TomPat
Any product that someone gets paid (or gets a discount) to review, I view as advertising, and as such take 1-star off but, having said that, the EXOUS knee brace had almost 80% 5-star ratings which was impressive, beaten out by one other I looked at, the ULTRAFLEX which had over 90% 5-star ratings. So, when my right knee started to hurt (the inside part) after running 5K's, I decided to buy both (paid full price, $30 and $20, respectively) and try em out.
The ULTRAFLEX arrived first, so I tried it on. It is made of a nice material, soft to the touch, and you do not feel like you have anything on. It goes on real easy, and once on, it stays on without slipping or curling at the edges due to a band at the inside top, which seems to grip onto your thigh. It goes on easy under jeans or pants, and is completely unobtrusive. If you don't remember to take it off, you will go to bed with it! It does a fairly good job of eliminating my knee pain but I could still feel the ache/soreness of my knee. Although going up/down stairs was easy, there was still that twinge of pain. On a 10-point scale of easing the knee pain, I would give it a 9. I have NOT gone running 5K with this, so when I do, I will update my experience here.
UPDATE: 9/17/17--a full year of use, and I almost religiously run 5K every Sunday (weather and travel-schedule permitting) with this on my left knee. I am just amazed how good this has held up--the material still looks like and performs like new. It did feel like it was slipping, but I wear it slightly higher now, and I can tell you, it does not slip and grips your thigh really well. My knee actually feels better after my 5K run, than before--go figure!
The EXOUS came the next day, so decided to put it on. Required a little effort, but after watching Meredith's (one of the paid reviewers here) video, was able to. This is definitely a more sturdy brace and so doesn't feel as unobtrusive. The material feels comfortable and soft to the touch. The straps are long and there's plenty of velcro, so it goes on and stays on (for now, at least). It does squeeze your knee-area a bit (if you get it on snug), so you do feel you are wearing it. But the amazing part is that the knee pain is almost entirely gone! I have been running up/down stairs to test it out and I do not feel any pain--on a scale of 10, this is a near perfect 9.9 for pain relief. I plan to go running with this on, and will update here my experience (also, how the velcro holds up over time).
UPDATE 9/17/17--I have been using the EXOUS on my right knee for my 5K runs every Sunday, and this is the 1st year anniversary. I can honestly say that I am more pleased with this brace today than a year ago! The velcro holds up well and is still like-new, not slipping or coming off, and once you get the hang of putting the brace on, it goes on in 30 seconds. My knee feels fresh after my 5K run, can't describe it any better! However, between this and the more simpler designed Ultra-flex that I use on my left knee, I can NOT tell any difference--and the EXOUS is 50% more expensive! The only advantage I see with EXOUS is the fact that the straps allow you to tighten or loosen as required, but if you are on a budget, I would stay with the Ultra-flex. Happy running, Boomers!!!
Biggest negative with both products--they are Made in China.
UPDATE 6/4/2018--despite my dislike of anything MADE IN CHINA, I just ordered another EXOUS for my other knee (which I was using the UltraFlex for, which is pretty good for the price, but not as good as the EXOUS). This brace is head-and-shoulder better than any of the other braces have tried. My knee pain is a thing of the past.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 12.48 x 6.77 x 1.1 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.18 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.8 x 5.25 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
| Brand Name | EXOUS BODYGEAR |
| Model Name | EX-701 |
| Color | black |
| Material | Neoprene |
| Suggested Users | Unisex-Adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | EXOUS BODYGEAR |
| Part Number | FBA_EX-701 |
| Size | Fits up to 20" upper thigh measured 3" above knee |
| Sport Type | Tennis, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Basketball, Football |