The most important thing to remember when acquiring a forearm sleeve is that it should be suited to its intended use. The wrong kind of sleeve offers little to no benefit. If you participate in sports you will need a protective arm sleeve, whereas if you are recovering from surgery or from an injury you'll need a sleeve that offers sufficient compression and insulation. The best forearm sleeve fits well and provides sufficient protection while being lightweight and durable.
A good protective sleeve need not be bulky, and if you participate in sports you need a forearm sleeve that offers adequate protection but will limit your mobility. Protective sleeves with multiple-layer compression blocks and impact pads consisting of separate cells ensure that movement is unrestricted and also offer protection.
A protective forearm sleeve should be durable and, in some cases, should also be water resistant. Some sleeves also have tension straps that can be used to apply extra pressure to certain muscles in the forearm. Dual tension straps are sometimes used to help distribute the pressure over a greater area. Some forearm sleeves include weights, which is especially useful if you want to add resistance during an aerobic workout.
Certain forearm sleeves are designed to aid healing and offer support or compression, after surgery or when recovering from an injury. This kind of sleeve holds heat and helps increase blood flow to the affected area, which in turn, aids recovery. These forearm sleeves are also useful for those suffering from rheumatic diseases. The compression and support offered by this type of sleeve often helps minimize the pain associated with these conditions.
A material called neoprene, which offers several benefits, is used to construct both protective sleeves and sleeves used after surgery. Neoprene comes in various thicknesses, is a good insulator and is water resistant. It is also elastic, which means it conforms to almost any size or shape. The elasticity offers added comfort and perfect sizing.
There are many options available, but keeping the factors mentioned above in mind should assist you in acquiring the forearm sleeve best suited to your needs.