40 Years on a Skateboard Wrecked My Knees. Here's What Actually Helped.
I'm Brandon. I've been skating for over 40 years, and somewhere along the way my knees started voting against me. Here is what I learned about why that happens, and the one thing that finally made mine feel secure again.
I built this after 40 years of skating wrecked my knees. Brandon, founder, Old Bones Therapy.
What actually keeps a knee stable
Here is the part nobody explains. Your knee stays stable through three things: the ligaments, the muscle around it, and a quiet sense your body has of exactly where the joint is in space. Decades of slams, bails, and hard landings wear that down. So the knee starts to feel like it might give out, going down stairs, on uneven ground, or dropping into a bowl. That wobble is not in your head. It is your knee that lost its backup.
Why the usual fixes fall short
For years I did what everybody does. Cheap wraps that slid down after ten minutes. Taping it up before every session. Or just not doing the tricks that scared me anymore. One customer put it perfectly: the knee brace he had before, in one or two tries his knee would have been destroyed. Warmth without a real sense of security does not touch the feeling.
The approach that helped mine
Compression gives your knee back that sense of where it is, so it feels secure instead of unpredictable. That is what the original Old Bones knee sleeve does. For people who want more, the sprung and hinged versions add external side-to-side support. This is one thing many people find helps. It is supportive wear, not a cure.
Find your fit
Which one is right for you depends on how much support your knee is asking for. Start with the OG sleeve and step up if you want more.
Everyday security you can wear all day and layer under pads. Skaters report 2 to 3 hours of sessions before feeling fatigued. The one I reach for first.
$40.00
Adds bounce-back resistance to help keep all the parts where they should be, without giving up mobility.
$50.00
External side-to-side support for the hardest use, when you want the most structure.
$60.00
The same support, built for larger legs. Inclusive sizing, no compromise.
$60.00It's probably not just your knees
A lifetime of impact rarely stops at the knees. If your elbows or ankles have taken the same abuse, they make sleeves for those too.
Real people like you
“I spent the first half of my life trying to maim the latter half. Between skateboarding, car accidents and the usual youth shenanigans I royally messed up my knees. I didn't even realize how unsteady I was until I used these. I feel like I'm stable again for the first time in a decade.”
“I started wearing OBT knee sleeves over a year ago. I love the secure fit, knowing the sleeves are keeping everything where it should be. I can skate 2 to 3 hours wearing them before feeling fatigued. If I don't, maybe an hour and a half, tops.”
“After transitioning to cycling after 30 years of skateboarding and surfing, knees are susceptible to injury and soreness. These help dramatically with compression and comfort after a long ride.”
“For someone whose knees sound like bubble wrap on a regular basis, the Old Bones knee brace is the only thing keeping me upright while learning to derby skate. Praise old bones.”
Common questions
Does it stay put, or slide down like a velcro brace?
Can I skate, ride, or train in it all day?
How do I pick a size, and what if my legs are larger?
Sleeve, springs, or hinges. What is the difference?
Is this a medical device?
Your knees took the hits. They don't have to keep you off the board.
Find my fitOld Bones Therapy makes supportive wear, not medical devices. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider.