As an overweight physical therapist, I’m well acquainted with knee pain. I know that apart from losing the extra pounds and exercising, wearing the best knee braces for overweight people can help me reduce and even prevent knee pain altogether.
But that’s the problem. Finding a good knee brace is hard enough. Finding the best ones? Whoa, what a challenge.
Apart from size, it’s incredibly hard to find a sleeve that can do the job AND be comfortable at the same time. Most of the ones I’ve tried end up pinching the skin on my thighs. Or rolling down after a few steps, painfully constricting my leg.
So, after testing dozens of them, here are my 8 best knee braces for overweight people. This list will save you money, time, and will help you avoid my mistakes.
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: BraceAbility Obesity Knee Pain Brace
Has a rare combination of both being lightweight and durable. Plus, its wrap around design makes it easy to put on for those of us who aren’t so flexible.
Best Knee Sleeve:ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
This knee brace offers compression that feels uniform all around your knee joint, making it great for dulling pain from all sorts of conditions.
Best Feature-packed:Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
This knee sleeve doubles as a heat/ice pack. It’s everything you need to recover from any knee condition – from a fresh injury to chronic pain.
Best Hinged Knee Brace:Shock Doctor 875 Hinged Knee Brace
This open-knee cap, hinged brace will keep your knee safe and stable – regardless of what you do. The fabric molds to your skin for optimal support.
Best Wraparound:Nvorliy Plus-Size Wraparound Knee Brace
The wraparound design makes it extremely customizable and easy to use. With side springs and a patella pad for added stability and relief.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- BraceAbility Obesity Knee Pain Brace
- Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
- ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve XL
- Shock Doctor 875 Hinged Knee Brace
- McDavid 425 Knee Brace
- Nvorliy Plus-Size Wraparound Knee Brace
- EzyFit Wraparound Knee Brace
- The Cambivo 2
8 best knee braces for overweight and obese people
1. BraceAbility Obesity Knee Pain Brace
Pros
- Wide size range (L to 6XL)
- Designed specifically for the overweight population
- Sturdy hinges for maximum support
- Durable but lightweight
- Wrap-around design for ease of donning and doffing
Cons
- Only comes in plain black (it looks boring)
First and foremost, the size on this goes from L to 6XL. So, if you’re looking for extra large knee braces for larger people, BraceAbility’s Obesity Knee Pain brace makes a fine option.
That being said, this brace is both lightweight and durable. That’s a combination that’s hard to come by as many other study knee braces are also fairly heavy. The hinges on both sides of the brace are also heavy duty and offer maximum support.
What separates this from other hinged braces on this list, however, is its wrap around design.
This addresses the lack of flexibility that many people, like you and me, have issues with. As long as you can bend forward enough to reach your knees, you can wear this knee brace for fat legs with little to no difficulty. I do wish it came with more color variations though.
2. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve XL
Pros
- Uniform compression
- Up to XL sizing
- Durable but affordable
- For general knee pain
Cons
- Can be more supportive
- Limited color options
This knee sleeve’s calling card is its uniform compression.
The main reason why I think the ArmaJoint sleeve will work great with the overweight population is that it offers great and uniform compression even at its L and XL size. This, in turn, helps dull the knee pain that many of us in the plus-sized category feel.
In terms of the fit of the XL size, it is quite large, and also the fabric stretches a lot without cutting off circulation to the leg.
In addition, it’s affordable, especially after considering how many competitors who use similar fabric blends charge much more.
If I had to complain, though, I wish it had a bit more support. Oh, and having more color options would be good, too.
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- Material:Nylon, Elastic, Spandex
- Size:S-XL
- Color options:Black
3. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
Pros
- Heat/Cold therapy in one
- Uniform compression
- No pinching
- Won’t bunch up
- More durable than average
Cons
- Closed-kneecap design
- On the expensive side
- No color options
- Not enough ligament support
The Cocoon Knee Flex Pro is your on-the-go physical therapist.
This sleeve provides compression and heat/cold therapy, all in one place.
This combination of features is rare and hard to pull off. It’s also very sought-after, as it provides similar pain relief to that from physical therapy.
Having a Cocoon means you’d get these benefits whenever you need them. This is a life-saver if you’re an overweight or obese person with knee injuries or chronic knee pain. I know it was for me.
And, honestly, I haven’t worn anything as comfortable as this sleeve. I’ve been wearing it for weeks now – it still feels as comfortable and luxurious as the first day I bought it.
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- Material:Lycra, hydrogel.
- Size:S, M, L.
- Color options:Blue.
4. Shock Doctor 875 Hinged Knee Brace
Pros
- Heavy-duty for maximum support
- Removable aluminum hinges
- Stays in place
- Open kneecap design
- Latex-free
Cons
- Tight at first
- Hinges can be uncomfortable
- Bulky
- Not for mild injuries
This Shock Doctor hinged knee brace will keep your joint safe, no matter what.
The support from this Shock Doctor is unparalleled. The removable hinges and its adjustable straps make it insanely easy to customize the level of stability you need for any given day.
Your knee joint won’t wobble while having it on, but you’ll still be able to do your daily activities without issues – it lets you move around freely.
It’s meant to feel tight at first, though. So if you feel like the hinges are digging in, remove them to stretch the brace out. Put them back on afterward.
- Material:Spandex, lycra, aluminum
- Size:S-3XL
- Color options:Black
5. McDavid 425 Knee Brace
Pros
- Side springs for moderate support
- Lightweight and durable
- Stays in place
- Open knee cap design
- Latex-free
Cons
- Neoprene reduces ventilation
- Tight at first
- Not for severe knee injuries
McDavids’ bariatric knee brace gives extra support for your daily activities.
This is the ideal option if you need some stability but find the Shock Doctor 875 excessive. This knee brace for big legs can help you recover from mild meniscus tears or knee sprains, too.
The neoprene material is a blessing in the sense that it keeps the knee brace in place, makes it more durable, and reduces inflammation really well. But, it can be a curse too – this fabric retains heat, so the knee easily gets sweaty.
Other than that, the McDavids 425 is a well-rounded and durable plus-size knee support.
- Material:Neoprene
- Size:S-2XL
- Color options:Black
6. Nvorliy Plus-Size Wraparound Knee Brace
Pros
- Durable
- Side springs for extra support
- Adjustable straps
- Non-slip silicone strips
Cons
- Takes some time to get right
- Middle strap can bunch behind knee
- Slips down easily
This Nvorliy wraparound knee brace has a little bit of everything.
Side-springs for stability, a patella pad to reduce kneecap pressure, and adjustable straps to customize the compression. The wraparound design is also the easiest one to put on and off.
My knee felt comfortable and safe with it – when it wasn’t slipping down. The silicone strips don’t always keep it in place. But cleaning your skin with some soap or alcohol before wearing it goes a long way.
Plus, its sizes go well beyond the usual limits. So if you’re looking for a 5X knee brace, 6XL, and even 8XL, this is definitely worth a look.
- Material:Neoprene, velcro
- Size:XL-8XL
- Color options:Black
7. EzyFit Wraparound Knee Brace
Pros
- Easy to put on and off
- Easy to wash
- Side springs for extra support
- Stays in place
- Open knee cap design
Cons
- Middle strap can bunch behind knee
- Not as durable
The EzyFit knee brace offers compression and support at a fraction of the price.
This one is another wraparound knee brace. It may not have as many features as the Nvorliy, but it’s cheaper and will stay in place for longer.
Also, it’s not as robust as the Shock Doctor 875 or the McDavids 425. It will provide support and stability, but not like that.
One drawback is its quality – the velcro and neoprene may not last for the long term. So, if you’re on a budget and need extra support, the EzyFit knee brace will definitely get you out of trouble.
- Material:Neoprene, nylon, polyester
- Size:M, L, XL
- Color options:Black
8. The Cambivo 2
Pros
- Come in pairs
- Neoprene free
- Size and color variety
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Has latex
- Sizing chart can be off
- Not as durable
- Hand-wash only
The Cambivo 2 is an affordable and effective plus-size knee compression sleeve.
If your knee joint pain gets better after warming it up, you’ll love this knee brace. It retains heat like neoprene but is way more breathable – the back of my knee never felt like a sauna.
It’s also great for daily wear, as it’s thin enough it fits under most pants. It won’t pinch or bunch up behind your knee while you’re sitting, either.
I wish the quality was better, though. Mine tore a little around the edges not long after buying it – it still worked, but I had to pull it back up from time to time.
- Material:Nylon, latex, spandex
- Size:S-XXL
- Color options:10 options (black, blue, beige, etc.)
Factors to consider when choosing the best plus-size knee brace
Comfort and design
The most comfortable bariatric knee braces are knee sleeves. They do all the basics right – provide support and pain relief – with comfort and simplicity.
The second place goes to wraparound knee braces. They are highly customizable and easy to put on and off. The downside of this design is that the velcro straps can pinch behind the knee.
The less comfortable design is a knee brace with hinges. They’re supposed to be somewhat rigid, and some hinges can dig in the skin. That’s a tradeoff for providing superior support.
Now, if you want something that will prevent sweat accumulation, go for thin fabrics or open-patella models. Both facilitate airflow and help keep your knee fresh, compared to neoprene.
Related:What kind of knee brace do you need?
Level of stability
If your knee joints need all the stability they can get, choose a hinged knee brace.
Make sure it has heavy-duty hinges and high-quality materials. Otherwise, it can compromise stability and do more harm than good.
For patella instability, going for an open kneecap design is often enough. But, keep in mind that there are specific knee braces designed for this condition.
Now, you may want some support to feel more confident using your knee. If that’s you, choose a high-quality, plus-size compression knee sleeve – it will suffice.
This can help:Best knee braces for patellar tracking disorders
Stays in place
It’s key to find a plus-size knee brace that doesn’t slide down. That way, you won’t have to keep pulling it back up every 10 minutes, or having it rolling down and constricting your thigh.
Most knee sleeves achieve this through compression. Others have silicone strips to prevent non-slippage.
These strips are effective to keep the brace in place, but they can cause welts on sensitive skins, or break after a few washes in the machine. This means it’s best to hand-wash them.
Bulkier knee braces stay in place through velcro straps. They are easy to adjust, but this material can wear off over time.
Durability and quality
Most knee braces will inevitably stretch over time. But, it’s true that some get there faster than others.
High-quality materials like hydrogel, germanium, and neoprene will make the knee brace last longer. Fabric blends with polyester and nylon may improve breathability but at the cost of stretching faster.
Value for money
The truth is that the best plus-size knee brace is also the one that fits your budget.
If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly options, prioritize brands that sell knee braces in pairs. That way you can alternate the braces to prolong their life.
Other knee braces may be more expensive but also provide additional benefits – thermotherapy, fabrics that boost recovery, sturdy hinges…
So, also consider your specific needs before making a final decision. Some braces may be more expensive now, but save you money down the road.
Why you should trust KneeForce
Mitch Torres is a physical therapist specializing in lower back and leg injuries.
For this comparison, he drew from his real-life experience as an overweight person with knee pain. He also used his clinical background in treating overweight/obese people with knee conditions.
Then, he tested many products, cross-referenced them to other people’s experiences, and finally reached a verdict.
Mitch is the lead editor of Knee Force, where he makes sure the content is up-to-date and to the highest standards.
Conclusion
Although there are hundreds of options, now you know how to choose the best knee braces for overweight people.
Remember to consider not only the size availability but any other additional features you may need – open kneecap, straps, hinges…
I hope this list helps you avoid my mistakes, saving you money and time. And finally, be patient with yourself. You got this!
