best knee braces for your money?

Craig_Lambrecht 2/14/2011 9:34am
2/14/2011 9:34am
seth505 wrote:
anyone try the new 661 braces??
that's what I was just about to ask.
firemx82
Profile picture for user firemx82
Posts
1
Joined
4/16/2010
Location
Schenectady, NY US
firemx82 5/18/2011 10:47am
5/18/2011 10:47am
joshy83 wrote:
i got asterisk...comfy, reliable but abit bulky.
sxf138 wrote:
Astrisk here too. Basically i found that they are the most adjustable and durable. Back in march i broke my femur, and basically the knee brace...
Astrisk here too. Basically i found that they are the most adjustable and durable. Back in march i broke my femur, and basically the knee brace snapped my femur, but long story short they did what they were supposed to and saved me from blowing my knee to pieces.
The force required to break your femur is great. Knee brace or not you probably would've broken it. Bad crash.

Recent scientific study supports prophylactic knee bracing.

http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/02/03/0363546510394431.abstra…

I've been lucky to avoid injury, but bought neck brace and now looking for braces.
mxb2
Profile picture for user mxb2
Posts
22437
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Bowie, MD US
mxb2 5/18/2011 10:55am
5/18/2011 10:55am
joshy83 wrote:
i got asterisk...comfy, reliable but abit bulky.
sxf138 wrote:
Astrisk here too. Basically i found that they are the most adjustable and durable. Back in march i broke my femur, and basically the knee brace...
Astrisk here too. Basically i found that they are the most adjustable and durable. Back in march i broke my femur, and basically the knee brace snapped my femur, but long story short they did what they were supposed to and saved me from blowing my knee to pieces.
firemx82 wrote:
The force required to break your femur is great. Knee brace or not you probably would've broken it. Bad crash. Recent scientific study supports prophylactic knee...
The force required to break your femur is great. Knee brace or not you probably would've broken it. Bad crash.

Recent scientific study supports prophylactic knee bracing.

http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/02/03/0363546510394431.abstra…

I've been lucky to avoid injury, but bought neck brace and now looking for braces.
I have some new asteriks in the box , never worn! size xl, i have big calves! If your interesetd.
peelout
Profile picture for user peelout
Posts
18342
Joined
1/6/2011
Location
Ogden, UT US
peelout 5/18/2011 11:01am
5/18/2011 11:01am
I have the asterisks, they work great for motocross but if f**king hate them if i am trail riding or doing a desert race.

they slip down a 1/4 inch and i can hardly bend my leg.

i have chicken legs though

The Shop

See All »
queen of spodes 5/18/2011 11:09am
5/18/2011 11:09am
Racer92 wrote:
Asterisk here. (Thanks Sam)

Once you get on the bike you do not notice you have them on. I dont feel they are bulky at all.
x2
Nambud76
Profile picture for user Nambud76
Posts
10
Joined
8/4/2011
Location
Saint Charles, MO US
Nambud76 8/4/2011 8:15am
8/4/2011 8:15am Edited Date/Time 8/4/2011 8:16am
Well, I wrecked on May 1st of this year in the District 17 Blackjack Enduro Circuit wearing knee pads, no braces (my pic is in the pits for that race--prior to wreck, obviously). Lost it on a sweeping turn and hit a tree at about 35mph. My foot was caught under handlebars as I went over them (POP!).

I tore my ACL in half, MCL in half, damaged my PLC corner, tore my meniscus (which is partially removed now), and had bone contusions on femur and tibia. Not a break, but everyone I have talked to in the medical field said I would have been better off wearing a brace and dealing with the break (if it occurred) from both a recovery and long term health stand point. Risk of death, sure, but you do that when you get on your bike and ride anyway. A break heals faster than severe knee damage. My recovery will be a full 9 months to get back to riding condition. A break is RARELY half of that time. If you want to know what it is like to sit out an entire year (not just season), don't wear braces. Eventually, you will find out.

Peace
Kartwheel84c 8/4/2011 8:50am
8/4/2011 8:50am
I use TLD Catalyst X braces, they are a medical grade knee brace made of aluminum. I love them and they are they are $100-$200 cheaper than other "premium" off the shelf braces.

Mxracer24
Profile picture for user Mxracer24
Posts
144
Joined
4/28/2009
Location
Wisconsin Rapids, WI US
Mxracer24 8/4/2011 9:11am
8/4/2011 9:11am
seth505 wrote:
anyone try the new 661 braces??
Craig_Lambrecht wrote:
that's what I was just about to ask.
i have, they were shit. the straps were half way ripped. 4 races into the season. Do not buy them
njracer46
Profile picture for user njracer46
Posts
713
Joined
3/20/2011
Location
NJ US
njracer46 8/4/2011 9:33am
8/4/2011 9:33am
You'd be stupid to buy 661 anything. My friend use to get discounts from them so I ordered a bunch of stuff. All of it garbage. Everything fell apart or broke. I would never, ever, everrr trust them with something like my knees.. I own a single asterisk now and I do not like it, I gotta go try a bunch on for next year. I tried the web awhile back and the med. Was to big and the small was, well to small. I'd like to try the pods out but Idk what local shop carries them.. but the best for the money.. I'd say my custom cti for a 40$ co pay Smile I love it. I know everyone can't get it through insurance. The guy told me mine cost over 2 grand if I were to buy it which I don't think I'd ever spend. Don't just order something off the web. Try before you buy. Because if it doesn't fit properly it can actually do more harm then good
Madmax31
Profile picture for user Madmax31
Posts
2134
Joined
1/7/2009
Location
Cincinnati, OH US
Fantasy
205th
Madmax31 8/4/2011 9:40am
8/4/2011 9:40am Edited Date/Time 8/4/2011 9:45am
joshy83 wrote:
i got asterisk...comfy, reliable but abit bulky.
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as bad as it gets and the right is slightly better. However I've never gotten surgery and do ok.

I used Askerisks for about 6-7 years with very good luck. They are very snug and offer good protection. I finally wore them out and was basically talked into get the Pods. I really was hesitant as they feel lite and flimsy when comparked to the Asterisks. I've used them about 5 times now and can report they have done a good job. They feel like I'm wearing nothing conpared to the Asterisks.

For the record when walking around in the pits the Asterisks are bulky and noticably somewhat uncomfortable but once on the track you really get used to it and don't even notice it.

I still worry about the protection part but so far they've been great so maybe they are more protective than they appear. I highly reccomend the Pods.
Madmax31
Profile picture for user Madmax31
Posts
2134
Joined
1/7/2009
Location
Cincinnati, OH US
Fantasy
205th
Madmax31 8/4/2011 9:42am
8/4/2011 9:42am
njracer46 wrote:
You'd be stupid to buy 661 anything. My friend use to get discounts from them so I ordered a bunch of stuff. All of it garbage...
You'd be stupid to buy 661 anything. My friend use to get discounts from them so I ordered a bunch of stuff. All of it garbage. Everything fell apart or broke. I would never, ever, everrr trust them with something like my knees.. I own a single asterisk now and I do not like it, I gotta go try a bunch on for next year. I tried the web awhile back and the med. Was to big and the small was, well to small. I'd like to try the pods out but Idk what local shop carries them.. but the best for the money.. I'd say my custom cti for a 40$ co pay Smile I love it. I know everyone can't get it through insurance. The guy told me mine cost over 2 grand if I were to buy it which I don't think I'd ever spend. Don't just order something off the web. Try before you buy. Because if it doesn't fit properly it can actually do more harm then good
I've had a 661 helmet and 2 pair of shoulder pads and thought they were/are great.
yzmatt
Profile picture for user yzmatt
Posts
379
Joined
7/28/2009
Location
TX US
yzmatt 8/4/2011 9:42am
8/4/2011 9:42am
I paid $25 each for my CTI's. There was a little known 'medical support device' clause with my insurance at the time. Not sure if that's something that's still out there or not..... It's worth a call.....
njracer46
Profile picture for user njracer46
Posts
713
Joined
3/20/2011
Location
NJ US
njracer46 8/4/2011 9:46am
8/4/2011 9:46am
Madmax31 wrote:
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as...
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as bad as it gets and the right is slightly better. However I've never gotten surgery and do ok.

I used Askerisks for about 6-7 years with very good luck. They are very snug and offer good protection. I finally wore them out and was basically talked into get the Pods. I really was hesitant as they feel lite and flimsy when comparked to the Asterisks. I've used them about 5 times now and can report they have done a good job. They feel like I'm wearing nothing conpared to the Asterisks.

For the record when walking around in the pits the Asterisks are bulky and noticably somewhat uncomfortable but once on the track you really get used to it and don't even notice it.

I still worry about the protection part but so far they've been great so maybe they are more protective than they appear. I highly reccomend the Pods.
Flimsy compared to asterisks?? My asterisk feels like I could snap it in half with my hands.
FlickitFlat 8/4/2011 9:46am
8/4/2011 9:46am
TheWeapon wrote:
I have a custom CTi on my right leg (thanks to health insurance) and the asterisk on my left. No comparison. If you have the cash...
I have a custom CTi on my right leg (thanks to health insurance) and the asterisk on my left. No comparison. If you have the cash or the insurance, go the full custom CTi
X2
njracer46
Profile picture for user njracer46
Posts
713
Joined
3/20/2011
Location
NJ US
njracer46 8/4/2011 9:52am
8/4/2011 9:52am
Madmax31 wrote:
I've had a 661 helmet and 2 pair of shoulder pads and thought they were/are great.
Helmet, knee guards, chest protector, and boots. All of it very cheaply made, didn't make a full season on any of it. Maby I just ride more but still should make it through one season. Never took a digger to the head and the helmet had cracks in it. The mouth piece was cracked on both sides. I've had friends with the same results. Just speaking the truth. I would never trust them with my knees
seth505
Profile picture for user seth505
Posts
10170
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA US
seth505 8/4/2011 9:56am
8/4/2011 9:56am
I have had good luck with 661 boots/helmets as well. Just got another pair of boots yesterday and my last ones are from 09. Still looking to get knee braces though
MXATC
Profile picture for user MXATC
Posts
418
Joined
12/4/2007
Location
AR US
MXATC 8/4/2011 11:08am
8/4/2011 11:08am
CTi2's hands down. Asterisks are a great knee brace as well.

www.mxsportsmed.info
FIREfish148
Profile picture for user FIREfish148
Posts
5477
Joined
1/20/2009
Location
Kirkland, WA US
FIREfish148 8/4/2011 11:25am
8/4/2011 11:25am
How do you go about getting knee braces through insurance? I messed up my knee during a race back in about 03 and didn't get surgery on it but i have medical records from getting the liquid drained I'm pretty sure. Also went to get it check out to see why it hurt so bad.
It isn't all that bad now a days but it is without a doubt weaker than my right knee and aches like a bitch sometimes after I ride. You think theres any way i can get my insurance to cover braces? How should I go about it?

Pit Row

See All »
MXATC
Profile picture for user MXATC
Posts
418
Joined
12/4/2007
Location
AR US
MXATC 8/4/2011 11:38am
8/4/2011 11:38am
You will need to get a prescription from your Ortho doc in order to see how much insurance will pay for them. Your doc will send you to a O&P shop (Orthotic and Prosthetic business) to be fitted for customs or Off the Shelf braces.

www.mxsportsmed.info
DrSweden
Profile picture for user DrSweden
Posts
6761
Joined
8/30/2008
Location
Stockholm SE
DrSweden 8/4/2011 11:50am
8/4/2011 11:50am
Madmax31 wrote:
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as...
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as bad as it gets and the right is slightly better. However I've never gotten surgery and do ok.

I used Askerisks for about 6-7 years with very good luck. They are very snug and offer good protection. I finally wore them out and was basically talked into get the Pods. I really was hesitant as they feel lite and flimsy when comparked to the Asterisks. I've used them about 5 times now and can report they have done a good job. They feel like I'm wearing nothing conpared to the Asterisks.

For the record when walking around in the pits the Asterisks are bulky and noticably somewhat uncomfortable but once on the track you really get used to it and don't even notice it.

I still worry about the protection part but so far they've been great so maybe they are more protective than they appear. I highly reccomend the Pods.
I was looking for Pods but went for the Cells because of the price (found barely used Cells for $350). I know the Cells are a bit bulky, but there could be a reason for that? I talked to a guy who sells the Pods and wears them and he said people really need to check them out more because there's stuff in the Pod that needs attention (more often to the Cells I think) as in the nylon "strings" (?) that protects from hyper extension expands after short time of use so the pod might loose than certain protection. You can test this by just trying to hyper extend the brace with your hands and if it clicks over the looking position it needs new "strings".

I have heard other rumors that the Asterisk Cell are superior as in strength to the Pod, but those rumors are just rumors that happens to sound good for a person using Cells! Smile

Asterisk have fantastic support, one bracket broke a while ago, and they send me a new one plus some spares for free!

Next time I will go for the Cells again I think, and now when the have diff colors as well I might go all crazy and buy yellow or something! Smile

But I loved to give the Pods a try at some point as well... Damn....
Huckster
Profile picture for user Huckster
Posts
2585
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Woodstock , NY US
Huckster 8/4/2011 11:58am
8/4/2011 11:58am
I had asterisk and sold them. they were ok until I blew out my acl and got a CTI through insurance. NO comparison. I bought a EVS Web for my healthy knee and did not like it. I still have it if anyone is interested. Its a large Web for the left knee. $120 and its yours. I am going to try the Pod.

You guys should check out Dr, Mark Sanders over at Thumper talk and what he has to say about Brace vs no brace. He did a study on braces and the effect on prevention of injury and came up with some interesting findings.
Kryan5
Profile picture for user Kryan5
Posts
792
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Etters, PA US
Kryan5 8/4/2011 1:02pm
8/4/2011 1:02pm
Huckster wrote:
I had asterisk and sold them. they were ok until I blew out my acl and got a CTI through insurance. NO comparison. I bought a...
I had asterisk and sold them. they were ok until I blew out my acl and got a CTI through insurance. NO comparison. I bought a EVS Web for my healthy knee and did not like it. I still have it if anyone is interested. Its a large Web for the left knee. $120 and its yours. I am going to try the Pod.

You guys should check out Dr, Mark Sanders over at Thumper talk and what he has to say about Brace vs no brace. He did a study on braces and the effect on prevention of injury and came up with some interesting findings.
Can i get a link to that?
Huckster
Profile picture for user Huckster
Posts
2585
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Woodstock , NY US
Huckster 8/4/2011 1:18pm
8/4/2011 1:18pm
thumpertalk.com search Dr. Sanders or go the the Health and Fitness section
yzmatt
Profile picture for user yzmatt
Posts
379
Joined
7/28/2009
Location
TX US
yzmatt 8/4/2011 1:49pm
8/4/2011 1:49pm
FIREfish148 wrote:
How do you go about getting knee braces through insurance? I messed up my knee during a race back in about 03 and didn't get surgery...
How do you go about getting knee braces through insurance? I messed up my knee during a race back in about 03 and didn't get surgery on it but i have medical records from getting the liquid drained I'm pretty sure. Also went to get it check out to see why it hurt so bad.
It isn't all that bad now a days but it is without a doubt weaker than my right knee and aches like a bitch sometimes after I ride. You think theres any way i can get my insurance to cover braces? How should I go about it?
I just went to my family doctor and told him that I needed a perscription since my insurance would cover them. I guess it's cheaper for the insurance company to buy knee braces rather than pay to rebuild knees......

I would start by contacting your insurance company and finding out how much, if anything, they will cover. I was VERY lucky and basically paid what amounted to a 'copay' for each brace. $50 bucks for 2 CTI2's out the door.......
Big
Profile picture for user Big
Posts
1006
Joined
10/18/2010
Location
SE
Big 8/4/2011 4:20pm
8/4/2011 4:20pm
joshy83 wrote:
i got asterisk...comfy, reliable but abit bulky.
Madmax31 wrote:
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as...
I am an expert in this field! I've been riding for about 25 years and have two seriously screwed up ACL/MCL's. My left one is as bad as it gets and the right is slightly better. However I've never gotten surgery and do ok.

I used Askerisks for about 6-7 years with very good luck. They are very snug and offer good protection. I finally wore them out and was basically talked into get the Pods. I really was hesitant as they feel lite and flimsy when comparked to the Asterisks. I've used them about 5 times now and can report they have done a good job. They feel like I'm wearing nothing conpared to the Asterisks.

For the record when walking around in the pits the Asterisks are bulky and noticably somewhat uncomfortable but once on the track you really get used to it and don't even notice it.

I still worry about the protection part but so far they've been great so maybe they are more protective than they appear. I highly reccomend the Pods.
You are on really deep water right now. The pods gives up when you really need them. they will break if you fall or use them more than 40 hours probably.Be sure to take them apart after a few hours and you will find out that the "ligament" start to crack.
They are a product of good advertice. I recommend you to change to anything else what so ever. Friend of mine is out for full season after having pods as favorites due to nice feeling. They snapped laying under bike AFTER slow sliding to ground due to rain. It's not his first choice anymore. He bought 2 sets of evs and waiting for special donjoy right now. preparing for next season. Also gonna get cti and then test and see who got the best feeling. Pod is like a mousetrap....scary shit. You owner used them for a while. Bend them firm and they will crack. You don't want that when your knee is inside it........
-eagle-
Profile picture for user -eagle-
Posts
1610
Joined
5/9/2008
Location
ZW
-eagle- 8/5/2011 9:00am
8/5/2011 9:00am
Anyone know a contact to get cti's refurbished?
RACEGUY
Profile picture for user RACEGUY
Posts
1893
Joined
8/25/2009
Location
Moncton CA
RACEGUY 8/5/2011 9:38am
8/5/2011 9:38am
-eagle- wrote:
Anyone know a contact to get cti's refurbished?
Not in your neck of the woods, but I'm sure she'd be happy to tell you how to go about it. Send her an e-mail.

http://bracingsolutions.ca/
moto543
Profile picture for user moto543
Posts
124
Joined
7/7/2011
Location
IA US
moto543 8/5/2011 9:40am
8/5/2011 9:40am
Nambud76 wrote:
Well, I wrecked on May 1st of this year in the District 17 Blackjack Enduro Circuit wearing knee pads, no braces (my pic is in the...
Well, I wrecked on May 1st of this year in the District 17 Blackjack Enduro Circuit wearing knee pads, no braces (my pic is in the pits for that race--prior to wreck, obviously). Lost it on a sweeping turn and hit a tree at about 35mph. My foot was caught under handlebars as I went over them (POP!).

I tore my ACL in half, MCL in half, damaged my PLC corner, tore my meniscus (which is partially removed now), and had bone contusions on femur and tibia. Not a break, but everyone I have talked to in the medical field said I would have been better off wearing a brace and dealing with the break (if it occurred) from both a recovery and long term health stand point. Risk of death, sure, but you do that when you get on your bike and ride anyway. A break heals faster than severe knee damage. My recovery will be a full 9 months to get back to riding condition. A break is RARELY half of that time. If you want to know what it is like to sit out an entire year (not just season), don't wear braces. Eventually, you will find out.

Peace
I had a similar situation. Cased a double and tore my ACL in half, tore my medial meniscus and had a contusion on my tibial platue. I too, was wearing only knee pads. That was in April. I was cleared by my doctor at the end of November. I missed the entire season!

So now I have two knees with after market ACL's and on missing half of a meniscus. I think I would rather break a femur than go through another knee surgery! Whether you wear an Asterisk, pod, CTi, etc. risking a broken leg is be better than a knee surgery. My doctor and physical therapists agreed with that.

I ended up getting a set of CTi2's which are amazing! Contact them and they can help with your insurance. www.ossur.com/cti
Maxwell_Bertolero 8/5/2011 10:43am
8/5/2011 10:43am
In general, bones heal back stronger than they were before. Meniscus never grows back, and a ligament will never be "100 percent" after you tear it. I would rather a non-displaced femur break than a torn ACL and meniscus. This is all assuming that the knee brace would prevent the tears at the cost of the femur. That's a big assumption.
bearded clam
Profile picture for user bearded clam
Posts
225
Joined
12/16/2010
Location
Phelan, CA US
bearded clam 8/5/2011 12:34pm
8/5/2011 12:34pm
Maxwell_Bertolero wrote:
In general, bones heal back stronger than they were before. Meniscus never grows back, and a ligament will never be "100 percent" after you tear it...
In general, bones heal back stronger than they were before. Meniscus never grows back, and a ligament will never be "100 percent" after you tear it. I would rather a non-displaced femur break than a torn ACL and meniscus. This is all assuming that the knee brace would prevent the tears at the cost of the femur. That's a big assumption.
My buddy couldnt get a boner for a year after getting a rod in his femur.
That would sure be kinda of a super huge bummer!

Post a reply to: best knee braces for your money?