SBD Knee Sleeves and Rogue Knee Sleeves offer different benefits regarding comfort, stability, design, durability, and price.
Knee sleeves are a great way to protect your knees, increase blood flow, reduce pain, and overall support your knee joints during big lifts, such as squats (1). Lifting is an integral part of bodybuilding, as well as strength sports, and knee sleeves are one of the pieces of equipment that help you keep your workouts effective. These wearable devices fit right in your gym bag and go snugly over the knees but differ from a brace. Two popular brands of knee sleeves, are SBD and Rogue.
Let’s break down SBD Sleeves vs. Rogue Sleeves, and help decide which one is best.
SBD vs. Rogue Knee Sleeves Overview
SBD sleeves and Rogue are two brands that make similar knee sleeves. For example, both companies offer 7mm sleeves made of similar materials. However, if you’re new to the gym or haven’t used them before, it can be stressful to decide which to choose.
Looking at the subtle differences between both products and checking how they favor you can do the trick. That’s why we’ve decided to compare and contrast two quality sleeves and highlight what they offer. So here’s an in-depth comparison between SBD Knee Sleeves and Rogue Knee Sleeves.
Material
SBD
SBD 7mm Knee Sleeve is great for joint support and reducing injury out of this high grade neoprene sleeve.
SBD Knee Sleeves are high quality and made of flexible neoprene, which snaps back after a flex. They come with reinforced double-hook stitching, which is durable. They’re also form-fitting when worn on the knee, which means the adhere to the shape of your knees for a comfortable fit, essential during lifting.
Rogue
Rogue 7mm knee sleeves are crafted with your needs in mind, for the discerning athlete who demands only the finest in support and quality.
Rogue Knee Sleeves are made of an SBR (styrene-butadiene-rubber) and neoprene blend, durable against wear and tear but also great for knee flexion. In addition, they came with contoured seams and reinforced stitching that gives compression and support while remaining not too restricting. As a result, the Rogue Knee Sleeves feel firm but comfortable when worn on the knee.
Winner of Material: Tie
Thickness
SBD
SBD Knee Sleeves are available in 7mm and 5mm thicknesses. The 7mm knee sleeves are very compressive and are the least flexible of the two. On the other hand, the 5mm sleeves also have more stretch and allow for more range of motion. Therefore, the 7mm knee sleeves are better for heavy squat sets.
Rogue
Rogue offers knee sleeves in 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm. The 3mm sleeve provides the most range of motion but doesn’t provide as much support for powerlifting. The 5mm sleeves have good mobility but are more compressive than the 3mm option. The 7mm knee sleeve offers more compression but isn’t as flexible as the other two. The best choice for static lifts like squats is the 7mm knee sleeve.
Winner: SBD Knee Sleeves
Comfort and Fit
The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable during your lifts, so comfort and fit are very crucial when shopping for knee sleeves.
SBD
The neoprene in the SBD knee sleeve is reactive, so it hugs your knee well, providing stability, especially for heavy lifts. SBD also offers a tight and standard fit to choose the best for you. SBD knee sleeves are solid and stable, providing warmth to your joints and not slipping no matter how much you sweat during your workout.
Rogue
While Rogue knee sleeves may initially feel snug, they’ll eventually stretch into a comfortable fit. They’re breathable and comfortable to wear. The 7mm sleeve, in particular, is easy to put on, but you might find it a bit difficult to take off. This isn’t necessarily bad, as you don’t want the sleeves to slip during physical activity, and rest assured they won’t.
Winner: SBD Knee Sleeves
Stability
Stability is crucial when you are looking at knee sleeves, as being stable during your heavy lifts can help to prevent things like injury from happening.
SBD
SBD knee sleeves provide the stability you need for workouts and won’t disappoint. Heavy lifters will love the supportive feel that it gives at the bottom of your squat. In addition, the 7mm sleeve has a taper on the calf and quad to help pop out of the “hole” (lowest point) of a squat.
Rogue
Rogue sleeves support various workouts, and the 7mm sleeves are also sturdy for squatting and other leg day exercises such as lunges. So while bending your knees as you go down is more challenging, it also gives the pop-out-of-hole experience.
Winner: Tie
Durability
The worst thing is rebuying gym equipment because it cannot take repeated use and falls apart. That being said, durability is huge when looking what which knee sleeves to buy.
SBD
The SBD Knee Sleeves are made of neoprene which maintains its form over time. The double-hooked reinforced stitching makes them very resilient and is also on the inside, which protects them from snagging.
Rogue
Rogue Knee Sleeves are made from a unique blend of SBR and neoprene. SBR is the same material used to make car tires, so you can expect durability from this brand. But note this doesn’t affect flexibility; you’ll still get a good range of motion with this sleeve.
Winner: SBD Knee Sleeves
Design and Style
Aside from all of the functional factors when comparing SBD and Rogue knee sleeves, which ones look cooler?
SBD
SBD sleeves have a patented cylindrical design for support and stability. The openings at the top and bottom are the same, and it provides support for the more significant part of your leg. However, they come in only black color.
Rogue
Rogue sleeves are rugged and support stability during exercises. They come in various radiant colors, like camo, with different design finishes. You’ll like that this color doesn’t bleed out when washed or with heavy sweating.
Winner: Rogue Knee Sleeves
Versatility
You don’t want your knee sleeves to only be able to be used for just one lift, so are Rogue or SBD sleeves more versatile?
SBD
Because of their rigidity, SBD’s 7mm sleeves can only be worn for heavy squats. Some powerlifters say they even have to fold theirs down between sets. However, the 5mm sleeves are more flexible and give you more stretch for other movements that require more abduction and adduction, like lateral lunges.
Rogue
Rogue has versatile 7 rigid mm and 5mm sleeves that can be worn for many movements. All three sleeves from this brand can be worn for long periods, so they beat SBD.
Winner: Rogue Knee Sleeves
Approval for Competition
The last thing you want is to train all through a powerlifting prep with knee sleeves on, then have them be banned from competition. So are Rogue and SBD knee sleeves good to use during competition?
SBD
SBD knee sleeves have approval from the USAPL, USPA, and IPF. According to their website, they’re IWF compliant.
Rogue
Rogue knee sleeves have approval from the IWF and IPF to be used in raw and open competition.
Winner: SBD Knee Sleeves
Manufacturing Country
Where are Rogue and SBD knee sleeves made?
SBD
SBD Knee Sleeves are manufactured in Great Britain with help in the designs of athletes, coaches, and health professionals.
Rogue
Rogue knee sleeves are made in the USA with a support team of athletes, health professionals, and coaches.
Winner: Your Personal Preference
Price
Price is huge when it comes to purchasing knee sleeves. Are SBD knee sleeves a better price than Rogue?
SBD
SBD sleeves can run up to $82, depending on the sleeve thickness you’re buying. While this is on the pricey side, it’s approved by many bodies for competition, so you don’t have to worry. In addition, these sleeves come in pairs, are durable, and last, making the pricing worth it.
Rogue
Rogue sleeves are on the pricey side and can get as high as $85, depending on the thickness of the knee sleeve. However, they’re also sold in pairs and are durable and long-lasting.
Winner: SBD Knee Sleeves
Overall Winner
Knee sleeves are important in weightlifting and can even help with recovery (2). Both SBD Knee Sleeves and Rogue Knee Sleeves are durable and provide vital knee protection. Overall, the SBD Knee Sleeve edges out the Rogue sleeve by its thickness, approval for competition, and pricing, especially for bodybuilders and avid weightlifters.
Competitive lifters, such as powerlifters and bodybuilders, will prefer the 7mm version of this brand for training and competitions. However, recreational lifters and other athletes who need versatility can go for lower thicknesses of both brands.
Check out our full review of the SBD Knee Sleeves!
Wrapping Up
Overall, knee sleeves are a great tool to help improve your workouts. Especially on those movements such as squats and lunges, amongst other leg movements. When it comes to SBD vs. Rogue Knee Sleeves, these are some great options. Which one is your favorite?
Check out our list of the Best Knee Sleeves for Powerlifting & Compression!
References
- Vaile, J., Stefanovic, B., & Askew, C. D. (2016). Effect of lower limb compression on blood flow and performance in elite wheelchair rugby athletes. The Journal of spinal cord medicine, 39(2), 206–211. https://doi.org/10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000287
- O’Riordan, S. F., Bishop, D. J., Halson, S. L., & Broatch, J. R. (2022). Compression-induced improvements in post-exercise recovery are associated with enhanced blood flow and are not due to the placebo effect. Scientific reports, 12(1), 16762. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21029-2
