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The Gear Atlas · Armor

Knee sleeves and knee pads for squats, lunges and wall balls

100 m of sandbag lunges and 100 wall balls are hard on knees. Sleeves keep them warm; pads keep the floor off them.

Reviewed 5 Nov 2026 · 1 source · 5 picks

In Hyrox, the sandbag lunges run 100 m and the wall balls are 100 reps, both near the end of the race 1. A lunge rep usually ends with the back knee touching the floor, which is uncomfortable on a hard surface after a few dozen reps.

Neoprene knee sleeves keep the joint warm and add a feeling of support in squats. They do not fix knee pain. If your knees hurt during or after squats, lunges or wall balls, see a physiotherapist and read our niggles guide first.

At a glance
Criteria

What to look for

01

Thickness for the job

Thick 7 mm sleeves suit heavy squats. Thinner 5 mm sleeves move more freely for lunges, running and workouts.

02

Fit matters most

Measure around the knee or calf as the brand's size chart asks. A sleeve should feel snug without cutting off circulation.

03

Pads for floor contact

Soft volleyball-style knee pads take the sting out of lunge knee touches in training on concrete or rubber floors.

04

Medical supports are different

Knitted medical supports with pads around the kneecap are designed for injured knees. Use them on the advice of a physio, not as training kit.

5 picks

Worth a look

  1. Knee sleeve

    Rehband RX Knee Sleeve 7 mm

    A long-standing neoprene sleeve used in functional fitness. Rehband also makes thinner versions for more mobility.

    Best for Heavy squat days

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link
  2. Knee sleeve

    Rehband RX Knee Sleeve 5 mm

    The thinner version: more freedom for lunges, box jumps and running inside a workout.

    Best for Workouts and lunges

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link
  3. Knee sleeve

    SBD knee sleeves

    Stiff, thick sleeves from a powerlifting brand. Tight by design; follow the size chart closely.

    Best for Heavy strength blocks

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link
  4. Knee pads

    Volleyball knee pads

    Soft foam pads that cushion the back-knee touch in lunges. Ideal for lunge volume on hard floors.

    Best for Lunge training on hard floors

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link
  5. Medical support

    Bauerfeind GenuTrain

    A knitted support with a pad around the kneecap, made for knee complaints. Use it on a physio's advice.

    Best for Returning from a knee complaint

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Knee pain from wall balls Sandbag lunge technique
FAQ

Questions

Do knee sleeves prevent injury?

There is no good evidence that they do. They keep the knee warm and many athletes like the feeling of support. Build strength and manage load for joint health.

Can I wear knee sleeves at Hyrox?

Many racers do. Check the current rulebook for any equipment changes before race day 1.

5 mm or 7 mm?

7 mm for heavy squats, 5 mm for workouts, lunges and running. If you only buy one pair for hybrid training, 5 mm is the more flexible choice.

References

Sources

  1. HYROX. Official rulebook and station standards, current season. hyrox.com/rulebook. Accessed 2026-11-05.
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Knee sleeves and knee pads for squats, lunges and wall balls

100 m of sandbag lunges and 100 wall balls are hard on knees. Sleeves keep them warm; pads keep the floor off them.

In Hyrox, the sandbag lunges run 100 m and the wall balls are 100 reps, both near the end of the race. A lunge rep usually ends with the back knee touching the floor, which is uncomfortable on a hard surface after a few dozen reps.

Neoprene knee sleeves keep the joint warm and add a feeling of support in squats. They do not fix knee pain. If your knees hurt during or after squats, lunges or wall balls, see a physiotherapist and read our niggles guide first.

What to look for

Worth a look

  1. Rehband RX Knee Sleeve 7 mm

    Knee sleeve. A long-standing neoprene sleeve used in functional fitness. Rehband also makes thinner versions for more mobility. Best for: Heavy squat days.

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link

  2. Rehband RX Knee Sleeve 5 mm

    Knee sleeve. The thinner version: more freedom for lunges, box jumps and running inside a workout. Best for: Workouts and lunges.

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link

  3. SBD knee sleeves

    Knee sleeve. Stiff, thick sleeves from a powerlifting brand. Tight by design; follow the size chart closely. Best for: Heavy strength blocks.

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link

  4. Volleyball knee pads

    Knee pads. Soft foam pads that cushion the back-knee touch in lunges. Ideal for lunge volume on hard floors. Best for: Lunge training on hard floors.

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link

  5. Bauerfeind GenuTrain

    Medical support. A knitted support with a pad around the kneecap, made for knee complaints. Use it on a physio's advice. Best for: Returning from a knee complaint.

    Check on Amazon *Affiliate link

Putting them on: Turn neoprene sleeves inside out, slide them up to the knee, then roll them over the joint. It is far easier than pulling a tight sleeve straight up your calf.

Questions

Do knee sleeves prevent injury?

There is no good evidence that they do. They keep the knee warm and many athletes like the feeling of support. Build strength and manage load for joint health.

Can I wear knee sleeves at Hyrox?

Many racers do. Check the current rulebook for any equipment changes before race day.

5 mm or 7 mm?

7 mm for heavy squats, 5 mm for workouts, lunges and running. If you only buy one pair for hybrid training, 5 mm is the more flexible choice.

Sources

  1. HYROX. Official rulebook and station standards, current season. hyrox.com/rulebook. Accessed 2026-11-05.