The Vive Hinged Knee Brace gets our top nod as the best knee brace for stability for it’s high quality design, multiple features, and reasonable price point. If you need a solid multi-use knee brace, then Vive’s is a great choice.
It’s lightweight enough for everyday use yet provides enough stability for sprains and strains. Check out our detailed description below to see more about this product.
Best Choice - Vive Hinged Knee Brace
Vive’s hinged knee brace features aluminum hinges on both sides of the knee to provide lateral stability. Its open-patella design stabilizes the knee cap and promotes optimal tracking through the full range of motion.
Buy on AmazonIf you have begun to have annoying knee pain during your workout, then it may be time to look into a knee brace for stability. Or perhaps you may have had a knee injury or surgery, and your doctor has advised a stabilizing brace to help you ease back into your exercises. Either way, take a look at our knee brace reviews below to help you decide which one will best suit your needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Choice
Vive
Hinged Knee Brace
Top Performance
Shock Doctor
Hinged Knee Brace
Can’t Count it Out
McDavid
Knee Brace
The Nine Best Braces for Knee Stability
| Product | Brand | Sizing | Men or Women | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinged Knee Brace | Vive | One size fits most | Men and Women |  |
| Hinged Knee Brace | Shock Doctor | Doctor S - XXXL | Men and Women | |
| Spring Stabilizer Knee Brace | McDavid | S - XXL | Men and Women | |
| Spring Stabilizer Knee Brace | TechWare Pro | M - XXL | Men and Women | |
| Spring Stabilizer Knee Brace | EzyFit | M - XL | Men and Women | |
| Spring Stabilizer Knee Brace | Bodyprox | One Size Fits Most | Men and Women | |
| Hinged Knee Brace | Neo-G | One Size Fits Most | Men and Women | |
| Spring Stabilizer Knee Brace | Exous | One Size Fits Most | Men and Women | |
| Open-Patella Knee Brace | Bracoo | One Size Fits Most | Men and Women | |
Best Choice: Vive Hinged Knee Brace
Buy on AmazonWhat sets the Vive apart is it’s lightweight neoprene design combined with solid aluminum support hinges. The result is a brace that you wear whether you need it for heavy exercise or all-day use.
The open patella design promotes optimal kneecap tracking, and the extra strength fasteners provide long-lasting support. The hinges can be removed if less stability is desired for different activities.
Main Features
- Dual aluminum support hinges
- Extra-strength Velcro fasteners
- Adjustable straps
- Open-patella design
- Neoprene material
Pros:
- Excellent lateral stability and patella tracking
- Straps allow for adjustable fit
- Hinges are removable to reduce weight and bulk
- Comfortable enough for everyday use
Cons:
- One size fits most
- Velcro may wear out over time
Top Performance: Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace
For ultimate stability, you can’t go wrong with Shock Doctor. Its heavy-duty lateral supports stabilize the knee through the most rigorous exercises. Premium stitching and lycra-mesh design make the Shock Doctor both durable and breathable for workouts.
Antimicrobial material and breathable air vents help to ensure the brace stays moisture and odor free as well. X-fit velcro straps and a pre-curved anatomical design provide comfort.
Main Features
- Removable lateral hinges and aluminum stays
- Premium quality stitching
- Lycra binding
- Antimicrobial design
- N-Tex material for moisture wicking
Pros:
- Superior medial & lateral support
- Open patella with extra padding to protect the kneecap
- X-fit straps and convenient finger tabs make brace application easy
- Performance Level 3 brace: medium stability for moderate to major sprains and strains
Cons:
- Bulkier than the other braces
- Six sizes can make it challenging to find a perfect fit
Can’t Count Out: McDavid Knee Brace
Designed with high performance neoprene, the McDavid is a knee brace for stability worth your consideration. It features an open-patella design, and adds extra padding for comfort around the kneecap.
The McDavid has medial and lateral steel spring stays to provide enhanced support on both sides of the knee. The neoprene material is excellent for thermal compression.
Main Features
- Neoprene design
- Steel spring stays on each side of the knee
- Elastic cross-straps for rotational stability and compression
- Padded patella
Pros:
- Reinforced steel for added stability
- Unique cross strap design
- Redesigned rear section for increased mobility and breathability
- Performance level 2 protection for minor to moderate sprains and strains
Cons:
- Some don’t like the feel or smell of neoprene
- A slip on knee brace can be difficult to apply
The Other Knee Braces for Stability That We Reviewed
TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support
The TechWare Pro is a solid open-patella knee brace that provides bidirectional strap closure. This means that you can adjust the amount of compression to your liking.
It also features breathable neoprene and no-slip silicone strips to keep the brace from sliding during your workout. This TechWare brace does not come with hinges however, so will not provide the level of support that the hinged knee braces can supply.
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EzyFit Knee Brace
For a budget knee brace that provides added stability, check out EzyFit. This knee brace comes in three different sizes, and the straps allow for adjusting the amount of compression. It provides an open-patella design allowing for improved tracking and comfort.
With 3.5mm of neoprene, this brace also provides excellent thermal compression. While the bidirectional straps and spring stays increase knee stability, it does not feature support hinges.
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Bodyprox Knee Brace
Bodyprox offers an affordable knee brace designed with high-grade neoprene to provide thermal compression. It comes standard with side stabilizers making it perfect for those who need medial and lateral stability but don’t want to spend a lot for the hinged design. This brace is one size fits most however, and some users have found it to be too small.
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Neo-G Knee Brace
Neo-G offers a premium knee brace suitable for a wide variety of exercises. It features a two-point geared side hinge system for medial and lateral support, and is made from high quality neoprene.
The unique geared system helps to control flexion and extension range of motion to protect your knee from lateral instability. One size fits most, and the patella does not have as much padding as many of the other braces, however.
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Exous EX-701 Knee Brace
While most knee braces have two or maybe three straps to provide adjustable compression, Exous goes one step further with four bidirectional straps. This design also creates a unique “comfort gap” behind the knee to help prevent the brace from bunching up during workouts. But be aware that the Exous is a little more costly than the other spring stabilizer braces.
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Bracoo KS10 Knee Support
Bracoo brings a highly versatile knee brace for stabilization during essentially any exercise. This brace is designed with extra-thick neoprene, and has three adjustable straps to help you find the right amount of compression.
With an open-patella design, it also features a reinforced stabilizer ring around the kneecap to provide more comfort and support. One drawback is that this brace does not have side stabilizers or hinges for medial and lateral stability.
Buy on AmazonWhen Would You Need a Knee Brace for Increased Stability?
There are two main reasons to seek out a knee brace to provide more stability during your workouts.
Injury
If your nagging knee pain has been diagnosed as a full-blown tear, or if you have had surgery, your physician may recommend a brace to provide increased stability while you recover.
Medial and Lateral Stability
Knee instability can be due to numerous reasons: arthritis, lax ligaments, meniscal tears, muscle imbalances, and others. If you have annoying pain due to an unstable knee, then a brace can help keep you going while you work on correcting the cause. Consult an orthopedist or physical therapist to help figure out what may be causing your knee instability.
Factors to Determine Which Knee Brace You Need for Stability
Injury or Surgery
When choosing a knee brace to add stability, there are a few factors that may help you make the decision on which way to go. The first is if you have a diagnosed injury or have had surgery. In this case, the choice should be guided by your surgeon.
Exercise Routine
If you are having knee pain without a specific injury, however, then your brace for stability may be directed by your exercise routine. If you are heavy into cardio, then look for a brace that is lightweight, breathable, and has a low profile as it will be more comfortable than one of the bigger braces. If your routine requires a high degree of leg power — like hiking or squatting — then a sturdier brace may be more suitable.
Fabric or Neoprene
Most knee braces are designed with either fabric or neoprene materials. Fabric braces tend to be lighter and more breathable, but they may sacrifice in durability and how much compression they can provide. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that is highly durable and provides excellent thermal compression. Neoprene braces are great for reducing knee swelling. People who are sensitive to the smell or feel of rubber may prefer a fabric brace, however. Neoprene can also be very warm and tend to be less breathable than fabric braces.
Weighing All the Factors
After reviewing all the components, our top choice for a brace to add knee stability is the Vive Hinged Knee Brace. It is made from durable neoprene, has adjustable straps to dial in the compression you desire, and its removable aluminum hinges allow you to vary the amount of lateral stability. The other braces we reviewed, including the Shock Doctor and McDavid Knee Brace, have several strengths of their own and are excellent choices worth considering.
Best Choice - Vive Hinged Knee Brace
Vive’s hinged knee brace features aluminum hinges on both sides of the knee to provide lateral stability. Its open-patella design stabilizes the knee cap and promotes optimal tracking through the full range of motion.
Buy on Amazon