As you know, I have to wear some sort of knee brace when I run due to my patellafemoral pain syndrome. I used to rely on knee sleeves to keep my patella bone from laterally tracking, and now I use athletic tape.
I have been asked to compare knee sleeves vs. athletic tape, so here’s my review!
Athletic Tape: You need two tapes to tape your knees – the cover tape to protect your skin (available here in a variety of sizes; I use 2 inch x 10 yards) and the firmer athletic tape (available here).
Knee Sleeves: There are a variety of knee sleeves available, but I wear this kind by Pro-Tech Athletics.
Here is a point by point analysis of athletic tape vs. knee sleeves. This analysis assumes you wear the tape or sleeves on both legs:
| Athletic Tape | Knee Sleeves | |
| Cost | $22.9 for the two types of tape | $40.00 ($20.00 each) |
| Life* | 2.5 months | 4 months |
| Cost Per Use* | $0.75 | $0.84 |
| Effectiveness | High | Moderate |
| Skill | You need a professional to show you how to use it. | No skill required – you just pull them on. |
| Comfort | High – the tape allows the back of your knees to breathe | Moderate – the sleeves get very hot |
| Appearance | Looks like you’re wearing band-aids | Pretty ugly |
| Allergy Info | The tape contains latex. I’m mildly allergic but have not had a reaction. If you are very sensitive, it would be an issue. | The sleeves contain neoprene. |
| Overall Impression | Worth the cost and trouble if you have really bad knees. | Great and low-cost tool for managing mild knee pain. |
*Assumes you run three times a week.
Overall, I love the knee tape but once my leg muscles get stronger, I will probably rely on the sleeves for shorter runs just because they are easier to put on and cheaper in the long-term.
Remember, if you have knee pain, SEE A DOCTOR to get a proper diagnosis and ask what options are best for your condition.
On that note, I woke up really early (5:30) to do some blog work on Operation Beautiful. I snacked on toast with PB and coffee while I worked:
And once I was done, I went on a very pleasant 3.0 mile run! It is so fun to get back into running on a regular basis. I’m loving it!
- Duration: 31 minutes
- Distance: 3.0 miles
- Calories Burned: 240 (estimate)
I was a hot and sweaty mess by the time I got home, so I made a yummy and cold bowl of Oikos yogurt.
My bowl contained:
- 1 serving Oikos yogurt
- Blackberries
- 1 crushed Kashi TLC bar
- Cashews
- Sliced Banana
So GOOD!
Off to work I go!
But first, thank you to the following ladies who contributed to my Team in Training efforts:
- Kristen
- Angelina
My bf has knee trouble, I wonder if either of those things would help him. He really just doesn't run anymore because of it.
Have a great day!