A long time ago people used to think that knee braces are important to those people who have experienced a knee injury. However, as time went by people realized including medics that by wearing knee braces you are able to prevent an ACL injury which takes a maximum of 6 months to get fully cured. Motor crossing all through an exciting sport can be a bit dangerous thus the importance of wearing motocross knee braces.
These safety gear usually have a hinge that is meant to be placed in close proximity or adjacent to the joint. The solid frame is meant to offer protection to the knees.
When purchasing a motocross knee braces here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Length of the brace
The length of the braces usually determines the way the force will be distributed to prevent the rider from experiencing a serious injury. A good motocross brace usually distributes the force past the hinged, frame, upper, and lower cuffs which happen to be flexible, and through this distribution the force hitting the bone is reduced or lessened. Therefore when the braces are longer then the load will eventually be reduced hence the bones will not be affected by the impact that much.
- Weight of the knee braces
Unlike the previous braces which were only meant for treatment, the current ones are usually made to be lighter but at the same time be strong and stable and have a minimum amount of moving parts. This is such an important factor to look for in a motocross knee brace as it is meant to ease your movement, unlike the traditional ones which were rather heavy hence limited movement.
- Movement
The motor cross knee brace you are considering buying should be of the right size and should not at any time impede your riding. This is because if you happen to buy braces that are not the right size for you then you will have a hard time moving naturally. Hence one is usually advised to check the sizes well and also read the instructions keenly so as to avoid you wearing the wrong way this translates to you having to try them on before purchasing.
Certification
As we all know knee braces are usually purchased for the sole purpose of protection therefore it is advisable to purchase one which has been certified as being highly functional hence can offer protection on impact. There is also checking the customers’ reviews and seeing which one has the most positive reviews.
- Materials
The materials in which the knee braces have been made say a lot about whether or not they can offer protection on impact. The materials say a lot about whether or not your knee braces are strong enough to bear the impacts eventually leading to no injuries. The materials which definitely will offer protection include carbon fiber, nylon which has been reinforced by fiberglass, and also 3DF foam which is soft offers the same protection. These materials offer the maximum protection and anyone using knee braces usually at most times escapes an injury unscathed.
- Adjustability
Bringing the aspect of protection and adjustability can be a bit tricky however, not impossible. This is because a knee brace has to accommodate the fact that there are different sizes and shapes of legs. Thus the importance of owning braces that can be adjusted so that they can be comfortable for you to motocross. The problem comes when the braces are moving too much to the point that it can’t offer protection in case of an accident. One has to make sure that the braces can be adjusted at the same time being able to offer protection.
- Comfort
Despite the fact that it is supposed to have a solid frame for the sole purpose of supportive protection it should be comfortable during the movement for a long time. Hence one should realize that the braces should not be painful. The comfort is brought forth if the braces are light in weight and the materials used are breathable especially when motor crossing in a hot weather conditions. There should not be any restrictions impeding your movements.
- Cost
There is no point in buying a cheaper knee brace at the expense of health. You should strive to look for the quality rather than the amount of money you would use to purchase it however you should also choose one that you can afford as there are affordable options that offer the same amount of protection thus you should choose one that is affordable that is highly functional.
- The type of hinge system
The type of hinge used is usually very important as it is the one that is usually in close proximity with the knee joint which has to be protected and at the same time be comfortable as it can be easily severely damaged if one is not careful. This system has to be designed anatomically for your joint hence the importance of being proactive in the search for a perfect motor cross knee brace covered by insurance.
- The design
It is usually advisable to pick a brace that has a design that is low profile and the fitting of the width should be adjustable so as to allow for comfort regardless of the duration of time you spend motor cross.