At some point in your Weightlifting career, you will be searching for a pair of knee sleeves. Whether you’ve realized you need something to help warm your knees up on a cold day, or that the high volume of squatting and lifting you’re doing is starting to cause a little knee discomfort, the right pair of knee sleeves can help you.
Having trained and competed in knee sleeves for the past 17 years, I’ve been through my fair share of knee sleeves. On top of that, my husband James, owner of Lift Big Eat Big has also trained and competed in knee sleeves for the past 5 years so we can provide you with an experienced view of what we deem the best knee sleeves for Weightlifting.
Below are our top-rated knee sleeves specifically for the sport of Weightlifting. Some knee sleeves on the market are better geared towards Powerlifting or other strength sports due to their extreme stiffness. Weightlifters need a blend between flexibility and support which makes Weightlifting knee sleeves quite unique. So here are our top picks for the best knee sleeves for Weightlifting.
Best Knee Sleeves For Weightlifting | Runner Up Knee Sleeves For Weightlifting | Best Knee Sleeves For Warmth | Best Knee Sleeves On A Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Image |  |  |  |  |
Product | Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeves | Rogue 7mm Knee Sleeves | Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0 | Rocktape Assassin 7mm Knee Sleeves |
Material | SBR & Neoprene | SBR & Neoprene | Nylon, Rubber, Spandex | SBR & Neoprene |
Price |
Best Knee Sleeves For Weightlifting
Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeves
Rehband has been my number one choice knee sleeves for the past 6 years. I started with the 5mm version for the first 3 years but after some knee problems, I upgraded to the 7mm knee sleeves.
I can say for certain; these are the highest quality knee sleeves you will find on the market. They have not shown any wear or tear throughout my 9 session training weeks and International competitions.
They are very comfortable and fit true to size. The 7mm Rehband knee sleeves are awesome for those who have underlying knee issues and need something with a little more protection than the 5mm. You can find my full Rehband Knee Sleeves review here for a more in-depth take on these sleeves.
They are great for Weightlifting as they allow you to get into positions without restrictions. Rehband Knee Sleeves have the perfect balance between stability, support, and flexibility.
The only thing that may put someone off buying the Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeves is the price. They are sold as singles and not in a pair which doesn’t make much sense as I doubt there are many people just buying one sleeve.
This means a pair will cost between $80-100. However, you are paying for quality. Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeves are the most durable pair I’ve owned and trained in. That goes for both the 5mm and 7mm.
Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeves come in a range of colors and designs so you can stand out from the crowd if you want.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Look no further than the Rehband 7mm Knee Sleeves for your Weightlifting needs. With the flexibility requirements for Weightlifting as well as un-paralleled support, you can these once and never have to replace them.
Runner Up Best Knee Sleeves For Weightlifting
Rogue 7mm Knee Sleeves
In my opinion, the Rogue 7mm Knee Sleeves are your next best option. They are made from the same material (however, the percentage of each material in the blend isn’t stated) and designed pretty well in the exact same way as the Rehband knee sleeves.
Rogue Knee Sleeves have similar designs and colors to Rehband and are essentially a carbon copy. They are also $20-40 cheaper than the Rehband Knee Sleeves making them a more affordable option.
However, these knee sleeves may not last as long as there have been reports of the knee sleeves getting messed up easily when the bar comes in contact with them.
In saying that, these will still last you many years. Just maybe not as long as the Rehband Knee Sleeves which would be considered the gold standard.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
If you're not up for spending close to $100 on your first knee sleeve purchase, I understand. These Rogue 7mm Knee Sleeves are a great alternative if you wanted a cheaper option with many of the same benefits.
Best Knee Sleeves For Warmth When Weightlifting
Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0
These are my husband James’ favorite knee sleeves. He doesn’t like to lift and squat so much in his 7mm knee sleeves anymore and prefers the thinner, lighter sleeve that keeps the knee warm.
The advantage of these is how comfortable they are. Because they are not tight like a neoprene knee sleeve, they don’t cause any discomfort where the seams sit. Further, because they are so light and made out of nylon, rubber, and spandex, they are very flexible and don’t restrict any movement when lifting.
It’s important to note that Hookgrip Knee Sleeves 2.0 don’t provide the same stability and support as a thicker neoprene knee sleeve does. This means that if you have knee issues or require a knee sleeve to provide that stability, then you’ll need to look at other brands.
However, for the sole purpose of keeping the knees warm and applying some light compression, these are your go-to knee sleeves. You can see James' full Hookgrip Knee Sleeves review here for a more in-depth breakdown.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
For the purpose of light compression and knee warmth, these are your best choice. The light compression does provide some stability and support which is great for Weightlifting. Just not to the same extent as a neoprene knee sleeve. I'd definitely recommend these over a 3mm neoprene knee sleeve.
Best Knee Sleeves On A Budget
Rocktape Assassins 7mm Knee Sleeves
My previous knee sleeves to my Rehbands were Rocktape knee sleeves. They fit exactly like the Rehband knee sleeves and provide the same level of support. Hence the best budget knee sleeves for Weightlifting.
However, being cheaper, there is a trade-off in quality. Mine started falling apart with the stitching coming loose at close to the two-year mark. There have also been reports of Rocktape Knee Sleeves starting to fall apart in as little as 4 months so it can be a gamble when buying these.
Considering my Rehbands have been used longer than this and are still in perfect condition, I would advise spending the extra money upgrading than purchasing Rocktape Knee Sleeves.
However, I understand those on a tight budget may want to buy something that can get them through training now and save in the future for another pair.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
If you don't mind replacing these in the near future, or you don't train often enough to justify dropping $100 on knee sleeves, these are a great option. I've personally found they fit like a glove and offer the same protection as a Rehband knee sleeve. So for the price, you're getting a great deal. If you are training more often and competing regularly, I would advise going for the Rehbands purely for quality reasons.