Next time I ride will be with knee braces. Hurt my knee again. Comments please.

Personally have tried leatt (pinched) mobius (pinched) alpinestar (comfy but fell apart) and now using asterisk with the tether. I like them and like the tether system. That said, everyone is built different and the fit is always subjective to that fact. Just like a helmet, you’ll have to find what works for your body type and riding style. 

I have been in Pods for 15 years now, You get used to them, sometimes I think the psychological effects are more than the physical effects but, even if they help 10%, I will take it. Both my knees have been reconstructed from torn ACL”s & meniscus damages. My right knee is bone on bone and hurts as I sit here & type this. When my knee”s really hurt, I take time off from riding and rest them from high impact activities. I use my stationary bike often, they feel better with non load bearing workouts. Ice, anti inflammatory meds, Voltairin cream….I”m 56, been riding/racing all my life, only stop for injuries…. Just can’t give it up… 

Go to a physio and get your knees strong, a good base will help a lot. If you can try them on in person, They fit differently on different people and if you get a set that don't fit right, you will not want to wear them. 

All the knee braces are very different and will be unique to the person.  As noted in this thread already, ask 10 people you'll get 10 different answers.  I tried a couple and just couldn't get comfortable with them until I got a set of Leatt C Frames.  I was instantly comfortable with them.  One suggestion and this might sound a little janky, but if you can't try different knee braces on at a local store, you might look at Facebook marketplace or Ebay to pick up some cheap used ones to see how you like them.  If you don't you could likely sell them for what you bought them at, so no money lost.  I tried a couple of different brands and it was kind of a PITA to get a set, try them out, then return them.  

Even some squats (body weight or with weight) and some stretching or foam rolling will help a bunch!

I hurt my right knee end of last September, slight mcl tear. Then this April I tore cartilage off the bone of my left knee and I am finally getting it fixed next week. That being said during both injuries I only had knee pads on. After my April incident I got a set of EVS knee braces. I have rode all year with them and though I for the most part have gotten used to riding with them I still can't stand it. I  feel like I can't grip with my ankles how I'd like to. My feet feel too far out on the pegs. I am gripping more with my knees I'd say as my GasGas was new this year and the graphics are destroyed. It will definitely take time to get used to riding with them. For what it's worth I have dabbed my feet several times since wearing braces and everything has been good thus far. Good luck,  I hope braces help!

Have your wife help you out.  It all starts at the grocery store.  Tell her not to buy junk food and bring it home.  Instead, buy nothing but healthy food and you won't have a choice when you are hungry at home.  Eat healthy and you've won 90% of the battle.  The weight will come off and you can worry less about having a huge workout program to offset a shitty diet.  Find a substitute for beer, like tequila on the rocks.

As for knees, they are all different shapes and sizes.  I think people are lucky if they find a knee brace that's comfortable on them.  I've tried tons of braces and I've reverted back to the Pastrana knee pads. 

Sorry to hear about your Knees; I am just feeling better from meniscus tears in both knees 6 mo's ago.

Physical Therapy 3xs week for 1 month, then gym to strengthen knees  (bands, and PT exercises)....your knees will be much stronger soon.  Good knee braces will help too.  Continue the PT exercises at the gym for the rest of your moto career.

Is he for them or against them?

Try as many on as you can or purchase from a place that has a good return policy.  I ran knee pads or knee cups for many years.  When I switched to knee braces a few years ago I was amazed at how different some of the brands fit.  
 

Carbon cell *Asterisks 

I hv the 1st knee braces they made in 98. They still fit & everything on them works. I did break the rt brace they repaired it for free. I got a small fracture in my femur when the brace broke.  But no knee injury. I wear a pair of mesh knee sleeves. I never notice I hv the braces on.  On loosing weight different type of sit-ups works for me.  I do the sit-ups to ovr come a junk back. Get a good burn going get bored do some stretching then back to sit-ups keep repeating. 2-3 times a week then after 2 1/2 weeks I drop a few pounds.  172-175 to 163 I was 158 a couple days. No dieting actually eating a lot of spaghetti & chicken. 

I've had 2 knee surgeries (Rt knee) and now a full replacement. For years I've worn the cTi2 custom braces and they are very good. 2 years ago I wanted to get some new ones and settled on the Fox POD braces. They are 90% as good as the CTi2's and "off the shelf"  I'm very happy with them. In my opinion if the brace is doing it's job, you won't be able to wiggle the hinges in/out with your hands much - they should feel solid (I'm looking at YOU Mobius !) That said they're not going to be comfortable. But if you're doing practice and race day moto's at the track, it's easy to deal with it. Wear the under sleeves.  Also - the fact the you have a significant amount of pain from just a little dab, indicates you may have a more serious underlying problem. No brace is going to help that - get your knee dealt with first. Good luck!

Asterisks are my favorites, but I don't wear braces anymore. 

Your wife is right, as they usually are. Motocross is a dangerous sport, you have to do your best off the bike to prepare for it.

Best thing about braces next to protecting your knees is the grip you get squeezing the bike.

I have a pair of Pod k4s I am selling. I wore them 3 times. Sold my mx bike to race MTB again. I'll hook you up!

I just recently switched from old k300s to k4s and I do like the fit. Much more low profile, one weird thing is I always had to slightly pull my 300s up, but the 4s are the opposite and I have to pull them down just a tiny bit before each moto 

POD K4 with a DIY tether. The tether is key for my knees not to experience any amount of pain after a ride.

using asterisk with the tether

He was pretty adamantly against them, and neck braces because they restrict proper form
 

Ironically he’s been paralyzed 3 times, although I’m not saying a brace would’ve prevented anything

I have one rebuilt acl, the other knee without and acl, was good for 10 plus years with occasional swelling when i over jumped or cased bad, i would be out about a month before i could ride again. Getting older i finally got cti custom braces, insurance covered 80%, they are not designated as mx specific, but you can order the mx kit, insurance did not pay for that.  Now im looking fwd to knee replacement next month due to arthritis. Assume the braces will be put to good use in the nex 6ish months

Never used them. 

Never rode with knee braces- I really like my EVS 199 knee guards and plan on buying a pair of the new EVS Slayco..

Knee braces won’t prevent an injury..

You could potentially get a set of medical grade CTI knee braces covered by your insurance. Definitely worth an ask to your doctor if you haven’t already. 

https://www.ossur.com/en-us/bracing-and-supports/cti-knee-braces

I tried them when I hurt my knee when I was younger and went back to knee pads. I couldn’t get used to the difference in feeling with bike gripping with your legs. 

I simply strengthened my knee and went back to business as usual. 

20 years later I busted it up again at age 38. I thought about getting braces, but again I just did intense rehab and lost some weight and now my knee is strong as it was and I am back in knee cups. 
 

I say it doesn’t hurt to try them, as plenty of great riders use them, but if you don’t like them, there are other routes you can go.