SBD knee sleeves keep the joint warm and compressed through a session and, in the 7mm cuts, give a small, honest amount of rebound out of the bottom of a squat. They are made in the UK from high-grade neoprene to the maximum specification the IPF permits, and every sleeve here is IPF approved and IWF compliant.

Three sleeves, three jobs

The 7mm Powerlifting Knee Sleeves are the competition sleeve: the stiffest neoprene SBD makes, maximum compression and rebound, built for lifters who squat heavy and compete. They are hard to get on by design.

The 7mm Knee Sleeves are the original SBD sleeve and the one most lifters train in. Same thickness, slightly more forgiving neoprene, easier on and off, still IPF approved. If you want one pair for training and meets, this is it.

The 5mm Weightlifting Knee Sleeves use four-way stretch neoprene that moves with a deep clean or snatch receive. They are the sleeve for Olympic lifters, CrossFit and anyone who wants warmth and support for a whole session without the squeeze of a 7mm.

Standard fit or tight fit

Sizing is where most people go wrong. Measure around the centre of the knee with the leg straight and relaxed and check the knee sleeve size chart. That measurement gives you the standard fit: right for training, for lifters new to sleeves, and for anyone who wants warmth without fighting circulation. Competition lifters chasing maximum rebound usually go one size down for a tight fit; expect a tight sleeve to take real effort to put on and to come off between sets. If you sit between sizes, take the larger for training and the smaller for competition.

Colourways

The Classic black and red sleeves are always in stock. The Resolve, Nova, Forge and Serenity ranges are the same sleeves in limited edition colourways, produced in a single run; when your size is listed on this page it is here now and will not be restocked once it sells through.

Care

Wash them. Neoprene holds sweat, and a sleeve that is never washed stiffens and smells within a month. Hand wash in warm water with mild detergent or a squirt of shampoo, rinse, squeeze out and air dry away from direct sun and heaters. Rotate two pairs if you train four or more days a week. With normal care a 7mm sleeve holds its compression for a year or two of hard training.

Common questions

Do I need knee sleeves? If you squat heavy, your knees feel cranky on the first sets, or you compete, yes. If you are new to lifting, warm up properly and buy sleeves when the loads justify them.

How much do they add to a squat? A tight 7mm sleeve gives some rebound out of the hole, a few kilos for most lifters. The warmth and confidence matter more than the number.

Sleeves or wraps? Sleeves for raw lifting and training. Wraps only if you compete in an equipped or wraps division.

Are they legal? SBD 7mm sleeves are on the IPF approved list and accepted by every IPF affiliate; the 5mm sleeves are IWF compliant. Check your federation's current equipment rules if you compete elsewhere.

Every pair ships from Sydney with fast Australia-wide delivery.