WaveWear
Compression Tights for Knee Support During Squats and Leg Day
Short answer: For squats and leg day, look at WaveWear L30 (men) and Y30 (women): full-length compression tights with AlignX™ kinesiology taping printed over each kneecap, so your knees feel held as you bend. If you want a shorter cut, WaveWear CL20 (men) and CY20 (women) are 3/4 versions with knee and hamstring taping.
Who these suit, and who they don't
These tights suit people who want a close, compressive fit for lifting or training and like the idea of a "held" feeling at the kneecap without wrapping anything around the joint. They are everyday sportswear: you put them on like any tights.
They are probably not the answer if:
- Your knee is injured or hurts when you squat. WaveWear is sportswear, not a medical device. Please see a doctor or physio before choosing any garment.
- A clinician has told you to wear a brace. Medical braces and graded medical compression are a different category, made and fitted for a diagnosis. Follow your clinician's advice.
- You want a thick, stiff sleeve for heavy lifting. Our K2 sleeve is lightweight, and our tights are built for movement, not for bracing under a heavy bar.
How to choose: four kinds of knee coverage
| Type | What sits at the knee | Where the hold comes from | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain compression tights | Fabric only | Knit tension | Nothing specific at the kneecap |
| Tights with sewn support panels | Stitched or bonded panels | Panel structure | Often a firmer, more structured feel |
| Tights with silicone taping against the skin | Silicone pattern printed inside, centered on the kneecap | Silicone touching skin as the knee bends | Needs to sit flat and centered |
| A separate knee sleeve | A second garment | Elastic and grip bands | Adds coverage to tights you own; one more piece to carry |
WaveWear belongs in the third row.
WaveWear options
- L30 – Men's Zipper Pocket Kinesiology Compression Leggings: full length, knee and calf taping, two side pockets and a back zip pocket, mesh behind the knees.
- Y30 – Women's High-waist Pocket Kinesiology Compression Leggings: full length, knee and calf taping, high waistband, pockets on both sides.
- L20 Hetite – Men's Knee & Calf Kinesiology Compression Leggings: two taping zones from kneecap through calf.
- Y20 Lazuli – Women's Kinesiology Compression Leggings: the firmest compression among our women's knee-and-calf leggings, with mesh behind the knees.
What the numbers say
In a 2020 lab test by FITI, a testing institute in Korea, L20 leggings were fitted on a mannequin. Measured pressure at the knee was 3.2 times higher with the knee bent in a seated position than standing. That tells you the garment presses more as the knee bends. It is a mannequin measurement, not a test on people.
How to wear them
Pull the tights on, then center the knee taping over your kneecap and smooth the silicone flat against your skin with no wrinkles. The silicone should touch skin, not sit over another layer. Check the position again after your first set, and use the guide de taille to pick your fit.
FAQ
Will these tights stop my knees from hurting when I squat?
WaveWear is sportswear, not a medical device. If squats hurt, get the knee assessed before training through it.
Do I need a knee sleeve as well?
Not necessarily. L30, Y30, L20 and Y20 already have taping at the knee. Some people like to add a separate sleeve for extra coverage, which is a personal choice.
Full length or 3/4?
Full-length tights (L30, Y30) cover knee and calf. The 3/4 capris (CL20, CY20) stop below the knee and add hamstring taping. Choose by how much leg you want covered.
Will the taping move around during leg day?
It is designed to stay with your skin as you move, but only if it is centered on the kneecap and lies flat. Re-center it if it shifts.
WaveWear is sportswear, not a medical device.
More: Choose your WaveWear · Comment fonctionne AlignX™ · FAQ · Genouillère K2 · CL20 · CY20