The Best Knee Braces for Skiing to Keep You on the Slopes Longer

One of the most amazing and fun winter sports you can think of can also be a total pain. Skiing, whether it be cross country or downhill, is always an adrenaline rush, but when you feel that sharp pain in your knee or an unusual pop, you could be in danger. This can make you wary of wanting to ski ever again. Maybe you’re on the other spectrum. You loved to ski, but now that you have become a little older, you do not want to risk injuring your knees.

Statistically speaking, beginner skiers are at much higher risk than veterans since they typically don’t know their own limits. The great thing is, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned skier, you can be much more comfortable wearing a knee brace. Using a knee brace will allow you to be more confident in a sport that you love and keep the nerves away knowing that the modern technology used can keep you at a much lower risk for a catastrophic setback.

Name	Price	Best Feature	Our rating	Best Price
Donjoy Fullstop Bionic Knee Brace	$$$	Best Brace overall, premium knee brace that works great in all situations	9.7/10	See Current Price
Donjoy Deluxe Knee Brace	$	We love the soft neoprene Material and the pricepoint	9.5/10	See Current Price
Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace	$$	May be the best price per performance brace	9.5/10	See Current Price
McDavid Knee Brace	$$	Hyperextension stops and comfortable material	9.4/10	See Current Price
Mueller Hg80 Hinged Knee	$	Comfortable Shell and Patella Buttress	9.2/10	See Current Price

Who Would Benefit Wearing a Knee Brace for Skiing

Skiing with a brace can be extremely beneficial. It can act as a reinforcement to your ligaments and tendons and be a deterrent for many injuries by increasing overall stability. Those with issues such as these should consider wearing a knee brace when planning their next ski trip. Lift tickets are pushing to almost $200 in some places, lets get our monies worth and stay on the slopes all day!

Arthritis

Arthritic pain is relentless when it flares up and can be made even worse by putting stress on your joints all day. There are specific braces made for arthritis and investing in one is a must if you love to ski.

Prior Ligamentous Knee Injury

If you have has a major knee injury, such as an ACL, MCL, LCL or Meniscus tear, a knee brace is recommended for when you ski. A medically graded brace can help relieve pain from a previous surgery and keep the joint stable. It will also boost your confidence when tackling the slopes this coming season.

Persistent Knee Pain

If you have joint pain in your knees or a smaller injury like anterior knee pain, Patellofemoral pain, a brace can be a great help in relieving stress and having you enjoy the powder for longer than you could before. A less complex designed brace would do the job in a situation like this.

Knee braces are helpful and unlike designs in the past no longer are heavy and bulky. They improve performance, not hinder it. This isn’t to say that they are a cure for any chance of an injury, but they can act as a reinforcement so a minor spill doesn’t turn into a major medical bill. So, investing in a well rated and industry tested brace could prevent months of rehab and thousands in medical costs.

FAQ About Skiing with a Knee Brace

Should you Wear a Knee Over or Under Ski Pants?

This all depends on whats more comfortable. If you like to wear baggier pants then under ski pants makes sense. It also is less likely to catch on trees, ski lifts, or other obstacles when skiing.

How Can I Make Skiing with a Knee Brace more Comfortable?

The more stiff a knee brace is, the less comfortable it is likely to be. Make sure the knee brace fits well first of all. Start with a knee compression sleeve underneath to prevent chaffing. Take the knee brace off or put it down when at lunch or on the lift even.

Can Skiing with a Knee Brace Cause More Damage?

Skiing with a knee brace does not cause more knee damage. It also does not cause weakness to develop in the leg if it is only used while skiing.

How to Make a Knee Brace Stay Up While Skiing?

First make sure to measure the correct size first. Make sure that you tighten the bottom strap first and the tighten the top strap. Also, wearing a knee compression sleeve underneath the hinged knee brace can help keep it in place.

Things to Consider When Buying a Knee Brace for Skiing

Sizing

Sizing in one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a knee brace for skiing. Not only is the actual size of the brace important so that it fits correctly such as (S, M, Large) but the actually bulkiness and size of the brace. Those with previous ligament injuries may need a more sturdy brace while those with mild arthritis may want a sleeker knee sleeve.

Support

How much support will you need? This is related to the size of the brace in most cases but can you get away with a smaller sleeve with hinges on both sides or if your knees are really hurting, do you need a full anti-rotation brace.

Ease of Getting on/off with Ski Pants

We all loves skiing but the one thing we can all agree on is that the clothing gets in the way! Ever tried taking a little kid to the bathroom after he has all of his ski clothes on? It’s a chore. Same goes with knee braces. Consider if you can put the brace on without taking off the ski pants. Can it be worn underneath? Or does it have be on top of the ski pants?

The Best Knee Braces for Skiing

Choosing the right brace for your desired goal can be tough, so here are some top of the line knee braces that have been tested and are used by athletes across multiple sports:

Donjoy Performance Knee Brace

Summary: The DonJoy Bionic Fullstop Knee Brace is the most expensive of the ones that will be listed, but has a plethora of features that could make this the last brace you want to buy. It has FULLSTOP dampening hinges to prevent hyperextension, four strap design to help with ACL recovery and to prevent future injury, “Anti-migration” technology to prevent slippage, and breathable mesh for temperature regulation among other features.