Stoko K1 Knee Brace

The Embrace System™ is the secret sauce of the K1 Knee Brace. It’s made up of over 30 metres of cables seamlessly integrated into the garment. These cables mimic the support offered by muscles and ligaments, offering anatomically correct joint support throughout the full range of motion and moves with your body. Starting at the waistband, the cables run down to the calf and back up to two control dials at the waist.

These control dials lie flat in the small of your back and control the tension in the Embrace System. By twisting the dials, you can adjust the tension of the cables and thus the support offered to each leg individually.

Supportive laminations lock these cables ensuring that you get the support you need. The combination of the laminations and the cables offer top-of-the-line support that you would normally find in a traditional brace. Sounds too good to be true? Check out these papers that verify the support and explain how it’s been tested, analyze comfort and compliance, and explore the mechanics of the Embrace System™ and targeted compression.
Targeted Compression
Support Verification
Comfort and Compliance
The Embrace System

The entire system is designed to help restore alignment when the knee moves into a compromised position. The K1 Knee Brace is appropriate for all activity levels including those with medium to high impact and is compatible with people who have moderate to severe ligament instabilities (MCL, LCL, ACL, and PCL), combined mild strains and sprains, and instabilities of the knee.

Technical 3D knitting technology integrates the Embrace System directly into the fabric for seamless support. The K1 Knee Brace is made with yarn made from recycled materials and features reflective trim to keep you visible. This environmentally conscious fibre is knit into a breathable and high-stretch fabric. The K1 Knee Brace is also machine washable and comes with a protective wash bag. 

K1 Supportive Tights - Ready to wear
Washbag - To protect your K1 in the washing machine
Instruction & Product Care Manual - Read this first as it includes important information about your K1 and how to put it on

Tights: Yarn made with recycled material

• Medical grade knee bracing

• Increased proprioception

• Faster recovery

• Improved body alignment

• Embrace System™

• Supportive laminations

• Lightweight and breathable

• Machine washable (garment bag included)

• Ultra comfortable

• Targeted compression zones

• Adjustable control dials

• Technical Knitting

• Sustainable fabrics

I’ve had two major knee surgeries, one on each knee. An ACL replacement on the right and a Meniscus trim and Micro Fracture to help heal the cartilage on the left knee, not to mention an ACL and MCL tear on that same knee. These injuries are a result of a life well-lived in my mind but also the fact that I have been pretty active for all of my 52 years. Skiing and Ultimate are the cause of these injuries and the result was me having to wear two knee braces for sports of any kind. To say that these traditional knee braces are bulky is an understatement, the large exterior hinges protrude past the brace’s frames and they would actually get in the way of each other with my two knees being temporarily locked together at times while skiing. Not ideal. Having worn knee braces for more than a decade and begrudging every minute of it I was more than happy to give the Stoko K1 Knee Brace a try.

My first impressions were that they were insanely difficult to get into, that is until you follow the instructions that come with the K1. They are tight, (think wet suit tight) and this is required in order to provide the support needed to prevent injury. Once on, the K1’s felt very supportive even without dialling in additional support provided by the integrated mesh cables. After a few twists of the dials, I could feel my legs become more solid thanks to the 90ft of cabling that runs through the K1 Knee Brace. I wouldn’t say that they provided the same amount of support and rigidity that my traditional solid frame knee braces did, but I do find that relative to their weight and bulk the K1’s provided a surprising amount of support and confidence.

One nice option with the K1 Knee Brace is that you can dial in the amount of support you want depending upon your injury, your size or the sport you are enjoying. I typically liked them maxed out.

I didn’t find the K1 Knee Brace inhibited my range of movement and while testing them skiing at the resort they also provided some nice additional warmth. Instead of wearing base layers and then a brace I simply opted for the K1 Knee Brace. Going for a run in the summer, however, the K1 Knee Brace would be far too hot but luckily K1 makes a lighter pair which helps with overheating and airflow. For fall and winter use, however, the K1 Knee Brace’s added insulation proved to be ideal.

The one obvious downside of the Stoko K1 Knee Brace for most is going to be the price, at $500 it is a significant investment, however, when you consider that most traditional knee braces cost several times this, $500 is not that expensive after all. As well, the design and construction of the K1 Knee Brace would be very involved and difficult to manufacture so I can understand how the price is justified. And as often is the case, you get what you pay for.

If you are active and want to help prevent knee injuries or have an existing injury and need some additional support and peace of mind then the K1 Knee Brace will do just that.