So you need a little extra support for your knee to support all that extra goodness? Or like me, have you twisted your knee, torn your meniscus, and found out you had bursitis? That’s what happened to me, and suddenly what used to be pleasant, leisurely walks turned into painful exercises in getting from one place to the next.
Popping pills or rubbing pain relief creams did not help, and suddenly I found myself searching for more support. Something to take away the feeling I was about to fall flat on my face whenever I took a step, something to ease the pain when I had to walk more than a few steps. I went to the shops and bought a knee brace, but the largest they had was an xl, and it was too tight. Another store offered me an option they claimed would work for plus sizes, but it would roll down as soon as I put it on, and the close fit irritated my sensitive skin.
I thought there must be larger, better fitting sizes, that will make my thick thighs look just as snug and athletic as the ones on the packaging.
Thus began the great knee brace search, and have I got some excellent suggestions for you. No need to suffer through the pain of experimentation and failure as I did. One of these knee braces will be the answer to your problems.
Best Plus Size Knee Braces for Fat Thighs:
- Nvorliy Plus Size Knee Brace
- BraceAbility Plus Size Knee Brace
- BraceAbility Plus Size Compression Knee Sleeve
- Hinges Knee Brace
- Gladton Knee Brace
- EzyFit Knee Brace
Nvorliy Plus Size Knee Brace
My top recommendation for you is an authentic plus-size knee brace made especially for larger legs and thighs. The Nvorliy Plus Size Knee Brace is made with flexible metal springs that help to support the medial and lateral ligaments and includes an EVA pad that takes the pressure of the patella and so reduces the effect of shocks on your knee, making stairs an easier task.
The material is a breathable, moisture-wicking, and lightweight neoprene which you can wear comfortably for long periods. Moreover, it is guaranteed to stay in place due to the four no-slip silicone strips, which also help with compression.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
No more rolling down!
You will feel some immediate pain relief with this one, so if you need support while you recover from inflammation, knee surgery, meniscus tears, ACL, MCL, Tendonitis, or any knee injuries. This plus knee brace is the one for you.
To reiterate, this one is made for large legs. Their sizes go from an XL/2XL, which fits thigh circumferences of 21”-25” up to a 5XL/6XL, i.e., 29”-33” circumference and fit both men and women. We recommend measuring your size with a tape measure before purchasing this answer to prayers. Customers noted how comfortable this was to wear and that it didn’t irritate the skin, making it a top option for us.
Best Feature:
- Goes up to a 6XL
- No-slip silicone straps to stop rolling down
- Flexible metal springs to support the medial and lateral ligaments
BraceAbility Plus Size Knee Brace
Our second recommendation is the Braceability Plus Size Knee Brace. The front closure design of this brace is excellent for a more independent person, meaning you will have less of a struggle to get it fitted.
The BraceAbility Plus Size Knee Brace is an excellent option for recovery from damaged or weak ligaments, tendons, joints and muscles, arthritis, osteoarthritis, torn meniscus, hyperextension, ACL, MCL or LCL ligament injuries, sprains and strains, instability, patellar tracking disorder, tendonitis and after surgery.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
This brace is built with dual axis polycentric hinges to enhance the stability to the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) portions of your knee, which makes it great for those of us with bigger bodies. It has an open patella design, which is ideal for taking the pressure off your kneecap, and its lightweight construction makes it a more flexible and breathable option than other braces.
It also features a cut out behind your knee to prevent that unpleasant bunching when you walk or bend. This adjustable compression wrap is made of premium grade neoprene, which supports a full range of motion and flexibility, perfect for all your exercise, athletic, and daily life activities. This knee brace ranges in size from an XL to a 6XL. Check the size charts to find your best fit.
Best Feature:
- Dual-axis polycentric hinges to enhance the stability
- Open-patella design
- Has a cutout behind the knee to prevent that bunching
BraceAbility Plus Size Compression Knee Sleeve
Our third option has a lower profile in terms of bulk than the previous two, as it lacks the adjustable straps they boast. However, that lack is not a negative for this plus-sized Compression Knee Sleeve, also designed by Braceability. It ranges in size from XL to 6XL, so if you need much larger sizes in knee braces to take the stress off your knee joints.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
This one will make walking and standing easier while being softer and more comfortable than the other options. You may be able to keep this one for longer periods, and some people have even reported feeling comfortable enough to sleep in these. For those of you with latex allergies, you can breathe a sigh of relief as this is made of premium grade latex-free neoprene and it fits smoothly against your skin, meaning no irritation and the option to wear under clothing and have no one the wiser.
The compression and warmth from this brace will also function to reduce pain and swelling. It is excellent for general knee pain, knee arthritis, sprains and strains, and knee injury recovery and prevention.
Best Feature:
- Lightweight, breathable, soft and comfortable
- Latex-Free
Hinged Knee Brace
This next Hinged Knee Brace claims to solve the problems found in almost all other knee braces: not fitting large legs, bulky, cutting into the back of your knee, non-supportive, and rigid. This one is thoughtfully and purposefully designed based on hundreds of surveys done with actual plus-size customers.
It features enhanced anti-sliding strips which address one of the main flaws with other knee braces. Also, this knee brace has a removable and adjustable two side metal stabilizers with four metal springs to provide the best support you need for your knee.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
It has a fantastic gel patella to protect your knee cap and a great wraparound design that offers superior support.
The 4 D-rings hinged locking mechanism this plus size brace sports will ensure nothing is cutting into the back of your knee. This one comes in 3 sizes up to a 30” circumference and a great money-back guarantee, in the event you don’t like what you get.
Best Feature:
- Customer-focused design
- enhanced anti-sliding strips
Crucial Compression Knee brace
Another great option is this knee brace compression sleeve by Crucial Compression that comes in a pair. That’s right, you get two of these plus size braces for fat thighs, so if you need support for both knees, this option is ideal.
The makers claim you will feel a difference immediately, and I can attest to that as I got fast pain relief and instant support with this one.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
You will experience less swelling, soreness, and stiffness, and the compression properties help improve blood circulation, more oxygen and less lactic acid built up for better faster recovery and less injury.
The comfort flex design of this brace gives a snug yet comfortable fit without cutting off circulation or restricting motion. This one looks great under jeans and leggings as it does not show much. Additionally, it has an impressive double silicone grip to help it stay in place without sliding down, and it won’t bunch up behind your knees.
This one ranges in size from XS (18”-24”) to a 3X large (28.5”-32”), making it an excellent option for a wide range of individuals.
Best Feature:
- Superior compression support
Gladton Knee Brace
The Gladton Knee Brace claims to have longer straps than it’s competitors as well as being able to fit a wide range of people. The XL knee brace fits up to 2XL, and XXL fits up to 3XL, and XXXL fits up to 4XL for big, large legs, in terms of inches a large fits 14”- 18” (the average leg).
- XL fits 18” – 24”.
- XXL fits 24” – 26”.
- XXXL fits 26" - 28".
Click Image to View More on Amazon
This knee brace is a great contender but not ideal if your thigh circumference is larger than 28”. They use well-constructed, high-grade materials for a very comfortable knee stabilizer, which you can use to support your running, walking, hiking, jogging, and other athletic activities or use for pain relief.
It features one includes adjustable straps which are bi-directional with strong velcro ends so you can tighten and loosen to your heart’s content. Moreover, there are also built-in spring stabilizers, offering you more supports as you bend, kneel, squat, and more. Its open patella and non-slip silicone design provide unrestricted movement and superior staying power.
Best Feature:
- Adjustable bi-directional straps
- Built-in spring stabilizers
EzyFit Knee Brace
Seventh on our list is the EzyFit Knee brace, which is both supportive, comfortable, and well constructed. It has reinforced double stitching and strong velcro enclosure as well as non-slip silicone gel lines at the top and bottom of the knee brace. This design ensures it stays firmly in place while you move.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
Moreover, it includes four side stabilizers, two on either side, which offer maximum lateral support. Plus, the nylon and polyester neoprene material make for easy wash and wear.
The EzyFit knee brace also has an open patella design for full movement of the knee when this brace is being worn. The only negative I found is that it only fits up to a size XL(24”).
Moreover, it includes four side stabilizers, two on either side, which offer maximum lateral support. Plus, the nylon and polyester neoprene material make for easy wash and wear.
The EzyFit knee brace also has an open patella design for full movement of the knee when this brace is being worn. The only negative I found is that it only fits up to a size XL(24”).
Best Feature:
- Non-slip silicone gel lines
- Four side stabilizers
Hinged knee brace from Shock Doctor
My last recommendation on this list of best plus size knee braces is a hinged knee brace from Shock Doctor. It only supports circumferences up to 18.5,” which is an XXXL in this brand, but the Latex-free, premium stitching, and integrated, flexible side stabilizers make this a worthwhile inclusion.
Click Image to View More on Amazon
This one is great for the prevention and protection of meniscus injuries, minor ligament sprains, patella instability, hypertension, arthritis, and more.
The material is antimicrobial and has airflow vented technology, thus reducing odor, moisture, and bacterial growth. Moreover, its heavy-duty bilateral hinges offer great support, and a four-way stretch spandex mesh fits at the back of the knee, thus minimizing irritation.
We recommend that you size up with this one, so it’s not a contender for those of us with more specific needs. However, compression support is excellent for soft tissue, blood flow, and joint alignment, making it a worthwhile consideration for some.
best Features:
- Antimicrobial, airflow vented technology
- Good compression
Not in list you sent me - (Search: Knee Brace Compression Sleeve (1 Pair) - Best Knee Support Braces for Meniscus Tear, Arthritis, Joint Pain Relief, Injury Recovery, ACL, MCL, Running, Workout, Basketball, Sports, Men and Women)
What To Consider When Choosing A Plus Size Knee
Brace
There are some factors that you need to think about before selecting a knee brace. Some factors are so important that they can be the difference between recovering and worsening your ailing knees. So to save you the hassle of ordering the wrong item here's what you need to know:
Size
As an obese person, I know that there aren't any one size fits all knee braces out there. So getting the one that suits you will never be easy without knowing the size that will fit you. I always recommend that you measure your thigh by checking above and below the knee.
You should also note that the sizes for each knee brace manufacturer may differ a lot. What one designer calls an XXXL might be an XL for another. So always use your measurements and buy according to the specifications of the item you selected.
Comfort
One of the most critical things that can make or break your choice in knee braces is the level of comfort provided. I've ordered and tested more than 50 knee braces within the last five years, and they all offer varying degrees of comfort. As such, I recommend that you take notice of the material and the overall design of the product. However, if you select one of the items I've listed above, you should be fine.
Usage
The usage I'm referring to is for both what you are using the knee brace for and how you plan to use it. A knee brace is beneficial in relieving some of the damage your body weight causes to your knee joint. However, due to the different designs that they offer, you may end up with a brace that is specifically designed for a purpose you never needed.
For example, the BraceAbility Plus Size Compression Knee Sleeve is great for regular usage and reducing pain and swelling. In contrast, this other BraceAbility Plus Size Knee Brace is better for helping you recover from knee ailments like arthritis.
So identifying what situations you need the brace for is essential to making the right choice.
Wrapping Up
Being obviously fat puts excess weight on the joints of your knees. Your weight, in turn, can lead to injuries that sometimes can become permanent. And to prevent permanent damage to your knees, buying one of the knee braces I recommend can help you immensely.
My top recommendation is the Nvorliy Plus Size Knee Brace that goes up to a 6XL. Following that, my second favorite is the BraceAbility Plus Size Knee Brace. If you opt for either one, you will be able to find the right size for your fat thighs. They are both extremely comfortable and will be what you've always wanted in a knee brace.
For added support, you can consider getting a heavy duty walking cane or bariatric rolling walkers to support you until you get stronger.
Any questions or comments you have on knee braces, feel free to share them in the comment section below.