Outdoor and running enthusiasts are well aware of the importance of protective gear. In this article, we will take the McDavid E3 knee brace as an example to discuss the use and selection of knee braces.
1. The Function of Knee Braces
The knee joint is both a crucial part of movement and a relatively fragile area prone to injury. For every kilogram of weight you gain, your knees have to bear six times that weight. For example, if you gain five kilograms, your knees will have to bear an additional thirty kilograms! Let's first take a brief look at the structure of the knee joint:
The knee joint is where the upper and lower leg bones meet, with a meniscus in between and a patella in front. The patella is stretched by two muscles and is suspended in front of the meeting point of the leg bones, making it very easy to move. Due to the excessive pressure exerted on the knees by running or cycling, the patella can easily be pulled away from its original position, leading to knee joint diseases.
A knee brace can fix the patella in a relatively stable position to ensure it is not easily injured. When the knee joint is not injured, a knee brace can act as a stabilizer. After a knee injury, using a high-stability knee brace can reduce knee bending, keeping the leg straight from thigh to calf, thus protecting the knee joint from worsening. Additionally, knee braces can alleviate pain caused by patellar tendonitis in athletes by distributing the pressure, thereby reducing knee pain.
2. Classification and Selection of Knee Braces
Knee braces can be classified into open and closed types based on their usage.
1. Open knee braces, also known as open-style knee braces, have the advantage of fitting the joint to the maximum extent within the specified size range. The downside is that the Velcro may weaken over time, becoming less sticky, or the straps may be too numerous, making it cumbersome. Open knee braces come in universal sizes, but these sizes have a certain range. For example, if the size range is 30-50cm and your knee circumference is 55cm, this knee brace would not be suitable for you.
2. Closed knee braces, also known as slip-on knee braces, can be worn by simply removing your shoes and pulling them up over your pants. The downside is that the fit can be hard to gauge, and the size may increase over time. When choosing a closed knee brace, you need to select based on your knee circumference. It should not be too loose or too tight; just right is best. For example, if an L size knee brace is for a knee circumference of 40-45cm, you should choose it if your knee circumference falls within this range.
I have also been troubled by pain in the popliteal fossa behind my knee. Last year, to choose a suitable patella strap for the Zhengkai Half Marathon, I researched extensively online and finally chose the McDavid patella strap, which is lightweight and easy to use. After getting into trail running, I bought the McDavid 5147 E3 closed four-way strap knee brace to better protect my previously injured left leg.
3. Unboxing Review
The packaging of the McDavid 5147 E3 four-way strap knee brace is very eco-friendly, consisting of a pull-out cardboard box.
The size of the box was quite surprising when I received it ^_^
The box has a hook for easy hanging storage.
The knee brace's material composition and place of manufacture (China) are clearly labeled.
The inside of the box includes illustrated instructions for using the knee brace, which are simple and clear.
The logo on the front of the knee brace is very powerful, using edge-wrapping technology to prevent fraying and increase durability.
The front of the knee brace features the core of the 5147 E3 knee brace—a circular compression (fixed) rubber tube made of medical-grade neoprene. The rubber tube in the 5147 E3 knee brace has specific requirements for softness and thickness; too soft and it won't provide protection, too hard and it will chafe the skin around the knee.
When wearing the 5147 E3 knee brace, align the rubber tube with the knee area and adjust the surrounding parts accordingly. The neoprene support pad at the patella area enhances patella stability and reduces knee joint pressure.
The 5147 E3 knee brace features adjustable double straps for added pressure on the knee joint. The Velcro allows for length adjustment, letting you find a comfortable fit. I measured my knee circumference at exactly 37.5 cm, which is at the upper limit of the L size, so I chose the L size.
The single-direction open design with Velcro makes it easy to wear.
The knee brace has two stabilizing brackets on both sides for added stability.
The knee brace uses high-elastic knitted fabric with four-way stretch to enhance pressure and fit. The high-elastic design is a scientific, ergonomics-based design. Through flat knitting technology, it creates a close-fitting, breathable, comfortable, and effective support system.
The effect after fastening is quite lightweight, and it fits snugly without slipping.
Due to differences in measurement skills and equipment precision, there may be discrepancies with official data. Therefore, all data in the images are for reference only. The 5147 E3 knee brace weighs 182 grams.
The thickness of the surrounding part of the 5147 E3 knee brace is 1.9 mm, the Velcro part is 4.6 mm, and the rubber tube part is 8 mm, making it not too bulky overall.
4. Usage Review
After receiving the 5147 E3 knee brace, I tested it with indoor cycling and outdoor running, including on cobblestone roads, gravel roads, and slopes.
During use, especially during long-distance running, I felt that the 5147 E3 knee brace was stable and flexible, providing noticeable support to the knee.
In terms of wrapping, the 5147 E3 knee brace has a natural advantage over open knee braces. The built-in circular neoprene pad provides stable and even pressure to the patellar tendon, surrounding the area below the kneecap and supporting the patella to distribute joint pressure and cushion body weight and ground reaction forces.
The most satisfying feature is the front compression design, which offers better knee protection.
During cycling, I used the HIIT cycling method: warm-up for 5 minutes (WARM UP) → sprint for 30 seconds (RUN) → steady pace for 1 minute 30 seconds (REST) → repeat 12 sets (REPEAT) → cool down for 1 minute 30 seconds (COOL), totaling just over 30 minutes of exercise, which provides a certain level of cardiovascular stimulation.
With the protection of the E3 closed four-way strap knee brace, my knee felt well-protected during the rapid opening-folding and forceful pedaling movements, allowing me to focus on training without worrying about my previously injured left leg.
After several workouts, I did not experience the usual next-day popliteal fossa pain, indicating that the McDavid 5147 E3 knee brace successfully fulfilled its task of protecting the knee.
5. Review Summary
Advantages:
Exquisite workmanship, comfortable wrapping, and high stability. This knee brace is very suitable for those who are heavy, just starting to exercise, or have knee injuries. It is important to emphasize that for those with minor knee injuries who want to prevent worsening, it is recommended to consult a doctor first. The 5147 E3 knee brace can only slow down the progression of the injury.
Disadvantages:
The closed knee brace inevitably has slightly poorer breathability. I tested it while running outdoors in extreme temperatures of around 30 degrees, and although there was no discomfort during exercise, there was some sweating behind the knee.
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