In terms of thrills, there are few things better in life than skiing. What’s not to love? Fresh air, big mountains, fluffy snow, and high speeds. No matter what draws you to the sport, skiing offers an escape from the usual day-to-day. Unfortunately, for many people, one thing that many people can’t escape is skiing-related knee pain.
There’s a joke among ski instructors that there are only two kinds of skiers: those who have knee pain and those who are going to get knee pain. Whether you’re pounding moguls, slaying the pow, or ripping up a groomed run, your legs are exposed to a lot of wear and tear from the forces and the pressure. And moreover, your knees absorb the full brunt of it.
For those snow enthusiasts who have had knee injuries, proper support is crucial for preventing further injuries. For those who haven't had any knee troubles before, a bit of preventive action can help stop knee pain before it starts. But what is the best knee support for skiers? We think we might know.
What are Bracelayer® compression base layers?
Bracelayer® pants are functional compression pants that provide the wearer with improved knee support and stability. Their base layers are built with our anti-bacterial Stabiluxe™ fabric, and have built-in compression sleeves, providing knee support, and help prevent joint instability, knee pain, and keep the wearer injury-free.
What are the benefits of wearing a compression base layer?
Two of the most common signs of knee injury are swelling and pain. But even without an injury, knee pain can make a skier feel unstable, and stop them from skiing at their best. A skier that’s unsure of their knees might reduce the range of motion in their legs, and ski tentatively. And sometimes skiing tentatively can increase the chance of an injury. Other skiers will adjust their movement patterns to protect their knees. But when they do this, they overexert other muscles and can end up straining another part of their body.
Compression base layers help prevent knee pain and instability, and can help with balance, and give the skier (and their knees!) a sense of security, allowing the skier to ski with confidence. By compressing the legs, compression base layers increase blood flow and circulation throughout the legs. Studies have shown that using compression base layers can increase muscle activation, resulting in increased performance.
Two of the most common injuries that can impact skiers, especially middle-aged ones, are osteoarthritis and meniscus tears. Years of hard skiing can be tough on the joints, especially if you're fond of steeps, trees, and moguls. Repeated impacts with the ground, skiing on choppy or uneven snow and skidding on ice all transmit forces from the skis into your body, and your knees absorb the brunt of it.
Commonly nicknamed “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease happens when there is a breakdown in the cartilage between the joints and can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. A lot of pain that occurs due to osteoarthritis can be managed with pre-season training focused on strengthening the quadriceps, taking supplements such as glucosamine, or wearing a knee brace, compression sleeve, or better still, a compression base layer.
Meniscus tears, or rips in your knee cartilage, can occur at any age. As skiers get older, they can be more susceptible to degenerative meniscus tears, the weakening and thinning of cartilage over time, increasing the risk of tearing. For younger athletes, meniscus tears are commonly caused during contact sports. Younger skiers who like pushing the limits may be surprised to know that crashing can result in the same forces that might result from hits in contact sports. However, as we age, meniscus tears can be the result of an awkward twist, such as a fall or getting your skis hooked up in deep snow. Having proper release settings on your skis can prevent tears, but good knee support from a compression base layer also makes a huge difference.
Not only do compression base layers increase performance during skiing and help prevent knee injuries, but choosing to wear compression layers can pay dividends later. Studies also show that by wearing compression base layers during physical activity, recovery time after the activity is dramatically reduced.
Why Bracelayer® compression pants are better than knee sleeves:
You might have found this blog page because you're wondering what the best knee sleeve for skiing is. Traditionally, skiers and athletes who wanted knee compression have had to resort to using knee sleeves. While they do work, there are 5 reasons why Bracelayer's compression base layers are superior to conventional off-the-shelf knee sleeves.
What makes Bracelayer® the Best Compression Base Layer for Skiing?
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you should choose Bracelayer® compression base layers over a conventional knee sleeve. But what makes Bracelayer® superior to other compression base layers on the market? Here are four reasons why Bracelayer's pants are the best compression base layers for skiers.
As you can see, when it comes to preventing and mitigating knee pain, compression base layers are the best option, and that when it comes to the best compression base layer for skiing, Bracelayer® stands above the rest. Bracelayer® compression layers are trusted by ski instructors, ski patrolers, and other mountain professionals who spend hundreds of days a year on the snow.
If you ski three days a year or 30 days a year, and you haven't tried Bracelayer® compression base layers yet, you're doing your legs a disservice. Whether you're looking to reduce leg and knee pain, reduce recovery time, or increase the amount of time you can spend on the slopes, your knees will thank you for it.
]]>For a long time, basketball apparel didn't go beyond the team’s jersey, complete with a pair of socks and shoes. But there is more to basketball attire these days, as you will often see players donning headbands, armbands, and compression sleeves. Nearly every professional and amateur player now wears compression gear for basketball.
This new development will not stop anytime soon.
You're probably considering whether to follow the trend or stick to traditional basketball clothing. For the record, compression pants for basketball players lean more towards function than fashion. They come with several benefits to boost your performance, comfort, and safety during training and games.
Compression pants are sometimes called compression leggings or tights and are even available in the form of shorts! Compression pants are spandex-type garments that fit tightly around your lower extremities. They are made from lightweight and highly breathable materials. These essential sports apparel come in different lengths and colors and can be worn under shorts or full length pants.
Before we highlight some of the best low-profile compression shorts, let us discuss some of the reasons why you should consider wearing compression gear. If you want more information, check out our blog post on what compression pants do for knee pain"
An essential reason for wearing compression pants is that they keep your body warm. They do this by helping you retain heat. And with sufficient warmth around your lower extremities, you will experience an increased blood flow and more oxygen to your muscles.
Muscles require a sufficient and consistent flow of oxygen for enhanced performance. An improved blood flow will also boost your performance by promoting healthier cells and more functional internal organs.
You can trust compression basketball tights to prevent or limit the chances of deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition characterized by blood clots in the veins as a result of poor blood flow. For many athletes, this often occurs around the thighs or legs.
Deep vein thrombosis comes with acute swelling and severe pain. Even more, severe cases of deep vein thrombosis can push clots to the lungs, block a major artery, or cause a fatality. Studies indicate that athletes can relieve these symptoms or reliably prevent deep vein thrombosis by wearing compression gear.
Basketball, soccer, football, rugby, and other contact sports come with a lot of physical activity during training and games. And once the extremely physical sessions end, there is a likelihood of experiencing muscle fever, commonly known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in the medical cycles.
Notably, every athlete who undergoes intense physical training will sustain micro-tears in their muscles. While these are only minor injuries and are not life-threatening, they can prevent you from performing at your best. You can avoid such injuries and maintain your top-notch performance in physical activity by wearing protective compression pants during training sessions and games.
What compression pants do is considerably help to tone up muscles and speed up recovery. As a result, players who use leggings can immediately resume training sessions even after rigorous outings on the basketball court. Compression pants support the thigh and leg muscles by putting pressure on them to limit vibrations and oscillations. Moreover, tights also provide great comfort.
Padded compression pants, even low-profile ones, help to hold muscles in the right place and shape. This reduces the risk of sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries. Choosing padded and low-profile padded models improves your safety as a basketball or any other contact sports athlete. They protect you against skin breakage and excessive pain when you fall or tumble.
Of course, basketball surfaces are hard, and the friction between the surface and your skin can cause severe burns. Compression pants with padding provide a cushion to your knees and other bony sections, making falls more bearable and less dangerous.
This is not to imply that you will be 100% free from injuries if you use padded compression basketball pants or shorts. Instead, they remarkably reduce the risks of sustaining ailments. Thus, as an emerging or professional basketball player, you cannot ignore the importance of padded compression pants if you want to stay fit.
Playing basketball involves a lot of physical activity. With a few minutes in the basketball court or training ground, perspiration will occur, resulting in a lot of sweat. While sweating is pretty normal after a few runs, it can be unpleasant. Besides, sweating can potentially limit your movements during a game.
But since sweating is biological, there's not too much that you can do about it. The most you can do is to find a way to get rid of it once it slicks the surface of your skin. And an incredible way of doing this is by donning compression pants under your basketball shorts.
Of course, they can't stop you from sweating, but will remarkably wick moisture out of your skin surface. These garments are lightweight and highly breathable. Moreover, apart from absorbing sweat from your body, they will also keep you cool and comfortable. If perspiration is an issue for you, you can even get compression pants with ventilation mesh around the knees that are constructed from cooling fabric!
There is more to basketball compression pants than fashion, and the above benefits justify just how these garments are benefit your health and physical condition, protect against injuries, and provide comfort. However, you can't ignore the fashion that compression tights bring into the game!
A study conducted in 2021 revealed that some athletes who wear compression garments do so for their stylish — and even professional — look. Compression tights come in a variety of colors and make basketball more fashionable than ever before. You can choose colors that either complement or contrast your uniform. It's no secret that with a better look you'll feel more confident, and you can go all out when you play.
But conversely, if sticking out from the crowd with snazzy gear isn't for you, compression pants can actually help you with that! New players may feel insecure and self-conscious about their appearance. And if that is the case, they might not give it their all during games, as they don't wish to have undivided attention. Sleek, low profile, black compression leggings can be a way to make your uniform more modest and enable you to concentrate on the game.
With all these proven benefits, it's clearly worth considering buying some functional compression gear for basketball games and training. To make your shopping simpler for you, we review the top low-profile padded compression pants for your consideration.
Although the KXV Bracelayer® Low Profile Compression Pants are famously known as perfect tights for skiing, snowboarding, spring training, and running, they make a great pick for basketball players. The KXV’s most significant selling points include extra support for the knees and hips, a highly lightweight nature, and fantastic breathability.
The pants are more extended than standard ¾ compression tights, and are cut just right to cover most of your lower extremities. The edge of the boot-cut design falls just under the calf and comes with non-slip cuffs. The 3/4 length also ensures that the pants won't get tucked into your shoes and interfere with your movements.
Most notably, the low profile additional support on the knees and hips helps to improve your stability and balance. Besides, they help to cushion your most important joints from hard falls and contact. As a result, these tights can help you prevent injuries during intensive training or games. Bracelayer's compression pants also have built-in knee and hip sleeves, which can provide fast recovery to achy or tired knees and hips, as discussed.
The additional support layers feature Bracelayer’s Tri-Tech support technology. Unique to our pants, this Tri-Tech technology is made up of an antibacterial Stabiluxe™ base, a 1.5 mm perforated neoprene layer in the middle, and a thin medical-grade compression mesh on the outside.
The antibacterial Stabiluxe™ base layer is 235 GSM-rated and helps to reduce inflammation. The layer of medical-grade neoprene helps keep your joints warm, minimize injury risks, and minimize joint abrasion through sustained shock absorption.
The KXV Bracelayer Low Profile Compression Pants are sleek and fit you perfectly. With the right size, you will model the professional basketball look that every player desires. You will also marvel at the comfort and its ability to hold all your muscles in place.
Beyond the eye-catching design, Bracelayer® compression pants also feature immense health benefits. The garment will keep you warm even in the most extreme weather and physical conditions, thanks to the thermal Stabiluxe™ base and the anti-microbial treated fabrics that keep you feeling warm, fresh, odor-free, and comfortable.
Bracelayer® compression pants come in various sizes and designs for men and women, ensuring that any basketball enthusiast will find a perfect one for their needs. The minimum size is the XS compression pant that fits players with waist sizes of under 28 inches, while the largest is the XXL size for players above 44 inches.
There is often a debate between the superiority of padded or non-padded compression parts. Padded compression tights have massive cushioning on the knee and hip sections, but non-padded models are just like regular leggings, which don't provide any additional protection, safety, or proven health benefits. The KXV Bracelayer Low-Profile Compression Pants lie in between the two.
The KXV pants are constructed with more padding around the knee and hip areas than the traditional non-padded compression pants. On the other hand, the padding is less than what you will find in most padded basketball tights, thereby eliminating the bulkiness that comes with fully padded options. The result is lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and protective compression pants.
To conclude, here are some of the other factors worth considering when shopping for the best compression pants. The following tips should help you get perfect compression pants for your needs.
Above all other factors, consider most the sizing of your ideal pair of basketball compression pants. Does the brand or model have the right size for you? Variations in sizing between manufacturers and companies in addition to the tight fit of compression pants means that choosing the right size can be tricky.
Compression basketball pants that are too small will be uncomfortable and potentially cause constriction. This could affect your blood flow and overall performance. Compression leggings that are too tight will also limit your movements. The best way to get compression pants that fit is to take your waist measurement and compare it with the provided size chart.
The length your compression pants should be will vary depending on what activities you intend to wear them for. There are benefits to either choice, full-length. We suggest ¾ length pants for basketball players, but full-length pants that cover the ankle joint may be most ideal for runners or cold-weather sports like skiing. While they won't provide as much ankle compression as they do around the knees, they will still keep your ankle joints warm.
¾ models only reach the shin and leave sufficient space for calf-long basketball socks, making these models are more popular among NBA players. Their most significant advantage is that they don't reach the shoes and create bulges around the ankles. Thus, ¾ length compression pants provide basketball players with unbeatable comfort and versatility.
You don't want to spend good money on a pair of compression pants that you will only use for a couple of weeks. It's best to choose models made from high-quality materials and ensure that you invest your money in a durable model.
Any compression pants made from a mixture of polyester and spandex will serve you well. Polyester gives it strength and durability, while spandex gives it the needed elasticity to hold your muscles in place. Seek a minimal ratio of 9:1 polyester to spandex. A nylon and spandex mixture of nearly the same ratio is equally recommended.
If you are an amateur or professional basketballer yet to try out compression gear for basketball, you are doing your legs a disservice. It's high time you give them a try. If you're a player already using protective basketball stockings but looking for more functional options, we hope to have provided you with the optimal one.
Any way you look at it, the KXV Bracelayer Low Profile Compression Pants are the ideal basketball tights. They will help improve your blood flow, keep your body warm, secure your muscles, protect you against injuries, and make you look trendy.
]]>