Thrashed: EVS Web Knee Brace Product Review

Despite having more leg injuries than most war veterans, I've avoided knee braces throughout my entire injury-filled off-road career. The thought of wearing knee braces while riding or racing has always somewhat turned me off; after all, they look bulky, uncomfortable and seem like they would impede mobility, not to mention they're expensive and require a ton of insurance red tape in order to be fitted. I honestly never guessed I'd be wearing knee braces, but a return to motocross and a fear of further injury did wonders for opening my mind to the idea of seeking out good knee protection. Researching braces was a bit frustrating, and more than one manufacturer required medical insurance and a doctor's prescription. The problem is, most doctors are so micromanaged by the insurance companies that they can't write you a scrip until you've actually destroyed your knee. Preventative medicine is out of pocket for the most part. An over-the-counter brace would have to do, so the research turned me toward EVS. As vain as it may sound, it was the look of the EVS Web knee brace that first got me curious; I'm a sucker for carbon fiber, and the Web is not only constructed of the sweetest carbon fiber I've seen, it is styled like a futuristic hot rod. Sizing was fairly easy and only required a thigh and calf measurement, pretty much squashing the myth about needing a doctor or custom brace.

Upon receiving my Web brace, what I noticed first was its extremely light weight; even by carbon fiber standards it's light as a feather. The Web features a lightweight yet extremely rigid carbon fiber monoque shell, with Tru-Motion 2.0 anatomically correct hinges, wrapped around a Sharkskin neoprene liner. The liner is removable which makes washing a breeze and prevents brace migration. The articulating knee cup protects the patella from all angles and is made of plastic rigid enough to withstand a footpeg impact (I tested this one personally). While standing or sitting, the brace is comfortable, and sleek and barely noticeable, that is unless you want to notice it. In other words, you can adjust the degree of hyperextension the brace will allow by simply replacing the lockouts (a two-minute procedure at best), thus determining how flexible the brace really is. Further adjustment can be found in the inner knee condyle pads, which can be moved to further ensure a comfortable fit. The brace is really unnoticeable while riding, and didn't impede on my movement in months' worth of riding, the only issue was the need to extend the top strap of my boot buckle to accommodate the added girth of the brace; outside of that it has been smooth sailing. Luckily, I haven't crashed since wearing it, so I can't say that the crumple zones work, but they are designed to absorb impact and protect your femur. The best feature of EVS's Web knee brace is honestly the confidence it inspires. This is a dangerous lifestyle, and every bit of confidence and protection helps. With an MSRP of $375 each, the Web knee nrace is on par with what you would expect to pay for good knee protection, yet literally hundreds less than any prescribed brace, not to mention you can avoid co-pays, insurance hassles and doctor visits.** -Jorge Cuartas**