Author: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
Reviewed by: Sergii Putsov (20 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience)
Whether you are a professional powerlifter or just a desperate athlete who loves to feel a huge bar on the shoulders but hates too much stress on their knees, you might be thinking about the best knee wraps for squats.
Such a decision can take quite a while before you think through all the options and find a perfect match among hundreds on the market. Still, you can pick weightlifting knee wraps right today and hit a new PR at the next workout. I will give you a hand. Find your one and only pair of knee straps for squats in my review.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the RDX Knee Wraps Weightlifting
Starting our list of the best knee wraps for squats with RDX Knee Wraps Weightlifting. hese knee wraps fit your leg really well – the material is rather soft on your skin. RDX also turned out to be the most innovative and eager to stand out.
Our group of experts and elite athletes has exhaustively tested 28 knee wraps for squats to present you with the 6 top choices. Each knee wrap was closely examined against 6 key factors, and our team spent over 320 hours carefully testing and comparing most of them. Besides our detailed tests, we've also considered hundreds of online user reviews. We regularly update our list, so don't hesitate to leave a comment, share your experiences, and engage with us!
Top 6 Knee Wraps for Squats Reviewed
I evaluated the main criteria which you should weigh up before making a purchase so that you can choose knee wraps for squatting that will meet all your expectations. I gave scores for the package, design, comfort, velcro reliability, stitching quality, and price-quality ratio. You can find a quick summary in the table below.
Now, I will explain everything step-by-step.
1. RDX Knee Wraps Weightlifting – Best Overall
- Length: 78”
- Width: 3”
- Material: Cotton
- Closure type: hook and loop
RDX knee wraps turned out to be the best knee wraps for powerlifting. They definitely offer the best value and quality for such a pleasant price.
First of all, I want to write a few words about comfort. These knee wraps fit your leg really well – the material is rather soft on your skin. They didn’t annoy or distract me at all. I’m sure, it will be the best choice if comfort comes first on the list of your expectations.
RDX also turned out to be the most innovative and eager to stand out. They decided not to follow a standard knee wrap scheme and make their tail and velcro rounded. I must say that it looks interesting and is convenient in practice as well.
Despite RDX use quite a lot of details for their knee wraps, everything looks neat and reliable. These guys really take care of the stitching quality to make their accessories as durable as possible.
As to the downsides, the package is pretty plain – just a simple wrap. It doesn’t make much difference, however, it is a disadvantage in case you are looking for a present. But if you put a fancy package over it, your friend won’t be disappointed with what they find inside.
All in all, RDX knee wraps are a 100% winner that has no competition for such a price.
Positives:
Best comfort
Innovative design
Reliable velcro
Best value for money
Good stitching
Could be better:
Poor package
2. Harbinger Red Line Knee Wraps – Runner-Up
- Length: 78”
- Width: 3”
- Material: elastic
- Closure type: no velcro
Harbinger knee wraps might be a good choice for hardened professionals who seek the highest support and no extra details. This option is more costly than our winner, but the quality it offers is definitely first-class and makes the price reasonable.
I really like the Harbinger package – a stylish box which looks catchy and will be a good match for a present.
Harbinger knee wraps are not very elaborate in terms of details, so they just can’t fail with the stitching quality. Therefore, this product is highly durable and will easily handle years of heavy training.
As to the drawbacks, there is no velcro. It might not bother some athletes, but, for me, it is less convenient for fastening. You have to tuck a loose end under another loop to fix it in place. It may take some time to learn how to do that quickly and effectively.
All in all, Harbinger knee wraps might be a great choice for athletes who work with the most extreme weights and prefer everything simple with no extra details.
Positives:
Strong support
Reasonable price
Best package
Good stitching
Highly-resistant
Could be better:
No velcro system
- Length: 80”
- Width: 3”
- Material: Nylon
- Closure type: hook and loop
Iron Bull knee wraps finish in 3rd place. They are well-balanced in terms of all features, but you will have to spend a bigger part of your savings on such a product.
This option is a good choice for pro-athletes and brutal lifters who need a long wrap to cover their knees tightly. It is the longest product on my list, so it will be definitely enough to wrap even the biggest leg.
You can also find a few colors available on Amazon. I chose plain black, and they look really cool. If you like minimalistic, neat, and tasteful designs, you might like them at once. The package is also good so might be a good present for a friend who is keen on expensive accessories.
As it is a premium option, the stitching quality is great. Everything looks neat and reliable, I think, they will serve you for quite a long.
All in all, if you enjoy investing money in your high-quality gym accessories, Iron Bull might be a good choice – well-balanced and predictable.
Positives:
Good balance in everything
Reliable stitching
Good support
Pretty design
Longer than others
Could be better:
High price
- Length: 72”
- Width: 3”
- Material: Elastic
- Closure type: velcro
Gymreapers knee wraps would finish far higher in my review if they were more comfortable on the skin.
The first impression was great – a fancy wrap looks elaborate and promising. The design is also convenient and effective. One of the biggest upsides is the velcro length. It stands out among other options and makes it easy to regulate compression. It might also work well for athletes with huge thighs.
Another advantage is the range of colors. It is wide enough to choose a design that will reflect your personality in the gym.
But once I put these knee wraps on and started squatting, I was rather disappointed. The material feels very harsh on the skin and nearly burns it. If you are a rather tender athlete and value comfort, skip this option and go up to the winner. But if you are a hardened brutal lifter, you may handle them okay.
All in all, if you prefer strong compression and quality over comfort, you can give Gymreapers a chance.
Positives:
Good stitching
Fancy package
Wide choice of colors
Long velcro
Good design
Could be better:
Material can rub and irritate your skin
Not the best choice for amateurs
- Length: 72”
- Width: 3”
- Material: Polyester
- Closure type: hook and loop
Mava Sports knee wraps are a good starter for newbies. The price is not the highest, so it won’t be too risky in case you don’t like this accessory at all. Still, you can get better quality for a lower price if you go for our winner.
The only thing that makes Mava special is its range of prints and colors. Nevertheless, the package is rather plain and hides even a catchy design until you unwrap everything.
As to the structure, I haven’t found anything special or worth attention, everything is standard and time-tested.
I think Mava Sports might be a good option for newbies in terms of comfort. They don’t irritate your skin and fit your knees pretty comfortably. The quality is also decent, so they are not likely to fall apart after a few workouts.
All in all, Mava Sports knee wraps are a reliable option that offers good comfort and quality mainly for amateur athletes.
Positives:
Comfortable on the skin
Reliable velcro
Different colors available
Good price
Could be better:
Simple design
Plain package
- Length: 78”
- Width: 3”
- Material: Polyester, Cotton
- Closure type: hook and loop
DMoose knee wraps are a good option for a good price. They are completely standard in terms of design – everything by the book – but still reliable and comfortable.
If you love bright and interesting prints that let you stand out in the crowd, you should definitely check out these knee wraps. The wide range of colors definitely has something for everyone whether you are a minimalist or a maximalist. If you are looking for a present and know exactly what designs your friend likes, DMoose is very likely to have that option as well.
As to the drawbacks, if you have really massive legs, these knee wraps might not be convenient to cover them. The hook and loop is rather short and some athletes complain that they can’t fasten the wrap properly.
However, the biggest flaw is the stitching quality. It turned out to be really disappointing and put DMoose that low on my list. I found many sticking threads and careless seams around the details. It may put their durability at risk and doesn’t look tidy at all.
In a nutshell, DMoose knee wraps are good for average athletes who like interesting and bright designs, yet they fall behind in terms of quality.
Positives:
Good price
Comfortable on the skin
Good stitching
Plenty of colors available
Reliable velcro
Could be better:
Poor stitching
May not fit really massive legs
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How Have I Chosen the Best Knee Wraps for Squats?
While testing weightlifting knee wraps and picking the winner, I used particular characteristics and gave scores to all products. Read the detailed explanation of all features to see how I have chosen my fav.
1. Package
Harbinger stands out with its package the most. The box looks serious and rather professional.
Other knee wraps are sold in bags. Among them, Gymreapers look the most elaborate and pretty. On the other hand, Mava Sports and RDX have the most simple and plain package – not the best choice for a present unless you put a fancy wrap over them.
2. Design
Mava Sports and DMoose look almost the same with their standard designs. Harbinger stand out not in the best sense – they have no velcro system. Other options are more or less similar, except for RDX which turned out to be the most innovative. Their knee wraps caught my eye at once because of their rounded tails.
3. Comfort
RDX are an undeniable winner in terms of comfort. They don’t rub or irritate your skin – everything is rather soft. On the other hand, I found Gymreapers a total failure – they hurt your skin at the slightest movement. It feels as if they are made of plastic.
4. Velcro Reliability
To start with, Harbinger has no velcro at all. Of course, everyone has their own opinion on it, but, I guess, most athletes will find velcro much more convenient. It is easier and quicker to fasten than tucking a loose end in the previous loop. On top of that, you can always do the latter with knee wraps with velcro but there is no other way with Harbinger.
RDX gets the highest score. Again, it stands out with its shape and a rhombus stitching on it.
5. Stitching Quality
Harbinger gets 10 points, but they actually don’t have many details, so it’s rather difficult to screw something up. DMoose have the lowest score because of being the most disappointing in terms of stitching quality. Many sticking threads and careless seams really spoil the overall picture of their knee wraps.
6. Price-Quality Ratio
Gymreapers definitely win with all the benefits they offer for a frankly reasonable price. If you want comfortable reliable knee wraps, go for them with no doubt.
Harbinger are also a good option – high-quality materials and stitching, minimalistic design, and great support. They will definitely accompany your most extreme squats for years.
Iron Bull finish in 3rd place for having a good balance in everything, though they are rather pricy. Try them out if your budget is not tough and you want knee wraps with everything in place.
Why Use Knee Wraps for Squats?
You may wonder what a piece of elastic material on your knees can do. I will walk you through all the main benefits you get after wrapping your joints.
But first of all, I want to say that knee wraps are rather a professional accessory for the most extreme workouts. It isn’t the first thing that you need while training in the gym. Thus, analyze your needs and only then make up your mind in order not to fork out a significant sum with no sense.
✅ Elastic Power
If you have ever tried high-quality knee sleeves, imagine their elastic power doubled, and you will get the idea of knee wraps. Their first purpose is to help you squat or leg press the most extreme weights, thus, their elastic power has no competition among other accessories.
Knee wraps allow you to lift much more than your regular weights. You will feel a huge strength boost at the bottom of the squat – it feels like a spring. In this way, knee wraps help you out at the most difficult and even ‘sticking’ points.
✅ Better Technique
Knee wraps put a lot of compression on your joints and keep them in place. It helps to feel their position better and improves mechanics in this way.
If you tend to drive your knees together while squatting the highest weights, knee wraps won’t let you do that. They will fix the joints firmly and make you more aware of their movements so that you can control your technique more effectively.
✅ Less knee load
Knee wraps work the same way as knee sleeves, taking extra load away from your joints. The compression they put on your legs keeps everything fixed in the proper position throughout the whole movement. They keep your joints safe and protect you from various injuries during the most extreme sets.
Such knee protection for squats also comes in handy in case you had any knee issues in the past that stop you from going heavy. Compression works as great pain relief by numbing your weak areas. Therefore, knee wraps let you hit PRs without any discomfort.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Avoiding Common Mistakes When Using Knee Wraps for Squats
Knee wraps can do a lot of good, and they can really up your squatting game. That is, unless you use them incorrectly.
Wrapping them incorrectly is a common mistake and if that’s the case, then the wraps simply can’t do what they’re supposed to. Check how your knees feel to see if you've wrapped them correctly – you want even tension, starting from below the kneecap and going up.
Another thing to look out for is becoming too dependent on wraps. They’re only here to support you, not replace your technique (which should always be the main thing you focus on). You need wraps for heavy sets only, don’t use them all the time or they’ll become a crutch instead of a tool.
You also need to check the placement and make sure your wraps aren’t too high or too low because both can cause some major discomfort. Your movements shouldn’t be restricted, and the fit needs to be snug and supportive.
If you’re new to wraps, you’ll need to get used to them, and the way to do that is to adjust the tension slowly. If you wrap them too tight too soon, they’ll feel uncomfortable and that can reflect on your performance.
If you’re sure you’ve placed them correctly and wrapped them properly, then your knees feel nice and comfortable, and you’re ready to start your session. If, however, you feel any kind of pain or numbness, it means you’ve wrapped them too tightly.
Tingling and numbness mean your blood flow is restricted, and you need to loosen them a bit. Always pay attention to how you feel when you have them on. Don’t ignore any discomfort.
How to Choose the Best Knee Wraps for Squats?
There are hundreds of wraps on the market which makes it difficult to choose the best knee support for squatting. Not all of them work equally well, so you better scroll up and have a look at my list.
Now, I want to tell you in more detail about the main features of knee wraps that you should consider before making a choice.
1. Tightness
Basically, you can regulate the tightness of knee wraps on your legs by putting them on more loosely or hard. However, there are also softer and stronger options on the market.
If you are an amateur and can’t wait to try out knee wraps, go for a less tight option. It will fit more comfortably and won’t be too harsh on your knees. By the way, if you make the wraps pretty tight, you may even find bruises at the back of your knees afterward.
If you are a professional powerlifter, feel free to try out even strong options which will give you a huge strength boost for the most extreme weights. They will especially benefit you if you compete in equipped powerlifting where knee wraps are allowed.
2. Closure System
There are knee wraps with a velcro closure system or with a loose end. The first option is more convenient and quick to fasten, thus, it might be a perfect match for amateurs.
The latter can be seen mostly in old products that have been on the market for ages. In this case, you have to tuck a loose end under the previous loop to lock everything in place. A lot of professionals find such a closure system convenient as well. However, you can close a wrap in this way even if it has a velcro, so, in my opinion, such a closure system is more versatile.
3. Length
Most knee wraps on my list are 78” long, and that is just a middle ground in terms of length. It will be enough both for newbies and pro-athletes.
Nevertheless, there are both shorter and longer options on the market. If you are a girl or just have rather thin legs, you can easily go for a shorter option, especially if you are an amateur and don’t need a thick wide coverage.
On the other hand, a longer option might come in handy if you are lucky to have massive legs or just need the strongest coverage for competitions.
4. Choosing the Right Material
The material plays a big part in how supportive the wraps are, and also how comfortable. The most important thing is to look for something stretchy. The amount of stretch will depend on your lifting preferences, but not stretching at all is absolutely not an option because the wraps won’t be adjustable.
You want a material that allows you to move however you want, without restrictions, but that still provides support.
Another thing to consider is the texture – you need it to feel comfortable against your skin. Soft fabrics won’t cause any irritations, and if you choose something that’s high-quality, it will also be breathable.
How to Wrap Your Knees for Squatting?
First of all, remember that knee wraps are not for moderate sets – put them on only for the most extreme weights.
Start wrapping below your knee. Put one tail on your shin and press it with your fingers to keep it in place. Wrap up and around so that the next loop covers half of the previous one.
Move up till you wrap the whole knee and the area above it. Regulate the tightness and coverage, depending on your needs. If you want to get extreme compression and elastic power, stretch the material well, and tighten up the knee as hard as you can handle.
Finally, go back down with one loop, and press the hook to the loop in order to fasten the loose end. If you don’t have a velcro, tuck a tail under the previous strap (the one that goes down).
FAQ
Do knee wraps increase squat?
Yes, knee wraps can increase your squats significantly. They add around 10% to your 1RM, depending on the level of compression. The tighter you wrap your knees, the more kilograms you can lift. Still, knee wraps might be really harsh and uncomfortable in case you use strong coverage.
What's the difference between knee wraps and knee sleeves?
Knee wraps are more specific in boosting your squats. They are rather professional, strong and won’t be suitable for everyone. Athletes put them on before every set and take them off after they have finished it.
Sleeves are less hard and more versatile. Athletes can wear light knee sleeves for more exercises and leave them on for a longer time. They don’t give you such a strength boost, though.
Is squatting with knee wraps cheating?
As to the competitions, you are only allowed to use them in equipped powerlifting, and it isn’t considered cheating there.
Will knee wraps weaken knees?
Knee wraps are put on only for the heaviest sets, so they can’t weaken your knees anyway. In fact, they only improve the blood flow, fix the joints in place, and protect them from injuries. All in all, if you use knee wraps properly, they won’t influence your strength at all.
Conclusion
If you have weighed up everything and can’t wait to put on a pair of knee wraps, go for RDX, and they won’t let you down both with their quality and price.
If you like simple designs with no extra details, have a look at Harbinger which offers premium quality, durability, and support for pro-athletes for a reasonable sum.
And if you like elite accessories and don’t hesitate to spend a part of your saving on them, try out Iron Bull. You will definitely find a good balance in them.
If you want to buy something but need an expert hand to help you make a choice, feel free to write it in the comment section. I will come back with the full review soon!
Why Trust Us?
Also read:
References:
- Normal Anatomy of the Knee Joint and Knee Injuries: A Medical Perspective // Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine:
https://www.gomberamd.com/knee.html - Acute effects of knee wraps/sleeve on kinetics, kinematics and muscle forces during the barbell back squat // ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336135328_Acute_effects_of_knee
- What causes numbness and tingling? // MedicalNewsToday: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326062
- Wearing knee wraps affects mechanical output and performance characteristics of back squat exercise // National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- Photos made by Torokhtiy Media Team.
- Author
- Reviewer
Experience: 21 years
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Oleksiy Torokhtiy. I am a professional athlete with 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. I have won multiple European, and World titles and have taken part in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012).
After finishing my career, I have committed myself to coach, and as of 2022, I’ve hosted 200+ weightlifting seminars all over the globe. I’m the founder of an international sportswear and accessories brand, Warm Body Cold Mind (my motto), author, and creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
Experience: 20 years
Best Results: Snatch - 165 kg,
C&J - 200 kg
Sergii is a professional weightlifter and National team member in the past. Competed in 94 kg w/c, won multiple medals on national competitions.
Nowadays Sergii is responsible for designing training programs, writing blog articles, doing live commentary of international weightlifting competitions, running different sport & fitness educational seminars, including Olympic weightlifting together with Oleksiy Torokhtiy all around the globe.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
Our team of authors and experts includes professional athletes (Olympians, winners of European and World titles), PhDs in Sports Science, certified coaches, sports nutritionists, CSCSs, physiotherapists, and others. Read more about the team here, and more about how we test here.
Torokhtiy Team
Hi @Russo!
When it comes to using knee sleeves for squatting, it’s generally recommended to wear them snugly but not overly tight. The sleeves should provide support and compression to the knee joint, helping to stabilize and protect it during squats. However, if they’re excessively tight, they might restrict your range of motion and hinder proper blood circulation. It’s important to find a balance where the knee sleeves feel secure and comfortable without being overly restrictive.
Russo
Is it better to use the knee sleeves tight for squatting?