Mark Bell Xtreme X Sleeve vs Froning 7mm sleeve
This is a comparison between the Xtreme x sleeve and the Froning 7mm sleeve including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the Froning Rehband 7mm knee sleeve
These are the best knee sleeves for all around usage at $49.99 a sleeve. Take that these are sold individually and not in pairs.
Overview of the Froning knee sleeve
The Rehband RX 7mm Knee Sleeve from the Froning series is probably the safe bet when it comes to sleeves. For the price, you get a thick sleeve with a wide range of options in size. With Froning branding, you still get some inspiration from a top Crossfit athlete while the sleeve itself is produced by the main vendor in the sleeve industry for sports. Take care that these are sold individually and not in pairs. The specifications of the Rich Froning 7mm are:
- Sold Individually
- 7MM thick SBR / Neoprene blend flex-material
- Size Options: XXS-XXL (See Chart Below)
- Color: Black & Red
This is the sleeve for Crossfit champions.
Size of the Froning knee sleeve
These are the sizes that are available for the Rich Froning knee sleeve. Measure at the upper calf about 10 cm down from your knee cap.
- XXS 29 - 31cm
- XS 31 - 33cm
- S 33 - 35cm
- M 35 - 37cm
- L 37 - 40cm
- XL 40 - 43cm
- XXL 43 - 46cm
This is one of the widest ranges of sizes you can find for knee sleeves in the current market.
Pros of the Froning knee sleeves
- Wide range of size options
- Reliable vendor
- Only vendor with Froning products for sleeves
Rehbandis one of the powerhouses in the area of knee and elbow protection across all sports. They have teamed up with one of the most successful athletes in Crossfit to provide a solid sleeve option for Crossfitters and strongmen.
The cons of the Froning knee sleeves
- Not sold in pairs
- Price
- Design
The Froning 7MM sleeves are unfortunately not sold in pairs. This is an exemption from the standards for other vendors. This drives the price up. In addition, some also might think that the design of the Rehband sleeves might be a little outdated. Rogue and Rocktape have made some efforts here to push the envelope for the industry. Especially Rogue with their custom designs from the Zeus engine.
Alternatives to the Froning knee sleeve
- Dan Bailey Clang and bang
- Mark Bell Xtreme Sleeve
- Rogue custom knee sleeve
The Dan Bailey clang and Bang knee sleeves come in 5mm with a grey design. The good news is that they come in pairs. If you are a Crossfitter who wants to support an athlete but do not want to pay double for protecting both of your knees, the Dan Bailey sleeves might be the option for you.
If your main goal is to get your One repetition maximum up, the X treme Sleeves from Mark bell might be just the right option for you. These sleeves have been designed very stiff so you get maximum support on your one-repetition maximum attempts. With this, they can be quite restrictive if you want to run and jump in them.
If you want to do your own design on a knee sleeve with medium thickness and support the custom Rogue knee sleeves are currently one of the options where you can upload your own design and get it delivered to your doorstep.
Summary for the Froning knee sleeve
The safest bet for overall quality, comfort, and support. This comes at the cost of not being able to buy in pairs.
Overiew and review of the Xtreme X Sleeves
The x treme X Sleeves are the follow up of the Grippy X Sleeves which are IPF approved. This is the stiffest you can get in knee sleeves and still use in an IPF competition for $85.
Overview of the Xtreme X Sleeves
The extreme x sleeves are the evolution of the grippy x sleeves from Mark Bell. While the grippy x sleeve used some material that was not approved by the IPF, the extreme x sleeve has been made thicker to compensate for the removal of that material. The extreme x sleeve now bears the IPF approval. The features of the extreme x sleeves are:
- IPF Approved
- Sold In Pairs
- 7mm thick
- Length: 29cm
- Sizes: S to 4XL
- Color: Black
The idea of the x treme x sleeve is to get as close to the effects of a knee wrap in a knee sleeve. This makes this knee sleeve one of the stiffest on the market and ideal for 1 repetition maximum efforts. They are tighter than the strong knee sleeves and thicker than the grippy x.
Sizing for the Xtreme X Sleeves
The extreme x sleeve is available in seven different sizes. These sleeves run very tight so take your measurements seriously before purchasing. Measure your knee circumference when the leg is straight to make your decision
S - knee circumference 13” -14
M - 14.25” - 15
L - 15.25” - 16
Xl- 16.25” - 17
2Xl - 17.25” - 18
3xl - 18.25” - 19
4xl - 19.25” - 20
Pros of the Xtreme X Sleeve
- Stiffness
- IPF Approval
The main point for the X Treme X Sleeve is that it is stiff. Its design will help you to squat more on a one-repetition maximum attempt. Therefore it does what it says on the tin and is worth the money for someone who is interested in this.
Compared to the Grippy X Sleeve of Mark Bell the X Ttreme X has the IPF approval as the components in question have been removed. There it is thicker and got the IPF approval. This sleeve can be used on an international stage without your attempts being voided.
Cons of the x treme x sleeve
- Stiffness
- Price
The stiffness of the X treme X Sleeve can work against it if your goal is something else than a maximum one repetition squat. Olympic lifters might prefer a little more flexibility to get into the hole fast. For this application, the x treme x sleeve might be too stiff. The same goes for Crossfit athletes who want to run and move around while they still have the sleeves on. For these scenarios, you might be better off getting a Rehband sleeve.
The Xtreme X Sleeve is high quality and designed for the purpose of one repetition maximums and therefore comes with one of the highest price tags amongst knee sleeves. If you are in the game for personal records you probably are willing to pay 90 bucks for a knee sleeve. If you are more casual and just want to protect your ligaments you can do it cheaper with some of the less stiff no-name brands.
Alternatives to the Xtreme X Sleeve
The grippy knee sleeves are the original design of the X treme X Sleeves which was got approved by the IPF and then rejected based on the use of material which was not allowed. The Extreme X Sleeves were the follow up to be in line with the IPF standards. If you want the "Cheater" sleeves from Mark Bell go for these as they have the same effect as the Xtreme while being thinner. This is achieved by using different materials.
The strong knee sleeves would be the all-purpose alternative to the X Treme X Sleeves. These knee sleeves are also provided by Mark Bell but are less stiff. This makes them a little more versatile than the stiff sleeves out of the Mark Bell range.
The Rehband knee sleeves are around for a long time across all sports. While Mark Bell's focus is more towards powerlifting, the Rehband knee sleeves are designed with the entire sporting community in mind. The Strong knee sleeves and Rehband knee sleeves will be very close in the type of sleeve you will get. Here it is a choice between personal taste and budget, rather than functionality of the sleeve.
Summary for the Xtreme X sleeve
The Xtreme X SLeeve is probably the best knee sleeve in the market when you want to increase your one-repetition maximum on the squat. Keep in mind that it has been designed for that purpose. High repetition work or running around in them might not be the best idea and other sleeves will do this job better. Between the grippy and the X Sleeve, I would go for the X Sleeves it is IPF approved unless you like to own some pieces of powerlifting history.
