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LAVERA STEWART
Editor-in-Chief of the Gym Expert
If you talk with people, you will notice that many equate SBD knee sleeves with knee braces. However, they are not the same. Knee braces are designed to prevent the previous injury from getting worse. Knee sleeves are made to protect from damage or injury in the future. When knees are put under a great deal of pressure every day, it is essential to prevent potential injuries.
Knee sleeves bring a compression element which means that they help the blood flow and reduce the pain, during and after the performance. Apart from that, sleeves increase the warmth and limit the movements of the kneecap. As we mentioned, they enable us to feel better the position of the knees. Plus, knee sleeves support the muscles by limiting muscle vibration. That helps against fatigue.
Now you may be wondering – do I always need to wear knee sleeves? It is necessary to mention that while possible, you don’t have to wear sleeves for all weightlifting exercises.
If you don’t rely on the knee as a primary lifting force, then you don’t need them. But if you plan on doing squats, jerks, snatch, etc., you will notice that they provide significant support. Some people will tell you that as a beginner, you also don’t need them. That is true generally because, as a beginner, you are not lifting exceptionally heavyweights. However, if you have any concerns about your knee or had any injury, it would be better to use them. Keep in mind that all the intermediate or advanced lifters should consider wearing them as part of mandatory equipment.
SBD Knee Sleeves Overview
SBD knee sleeves are made by a company called SBD apparel. It is IPF approved gear and equipment manufacturer. The company is located in Rotherham, UK, and it is part of the Sporting Goods Sports Industry. They are known for producing high-quality performance products. What is interesting to say is that all the products are made with the help of professional athletes and medical experts. That means that SBD apparel isn’t only about appearance, but it offers practical and durable products that athletes need when working out.
All SBD knee wraps are made of high-quality 7 mm or 5 mm neoprene, which is a fantastic material that ensures tightness and improves performance. Each pair of SBD powerlifting knee sleeves is designed specifically for strength training, power sports, and weightlifting competitions by specifications of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). They are also approved by USA Powerlifting and USPA powerlifting association.
As you might have noticed, these SBD knee sleeves are generally thicker than other types. That is why so many knee sleeves reviews from users often praise them. Plus, they are the preferred choice of athletes who are lifting heavy loads. The main advantage of these sleeves is that they guarantee more stability and support. They come in three different colors – original black and red, summer navy and red, and winter red and black.
Overall Pros and Cons
Regardless of how good a product is, there are always some disadvantages to it too. So then let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of SBD sleeves which will help you understand if this product is something you find useful.
| Pros |
Cons |
- IPF Approved
- High quality 5mm/7mm neoprene
- Comfortable fit
- Reinforced stitching
|
- A bit expensive
- Not very versatile
|
SBD Knee Sleeves Effectiveness: What Users Say?
Many of us are under the impression that things are becoming more and more expensive. Along with the fact that we live in a period of great insecurity, that makes many of us saving money whenever we can. Nevertheless, some things are worth extra cash, aren’t they? That is the situation with SBD knee sleeves. People love these sleeves even though they cost more than other models. Looking at what users are saying, it is clear that this product is praised for its durability, quality, and stability. Apart from that, many people point out that these are surprisingly comfortable sleeves, even though they are rather thick. Another thing that comes to attention is the fact that they are a bit thinner on the calf side. People doing heavy lifting say that this is a critical point.
Besides this, we know that plenty of professional athletes say only the best things about these sleeves. One of them is Rob Kearney, a professional strongman. He competed in various competitions such as the world’s Strongest Man, The Arnold Strongman Classic, and Arnold Strongman Australia. He is known as the first out gay strongman, and he is an active advocate for LGBT rights. In 2019 he claimed the American log lift record by lifting 475 pounds. However, in 2020, the record was claimed by Žydrūnas Savickas, a Lithuanian lifter who lifted 502 pounds. Kearny uses SBD sleeves and always points out that they keep him healthy and safe.
An athlete Ray Williams who was an IPF Super heavyweight Raw Champion from 2014 to 2018 and is the first man ever who squatted with 1000 pounds, wears these sleeves. Kimberly Walford, who was IPF Best female Raw Lifter in 2014, promotes wearing these sleeves too.
SBD Knee Sleeves vs. Cheaper Alternatives
Many other knee sleeve brands offer cheaper products. But is there a difference? Well, one thing is for sure – SBD sleeves are way thicker than these less expensive variations. Now, this may not be the best solution if you want mobility. However, if you are doing complex, compound movements like squats and deadlifts that involve a lot of heavy lifting, you need something that provides stability over comfort and mobility. Keep in mind that we are using our knees a lot in our lives, even without heavy lifting. And if you add sports like powerlifting to it, you need to wear adequate protection, to prevent injuries.
And while investigating for our knee sleeves reviews, we’ve discovered that even though they may be good for other sports, many cheaper models don’t come with 7mm thickness. As such, they will provide you with more mobility indeed. However, stability will be an issue. That is why most of the powerlifters and strongmen, and women choose to use SBD knee sleeves.
How to Measure for SBD Knee Sleeves
So once you understood that you want them and figured out how to put on SBD knee sleeves, it is time to talk about measurements. Generally, the recommendation is that you measure your knee and go a size up when ordering this product. These sleeves come in various sizes from 3XS to 5XL. Here is a specific SBD knee sleeves size chart that can help you.
| Size |
Knee Joint (cm) |
Knee Joint (Inch) |
| 3 XS |
23 – 25.5 |
9 – 10 |
| 2XS |
25.5 – 28 |
10 – 11 |
| XS |
28 – 30.5 |
11 – 12 |
| S |
30.5 – 33 |
12 – 13 |
| M |
33 – 35.5 |
13 – 14 |
| L |
35.5 – 38 |
14 – 15 |
| XL |
38 – 40.5 |
15 – 16 |
| 2XL |
40.5 – 43 |
16 – 17 |
| 3XL |
43 – 45.5 |
17 – 17.9 |
| 4XL |
45.5 – 48 |
17.9 – 18.9 |
| 5XL |
48 – 51.5 |
18.9 – 20.3 |
SBD Knee Sleeves Care Tips
We covered plenty of things regarding this product. We already mentioned that people praise them for durability. However, if we want something to last long, we have to take proper care of it. So now we are going to see how to wash SBD knee sleeves.
- Soak them in warm water with soap.
- Wash them by hand and rinse them with water.
- If they still smell, scrub them with soap and rinse again.
- Let them dry in the shade.
- Never put them in the washing machine/dryer.
Conclusion
And that’s all for our SBD knee sleeves reviews 2021! Now you know what these sleeves are, how they are different from other similar products, and who can benefit from wearing them. If you are a powerlifter or you are thinking about practicing this sport, we believe they are the best choice for you! Have you ever heard about this product? Have you used it?