Bionic Drytex Knee Sleeve (Large)

I have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised with how well this brace worked out for me. I originally had a custom made brace after knee surgery several years ago and still have lingering issues. That original brace no longer fits and has deteriorated severely. I purchased two of these braces for support and to protect my other knee from damage due to compensating for the knee that had the surgery. With both braces on, I have been up and down ladders hanging Xmas decorations with little to no issues. I would highly recommend these braces.

If this brace lasted longer I'd have given it five stars. As it is now, I can't recommend this product for anyone looking for a running knee brace. The good: I ordered this brace on June 27th and received it quickly. The fit was good and the support it provided was great. I had my ACL replaced years ago and wanted to get back into running and this gave me the confidence to get back out on the trail. The bad: One Velcro strap on the top of the brace no longer holds while I run. It doesn't hold if tight or loose (defeats the purpose) and it just baffles me that the Velcro would die in just a few months. I run 2 - 4 times a week anywhere from 3.5 - 7 miles a run so nothing extreme. So this brace lasted somewhere around 70 miles before failing costing me more than $1/mile. Conclusion: I just went on a run this morning and no matter what spot I tried to fasten the Velcro tab to it would disconnect withing a couple of steps. I was able to finish the run but the brace is no longer providing the lateral support I need it to. Almost a great product but the longevity of it makes it not worth the cost. If you're looking for a knee brace to run with that will last you more than a few months I'd look somewhere else.

I would rank them in this order for hyperextention support (most important), overall knee stabilization (next consideration) and comfort wearing (least important, and the cost is also not as important): 1) ~ 2) > 3) > 4). Brace 1) and 2) felt pretty similar with a slight to moderate hyperextention support, but McDavid XL was a better fit than Shock Doctor 2) option (XXL), which seemed a bit loose. So maybe brace 2) of lesser than recommended size would have worked better. Brace 3) was the only suitable of this size I found in Big Five local sports store. It was not as good as 1) and 2). Brace didn’t provide any overextension support, contrary to the claim, but it was the most comfortable to wear under pants (as it is thinner), but this is not enough. Other comments. Brace 4) was available for the next day delivery (while 1 and 2 would take 2 days to deliver) with Amazon Prime. Brace 4) was designed by a local company that for some reason has very poor reviews. I also rated this product as the least favorable. Shock Doctor braces (especially 2) feel heavy duty and so has promising potential if correctly fit. McDavid 1) was an overall winner based on functionality comparable to 2) but a better fit (it is also more compact and twice cheaper!) I liked the side pockets on McDavid 1) to pull the brace up the leg. These are also found on Shock Doctor 2) and 3) but smaller and not as convenient. A comment on my experience fitting braces. The results vary a lot depending on specific pants and trousers vs. bare skin. If put on bare skin, skin needs to be dry as the inner surface will otherwise adhere to skin. In conclusion, McDavid Hinged Knee Brace (Level III) and Shock Doctor Knee Brace with Rigid Side Stabilizers (Level III) were comparable and very good to stabilize the impacted knee that is painful to overstretch. Level II Shock Doctor brace was not as good, and DonJoy Performance Bionic Drytex Hinged Knee Sleeve was not suitable for knee overextension control, but a nice choice when you value the brace with minimum support functionality that is can be hidden under pants. Selecting the right size is a huge factor for the level of support and comfort. I eventually picked McDavid Hinged Knee Brace (Level III) as it matched the Shock Doctor functionality but at the same time was more compact and twice cheaper.

My knee is shot and the ortho gave me a Donjoy that makes me sound like Oz's Tinman whenever I take it out in public. So I got this one. The Pros: It has stout side hinges that don't make me sound like a walking junkyard, it's comfortable, it's easy to get on and off and it is easy to get the right tension above and below the knee with the rubberized velcro straps that pull in opposite directions. The Cons: the straps ends are rubberized and they grab onto the inside of whatever long pants you wear (I have reached the age where my legs should not be viewed in public. Or in private, for that matter. Anyway, no matter what I am wearing, the rubberized tips get pulled up and turned so that the velcro stuff gets attached to the inner pants leg. It is remarkably frustrating and the more I've worn it, the worse its getting. Now, if you are a shorts wearer, I don't think it would be much of a problem. Except for, maybe, riding a couch or something where it might rub against something and the tips pull away. If you're exercising and/or wearing shorts going out, I don't think this would be a problem.

Well made but hard to fit everyone either the thigh or the shin was too tight or too loose