Brand new knee sleeves are supposed to feel tight. That is the whole point. But there is a difference between a proper compression fit and a sleeve that is simply the wrong size. Here is how to tell which one you have.
We get this question more than almost any other: "My sleeves arrived and I can barely get them on. Did I order the wrong size?"
Usually the answer is no. Sometimes it is yes. Here is how to work out which.
Tight Is Normal. Here Is Why.
A knee sleeve works by compressing the joint. That compression keeps the knee warm, gives you more feedback about where the joint is under load and helps you feel locked in out of the bottom of a squat. A sleeve that slides on easily is not compressing much.
Our 5mm and 7mm sleeves are built for a performance compression fit. Expect them to feel tight the first time. After one or two training sessions the neoprene adjusts to the shape of your leg and becomes noticeably more comfortable, while still holding its support.
Signs Your Sleeves Are the Right Size
- They take some effort to get on, but you can get them on
- Once in place they stay put through a full session without rolling or sliding
- You feel firm, even pressure around the whole joint
- You can squat to full depth without the back of the sleeve digging in painfully
- Any marks on your skin fade shortly after you take them off
Signs They Are Too Small
- Numbness, tingling or pins and needles in your lower leg or foot
- You physically cannot get the sleeve over your calf, even using the roll method below
- Deep, painful marks that are still there long after training
- Your foot or lower leg changes colour
If you notice numbness, tingling or colour changes, take the sleeves off straight away. That is not a fit you should train through.
Signs They Are Too Big
- The sleeve slides down your shin during squats or between sets
- Fabric bunches or creases heavily behind the knee
- You barely feel any compression once it is on
How to Get Stiff Sleeves On (The Roll Method)
If the problem is getting them on rather than how they feel once they are on, try this before you decide they are too small:
- Turn the sleeve inside out from the top, rolling it down so the inner print is showing.
- Slide your foot through and position the sleeve just below the knee joint.
- Roll the folded section up and over the knee into position.
For our Stiff Knee Sleeves PRO, fold the cuffs and roll them down by at least a third before you start. Pull the sleeve up past the joint, then roll the folded section above the knee.
A Few Habits That Help
- Take them off after training. Sleeves are built for your session, not for wearing all day.
- Wear them for the lifts that need them. Plenty of lifters put sleeves on for heavy squats and take them off for accessories.
- Hand wash cold and air dry. Heat from a dryer damages neoprene and changes the fit.
Think You Have the Wrong Size?
The most common cause is measuring in the wrong place. Our sleeves are not all measured the same way: the V3 range is measured 8cm below the middle of the kneecap, the PRO 10cm below it, and the double ply and thermal sleeves around the kneecap itself. Our guide to measuring for knee sleeves covers each one in detail.
Find Your Sleeve and Your Size in Two Minutes
If you want to double-check your size before you buy, or before you swap, the quickest way is to let the size finder do the maths.
Our Knee Support Buying Guide does both jobs in one place. Step 1 is a 30-second quiz that matches you to the right Mammal knee support for how you train. Step 4 is our size finder: pick your sleeve, follow the measuring steps for that exact product and it tells you your size.
Open the Knee Support Buying Guide ->
Every Mammal knee sleeve comes with 30-day free returns and a 12-month warranty, so if the fit is not right, we will sort it.