football Knee Support for ACL
Best Support for Knee Recovery
What Should I look for in a Football Knee Support?

Best Overall Knee Support for Football

Winner: Donjoy Reaction Knee Brace

Why It's Brilliant...

✔ Web design evenly disperses energy and shock away from painful joints
✔ Contoured fit for comfortable compression and stabilising while you run
✔ Highly breathable, mesh backing maintains airflow to prevent excess sweat

Great For...

✔ General knee pain and joint weakness
✔ Comprehensive patella support

Not the Best For if You Want...

✘ Less obtrusive support (See our solution)
✘ Better cartilage support (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: Made specifically for knee stabilisation and to accommodate dynamic movement like kicking, running and jumping, the Donjoy Reaction is a fantastic choice for footballers. The flexible web absorbs shock and impact on the patella and knee joints, safely dispersing them across the whole knee. Also, the gaps in the webbing, along with the mesh backing help keep your knee cool and not too sweaty.

Customer Verdict: "I'm an osteopath and a competitive sportsman and this is my new "go to" sports knee brace for me and my patients. Patella pain, ligament instability, minor wear and tear, it's all listed in the product details…it doesn't slip, feels secure, allows and stabilises knee function, reduces pain, tension can be adjusted to taste." Marc ★★★★★

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Best Knee Wrap for Football

Winner: Neo G Knee Support With Open Knee Cap

Why It's Brilliant...

✔ Straps offer variable compression for the most customizable knee support
✔ Open patellar stabilises knee cap and allows greater knee freedom
✔ Dynamic support reduces knee twisting without restricting performance

Great For...

✔ Sprains, strains, knee instability and patellar tracking
✔ Lightweight support and compression for less serious or recent knee issues

Not the Best For if You Want...

✘ IT band support (See our solution)
✘ Serious ligament damage (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: If you're looking for a knee support that's really light and thin, while still offering adjustable compression, this Neo G support really fits the bill! The simple two-strap Velcro fastening allows for rapid application and readjustment, even mid-game, while the flexible design allows for explosive movement, while still helping prevent further knee injury. The exposed patellar is both great for patella tracking and helps maintain your range of movement.

Customer Verdict: "This is great fully adjustable, comfortable and stays in place for competitive sport (football)." Peter ★★★★★

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Best Football Knee Support for Cartilage Damage

Winner: Bauerfeind GenuTrain Knee Brace

Why It's Brilliant...

✔ Meniscus wings offer targeted pain relief to cartilage around knee
✔ Simple compressive sleeve design for easy donning and removal
✔ Provides pressure relief alongside neuromuscular joint stabilisation

Great For...

✔ Meniscus tears and other cartilage recovery
✔ Re-injury prevention and general knee recovery aid

Not the Best For if You Want...

✘ More comprehensive knee bracing (See our solution)
✘ Post-match pain relief (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: Deceptively basic with its single-piece, sleeve design, this Bauerfeind Brace is super-simple to put on, but offers serious cartilage support. The kneecap of the brace features meniscus pressure points and a joint pad that relieves pain and improves stability with every stride. The active knit material also gives the whole knee even pressure for all-over pain relief and bracing, which helps to prevent reaggravation for a range of knee issues.

Customer Verdict: "This is an excellent support. I have tried lots over the years and this is definitely the best I have come across." Ian ★★★★★

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Best Football Knee Support for IT Band

Winner: Ultimate Performance Ultimate ITB Support Strap

Why It's Brilliant...

✔ Compresses area above knee where ITB knee pain is most common
✔ Textured neoprene is breathable, reduces slipping and build up sweat
✔ Adjustable strap offers most personalised fit and relief for each wearer

Great For...

✔ Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB)
✔ Therapeutic heat compression for recovery

Not the Best For if You Want...

✘ More complete knee coverage (See our solution)
✘ ACL recovery (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The smallest and simplest support in this guide, the Ultimate Performance ITB Strap gives you specialised iliotibial band compression for knee pain relief. The level of compression is also adjustable, so you can enjoy customised relief, depending on your personal ITB pain. The versatile neoprene material is great for temperature regulation and can also be used for heat therapy, which is a fantastic recovery tool.

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Best Football Knee Support for ACL

Winner: Donjoy Armor Professional Knee Brace with Fourcepoint

Why It's Brilliant...

✔ Comprehensive four-point leverage system greatly reduces ACL stress
✔ Adjustable hinge lets you set knee angle depending on your recovery stage
✔ Mouldable, swooping outer frame gives you the comfortable, customised fit

Great For...

✔ Playing football and high impact sports while after ACL injury or surgery
✔ Preventing reinjury and correcting instability in ACL, MCL or LCL

Not the Best For if You Want...

✘ Less obtrusive bracing (See our solution)
✘ Patellar tracking and relief (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The Donjoy Armor is one of the most comprehensive and effective knee braces on the market, touted and celebrated by physios worldwide! The leverage system supports and reduces impact on the ACL at four points, and operates on an adjustable hinge to match your personal recovery stage. As your ACL recovers and your range of motion expands, so does the Donjoy!

Customer Verdict: "Following full ACL reconstruction two years ago I ordered my Donjoy brace last Thursday and it arrived Monday. Perfect fit with the prescribed measurements...For the first time in three years felt I had stability, I could use both legs in a balanced manner. Twisting and jumping all fine. An excellent product” Phillip ★★★★★

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Best Support for Knee Recovery

Winner: Dura Soft Knee Sleeve Knee Ice Pack Wrap

Why It's Brilliant...

Great For...

✔ Knee recovery including muscle, joint, tendon and ligament relief
✔ Reducing swelling and general achiness

Not the Best For if You Want...

✘ Knee bracing during a match (See our solution)
✘ ITS relief (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The knee supports and braces we've discussed are all great for in-game support, but what about after the game? When it comes to knee recovery, post-match support is vital. Unlike regular ice packs, this Dura Wrap secures to your leg at two points for seriously targeted compression and relief. As well being a wearable ice pack, it can also be used for heat therapy, making it a hugely versatile therapeutic device!

Customer Verdict: "Excellent arrived next day - Just the job for football injuries on my 11 yr old son. Means he can now move about whilst healing. Comfortable to wear. Recommend." Claire ★★★★★

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What Should I look for in a Football Knee Support?

For a knee support to be suitable for football, it needs to provide you with the support you need without posing a direct risk to another player. FIFA states that the hardness of a support isn't a direct risk factor, but rather whether it can cut or wound an opponent.

With this in mind, solid braces that can cut, wound or bruise another player should be left for training, and out of your matches. Here are our top 5 features to look for when selecting your knee support for football:

Reduce Movement: It needs to provide enough support to reduce lateral and rotational movements in your knee that can aggravate injuries.
Patella Stabilisation: It must stabilise your knee cap to reduce unwanted patellar movement as you play.
Warmth: It should provide warmth to prevent the tendons from stiffening.
Compression: Compression is always a bonus as it will increase blood flow to improve both performance and recovery.
Psychological Aid: Throughout your recovery process it will act as a useful reminder to prevent excess exertion, while also providing reassurance.

Get the Support You Kneed

Whether you've been sidelined for just a few weeks or a whole six months, finding a knee brace that you can rely on it vital. We've highlighted some of our favourite knee supports and we hope you've found one that gives you the confidence needed for darting runs, last ditch tackles and 30-yard screamers! But don't worry if you haven't found the brace for you yet, we're sure that something else in our Knee Supports range will have you ready to play to the whistle.

Do you have any questions about our football knee supports, or something to add? Share your thoughts below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: Football, Knee Braces, Knee Pain, Rehabilitation, Top 5 Guides