Outdoors & Fitness · Head-to-head
SBD 7mm Knee Sleeves vs Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Knee Sleeves: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
SBD publishes the one number that matters for competition, the 30 centimetre maximum length, alongside IPF approval, reinforced seams, an antimicrobial treatment and British manufacture. Gymreapers carries more federation approvals and is the only maker here that tells you what knee circumference each size actually fits.
SBD 7mm Knee Sleeves
Buy itIPF approved, IWF compliant at the legal maximum length, and the only maker here that states it.
- IPF approved and IWF compliant at the maximum allowable 30 centimetre length, which is the only sleeve length published by any maker in this comparison.
- High grade 7mm neoprene with reinforced seam construction specifically to extend service life, on a patented design.
- An antimicrobial treatment to limit bacterial build-up and odour, manufactured in Great Britain, sold as a pair, in a size range starting at 3XS.
- The most expensive sleeves in this comparison by a clear margin.
- SBD does not publish knee circumference ranges against its sizes on the product page.
- No care or washing instructions are given.
Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves
Buy itFour federation approvals, and the only sizes given as an actual knee measurement.
- Approved by the IPF, IPL, USPA and USAPL, the broadest federation coverage here, and the official knee sleeves of USAW and Wodapalooza.
- Every size is published as a knee circumference range, from small at 11.8 to 13 inches up to 2XL at 17 to 18.3 inches, which is the single most useful thing a maker can give you in this category.
- 7mm neoprene for compression and warmth, sold as a pair, at the lowest price in this comparison.
- No sleeve length is published, which matters because IPF rules cap it at 30 centimetres.
- The neoprene is described only as 7mm neoprene, with no grade, seam construction or panel count given.
- No country of manufacture and no antimicrobial treatment are mentioned.
Side by side
| SBD 7mm Knee Sleeves | Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Competitive powerlifting and heavy training, where the sleeve has to pass a bar check and last years. | A first pair of sleeves, and anyone who wants to size from a tape measure rather than a guess. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $ · budget |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the SBD 7mm Knee Sleeves - IPF approved, IWF compliant at the legal maximum length, and the only maker here that states it. Choose the Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves instead if a first pair of sleeves, and anyone who wants to size from a tape measure rather than a guess.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Knee Sleeves: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).