The BEST & WORST knee braces

The worst ones are the big bulky ones that you would call “braces”. You know the ones that cost a shitload and then you end up tearing/breaking your knee whether you were wearing it or not….the best ones are what most people call “pads”. They usually cost about $100. I go with the classic Thor knee cups like Webb or the Evs TP199s

You’ll get a million answers here from my brand is the best to don’t wear any at all. Research them on the companies site, buy whichever one seems best to you, but make sure you can return them if the fit or brace isn’t comfortable. It doesn’t matter how good it is if sits in your gear bag. I’ve had a few different ones, and returned a set or two because they pinched my skin or hurt like hell to wear. Currently just started wearing the new asterisk carbon cell and really like them but I need to get the tether system hooked up this week to get the maximum benefit. However you could buy them and hate them so it doesn’t really matter ha. Good luck 👍🏻 

The best ones are custom made for you. Don't try fitting a brace yourself unless you are an orthopedist. "Feels comfortable" is not equal to "safe". Don't listen to the anti-bracers. That's how I ruined my left knee. Wore braces and had zero issues. Stopped wearing braces and that accident was just waiting for me. Your body is not designed to take the weight of a dirt bike at speed. So it's just dumb to assume no braces are better than good custom made braces. It's motocross, you cannot rule out a freak accident even with a perfect technique of Ken Roczen. 

Your best bet would be getting custom braces like the cti. If you had surgery odds are you could get it covered by insurance. If not, cti makes an off the shelf brace that is really good. 

Funny I recognize your name from a YouTube video from unadilla I watched with my dad yesterday. I haven't ridden the am track since a parts unlimited ride back in 01

I'm not a knee brace hater but I'm also not convinced they work that well. I don't see any data that would suggest knee injuries have declined since the introduction of the knee brace. I have also yet to see any brace that truly prevents the leg from twisting. As an engineer, I just don't see the mechanics in any brace that would prevent this. 

That said, I do wear mobius knee braces. I tried running knee pads (TP199) and actually found them less comfortable during the course of the day than my mobius knee braces. I can't say if my mobius knee braces have ever prevented a ligament injury, but I can say that they have protected my knee/leg extremely well in a couple of cases where I went down and my knee was caught between the bike and hard packed dirt. So for these reasons, I see no reason not to wear them.

For what it's worth i love my CTI2's...I've had them for years, I just replaced the straps, cups and liners, and gave them a quick rattle can paint job and they're back to like new

After I tore my ACL I tried braces and I just couldn't ride with them I'm tall though 6'3". I think if I was shorter they would be way more comfortable since your legs aren't nearly at such a bent angle. Also not really convinced they do a whole lot, that being said If I could score an awesome set of custom fit ones that were comfortable id wear them.

You have a bunch of meat on your leg before you get to the knee joint then most guys wear a sleeve under their braces so you are trying to brace against that soft flesh and probably a bit of movement from the knee sleeve and skin. Kind of like the MIPS in helmets that are tested on plastic heads that don't have skin/hair. If you slide your skin around on your skull with your hand it moves about the same way MIPS does. 

I am always amazed at the people who refuse to use the anti rotation tethers. I was told not to when I first got my * years ago. They were the older ones with the "corset" type back. Anyway, rode practice, tweaked the same mcl, went home installed the tethers and refuse to wear one without it. Only reason i have never tried another brand like Pod

You can purchase the objectivly best and most advanced braces in the world but they will suck if they are the wrong size or just wont fit properly.

That is why i think this is a pretty difficult topic.

Actually just got them all hooked up tonight. Super easy to do. I think guys just don’t want to take the time to do it honestly. 

I had custom DonJoy's after my full knee reco. They are extremely protective, just not great for moto. Very bulky, so much so the modern extra tight moto pants don't even fit over them. I switched to Mobius braces, and while they aren't near as protective they work better for moto.

I don't like any knee braces, but I refuse to ride without them now. I have tried CTi's and they are a decent balance of protection similar to DonJoy's while being a bit less bulky like the Mobius.

You need to try a bunch on and its best to try then on and ride the bike.  I bought a set of one brand (can't remember which one) and they made my legs feel really spread out and I had trouble gripping the bike.  I just couldn't get used to it.  I eventually ended up with Leatt C Frames, and really like them because I can grip the bike with them and they don't feel wide.  That said, there are a ton of choices.  I would try on what you could and wear them on the bike before buying.  Just my $0.02.

I’m not sure if this is any sort of indication that they work well, but I’ve had two friends crash in pods with both resulting in the main frame of one brace snapping. Nothing torn. 
 

I also dabbed my foot so hard that when I took my boot off 2 minutes later, my big toe nail was solid purple. My knee swelled up and I was on crutches for a week or so, but went back to normal shortly after. I was also wearing pods. 
 

I have no idea if the braces are better or worse than anything else 

I am of the opinion that knee braces may protect your knees during some circumstances, not all, even the most expensive braces don't work 100%.

I also believe knee braces contribute to spiral fractures of Tib / Fib, as well as hip dislocations.

"Somethings got to give".

Huge fan of the don joy style knee braces. I have a blown acl and mcl in my right knee. The difference between wearing and not wearing one is night and day. When you have good knees, you will think knee brace don't work, when you have bad knees you will KNOW they work. That said i have a set of pods that im unhappy with. I went back to the Don Joy style brace.

After 3 knee surgeries I've had the 'opportunity' to try them all.

Mobius is where I've landed for a very long time now.

Less complexity and full coverage protection.

I wear a set of Bodyglove neoprene braces with a metal rail on either side of the knee. I also wear a tall mid thigh Alpinestar riding socks. Also a pair of EVS hard plastic knee/shin guards. I've raced and played competitive soccer and baseball my whole life. I'm in my early 40s now and literally have never woke up with a single physical pain in my life. 

I’ve really liked my Mobius braces overall! 

I'm Mobius and strapping tape, the combo works well for me.

I have custom fitted Don Joy and while they are bulky, I got used to them very quickly. I have the MX cups, too. Very solid protection. My thinking: if they're good enough to protect NFL lineman knees, then good enough for my needs. I'm also a believer that strength training, mobility, flexibility can help prevent injury. No silver bullets and no guarantees, but overall risk reduction.

Experiences will varie, here is mine 60yr old slow guy, no acl right knee, not a candidate for acl replacement dur to advanced arthritis.  I was wearing pads for a long time, but tired of sitting for months after tweaking my knee while riding. Got custom CTIs, definitely reduced my knee pain after riding, a hard case here and there with no ill effects, before i would be on the couch for a while. Worth it for me. Good luck!

I find whoever my insurance covers, is the best. All custom fit, carbon type braces. Last long time (10+ years). Insurance will replace every three years. One knee covered, other cti. So far all good. 57+.

Do u feel like the tether will work for the twisting from foot hitting ruts etc - i got size 14 flippers so knee gets torqued. I'm curious if u notice anything with tether hooked up vs not ??

The Mobius braces are very comfortable - no rub points. And very hot/sweaty. And offer very little protection due to how flexy they are (grab the hinges and flex them in/out and see how easily they move! )  Probably better than a "knee pad" , but not much IMHO. Mobius wrist braces are excellent tho!

It’s not super noticeable just wearing them or riding at all. However I haven’t had that moment riding yet where I’ve had to test the tether system. 

I wear size 12, yes my foot has been yanked off the peg many times in several directions. Wearing the straps tight and the tether tight, it has always resulted in my whole leg rotating at the hip. Ergo, i do recommend some hip flexibility exercises!! But even a pulled groin muscle is better than a mangled knee 

The brace needs to protect at the extremes where the injuries will occur, I believe having flexibility in the design is a good thing overall. I have worn traditional braces in the past and I prefer the fit feel of the mobius over the ones i have tried in the past. That being said I would like to try the asterisk carbon 2.0 as my current braces are almost 5 years old. 

For what it’s worth, I’ve been wearing the asterisk Carbon braces since they came out. I have worn about every knee brace brand at one time or another…

The Asterisk Carbon braces are the most comfortable braces I’ve worn. I’ve never injured my knees and I ride every weekend for the last 20+ years. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I’ll continue to wear them as long as I’m riding. I’m 57 now, I’m hoping I’ve got another 15+ years to go. 

Best. TP199.