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Mark Bell Xtreme X Sleeve vs Strong sleeve

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jul 22, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Mark Bell Xtreme X Sleeve vs Strong sleeve

This is a comparison between the Xtreme x sleeve and the Strong sleeves including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.


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Strong X Sleeve

Overview and review of the Strong Knee sleeves 

 
The Strong knee sleeves come in at $80 and are the first attempt at seamless knee sleeves from Mark Bell. They are stiffer than regular sleeves but not as stiff as the Xtreme X Sleeve.
 
 

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Overview of the Strong knee sleeves

 
The strong sleeves are the entry-level knee sleeves from Mark Bell designed for comfort and stability. With 7MM in thickness and level 3 neoprene, they are comparable to the sturdy upper range knee sleeves of other vendors like Rehband. This is based on Mark Bell's target group of powerlifters who usually need everything one step stiffer and thicker than other athletes as they give up mobility in a trade-off for strength. The main specification of the Strong Sleeve are:
 
  • 7mm Thick
  • Level 3 Neoprene
  • Sold in pairs
  • Seamless design
 
This is a solid option for a beginning powerlifter who feels like Rehbandis not stiff enough for them. Especially when you weigh more than 200 pounds and want to powerlift you might want to consider entering the market with Mark Bell rather than with Rehband
 

Sizing for the Strong knee sleeves

 
The Strong knee sleeve comes in different sizes. These are measured from the circumference of your knee when standing. The options are:
 
  • XS - 11" - 12"
  • S - 12" - 13"
  • M - 13" - 14"
  • L - 14" - 15"
  • XL - 15" - 16"
  • 2XL - 16" - 17"
  • 3XL - 17" - 18"
  • 4XL - 18" - 19"
These are the numbers for the comfort fit. Add 1" if you use the competition fit. 
 

Pros of the Strong sleeves

 
The pros of the strong sleeves are:
 
  • 7mm Thickness
  • Level 3 Neoprene
  • Seamless design
 
The main idea with the Strong sleeves was to take the design of other 7mm knee sleeves in the market from SBD and Rehbandand improve it. The main difference is that the Strong sleeves have fewer seams and are therefore less error-prone. The design is still pretty heavy-handed and aimed at powerlifters. Maybe not the best solution for smaller individuals who want to move around as fast as possible while wearing sleeves. Here you may look for 3mm or 5mm options depending on whether you want to be active or you want to use the knee sleeve for rehabilitation after surgery/injury. 
 

Cons of the Strong sleeves

 
The cons of the strong sleeves are
 
  • Price
  • Stiffness
  • Thickness
 
As Mark Bell aims at a smaller target group and the production of a seamless sleeve compared to one with seams as a bit more complex, the price is higher. If you want to pay the extra dollars for a 7mm knee sleeve aimed at powerlifters that is great. Otherwise, you might opt for Rehband
 
The stiffness and thickness might work against the strong sleeves based on your use case. If you want to wear sleeves and still run and jump or just support your knee after injury 7mm thickness plus an emphasis on a tight git might be overkill. You do not want to get your knee out of place again after surgery, because the sleeve you bought to support it was too hard to get into. That is the very definition of overshooting the target. 
 
For a 7mm sleeve, you will usually pay less with Rehband. Their designs have more seams and are inspired across disciplines rather than specifically for powerlifting.
 

Alternatives to the Strong sleeve

 
Alternatives to the Strong sleeve are
 
 
The Xtreme sleeve would be the option if you want to take it to the maximum for your one-repetition maximum attempts on the squat. This is the stiffest and thickest IPF approved knee sleeve currently on the market. If you are big, heavy, strong and do not care that much about mobility, the X is for you.
 
If you want to buy a 7mm knee sleeve but save a little money you can also go for the Rehbandoptions. One is in direct cooperation with Rich Froning in case you want to support him directly as an athlete or feel inspired by his logo on your sleeves. 
 
Smaller and lighter athletes might find that a 7mm knee sleeve is an overkill for them.
 

Summary for the Strong sleeves

 
The strong sleeves from Mark bell are a good entry choice for anyone focused on powerlifting. Other athletes might want to go for 5mm versions from Rehband, depending on how much mobility they want.
 
Xtreme X Sleeves
 

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

 
The Xtreme X sleeve has the following pros in my view:
 
  • 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

 
The biggest cons of the Xtreme x sleeve are:
 
  • 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 alternatives to the Extreme X Sleeve are:
 
 
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.

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