Knee Brace for backpacking

[BSeals71]

What's a good knee brace that you guys would recommend for backpacking?

 

[Ross]

Depending on your issue and price point, I have had two Don Joy knee braces that I have used after 2 acl replacements. They are pricey and heavy, but pretty much bullet proof and provide a lot of extra stability and do not let your knee hyperextend. These days, almost 10 yrs post op on my 2nd acl, I wear a sleeve at times, otherwise I am just very careful to keep myself in as good of a position at all times with that knee.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

BSeals71,

As Ross mentioned, I believe it depends on you injury and the severity. I too tore my right and left ACL, including some cartilage. After my first reconstruction surgery in high school, I wore a knee brace for hunting, but it seemed to hinder my movement more than anything else. After my second knee surgery (about 5 years ago) I worked really hard with my PT and still maintain some of the strengthening exercises that he recommended. Again it depends on the injury, Dr./PT recommendation but strengthening the surrounding stabilizing muscles and properly stretching on a weekly basis has been the best for me.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I used Don Joy after my ACL tear as well. Don't use anything now. Would probably be best to talk to the doc about your specific needs.

 

[Kotaman]

I'm going in to this fall with a torn ACL, torn miniscus, sprained MCL and a small crack on my femur. I have a sheep hunt, a caribou hunt, a mountains goat hunt and a Coues Deer hunt to get through before surgery in December. I'm wearing a Don Joy Armour ACL brace. I've worked really hard on strengthening and hope it is ready for the sheep hunt next week...

 

[stevenm2]

Best of luck... I too have worn the Don Joy but now mostly rely on strength training and careful placement.

 

[lchavez]

If not already, add some hiking poles to help with weight and stability.

 

[Kawabunga]

Ive been getting some knee pain also, everyonce in awhile when hunting i would tweak it while sidehilling or something and it bothers me the whole day. Just started running and it acts up a little after runs, have a cheaper brace and was wondering how it would work for hiking, also picking up some poles for a hunt coming up in a few months. Keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[Outwest]

Best of luck... I too have worn the Don Joy but now mostly rely on strength training and careful placement.

Same here. Have a Don Joy but I rarely wear it on the mountain, although I probably should. I have only had one instance where I wasn't wearing my brace and dislocated my knee a few miles from the truck. Luckily, it went back in and I was able to hobble my way back.

Since then, I have been more careful about how I move through the mountains and focus on building leg strength.

 

[drthornton]

I'm on my 2nd ACL reconstruction. I pull the brace out depending on terrain. If I was going CO OTC I would certainly wear it. I use a Bledsoe Sports brace which my Doc gave me.

One thing to consider is to get the best protection you need to wear it directly on your knee. So consider bulk of your brace and the pants you are going to wear when making a decision.

 

[Gwoodak]

Taping may also help and there are many different techniques depending on the injury. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/mcl-sprain/taping-medial-ligament-sprain

 

[shaun]

I utilize a CTI carbon fiber brace. Pricey but with a prescription insurance will pick up the tab

 

[Ross]

Trekking poles are the bomb in the backcountry and double it for guys with knee issues. They are worth their weight in carbon.

 

[trdhunter]

I am in the recovery process from ACL surgery and have a Don Joy brace. I use it some at work, and have used it for some short hikes but had a much better experience on hikes without it. Still interested in any better options out there as the don joy is just not the most comfortable for all day activities and also it limits mobility, which I know is the purpose, but is frustrating.

 

[NJDiverDan]

Depending on what you need them for but I like the Cho-Pat dual action braces. They are more for relieving the pressure your knee cap can place on your knee (especially going down hill) than for lateral stability. Affordable and small enough to pack as well.

-dan

 

[BSeals71]

 

[BSeals71]

Thinking about getting this.


Really it's just a a dull annoyance on my knee when running or hard hiking with a pack. But even now just sitting its a slight discomfort. A few years ago I tore a ligament but never had surgery.

 

[jdmdavey]

I had a Lateral Meniscus Tear repaired last year and still have some issues with joint mobility/stiffness. I wear the regular blue/thicker rhebands when I'm weightlifting, squatting. I haven't tried them hiking. I'm going to test them out this weekend and see whats up. I will let you know. I do worry that they will make me sweat like crazy, but it will be worth it if it stabilized my knee. I also can say that using a set of trekking poles this year has made all the difference, especially when traversing downhill.