My 62 year old knees have pain at the top of my patella if my knees are cool. I use knee warmers and/or tights when it is cold with good results but for temps between 60 and 70 F they are too warm.

I've been looking for a thin knee covering for a long time and just saw the copper knee compression sleeves promoted by Brett Favre in a store and they are a nice thin weight.

I'm wondering if anyone has used those or similar products and if they are too constricting or bunch up when cycling. I've tried other elastic braces and eventually they bind in the back of the knee are are uncomfortable.

I'd appreciate any input or recommendations on these copper sleeves.

From Consumer Reports:
When the price drops to the same price as ordinary knee warmers from Nashbar or my Pearl Izumi arm warmers from the outlet store, about $10, I'll try 'em. At that price, nothing to lose.

The "benefits of copper" marketing is totally bogus, but folks I know who use them who say they are actually good quality compression gear and they work well as such. But I don't know anyone who uses them while biking, so I can't really comment on the OP's question.

BTW, Nashbar's $12 thermal knee warmers are thin (only slightly thicker than dress socks, much thinner than my Pearl Izumi arm warmers) but have been comfortably warm for me in temps ranging from the mid-40s to mid-60s (all in the same day). No bunching. Doesn't seem to matter where I place the seam, there's no chafing.

Usually I pull my long thermal socks up to close the gap on my shin between the socks and knee warmer, then roll the socks down a bit as the day warms up. Doesn't take much ventilation to feel comfortable at typical riding speeds in 60-something temperatures.

You know that copper isn't an insulator, right???

OP said he wasn't looking for warmth, thermal or "warmers."

He actually said the opposite, that he wanted light weight, cool, non restrictive knee support.


-Tim-

I really have no interest in the so called benefits of the copper. What interested me was having a thinner layer for protection than my Pearl Izumi knee warmers have and something that will stay in place. The only other thing I've seen once and I didn't buy them were some white sun protectors for legs. They were about the right thickness but I only want something minimal to cover the knees and not a full leg covering.

Thanks for the feedback. These are about $9.99 each. I may spring for one and see how it feels.

Heck, now that the price has dropped to ten bucks I'll try 'em myself.

But if you're just looking for the lightest practical fabric that's comfortable, no bunching or crawling, and just a bit warmer but not sweaty, try the Nashbar knee warmers. They're fleecy feeling inside, smoother outside, but not thick. My legs are skinny so I got the mediums -- perfect fit. I might try Nashbar's arm warmers if they're made the same way -- my Pearl Izumi arm warmers are almost too thick for the typical Texas cool weather day, which can range from the mid-30s to 70s in a single day.

I tried a pair and was unimpressed. Measured my knee per their instructions and there wasn't much compression at all. I tossed them out. bk

Brett Favre swears by the stuff for games of two-hand-touch football.

Dan

I've used knee sleeves Copper Fit and Copper Wear for about two seasons for cycling. Both are perfect for use above 60/65 degrees. I needed some support due to injury and resulting surgery. I like the thinness of the material and the fact there is no "fleece" so I am able to wear them all summer too. I just use them on my injured knee in conjunction with either a compression sock or sleeve on my calf (DVT). Both brands stay in place over my knee very well, much better than my cold weather knee sleeves. cost is under $10 on ebay I believe.

But then again...he texted pictures of his 'down tube shift lever.'

Dan

They did not work for me.

FWIW, the best thing that worked for myself was a cheap small knee brace at Walgreens for under $15, that I took the pad out of, and used it for my elbow. Probably would work as a medium for my knee, if I needed it......

I wound up buying the Copper Fit sleeves at $9.99 each. Since the roads here have been snow and ice covered I have only been able to try the sleeves on my stationary bike and while hiking. I agree with bikejfrr that they stay in place better than other knee warmers I have used. They don't bind and remained comfortable. The support is less than an elastic knee brace but it give some subtle support. Basically I hardly know they are on.

Now I just need to wait a few months for the temps here to get in the 60 degree range to see how well they will work for my intended purpose :-)

Then it must be true.

I just thought I'd update this thread as a personal review for anyone considering the copper fit knee sleeves.

I have ridden a number of times so far this spring both with and without the copper sleeves but always with some type of knee covering combination. I have to say that I have felt less knee discomfort/pain when I have had the sleeves on under my usual Pearl Izumi knee warmers and sometimes light tights. They are thin enough that I have doubts it relates to any added warmth so it may be due to the compression factor.

Basically over the course of my rides I've found with similar temps and conditions my knees are happier with the sleeves than without and they were worth the $20 for the pair at least to me.

It hasn't been warm enough here yet this year to try them without anything on top which was was the original reason for buying them but I think they will be worth it for that purpose.

Im using a compression sleeve from Zensah.com Really like them- the material is a step up from Copperfit stuff in my opinion.

Thanks for the tip, I think I will try them.

The marketing material for copperfit states that the copper has anti-bacterial properties such that their compression gear doesn't promote stinkage.

I don't think that Copper-Fit stocks small sized knee sleeves for my wife.

check out zensah.com

What are the odds of badger biker starting a thread about Brett Favre. . . .

I'm thinking the Aaron Rodgers thread is next.

: )

LOL! I just read that Brett's riding in the Trek 100 again this year if you want to ride with him.

It was in the upper 60's here on Saturday so I finally had a chance to try the sleeves by them selves and my knees felt good after the ride with no pain. They stay in place and didn't slide down. I'd have to say they were worth the $20 for the pair.

BTW I got mine online through Walmart and I'm pretty sure they have a small.