Are you a hockey goalie dealing with a knee injury?
Or, maybe you’ve hurt your knee in the past but you’re still on the road to recovery?
If you’ve had some trouble with your MCL or ACL and are dealing with a wobbly knee, then you’ll want to get a knee brace that can support your knee during a game.
In this article, we’ll cover the 3 best knee braces for hockey goalies in 2023.
Whether you’re dealing with an injury, recovering from one, or you want to give yourself a bit of extra support to prevent an injury, then keep reading.
Let’s begin.
Best Overall: Shock Doctor 870 Knee Brace
The Shock Doctor 870 knee brace is our number one pick for hockey goalies in 2023.
This is the best overall goalie knee brace that offers both comfort and support.
Pros
- Flexible side stabilizers
- Nice and protective
- Breathable
- Latex-free
- Very comfortable
- Easy to go up and down on the ice
- Moisture-wicking
- Great mobility
Cons
- A bit pricier than other common options
- Can feel a bit itchy and tight during the break-in period
| Knee Brace Features | Shock Doctor Knee Brace Ratings |
| Comfort | 9.5/10 |
| Protection | 9/10 |
| Support | 9.5/10 |
| Sizing Versatility | 8/10 |
| Mobility | 9/10 |
| Durability | 9.5/10 |
| Price | 6.5/10 |
| Overall | 61/70 (A) |
Shock Doctor is a name that most hockey players know thanks to their jocks, short and jock combos, and other hockey base layers.
Another thing they’re great at is hockey knee braces.
Known for their protective yet comfortable hockey equipment, Shock Doctor doesn’t disappoint with the Shock Doctor 870 Knee Brace.
Something super important for hockey goalies is that if they’re going to wear a knee brace, they need to be supportive and they need to provide full range of movement.
Strap the wrong knee brace on before a game and it could prevent you from quickly getting into butterfly and put a damper on your performance.
Thankfully this knee brace is just as mobile as it is supportive.
It features convenient finger tabs you can easily grip and pull to put the brace on. Plus, the knee brace is quite breathable, so you won’t have to worry about your leg overheating during a game.
The 870 features a dual-hinge system that lets you stay in the proper position all game long.
“Many athletes struggle psychologically with a lack of confidence or trust in their previously injured leg, which can make knee braces in any contact sport valuable to athletes returning from serious injuries. The comfort and confidence that these braces provide are many times the difference between an athlete, struggling with this particular issue, coming back to play 100%, or playing tentatively initially upon return.”
Keagen Hadley (Doctor of Ocupational Therapy and Author of Torn: Overcoming the Psychological Challenges Post-ACL Injury)
If you’re dealing with a meniscus injury like an MCL or ACL issue, this knee brace can be a big help on the road to recovery. It’s also great for any minor to moderate injuries like strains, sprains, and general unstableness like wobbly knees.
The only real downside is that this knee brace is a bit more expensive than others on the market. However, the price is justified since it does such a good job to support your knee comfortably when you’re playing in net.
Runner-Up: Mava Sports Knee Wraps
Our second pick for the best knee brace for hockey goalies are the Mava Sports Knee Wraps.
These knee wraps don’t necessarily act as your typical knee brace — as most are either slid on or strapped on. But, if you have bigger or wider thighs and have difficulty making regular knee braces fit, then this is your best bet.
Pros
- Best knee brace for bigger thighs
- Very breathable
- Includes a hook and loop system
- Adjustable for any size
- Includes an anti-slip design
Cons
- Not as comfortable as a regular knee brace
- Not that durable
| Knee Brace Features | Mava Sports Knee Wraps Ratings |
| Comfort | 8/10 |
| Protection | 7/10 |
| Support | 7/10 |
| Sizing Versatility | 10/10 |
| Mobility | 9.5/10 |
| Durability | 6.5/10 |
| Price | 8/10 |
| Overall | 56/70 (B+) |
The Mava Sports Knee Wraps are one of the top knee braces for hockey goalies who have wide thighs.
These wraps are made of high-performance fabric and elastic that can be easily adjusted to fit anyone.
The sizing versatility is the best thing about these knee wraps. So whether you’re super small or large, you won’t have to worry about finding the right size knee brace.
However, it’s not just great when it comes to sizing options. It’s a nice and supportive knee brace that can be a big help when you’re on the road to recovery from an MCL sprain or tear.
The wraps are very breathable—much more so than regular slide on knee braces that cover a large portion around the knee.
So you won’t have to worry about overheating with these on as they’re a bit more minimal.
Plus, these Mava Sports Knee Wraps may seem like they’ll be too loose or move around, but they’re designed with anti-roll, anti-slip, and anti-fall features.
You can also use these when you’re cross-training or working out at the gym to strengthen your knee. They’re great for any physical activity—not just ice hockey.
While they don’t provide nearly as much protection or support as the Shock Doctor 870, the Mava Sports Knee Wraps are one of the best options for those with bigger thighs.
Best Budget: Crucial Compression Knee Sleeves
The Crucial Compression Knee Sleeves may not be the best on the market, but if you’re a hockey goalie looking for a decent knee brace, then these are one of the best choices.
Besides the price, the best thing about this choice is the fact that you get two knee braces with a slim, minimal design that fits great under your pads.
Pros
- Includes two knee braces
- Minimal design—fits best under your pads
- Very lightweight
- Very affordable
- Non-slip design
- Great support and stability
- Wide ranges of sizes available
Cons
- Not the most durable—wears out quicker than other brands
- A little bit itchy
| Knee Brace Features | Crucial Compression Knee Sleeves Ratings |
| Comfort | 8.5/10 |
| Protection | 7/10 |
| Support | 7/10 |
| Sizing Versatility | 8.5/10 |
| Mobility | 8.5/10 |
| Durability | 7/10 |
| Price | 8.5/10 |
| Overall | 55/70 (B) |
The Crucial Compression Knee Sleeves are a great value knee brace for hockey goalies looking to add a bit of knee support.
If you’re dealing with knee pain—whether from your MCL, ACL, or even soreness, then this is a great option overall.
Featuring Power Support Technology, these two-pack knee sleeves provide impressive compression that improves your blood circulation—allowing you to recover quicker from your injury.
Made from lightweight materials, the Crucial Compression Knee Sleeves are both breathable and flexible so you can easily pop down into butterfly.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about these knee sleeves moving around. They feature a non-slip double grip material that adds extra stability to your knee.
One of the best things about these particular knee braces is the fact that you get two—so it’s an incredible value for the price.
Plus, they’re very minimal. Whereas a lot of knee braces are super bulky and restrictive under goalie pads, you won’t have trouble fitting these under your pads.
The biggest downside is that they won’t provide nearly as much support and protection as the Shock Doctor 870. However, if you’re wanting a budget-friendly option, or you’re rehabilitating both of your knees, then this is one of the best options out there.
Want to find more gear for injury recovery? Check out these articles: Hockey Ankle Support & Ankle Braces, 3 Great Hockey Skates for Ankle Support, and How to Make Hockey Skates More Comfortable.
Sources
https://springloadedtechnology.com/2015/11/lets-talk-about-hockey-and-your-mcl/
https://www.physioroom.com/info/5-common-ice-hockey-injuries/