ZAMST EK-1 (Knee support)

Zamst products are designed for sports activities, so you may find that it is not as difficult to move as you might worry. In practice, you should be able to move comfortably.

Most braces are machine washable. After washing, hang them to dry in the shade. Please avoid washing with light-colored items, as colors may fade or transfer to other fabrics. When washing with other clothes, use a laundry net to prevent fraying or streaking. *Hand washing is recommended for some products. Please refer to the instruction manual for specific details (instruction manuals are also available on each product page of the Zamst website).

The Zamst Knee brace is designed for sports use, providing strong compression to apply firm pressure. If you do not require high compression, we recommend choosing one size larger.

First, ensure you have the correct size and follow the instructions in the manual for proper application. Be cautious not to tighten it too much, as excessive tightness can lead to congestion

Zamst Knee brace is designed to be worn directly on bare skin and is not recommended to be worn over tights. If worn over tights, depending on the material of the tights, the brace may slip off and the desired effect may not be achieved, or the increased thickness of the back of the knee may cause discomfort or pain when bending the knee.

If the size is borderline, we recommend the larger size.

From Dr. Evan Not necessarily. One of the biggest mistakes I see is athletes assuming they're fully recovered just because the pain has gone away. Pain is only one piece of the puzzle. Before I recommend discontinuing a brace, I want to see good strength, balance, confidence, and sport-specific movement. Can you jump, cut, sprint, and land without hesitation? That's what matters. Many athletes feel fine before their body is truly ready for the demands of competition. In most cases, I recommend gradually reducing brace use rather than stopping all at once. The goal is to make sure you're not only pain-free but also physically prepared to handle your sport safely.

From Dr. Evan They can, depending on what's causing the pain. Some runners report less discomfort and greater confidence while wearing a knee brace. In those cases, the brace may help manage symptoms and allow training to continue. But as a physical therapist, I'm always asking why the pain developed in the first place? What is the source of the knee pain? Once I find that I can really dive into the training errors, strength deficits, mobility limitations, or movement inefficiencies. During this time when we are trying to get the runner stronger a brace may help reduce symptoms temporarily, but long-term improvement usually requires addressing the underlying issue. I view braces as tools that can help keep runners active while we work on the factors contributing to the problem.

From Dr. Evan I usually explain it this way: a knee sleeve is primarily about compression and comfort, while a knee brace is designed to provide more support and stability. Many athletes wear sleeves because they like the warmth, compression, and increased awareness they provide. A brace is generally the better option when there is a history of injury, instability, or a specific condition requiring additional support. As a physical therapist, I help athletes match the tool to the problem. If you're simply looking for mild support and comfort, a sleeve may be enough. If you're trying to manage instability or return from injury, a brace may be more appropriate.

From Dr. Evan For most healthy runners, I don't routinely recommend a knee brace solely for prevention. Running injuries are usually influenced by factors such as training volume, recovery, strength, mobility, and biomechanics rather than a lack of external support. If a runner has a history of knee injuries, instability, or specific structural concerns, a brace may play a role. The times that I recommend a knee brace for runners is when they are dealing with a capacity and overtraining issue such as runner’s knee. The strategy of the ankle brace is to reduce the forces to the knee and lessen the impact. But in general, I focus more on helping runners build a resilient body that can tolerate the demands of training.

From Dr. Evan As a sports physical therapist, I don't believe everyone needs a brace. But there are situations where a brace can be a smart tool. If you had just had an acute injury such as an ankle sprain or knee sprain a brace is a great tool during the protection phase to reduce the risk of further injury and provide stability and comfort. In my clinic, I often see athletes wait until they've been injured multiple times before thinking about prevention. A brace can provide an extra layer of protection during high-risk activities while you're continuing to build strength, balance, and movement control. The goal isn't to rely on the brace—it's to use it strategically to help keep you healthy and performing at your best.