Responses are still welcome regarding sleeves but after finding Rip's video I've decided on wraps.
Knee Wraps with Mark Rippetoe - YouTube
Old beat up knees. I tried some generic sleeves from a friend for squats. I think they helped.
Looking at SBD I'm wondering about fit and the sizing chart. They refer to "Comfort" fit and "Competition or Tight" fit.
Is Comfort fit still fairly snug? If they aren't tight then what's the point.
Thanks for any insight.
Responses are still welcome regarding sleeves but after finding Rip's video I've decided on wraps.
Knee Wraps with Mark Rippetoe - YouTube
I recommend you get your sleeves from a source were they can be returned if the size doesn't work for you. I wear medium Stoics and SBDs and they are tight, there is a technique to getting them on, but I leave them on for my whole lifting session. (I have osgood-schlatter bumps that need protection from the bar in deadlifting.)
As an older lifter with a fairly recent MCL tear, I prefer the firmer feel of a tighter sleeve.
Bottom line, get them from where you can return if what you get doesn't work for you. Use their measuring charts, they are accurate.
The recommended size should be tight enough for training. I wear Stoic sleeves, which are similar in fit to SBD sleeves. At the recommended size, I need to fold over the top and bottom to get them on. If I wait until I have finished my warmup, they can be difficult to pull all the way up.
The reason people use very tight sleeves is to increase rebound and therefore lift more weight. Very tight sleeves can almost replicate the rebound of tight wraps. The competition fit would be uncomfortable and difficult to get on without the use of plastic bags or an assistant. Depending on the federation, the use of either may not be permitted.
I wear a newer pair of the same size sleeves that I train with in competition.
Thanks Logan. I'm right on the border of Med or Large Stoic. I went with Medium. They appear to have a good exchange policy in case I made the wrong choice.