Gymreapers Knee Sleeves vs Bay Gear Co.: An Honest Comparison

Quick answer: Gymreapers 7mm Knee Sleeves and Bay Gear Co. 7mm Knee Sleeves are both $59.99 a pair. Gymreapers lists IPF, IPL, USPA and USAPL approval, four 7mm colorways, sizes up to 2XL, a 1-year warranty and 1,195 reviews averaging 4.9. Bay Gear Co. sleeves are made by a veteran-owned brand. One pair ships free (our minimum is $49, theirs is $75), and a free 50 ml liquid chalk deal comes at the same price. You also get a prepaid return label. Pick Gymreapers if you compete or want more colors and sizes. Pick Bay Gear Co. if you want free shipping on a single pair, the chalk deal, an easy return and to support a veteran-owned brand.

Searching "Gymreapers knee sleeves"? Gymreapers is one of the biggest names in lifting gear, and its 7mm sleeves are everywhere. We're Bay Gear Co., a veteran-owned brand that also makes 7mm knee sleeves, so we get asked how ours compare.

This post compares the two using only what each brand lists on its own website. We'll also point out where Gymreapers is the better choice.

Bay Gear Co. isn't affiliated with Gymreapers. "Gymreapers" is used here only to identify their products. All Gymreapers details come from gymreapers.com, checked October 11, 2026.

Gymreapers vs Bay Gear Co. Knee Sleeves at a Glance

Prices checked Oct 11, 2026; may change.

Sources: Gymreapers' 7MM Knee Sleeves, knee sleeves collection, warranty information, shipping policy and refund policy. For Bay Gear Co., our 7mm knee sleeves page and size chart, the Knee Sleeves Deal (Free Liquid Chalk), and our shipping and refund policies.

Where Gymreapers Is the Better Pick

• You compete. Gymreapers lists its 7mm sleeves as IPF, IPL, USPA and USAPL approved. We don't list federation approval for ours. If you're buying sleeves for meet day, Gymreapers is the clearer choice. Always check your federation's current approved list before a meet.
• You want more reviews to go on. Their Black/White 7mm page shows 1,195 reviews averaging 4.9. Ours average 4.45 across 22 Judge.me reviews.
• You want a color or a lighter sleeve. Gymreapers sells four 7mm colorways and a 5mm sleeve in eight colors for $49.99. We make one all-black 7mm sleeve.
• You need a 2XL. Gymreapers goes up to 2XL (17 to 18.3 inches). Our largest size is XL (15.7 to 16.9 inches).
• You want a written warranty and a bag. Gymreapers lists a 1-year warranty on knee sleeves and includes a carrying bag.
• You want sleeves and wraps in one kit. Their Sleeve Kit pairs 7mm knee sleeves, 5mm elbow sleeves and 18" wrist wraps for $99.98.

Where Bay Gear Co. Stands Out

• One pair ships free. Orders of $49 or more ship free, so a single $59.99 pair qualifies. Gymreapers' minimum is $75, so one pair of their sleeves doesn't qualify on its own. Orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day.
• Free liquid chalk at the same price. Our Knee Sleeves Deal adds a free 50 ml bottle of liquid chalk to a pair of sleeves, still $59.99.
• An easier return. Return unused items within 30 days, and we email you a prepaid label. At Gymreapers you pay return shipping, and shipping isn't refunded.
• Bundles built around your squat. The Lock & Load Bundle packs knee sleeves with a quick-locking belt, wrist wraps and lifting straps for $124.96 (regularly $139.96). The Heavy Hitter Bundle swaps in our lever belt for $204.96 (regularly $234.96). Training elbows too? Our Knee Sleeves + Elbow Sleeves Bundle is $99.98 with 7mm sleeves for both.
• A clean, blacked-out look. Our sleeves have no branding on the front and embossed Bay Gear Co. logos on the back.
• Veteran-owned. Brian Young founded Bay Gear Co. in 2017 as an active-duty U.S. Marine, working out of his barracks room at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We're veteran-owned and operated.

Sizing: The Charts Are Different

Both brands size by measuring around your knee, but the size ranges don't line up, so don't assume you're the same size in both.

• Gymreapers 7mm: S 11.8–13, M 13–14.2, L 14.2–15.7, XL 15.7–17, 2XL 17–18.3 inches. They say to extend your knee and measure around the kneecap.
• Bay Gear Co.: S 12.6–13.7, M 13.7–14.5, L 14.5–15.7, XL 15.7–16.9 inches. Measure tightly around your knee. If you land right between two sizes, our chart says to pick the smaller one. Our product page also suggests going one size down if you like a very tight fit.

For example, a 13.5-inch knee is a Medium at Gymreapers but a Small with us. Our knee sleeve sizing guide walks through measuring step by step.

7mm vs 5mm Knee Sleeves

Both brands make a 7mm sleeve, and Gymreapers also sells 5mm.

• 7mm is thicker and firmer, with more compression and warmth. It's the common pick for heavy squats and powerlifting-style training.
• 5mm is lighter and easier to move in. It suits CrossFit-style workouts, Olympic lifting and varied, higher-rep sessions.

We only make 7mm, because we built ours for heavy squat days. Our best knee sleeves guide covers thickness, fit and care in more detail.

Which Should You Buy?

• Buy Gymreapers if you compete, want a color, a 5mm sleeve or a 2XL, want a written 1-year warranty, or want their Sleeve Kit with wrist wraps.
• Buy Bay Gear Co. if you want 7mm sleeves at the same $59.99 with free shipping on a single pair, free liquid chalk, a prepaid return label, and to support a veteran-owned brand.
• Sleeves or wraps for heavy singles? Read Knee Sleeves vs Knee Wraps for Squats and How Much Do Knee Wraps Add to Your Squat?
• Getting ready for a meet? Our powerlifting meet checklist covers what to pack.
• Comparing other gear? See Gymreapers vs Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps, Tuffwraps vs Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps and SBD vs Bay Gear Co. lever belts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Gymreapers knee sleeves?

When we checked on October 11, 2026, Gymreapers 7MM Knee Sleeves were $59.99 a pair and the 5MM Knee Sleeves were $49.99 on gymreapers.com. Prices may change.

How do Gymreapers knee sleeves fit?

Gymreapers sizes its 7mm sleeves from S (11.8 to 13 inches) to 2XL (17 to 18.3 inches), measured around the kneecap with your leg extended. Their ranges are different from ours, so check each brand's chart.

Are Gymreapers knee sleeves IPF approved?

Gymreapers lists its 7mm knee sleeves as IPF, IPL, USPA and USAPL approved. Check your federation's current approved list before a meet.

Are Bay Gear Co. knee sleeves competition legal?

We don't list federation approval for our knee sleeves. Some federations, including the IPF, only allow sleeves from approved manufacturers, so check your federation's rules before you wear any sleeve at a meet. Ours are built for training.

Are knee sleeves sold as a pair?

Yes, both. Gymreapers and Bay Gear Co. both sell knee sleeves as a pair.

How should I wash knee sleeves?

Hand wash them in cool water with a mild soap, then air dry. Skip the dryer and high heat, which can be hard on neoprene. Gymreapers also advises against machine washing.

Which has better reviews, Gymreapers or Bay Gear Co.?

Gymreapers has far more reviews: 1,195 averaging 4.9 on its Black/White 7mm page. Bay Gear Co. knee sleeves average 4.45 across 22 Judge.me reviews.

Veteran-Owned and Built for Squat Day

Brian Young started Bay Gear Co. in 2017 as an active-duty Marine at Camp Lejeune. We're still veteran-owned and operated, now based in Sebastian, Florida, and we pack and ship every order ourselves.

Find Your Fit

• Knee sleeves: Shop 7mm knee sleeves, $59.99
• Sleeves + free chalk: Knee Sleeves Deal, $59.99
• Full kits: Lock & Load and Heavy Hitter bundles
• More deals: Shop deals

Free shipping on orders $49+, orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day, and unused items can be returned within 30 days.