Knee braces...what's your top pick?

Bennett59
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Bennett59 12/6/2020 9:52pm
12/6/2020 9:52pm
tk2stroke wrote:
Let's create some ruckus with the CTI crowd. CTI custom braces are awful and from my experience no one should wear them. For context, in the...
Let's create some ruckus with the CTI crowd. CTI custom braces are awful and from my experience no one should wear them. For context, in the past handful of years I've extensively worn the original POD K100, POD K4's, Mobius X8, and two pairs of custom CTI braces.

I am convinced most people who ride with custom or off the shelf CTI braces have not used the top off-the-shelf knee braces. Not only are they far less comfortable than the K4s or Mobius X8's, in my opinion they are dangerous. The upper most portion of the brace is made of a very rigid carbon fiber with a relatively sharp edge that sits above the middle of the femur. There is no padding and this edge digs into the leg and I suspect it is more likely to lead to breaking your femur. I have no science to back this suspicion up, other than knowing how they feel when riding and seeing seeing several high profile CTI riders (Malcom Stewart comes first to mind) who have broken their femur riding with CTI's. Additionally, I find their optional knee cap cups to be a poor solution compared to what other pure MX braces provide. The whole "custom" brace thing is also a gimmick. CTI simply manually measures your leg circumference and builds a semi-customer brace. For $1200 I would expect a more comprehensive molding fitting process and true custom brace. Get CTI braces at your own risk, flame on!

In my experience, I thought the POD K4's were excellent in design, fitment, and general protection. However, after rupturing my ACL last year I was looking for something possibly with better protection. The Mobius X8's were the answer. The X8 have a unique cable routing system and a back plate that supports the tendon and ligaments of the knee itself compared the the typical 4 strap system used around the upper and lower portion of the legs by all other braces. The Mobius actually braces the knew area directly and you can feel how it supports the knee as soon as you tighten the back plate using the cable system.

As much as I loved the K4's, the X8's from my perspective are superior in protection and every bit as comfortable.
I’m not a fan of the CTI’s as well, I have a difference experience then you lol. I had EVS but they always like to move around went to the Mobius brace. I will say super comfortable the strap setup definitely holds it in place depending on gear you can get binding in the cup where the stops go, had them for a year went dow in a corner with them and completely tore my ACL partial MCL and chipped some bone on my femur. I went to the Pods K8 now first ride I was little hesitant (knees still messed up) dabbed my leg and felt it, went back and really fine tuned to a good nice snug fit and know I love them. I have dabbed my leg hit some pretty good hard landings and I’m able to take the abuse. There all great braces I have had the original Astrik, cti, 2 different versions of the EVS Web braces, mobius, and now the Pods out of all them Mobius and pods stay put the best nothing drives you more crazy then braces you have to keep adjusting cause they keep sliding down.
cwel11
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cwel11 12/7/2020 2:51am
12/7/2020 2:51am
I wear A-stars. Comfortable and light. Tried mobius. Wanted to like them. Boa system cool, but they cut into the back of my legs and pinched. Had to send em back.
kb
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kb 12/10/2020 3:04pm
12/10/2020 3:04pm
Asterisk carbon cell ones- Incredibly light, incredibly comfortable.
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germansxguy 12/10/2020 3:25pm
12/10/2020 3:25pm
Ortema. The best! Mookie, Musquin and pretty much the whole MXGP riders using them.
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50dippin
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50dippin 12/17/2020 3:00pm
12/17/2020 3:00pm
You really need to try them all on and see for yourself. I have wide knees so I need xl-xxl in most braces, but have to use medium straps since my legs aren't fat. The only brace that I could actually fit the hinge at the same depth as my knee was the pod k4. All the other braces I tried the hinge was basically too far forward on my knee so they were just expensive knee guards.
skypig
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skypig 12/19/2020 3:34pm
12/19/2020 3:34pm
Very interesting. Especially from people with personal experience of several brands.

After 2 sets of Custom CTI (Assuming they were the best fit) I think I’m going to try out Mobius, and maybe Carbon Pods if I can find some locally to try on.
Markee
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Markee 12/19/2020 4:09pm
12/19/2020 4:09pm
Mobius
zeromarine
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zeromarine 12/19/2020 6:34pm
12/19/2020 6:34pm
Mobius
Deadric
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Deadric 12/19/2020 7:37pm
12/19/2020 7:37pm
I picked up the POD K8 2.0's this year and they're amazing. Took a day to get used to them but after that I forget I'm even wearing them anymore.
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RMT
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RMT 12/19/2020 9:52pm
12/19/2020 9:52pm
Mobius
SBO
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SBO 12/20/2020 7:40am
12/20/2020 7:40am
DM me for 10% off Mobius!
mxbrian15
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mxbrian15 12/20/2020 11:36am
12/20/2020 11:36am
Going custom = DonJoy Defiance III
Off the shelf = POD K8s
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hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/20/2020 11:43am
12/20/2020 11:43am
mxbrian15 wrote:
Going custom = DonJoy Defiance III
Off the shelf = POD K8s
Exactly this.
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cjmx
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cjmx 12/20/2020 1:19pm
12/20/2020 1:19pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2020 1:21pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
Going custom = DonJoy Defiance III
Off the shelf = POD K8s
hypermoto wrote:
Exactly this.
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the bike. .
hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/20/2020 1:36pm
12/20/2020 1:36pm
mxbrian15 wrote:
Going custom = DonJoy Defiance III
Off the shelf = POD K8s
hypermoto wrote:
Exactly this.
cjmx wrote:
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the...
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the bike. .
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk.

Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any non biased one will say the DonJoy.

But to each their own.
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cjmx
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cjmx 12/20/2020 1:49pm
12/20/2020 1:49pm
hypermoto wrote:
Exactly this.
cjmx wrote:
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the...
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the bike. .
hypermoto wrote:
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk. Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any...
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk.

Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any non biased one will say the DonJoy.

But to each their own.
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both offer great protection. Are you in the field? If not, you sure are generalizing.
hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/20/2020 2:00pm
12/20/2020 2:00pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2020 2:00pm
cjmx wrote:
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the...
I've had both custom fit DonJoys and CTI's. CTI's are a much better fit, maybe because I'm 6'2". Also, they feel a lot better squeezing the bike. .
hypermoto wrote:
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk. Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any...
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk.

Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any non biased one will say the DonJoy.

But to each their own.
cjmx wrote:
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both...
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both offer great protection. Are you in the field? If not, you sure are generalizing.
I just completed my internship am in the process of becoming a biomedical engineer.

So yes, in the field
cjmx
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cjmx 12/20/2020 2:08pm
12/20/2020 2:08pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2020 2:12pm
hypermoto wrote:
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk. Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any...
CTi’s break femurs. One of the only new braces that still pose that risk.

Ask any orthopaedic surgeon or PT what the better brace is, any non biased one will say the DonJoy.

But to each their own.
cjmx wrote:
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both...
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both offer great protection. Are you in the field? If not, you sure are generalizing.
hypermoto wrote:
I just completed my internship am in the process of becoming a biomedical engineer.

So yes, in the field
Congrats, I’m even more suprised by your statements. I’ve heard several orthopedics recommend the CTi’s and my also my PT.

Pit Row

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hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/20/2020 2:39pm
12/20/2020 2:39pm
cjmx wrote:
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both...
I have asked several. They recommend what their practice is committed to. Most aren’t recommending for motocross. The unbiased ones recommend what’s most comfortable. They both offer great protection. Are you in the field? If not, you sure are generalizing.
hypermoto wrote:
I just completed my internship am in the process of becoming a biomedical engineer.

So yes, in the field
cjmx wrote:
Congrats, I’m even more suprised by your statements. I’ve heard several orthopedics recommend the CTi’s and my also my PT.
They are fantastic for contact sports and cutting sports. Braces breaking femurs isn’t really a concern in most sports. In MX it is, and CTi’s design has a history of breaking femurs.
skypig
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skypig 1/10/2021 3:04pm
1/10/2021 3:04pm Edited Date/Time 1/10/2021 3:05pm
Rather than spend A$500 for new pads (comes with new hinges) for my old A$2000 CTi Customs, I paid A$840 for a set of Mobius’s.

Walking around the shop - they are noticeable more comfortable than the Custom pair, and feel less prone to slipping down. I was surprised that “small” were the size that fitted. (With the medium padding. Come with thinner and thicker for tuning fit.)

Weight for the pair is 1410g v 1550g for the old CTi’s. (5 ounces lighter for our imperial friends)

Haven’t had a ride yet.

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