Just did my first session with the SBD sleeves and I absolutely love them. Damn what a big difference compared to those old cheap sleeves I got of amazon and been using for probably 3-4 years. I struggled with 160kg squat 3x5 in training which I did with ease with the SBD sleeves. Damn great support, looks good and seems to be good quality. Recommend buying them I got mine for around 70€.
@@BasementBrandon what is it that you don’t like above the Rheband sleeves? I’m looking at picking up my first pair for recreational lifting (but heavy DL/Squats) so doesn’t need to meet any PL federation requirements.
I've had SBD sleeves, and titan yellow jackets, personally I find the yellow jackets much easier to get on because of the lack of taper and the different material they use, they're slightly cheaper too but it isn't much. I like the sublimated pairs they release, and when it comes to actual performance in the lifts they're identical
I've only ever owned the SBD ones, but theyre going in to their fourth year (3-6x per week) now with no ripping, no seams coming undone, and no real proof of age other than the ungodly stench that won't go away no matter how much I wash them.
David have you tried boiling them? Boiling them then letting them cool down with some added dish soap does wonders. Even got out dog piss when my dog peed on them....
Same. Only reason I need to buy new sleeves to replace my SBDs are because I've lost weight and now they're too loose. The sleeves themselves look exactly the same as when I bought them a few years ago.
David I don’t have much issue with smell on any of my sleeves until it starts getting hot. Luckily the NE doesn’t get that bad in summer for the most part.
Mine are going on 6 years of use and had I not used them to protect my shins during deadlifts I don’t think anyone would know that they’re old. The logo on the front says “S D” lol. Other than that, if I ever have to buy another sleeve def buying SBD again!
I own SBD's, Elitefts Heavy Duty's and Stoic's. Stoic is by far my favorite. They are kindly stretchy so I can size down considerably. My SBD's are XL, but I can wear Medium Stoic's for competition for (train in Large).
What’s the size of your knee joint and calf, mines 39/40 for both Large felt too tight for me, so I’m getting XLs now. I don’t know how tight they should be as first time using however it was hard to get them past calf’s (the larges) and felt so tight when on I could barely walk
Do you notice more skin irritation from the seams between those sleeves? I've had Strong elbow sleeves that I had to return because of the prominent seams that left unsightly red marks on my arms.
I think at the end of the day, longevity is all that matters and paying a premium is worth it with SBD sleeves. Trying not to regret my purchase, because Stoic ones look pretty cool haha
I agree with you brandon. I own a couple of slingshot prodcuts ( hip circle,wrist wraps, knee sleeves). All ive owned for maybe a little more than 1 year and put them to good use. Unforutantely they are all falling apart. On the other hand ive owned my SBD knee sleeves since 2014 with no issues, I also own their elbow sleeves bought those last year and still look brand new( i use them alot).
Brandon Campbell Diamond No problem Thank you for all the home gym content! Also reading thru the comments it seems to be a common problem with slingshot.
I have genetic issues with my knees. To give you an idea, I wear SBD knee sleeves to get through a shift at my warehouse job. The best knee sleeves I have found for support during training are the Inzer XT sleeves. I can train legs heavy because of them.
Man I was literally just talking about knee sleeves in the gym to a buddy 5 minutes ago about which ones I should go with and this video pops up on my feed as 1st video that is wicked scary as always love you man keep the great work going
The original Strong sleeves were super good except for the stitching on them. The V2 has better stitching but it definitely seems like they're using a way cheaper neoprene now that doesn't last as long. In fact, I've noticed the drop in quality on a lot of Mark Bells products. The Gangsta sleeves(although not meet legal) are really really good though!
@@BasementBrandon can totally agree, there was just something about the first generation strong sleeves, but since then they have fallen apart quite quick and they have lowered their replacement policy to 6 months
I have the slingshot x sleeves and they are insanely supportive. The whole sleeve is like a jean material that has like no stretch so putting them on is harder but the support is unreal
@@master_59kg I'm pretty sure they only took out the grip stuff on the inside to make it ipf approved. Seems like the consensus is not good on these sleeves, maybe I'll have to try the stoics then.
I hate how much I agree with you old man! Haha! Every point you made is spot on except for the A& sleeves cause I don't have any personal experience with those so I can't put my two cents in. My Stoics are def my favorite and I wish I bought more pairs initially when they came out and weren't popular cause it was like $40!
I thought the idea of the SBD sleeves being lower in quality now was overblown until I actually bought new SBDs to replace my old ones. Within 5 months they were torn on the inside and showed more wear and tear than my 5 year old pair.
I had the same results with the Strong sleeves. I blew out two pairs in a little over two years. I'm done with them. The Slingshot is a great product, and the Gangster Wraps I have are still going strong after about two years. Now I will try the Stoic sleeves thanks to this review.
I had the Strong elbow sleeves but returned them. The seam was irritating and left ugly marks on my skin. I had the blue ones and found the surface gets scratches very easily.
Mark Bell Extreme X Sleeve is my current sleeve. They are stiff but add a lot of support. If you go that way they don't stretch so don't try to size down. Just FYI. I wear them through my entire squat routine due to multiple surgeries on both knees and I don't really feel any extra "spring" from the sleeve until about 245 lbs on the bar. After that they do give me a little extra bounce out of the hole. Nothing spectacular but every little bit helps.
@@BasementBrandon Thankfully the material hasn't irritated my skin because I like these. I've used others that have irritated my skin. The SBD specifically was the worst. Used them for about 2 weeks and sold them to a buddy. After washing them of course. May have to grab a set of the Stoic ones to compare.
I'm a big fan of the LiftingLarge "Crusher" sleeves, I have them for both knees and elbows. They're very comfortable and I like the increased support they give. I used to wear the classic Rehbands but as my legs grew they wouldn't stay in place.
I’ve owned Nordic sleeves, and I got the Stoic sleeves now. And to be honest they’re kinda the same, the Nordic are great for an entry level and best bang for you buck
I use the Strength shop sleeves, and I really like them. They have held together really well for 5 months so far. I feel like I got a size bigger than I needed (using L) cause they’re easy to put on just by folding the top, but regardless I feel them tight enough and still give good support. Good option imo and not pricey at all
I’ve only had Rehband prior to buying Stoic, i really like Stoic and will probably buy them again when the time comes. Their holding up well afte two years.
I like SBD because they never smell bad. I also have Strong Sleeves and Strength Shop sleeves but after a while they start to smell bad after a workout.
I had strong sleeves and I accidentally ruined them by washing them in a sink with hot water and detergent. The neoprene got destroyed. I’ve since ordered stoic, pumped to try them
I have some of the original 7mm blue Rehband. I've had mine for 10-12 years. If you can find them (Jackal's Gym) buy them. Rehband was always a trusted brand of the World's Strongest Man competitors for years. Just my opinion.
They are very similar, that’s true but realistically, what would be an original design concept for a knee sleeve? There’s not a whole lot you can do with it
I measure at 14 inches for my knee cap. 35 cm. I would fit a small. I’ve heard they run larger than other brands but this would be my first pair and I’m not sure. Would a XS be too small for me?
My large SBD were like springs for my knees. After 2 years and losing 70lbs, I decided to go with medium STrong, just for something different. They're less springy and feel about the same as my old SBD. I'll be looking at some new SBD at some point in the future, maybe. I still have 10 minutes of the video left to watch yet!
I own a couple pairs of strong sleeves. The thing I don't like is they get wrinkly or creases. So all the material is not in contact with my skin. I've held a pair of stoics in my hand and they feel thicker and more foamy. So I'm thinking maybe I wouldn't have the same problem. With that said, I'm hesitant to buy another pair of sleeves because I never felt like I got anything out of them so it's rare that I'll put them on outside of a competition.
Why didn't you compare the extreme X sleeves? They are denim and the stiffest of all knee sleeves. They provide incredible rebound. Compared to the SBD... napkins.
@@master_59kg ive been soley using them for ages and they are so stiff, i always sit with my legs straight because its to tight and uncomfortable to keep your knee bent for so long
With the knee sleeves, do you ever find that they start to wear down after a certain amount of time (in terms of the neoprene stretches out and it's not providing the support as much)? Like do you find that every couple years (just as an example) you kinda need to buy a new pair just due to the nature of the use of them. I understand the point that some last longer than others but my question is more just when do you usually see the neoprene wearing down and when you buy a new pair. Maybe that doesn't make any sense! haha
That's tough for me to say b/c I tend to rotate through a few pairs and haven't really had that issue. I will say that when I wash and dry them (in dryer) they do feel more supportive the first few wears.
Owned the all black SBD sleeves from last years winter release and the fabric is tearing apart from the stitching on the inside after about 9 months of using them 3 times per week. Definitely love the sleeves but sucks to know that they used to be made much better and that you can’t even buy the all black version anymore
Yea.. I recently bought the SBD sleeves, 6 months ago, and the right knee sleeve already has a small hole.......... but they are better than the rehbands for knee support. In your experience, do the Stoic offer better support and rebound than the SBD sleeves?
@@BasementBrandon Thanks bro for being so professional. You are the only one who responds to all my comments and that shows the kind of person you are... keep it up...
SBD have been great for me. 5 years on my first pair, powerlifting focus with almost no time off. No issues. Personally I think they look great. The STrong logo is goofy as hell.
Gangsta sleeves are no good for me. Mine broke down in a few weeks. Had creases and folds on them. I will admit the first time I ever put them on they felt amazing. Never buying strong again. Even the gangsta wrist wraps were bad as well, the way they are designed is terrible.
@@BasementBrandon Thanks! No one really talks about Rogue knee sleeves. I bought a belt from them and it was really good quality (my only belt so I can't compare it to anything else). I trust them in making good quality knee sleeves but I just wanted to hear what you thought. Great content and advice as always.
SBD isn't really priced that much higher. Especially when it comes to quality and longevity, along with being approved by every federation. In reality, I bought them being I tried buying Stoic through their mobile site and it couldn't be navigated and everything loaded at the wrong points on the screen. I decided if a company can't figure out how to hire someone for web design, their quality elsewhere probably suffers too.
How many pounds do you feel sleeves really add to your squat? If you had to give up either sleeves, shoes or a belt, I assume you’d give up sleeves first.
it's tough to say, it def adds some IMO, but how much would just be a guess. Personally I'd give up shoes at this point as I don't find they make that much of a difference for me.
More about comfort than lbs and takes longer to warmup without sleeves and my knees feel creaky. Depends on if have achy knees if do will help more... Too many factors fit, weights being used... 10 to 20 lbs id say ballpark.
Hey Brandon been a fan since day one and you’ve driven me to peruse strength and competing so thank you for that! Would love to know your thoughts on slingshot want to invest in one but I’m from uk looking at mark bells and the strengthshop versions would like some advice thank you.
I've owned one for about 6-7 years, and have used it probably 4-5 times. I don't find a place for it in my training, so I'd be hesitant to recommend one.
My knee sleeves lasted me 4 months... i did throw them in the washing machine, and that may have had something to do with it but either way i got very little use out of mine
@@BasementBrandon - in all fairness I haven´t tried that many brands:) Wouldn´t squat without knee sleeves but a big part of it is just mental. Used knee wraps back in the days and that is of course a whole other animal!
Are you familiar with the EVOLUTIONIZE knee sleeves ? I got a pair and it’s the first generation stoic sleeves. I was wondering if it’s an exact copy as the stoic sleeves since I was planning on getting them to compete in. Though I wasn’t so happy with them since I didn’t really feel much support.
You helped me pick the Stoic sleeves in the past and they are great. I turn them a little so the seam is just to the outside of the back part of my leg. I found it bunches on the seam a bit and bugs me. Still very happy with them. I'm looking for a new pair of elbow sleeves tho. My STrong ones are breaking down like you mentioned with the knees. And, you have finally talked me into getting an A7 shirt. Thanks again dude.
The Stoic elbow sleeves are very similar to their knee sleeves. Nice b/c they actually use a thinner neoprene on the inside of the arm and a thicker on the outside to allow for them to get on a bit easier.
@@BasementBrandon That's great to know and a concern of mine. I wish they did sponsor you, I would make sure they know you sent me. Does A7? I will buy through your link or however it works.
I had a pair of Strong elbow sleeves that I ended up returning. The material got scratch marks and wrinkles easily. Also, the seams irritated my skin leaving ugly ass red marks all over my arms.
I’ve owned the SBDs for a while but feel like their seam design puts a little unwanted pressure on the back of my knees. Not terrible, more so just annoying to me from a sensory perspective. Would the Stoics be worth the purchase given their single seam design?
How long do you find your stoic knee sleeves last? The past years I’ve used mark bell’s gangsta sleeves and love them but they don’t seem to last any longer then a year. Love the way the gangsta sleeves feel but buying a new pair every year is getting old
I’ve only had to replace one pair and that was bc they got caught in a sharp deadlifting bar when using them to protect my shins. Stoics come with a lifetime guarantee so if they break normally they’ll replace them.
I'm still using cheap Nordic Lifting knee sleeves from Amazon I bought in 2016. They used to be difficult to put on but have stretched out and provide very little support or compression. I'm looking for a sleeve made with denser and longer neoprene and am leaning towards the Stoics for the price, length, and because Alan Thrall recommends them as well. What's the measurement of your knee? One thing that gives me pause about SBDs is how long the seam is and if it causes irritable and leaves a mark on the skin. I had the Strong elbow sleeves but returned them because the seam irritated my skin and left ugly marks on my skin and the surface of the material scratched easily.
@@BasementBrandon whoa, that must be a tight fit! I tried a pair of already broken in medium SBDs that my gym has lying around. and it was a mild struggle put over my 13.5" knee cap. I was able to pull it up without folding the ends but it took multiple tugs. It wasn't as easy as putting on my size small Nordics (looks identical to the Rehbands), which slide on with a single tug. However, the Nordics were quite a struggle to put on before they stretch out and required the fold over technique for a couple weeks. Looks like small Stoics should fit me snuggly but not too tight on me. Do your Stoics slide on easily now or do you still have to fold the ends over ?
You probably won’t reply to this since this video is 2 years old, after watching your video I would like to know where the Titan Yellow Jackets fit into the picture? Stoic sadly aren’t available in AUS and the shipping to get it from USA costs and arm and a leg 😅
I think I have a review on those from a few years ago. I wasn't really a fan. They're a bit boxy. Might be good if you have extremely large legs, knees, calves, but otherwise other sleeves are better. I might suggest looking into the Iron Tanks sleeves, I found them to be quite nice.
I love the stoic knee sleeves, but the stitching tears up/irritates the back of my knee. The rubber adhesives do the same thing as well.. Anyone else with the same issue or ways to avoid this?
I have been using Iron Rebel sleeves and wrist wraps lately. How do you think they compare with the ones you reviewed ? Personally I'm like you, I don't want to use SBD's just because EVERYONE seems to be using them. Also, SBD's are a PITA to get on. ( in my opinion ).
@@Pler1978 Thanks for the information about Iron Rebell. I was just researching them and Gymreaper. It appears I should just save my money and buy Stoic and SBD for my 1st knee sleeves
Mark Bell X-treme sleeves are the worse! Broke after two weeks of use, they did not refund my money but gave a gift card for more of their products, so I end up with wrist wraps I did not need. Few of my friends also spent their money on the same sleeves with same results!
No, you can wear them whenever regardless of how much weight you are lifting. My personal protocol is that I don’t use them until my last warmup, or my last 2 if I’m going for something really heavy. But that’s just me, you can use them since the very start of your warmups and then actual working sets of course. I don’t think they can add more than 5-10 pounds to your squat, but I do like them because they offer compression and keep your joints warmed
I still have the og sbd the first gen per se. accumulated all the stankkkkkk. The 2nd gen was garbage- the cloth was falling off. The 3rd gen titans are almost like strong sleeves.
This is going to vary, but I just throw mine in with my normal wash as needed. I would be careful doing this if you run a hard cycle and your machines eat your clothes.
"Which is great for someone with small calves and small quads" Oh......
Life is rough for us tall boys
MiniatureActionJesus size lanky
He lost me with that too. #teamfatguyhugecalves
Extra extra small daa
@@murphpawz I have big calves & thighs too, so I guess no stoics for me then 😂
Brandon made it through that whole "length, width and thickness..." sentence without a single innuendo. A little disappointing.
I blacked out, not sure what happened.
To many Ammonia caps . !
👀
I agree on mark bells gear. Own a lot of his stuff and it's all worn out. Pioneer, titan, sbd have all held up well over time
Seems they are the opposite of most other products where you avoid the gen 1 stuff, his gen 1 stuff is always better!
Yes I’ve owned the STrong sleeves and the X Sleeves. The material inside started coming loose after maybe 4 months of training in them.
I've had my blue 7mm Rehbands for years. Great warmth and ok compression (if I needed max compression I could use wraps). No rips or tears. Love them.
Nice!!
Just did my first session with the SBD sleeves and I absolutely love them. Damn what a big difference compared to those old cheap sleeves I got of amazon and been using for probably 3-4 years. I struggled with 160kg squat 3x5 in training which I did with ease with the SBD sleeves. Damn great support, looks good and seems to be good quality. Recommend buying them I got mine for around 70€.
Appreciate the insight!
I’m a recreational lifter and I’ve been satisfied with my Rehbands.
Nice man
@@BasementBrandon what is it that you don’t like above the Rheband sleeves? I’m looking at picking up my first pair for recreational lifting (but heavy DL/Squats) so doesn’t need to meet any PL federation requirements.
@@carlosgato7491 They have the least amount of leg coverage compared to PL specific sleeves. I see them more as a cross training use case.
I've had SBD sleeves, and titan yellow jackets, personally I find the yellow jackets much easier to get on because of the lack of taper and the different material they use, they're slightly cheaper too but it isn't much. I like the sublimated pairs they release, and when it comes to actual performance in the lifts they're identical
In my opinion if sleeves are easy to get on they’re prob too big :)
Damn! That knee sleeve shower was straight *gangsta!!!*
You make enough crappy UA-cam videos and you’ll do just about anything
I've only ever owned the SBD ones, but theyre going in to their fourth year (3-6x per week) now with no ripping, no seams coming undone, and no real proof of age other than the ungodly stench that won't go away no matter how much I wash them.
David have you tried boiling them? Boiling them then letting them cool down with some added dish soap does wonders. Even got out dog piss when my dog peed on them....
Don’t wash em. Disinfect then with alcohol or disinfectant spray
Same. Only reason I need to buy new sleeves to replace my SBDs are because I've lost weight and now they're too loose. The sleeves themselves look exactly the same as when I bought them a few years ago.
David I don’t have much issue with smell on any of my sleeves until it starts getting hot. Luckily the NE doesn’t get that bad in summer for the most part.
Mine are going on 6 years of use and had I not used them to protect my shins during deadlifts I don’t think anyone would know that they’re old. The logo on the front says “S D” lol. Other than that, if I ever have to buy another sleeve def buying SBD again!
Make it rain clip should be in UA-cam rewind 2019.
Should be buried in an archive to never be seen again.
@@BasementBrandon yo, you had me dying LMMFAO
I completely agree with you about the strong knee sleeves ... I’m going to trust your judgment on the stoic sleeves let’s see how it plays out
Let me know
I own SBD's, Elitefts Heavy Duty's and Stoic's. Stoic is by far my favorite. They are kindly stretchy so I can size down considerably. My SBD's are XL, but I can wear Medium Stoic's for competition for (train in Large).
Appreciate the confirmation!!
What’s the size of your knee joint and calf, mines 39/40 for both Large felt too tight for me, so I’m getting XLs now. I don’t know how tight they should be as first time using however it was hard to get them past calf’s (the larges) and felt so tight when on I could barely walk
Do the Stoics stretch out over time or do they barely stretch out like SBDs?
Do you notice more skin irritation from the seams between those sleeves? I've had Strong elbow sleeves that I had to return because of the prominent seams that left unsightly red marks on my arms.
@@jzen1455 they do stretch considerably over time
I think at the end of the day, longevity is all that matters and paying a premium is worth it with SBD sleeves. Trying not to regret my purchase, because Stoic ones look pretty cool haha
Fair enough!
Geez- that is some good squatting- impressive. Nice range of motion, smooth lift.
Much appreciated!
Very thorough and constructive review, thanks for the info as always.
Glad it was helpful!
I agree with you brandon. I own a couple of slingshot prodcuts ( hip circle,wrist wraps, knee sleeves). All ive owned for maybe a little more than 1 year and put them to good use. Unforutantely they are all falling apart. On the other hand ive owned my SBD knee sleeves since 2014 with no issues, I also own their elbow sleeves bought those last year and still look brand new( i use them alot).
Appreciate the confirmation!
Brandon Campbell Diamond No problem Thank you for all the home gym content! Also reading thru the comments it seems to be a common problem with slingshot.
I have genetic issues with my knees. To give you an idea, I wear SBD knee sleeves to get through a shift at my warehouse job. The best knee sleeves I have found for support during training are the Inzer XT sleeves. I can train legs heavy because of them.
appreciate the feedback!
Very nice feedback
Man I was literally just talking about knee sleeves in the gym to a buddy 5 minutes ago about which ones I should go with and this video pops up on my feed as 1st video that is wicked scary as always love you man keep the great work going
Haha phone is always listening!
@@BasementBrandon ha ha ha damn big brother is always listening.
The original Strong sleeves were super good except for the stitching on them. The V2 has better stitching but it definitely seems like they're using a way cheaper neoprene now that doesn't last as long. In fact, I've noticed the drop in quality on a lot of Mark Bells products. The Gangsta sleeves(although not meet legal) are really really good though!
Maybe b/c they're still in their first gen iteration lol
I'm with you on the Strong Sleeves. My first pair was amazing. Second pair fit like a sock, lol.
Glad to hear it wasn't just me!
@@BasementBrandon can totally agree, there was just something about the first generation strong sleeves, but since then they have fallen apart quite quick and they have lowered their replacement policy to 6 months
I have the slingshot x sleeves and they are insanely supportive. The whole sleeve is like a jean material that has like no stretch so putting them on is harder but the support is unreal
I wasn't a big fan personally.
@@master_59kg I'm pretty sure they only took out the grip stuff on the inside to make it ipf approved. Seems like the consensus is not good on these sleeves, maybe I'll have to try the stoics then.
I hate how much I agree with you old man! Haha! Every point you made is spot on except for the A& sleeves cause I don't have any personal experience with those so I can't put my two cents in. My Stoics are def my favorite and I wish I bought more pairs initially when they came out and weren't popular cause it was like $40!
Hah that IPF approval ain't cheap!
Thanks For the video Brandon! You help a lot with those gear reviews and comparisons.
I waste money so you don’t have to lol
60 dollars for the Stoic? I remember them being around 35 or so.... shame there is no European reseller still. So still SBD for me.
Yep, prices creeping up, especially with the IPF approval cost.
"If you're in the SPF..." can't believe you didn't bust out laughing
Have to cover all my bases
I thought the idea of the SBD sleeves being lower in quality now was overblown until I actually bought new SBDs to replace my old ones. Within 5 months they were torn on the inside and showed more wear and tear than my 5 year old pair.
Damn
That' a bummer. I suppose their popularity played a role in the drop in quality?
I had the same results with the Strong sleeves. I blew out two pairs in a little over two years. I'm done with them. The Slingshot is a great product, and the Gangster Wraps I have are still going strong after about two years. Now I will try the Stoic sleeves thanks to this review.
Let me know if you do and what you think.
I had the Strong elbow sleeves but returned them. The seam was irritating and left ugly marks on my skin. I had the blue ones and found the surface gets scratches very easily.
That sleeve shower scene was a gift from the gods
I'm just glad it's from an older video that doesn't get many views anymore.
Mark Bell Extreme X Sleeve is my current sleeve. They are stiff but add a lot of support. If you go that way they don't stretch so don't try to size down. Just FYI. I wear them through my entire squat routine due to multiple surgeries on both knees and I don't really feel any extra "spring" from the sleeve until about 245 lbs on the bar. After that they do give me a little extra bounce out of the hole. Nothing spectacular but every little bit helps.
I prefer sleeves that have some spring to them. The stiff ones I find just chew the back of my knees and don’t offer better compression to me.
@@BasementBrandon Thankfully the material hasn't irritated my skin because I like these. I've used others that have irritated my skin. The SBD specifically was the worst. Used them for about 2 weeks and sold them to a buddy. After washing them of course. May have to grab a set of the Stoic ones to compare.
Thanks youtube for super retro recommendations hahah! Happy birthday to basement Brandon’s sons!!
appreciated!!
The blue rehbands are still the best sleeve for training. You can do many sets, get warm, them put wraps on
I think they’re better suited for more recreational training than powerlifting personally
@@BasementBrandon - maybe but the two Swedish brands- Rehband and Eleiko- are without a doubt the most common in weightlifting!:)
I'm a big fan of the LiftingLarge "Crusher" sleeves, I have them for both knees and elbows. They're very comfortable and I like the increased support they give. I used to wear the classic Rehbands but as my legs grew they wouldn't stay in place.
Right on
I’ve owned Nordic sleeves, and I got the Stoic sleeves now. And to be honest they’re kinda the same, the Nordic are great for an entry level and best bang for you buck
Nordics don't have a very good build quality in my experience.
Omg "I make it rain" was hilarious 😆
Didn't know what else to do with so many sleeves.
I use the Strength shop sleeves, and I really like them. They have held together really well for 5 months so far. I feel like I got a size bigger than I needed (using L) cause they’re easy to put on just by folding the top, but regardless I feel them tight enough and still give good support. Good option imo and not pricey at all
appreciate the feedback
Same here, I really like them.
I’ve only had Rehband prior to buying Stoic, i really like Stoic and will probably buy them again when the time comes. Their holding up well afte two years.
Appreciate the insight!
Great video and very helpful, as always! The "Make It Rain" part had me dying! 😂😂
Thanks my dude.
Thanks Brandon & martyjanderson for your feedback. Going to use my Iron Rebels in this weekend's comp.
Get after it!
I like SBD because they never smell bad. I also have Strong Sleeves and Strength Shop sleeves but after a while they start to smell bad after a workout.
I think you might be in the minority there, most people tell me their SBDs smell like a bag of doritos lol
I have had the Stoic ones for 2 years and love them. Only issue I see is the price has gone way up. I paid $35 after a coupon I got from Stoic.
Yeah I think that IPF approval made them raise the prices some!
Can you make a video on the best wrist wraps as well? Thanks! :)
I don't have as strong of an opinion when it comes to them, but I'll think about it!
I had strong sleeves and I accidentally ruined them by washing them in a sink with hot water and detergent. The neoprene got destroyed. I’ve since ordered stoic, pumped to try them
Curious to hear your thoughts.
I have some of the original 7mm blue Rehband. I've had mine for 10-12 years. If you can find them (Jackal's Gym) buy them. Rehband was always a trusted brand of the World's Strongest Man competitors for years. Just my opinion.
I have those as well, but find for powerlifting there are better sleeves.
I wear a pair of Tuff Wraps knee sleeves, love them. Ever tried out their gear?
Yes, they just clone other sleeve designs (like yellow jacket, rehband, and strong).
They are very similar, that’s true but realistically, what would be an original design concept for a knee sleeve? There’s not a whole lot you can do with it
I measure at 14 inches for my knee cap. 35 cm. I would fit a small. I’ve heard they run larger than other brands but this would be my first pair and I’m not sure. Would a XS be too small for me?
Most people size down to get the tightest fit. I guess it depends what you're going for!
Awesome! Thank you! I’m going to order them from Amazon. Should have them Wednesday. I’ll let ya know how they are lol
I don’t know how you’d try to rock a small in SBD I’m exploding out of my mediums right now lol
jooicy
My large SBD were like springs for my knees. After 2 years and losing 70lbs, I decided to go with medium STrong, just for something different.
They're less springy and feel about the same as my old SBD.
I'll be looking at some new SBD at some point in the future, maybe. I still have 10 minutes of the video left to watch yet!
Bruh, i can only just get the XL on
I own a couple pairs of strong sleeves. The thing I don't like is they get wrinkly or creases. So all the material is not in contact with my skin. I've held a pair of stoics in my hand and they feel thicker and more foamy. So I'm thinking maybe I wouldn't have the same problem. With that said, I'm hesitant to buy another pair of sleeves because I never felt like I got anything out of them so it's rare that I'll put them on outside of a competition.
Gotcha!
Why didn't you compare the extreme X sleeves? They are denim and the stiffest of all knee sleeves. They provide incredible rebound. Compared to the SBD... napkins.
I don't consider them better than what I showed here.
@@BasementBrandon but they add more Kgs than any other sleeve don't they
@@mprovin7320 no, just a gimmick.
@@BasementBrandon damn I defo don't think so.
@@master_59kg ive been soley using them for ages and they are so stiff, i always sit with my legs straight because its to tight and uncomfortable to keep your knee bent for so long
EliteFTS and Strong House worth exploring.
I liked the strong house ones but didn’t find them much different than my strong.
With the knee sleeves, do you ever find that they start to wear down after a certain amount of time (in terms of the neoprene stretches out and it's not providing the support as much)? Like do you find that every couple years (just as an example) you kinda need to buy a new pair just due to the nature of the use of them. I understand the point that some last longer than others but my question is more just when do you usually see the neoprene wearing down and when you buy a new pair. Maybe that doesn't make any sense! haha
That's tough for me to say b/c I tend to rotate through a few pairs and haven't really had that issue. I will say that when I wash and dry them (in dryer) they do feel more supportive the first few wears.
Loved the opening. Very cool.
Thanks!
That was an epic sleeve shower hahahaha
Thirsty for views.
Owned the all black SBD sleeves from last years winter release and the fabric is tearing apart from the stitching on the inside after about 9 months of using them 3 times per week. Definitely love the sleeves but sucks to know that they used to be made much better and that you can’t even buy the all black version anymore
The all blacks were prob my favorite SBD color. Pretty dumb they don’t offer the variety year round.
Hey Brandon I got some Cerberus gear. High quality stuff, might be worth the review on your end.
Right on, they sound familiar.
Yea.. I recently bought the SBD sleeves, 6 months ago, and the right knee sleeve already has a small hole.......... but they are better than the rehbands for knee support.
In your experience, do the Stoic offer better support and rebound than the SBD sleeves?
I think it depends on how you size, personally I feel my Stoics give me the same if not greater than other brands.
@@BasementBrandon Thanks bro for being so professional. You are the only one who responds to all my comments and that shows the kind of person you are... keep it up...
Mario LP no problem! Good luck!
How did you put a hole in them? That cant just be from normal use
@@getstrongby4038 It's a small tear, one day I was just forcing it up to my knee and it tore... simply as that..
Thanks for saving me money yet again!
Hope it helped.
SBD have been great for me. 5 years on my first pair, powerlifting focus with almost no time off. No issues. Personally I think they look great. The STrong logo is goofy as hell.
I actually prefer the strong logo to the sbd!
Gangsta sleeves are no good for me. Mine broke down in a few weeks. Had creases and folds on them. I will admit the first time I ever put them on they felt amazing. Never buying strong again. Even the gangsta wrist wraps were bad as well, the way they are designed is terrible.
Yeah unfortunately the quality is really hit or miss.
Thank you for another excellent video! Do you have an opinion about Rogue knee sleeves?
IIRC correctly they're basically rehbands.
@@BasementBrandon Thanks! No one really talks about Rogue knee sleeves. I bought a belt from them and it was really good quality (my only belt so I can't compare it to anything else). I trust them in making good quality knee sleeves but I just wanted to hear what you thought. Great content and advice as always.
How the hell do you fit into a small stoics?! Insane.
Small legs :)
Jamal Browner does too I believe
jesus christ dude, ive almost choked myself seeing 0:21
:)
Stoic knee sleeves are for real great
Glad to hear!
Okay B.B. time to take the plunge and review those Inzer Ergo Pros!
Haha I just can't wrap my mind around paying almost 2x more for them.
@@BasementBrandondamnit my gear whoring devil on my shoulder is gonna make me do it
Hey Brandon, have you had any experience with Stoic belts? Their lever belt looks promising.
Have not used personally!
I love my Spud Inc sleeves.
Nice!
SBD isn't really priced that much higher. Especially when it comes to quality and longevity, along with being approved by every federation.
In reality, I bought them being I tried buying Stoic through their mobile site and it couldn't be navigated and everything loaded at the wrong points on the screen. I decided if a company can't figure out how to hire someone for web design, their quality elsewhere probably suffers too.
I just tried and it was super simple and worked fine.
How many pounds do you feel sleeves really add to your squat? If you had to give up either sleeves, shoes or a belt, I assume you’d give up sleeves first.
it's tough to say, it def adds some IMO, but how much would just be a guess. Personally I'd give up shoes at this point as I don't find they make that much of a difference for me.
More about comfort than lbs and takes longer to warmup without sleeves and my knees feel creaky. Depends on if have achy knees if do will help more... Too many factors fit, weights being used... 10 to 20 lbs id say ballpark.
I am torn between SBD and Stoic. This video did not make my choice any easier... perhaps it’s time to purchase both in full Brandon Campbell fashion.
Both are very good, but Stoics win for me b/c they're about 25% cheaper.
Hey Brandon been a fan since day one and you’ve driven me to peruse strength and competing so thank you for that!
Would love to know your thoughts on slingshot want to invest in one but I’m from uk looking at mark bells and the strengthshop versions would like some advice thank you.
I've owned one for about 6-7 years, and have used it probably 4-5 times. I don't find a place for it in my training, so I'd be hesitant to recommend one.
My knee sleeves lasted me 4 months... i did throw them in the washing machine, and that may have had something to do with it but either way i got very little use out of mine
which kind?
You mainly use knee sleeves for getting warm imo. A solid belt is far more important in raw lifting:)
They do add some weight on the bar. How much is questionable
@@BasementBrandon - in all fairness I haven´t tried that many brands:) Wouldn´t squat without knee sleeves but a big part of it is just mental. Used knee wraps back in the days and that is of course a whole other animal!
My knee measures out at 37 cm, which would make me a medium. Would you still recommend sizing down if I'm just going for an everyday fit?
Prob not in that case!
So they don't come apart inside like the ST do? I've owned a ST pair for about a year and they're "bubbly" inside.
Mine are still looking new after about 2 years.
Purchased using your coupon code. I'll report in and let you know how they were. Just retired my four year old Rehbands
Let me know!
Love my stoic knee and elbow sleeves but TBH I have never tried any other brand I like the price point and the durability
Good choice!
I bought Stoic wrists wraps and man, I don’t hate them, but I also don’t love them. They feel cheap and poorly made.
Are you familiar with the EVOLUTIONIZE knee sleeves ? I got a pair and it’s the first generation stoic sleeves. I was wondering if it’s an exact copy as the stoic sleeves since I was planning on getting them to compete in. Though I wasn’t so happy with them since I didn’t really feel much support.
Familiar by name, but never had a chance to use them!
You helped me pick the Stoic sleeves in the past and they are great. I turn them a little so the seam is just to the outside of the back part of my leg. I found it bunches on the seam a bit and bugs me. Still very happy with them.
I'm looking for a new pair of elbow sleeves tho. My STrong ones are breaking down like you mentioned with the knees.
And, you have finally talked me into getting an A7 shirt. Thanks again dude.
The Stoic elbow sleeves are very similar to their knee sleeves. Nice b/c they actually use a thinner neoprene on the inside of the arm and a thicker on the outside to allow for them to get on a bit easier.
@@BasementBrandon That's great to know and a concern of mine. I wish they did sponsor you, I would make sure they know you sent me. Does A7? I will buy through your link or however it works.
@@crob2184 I used to have an a7 code for 10% off that wasn't an affiliate one, but they did away with all codes I believe.
Team small-legs checking in! The struggle is real. 😓
My legs are massive, just my humongous upper body makes them look small...
@@BasementBrandon LOL! That is now my story too...
I use Stoic and love them. They run tight and I had to get extra large and I am really not that big.
Interesting I've found the opposite to be true.
I use XXS the smallest they make for comps. Take some 5 min to out 1 on but well worth it
How to wash knee sleeve(including wrist wrap)? Can I put them in a washing machine or I have to wash it by hand?
I put mine in the washer/dryer without issue. However if your washer/dryer usually eats your clothes, I'd be careful.
I had a pair of Strong elbow sleeves that I ended up returning. The material got scratch marks and wrinkles easily. Also, the seams irritated my skin leaving ugly ass red marks all over my arms.
Yes I haven’t seen a lot of luck with their build quality.
I’ve owned the SBDs for a while but feel like their seam design puts a little unwanted pressure on the back of my knees. Not terrible, more so just annoying to me from a sensory perspective. Would the Stoics be worth the purchase given their single seam design?
I think that boils down to personal preference.
does the inseams leave unslightly marks on your skin?
I use stoic XXS for comps love them
right on!
How long do you find your stoic knee sleeves last? The past years I’ve used mark bell’s gangsta sleeves and love them but they don’t seem to last any longer then a year. Love the way the gangsta sleeves feel but buying a new pair every year is getting old
I’ve only had to replace one pair and that was bc they got caught in a sharp deadlifting bar when using them to protect my shins. Stoics come with a lifetime guarantee so if they break normally they’ll replace them.
@@BasementBrandon awesome! Do you know if they’ll be having a Black Friday sale?
I'm still using cheap Nordic Lifting knee sleeves from Amazon I bought in 2016. They used to be difficult to put on but have stretched out and provide very little support or compression. I'm looking for a sleeve made with denser and longer neoprene and am leaning towards the Stoics for the price, length, and because Alan Thrall recommends them as well. What's the measurement of your knee? One thing that gives me pause about SBDs is how long the seam is and if it causes irritable and leaves a mark on the skin. I had the Strong elbow sleeves but returned them because the seam irritated my skin and left ugly marks on my skin and the surface of the material scratched easily.
I have about a 15" knee and wear size small in stoics!
@@BasementBrandon whoa, that must be a tight fit! I tried a pair of already broken in medium SBDs that my gym has lying around. and it was a mild struggle put over my 13.5" knee cap. I was able to pull it up without folding the ends but it took multiple tugs. It wasn't as easy as putting on my size small Nordics (looks identical to the Rehbands), which slide on with a single tug. However, the Nordics were quite a struggle to put on before they stretch out and required the fold over technique for a couple weeks. Looks like small Stoics should fit me snuggly but not too tight on me. Do your Stoics slide on easily now or do you still have to fold the ends over ?
@@jzen1455 Still fold, If i wear mediums in stoic I can just pull them up without folding with some effort.
You probably won’t reply to this since this video is 2 years old, after watching your video I would like to know where the Titan Yellow Jackets fit into the picture? Stoic sadly aren’t available in AUS and the shipping to get it from USA costs and arm and a leg 😅
I think I have a review on those from a few years ago. I wasn't really a fan. They're a bit boxy. Might be good if you have extremely large legs, knees, calves, but otherwise other sleeves are better. I might suggest looking into the Iron Tanks sleeves, I found them to be quite nice.
I love the stoic knee sleeves, but the stitching tears up/irritates the back of my knee. The rubber adhesives do the same thing as well.. Anyone else with the same issue or ways to avoid this?
For the stitching you could always wear them so they are on the side, but that won't help with the rubber grips.
Love my strong sleeves. Have held up great.
Nice, must have gotten one from a good batch!
I have been using Iron Rebel sleeves and wrist wraps lately. How do you think they compare with the ones you reviewed ? Personally I'm like you, I don't want to use SBD's just because EVERYONE seems to be using them. Also, SBD's are a PITA to get on. ( in my opinion ).
I have heard good things, but they're one of the few I haven't used. I will say I think Kevin Oak used them for a long time but now he is in Stoics :)
@@Pler1978 Thanks for the information about Iron Rebell. I was just researching them and Gymreaper. It appears I should just save my money and buy Stoic and SBD for my 1st knee sleeves
Hey Brandon, if you were picking a sleeve just for competition day would it still be stoic?
For me, yes.
Mark Bell X-treme sleeves are the worse! Broke after two weeks of use, they did not refund my money but gave a gift card for more of their products, so I end up with wrist wraps I did not need. Few of my friends also spent their money on the same sleeves with same results!
ah man, sorry to hear!
Mine are aeolos brand I like them and the company is great to work with.
Nice!
basic questions, when do you need sleeves? is it when just maxing out or lifting 80% of max?
No, you can wear them whenever regardless of how much weight you are lifting. My personal protocol is that I don’t use them until my last warmup, or my last 2 if I’m going for something really heavy. But that’s just me, you can use them since the very start of your warmups and then actual working sets of course. I don’t think they can add more than 5-10 pounds to your squat, but I do like them because they offer compression and keep your joints warmed
It's really preference, but if you're going to wear them I'd put them on right when you start your squat session.
you said you weren’t a fan of the rehbands. any reason why?
They tend to be thinner and shorter, so they don't offer as much compression.
I currently own a pair of mava sleeves and they seem to do the trick, but are the stoic sleeves versatile? Can you do dumbbell lunges with them?
Depends on how you size them. if you size them as tight as possible to get the most out of a squat, they'll be more difficult to do lunges in.
I still have the og sbd the first gen per se. accumulated all the stankkkkkk. The 2nd gen was garbage- the cloth was falling off. The 3rd gen titans are almost like strong sleeves.
appreciate the insight!
I just use whatever ones that were left in the lost and found for a few weeks
Nice!
Have you ever tried Metal knee sleeves?
have not.
you mention you wear a size small Stoic- is that one or two sizes down from what you measure for?
one
What is your suggested method for washing and drying neoprene knee sleeves?
This is going to vary, but I just throw mine in with my normal wash as needed. I would be careful doing this if you run a hard cycle and your machines eat your clothes.