Thanks for the feature brother! That was my first time wearing them so hopefully they break in a bit, and I'll use some of your tips to minimize the discomfort. I agree about the support. I've been dealing with some knee pain recently and I didn't feel it at all during my session. Next level support-- almost a cheat code!
Great review! Question, my knee measurement is two inches larger than my calf measurement. Small calve problems. Should I go up two sizes to fit my knee or go off the chart and risk them not fitting my over my thighs
Thanks! It’s hard to use my shipping time as a reference since I missed the 1st batch and my size wasn’t in stock at the time. However, when they have stock they typically ship right away and you could expect it within a week.
Great review, Marcus! Carter texted me while he was doing that workout, and he was having a rough go😅 I have not tried the Pioneers, but I LOVE the A7’s and also have the Ghost Strong(est) sleeves. The rigidity of these new gens makes the individual sleeve constructions and how it agrees with an individuals leg shape very important since they do not conform as much. The Ghosts are very stiff but do not fit my leg as well as the A7’s. Either way, stiff sleeves are a blast to use and really alleviate the knee pressure of heavy squats. I am glad you got some and they helped you with your knee pain!
The titan tks and inzer ergo pros broke in a lot after months of using them 2x a week for me. I walk and do things normally with them on. They’re stiff still but no where near as rigid on as they were when I got them
I would definitely buy true to size! Most feel they run small/tight and you will feel like they are super tight or too small to begin with. Going down in size may be impossible to get on.
My calves are also 15” and I ordered an XL. Was able to pull them on but they were impossible to remove. I even used pliers to grab onto the material and could not get them past my calves again. Once my feet started going numb I cut them off. I recommend going to a XXL.
What size are you calves for those XXXl's? It seems I almost need same, though I'm certainly smaller. I measured my calves at 14", I purchased the XL's, but found I can't quite get them on (and even less than zero chance over my left, which evidently is 1/4" larger). My knees could really use the help, and I just want to feel for myself that cheat code / rebound from the hole.
16.5”, so I went by the size chart and the 3xl works great. Did you try the folding method to get them on? If that doesn’t work then you should try the 2xls.
@@twistedbarbell3950I managed to actually get both on today, by first slipping each over my ankle, then folding the top over straight down to the bottom. Then pull the whole thing up, but ... could then only get about 1/3 of it past the middle of my knee. Folding the bottom up first, Brandon-style, I end up an inch or two lower (and can't pass my left calf at all). Seems my problem is .my knees at 15-1/2", and thighs 6" past the middle at 18" are a tad too much fro the XL's that measure 15" and taper to 12.. I'm going to go for the XXL's, and if I end up with extra material bunching / rubbing too hard - my current ~2mm spandex sleeves should be a nice liner 🙂
@@twistedbarbell3950 Folding them Brandon-style, I can get about an inch of material past my right kneecap, and stuck getting past my calf on the left. However, I've since found that by simply slipping them on past the ankle, then folding them down in half, I can get maybe 1/3 of the material past the middle of my kneecaps. Not enough. Seems my problem is my uncompressible knees .at 15-1/2", and thighs 6" past the middle at 18, are a tad too much for the XL's that measure 15" and taper to 12 unstretched. I'm going to go up one to the double X's, and if I end up with extra material bunching / rubbing too hard - my current ~2mm spandex sleeves should be a nice liner 🙂
@twistedbarbell3950 Received my RMA, 2XLs earlier this week and tried them on right away in the living room. Not too hard, but wow do they pinch the skin on the back of my thigh something fierce. Tried again with spandex sleeve liners - extremely difficult to get on, but then they graduate from painful to only uncomfortable. Tried them for squats the next day. After warm up sets ... took 10 minutes to put on and then I realized I had left my shoes off - so that was comical. Finally...waddle into position and ... holy moly! You're not kidding about cheat code. Like hydraulic jacks right under your knees those first few ferocious inches. I can hit a top set of 6 with these, same effort as set of 5 without. After all that ... probably won't use them much - too much work! Gotta be a super confidence booster for competition, though.
I have 1 cm difference between calves. 43 cms on left leg, 44 cms on right one. Would you recomend 3xl or 4xl?! Also I ve torn 2 a7's rigor Mortis with correct size. Hopefully those are not like a7's. The seam seems really strong on pioneers.
They’re definitely stiff mine will hold up a 25lbs plate. As an old Rehband guy they are definitely taking some getting used to the stiffness. I sized up and got bruises on the back of my legs lol
Impressive that they held up 25lbs! I would have kept stacking weights but the other 2 failed at the first try! The back of my legs were quite tender after 1st use, so I waited until my comp to slide them on for the 2nd time.
Hey man, these are also 7mm neoprene but it’s a new type of neoprene that is far more dense and therefore, rigid! It really elevates the level of support they provide.
I’m not familiar with their non competitive sleeves. These are their 7mm sleeves made with the newer density foam for greater support. I have used them in 2 competitions since getting them late last year.
Solid as always
Thanks brother
Thanks for the feature brother! That was my first time wearing them so hopefully they break in a bit, and I'll use some of your tips to minimize the discomfort. I agree about the support. I've been dealing with some knee pain recently and I didn't feel it at all during my session. Next level support-- almost a cheat code!
Seriously! Cheat code is a good characterization. Thanks for letting me use your image Carter.
Just got a pair of Inzer Konas and your tip about rolling the top fold over the bottom fold was a game changer. Thanks man!
Awesome!
Just saw this, thanks for the shoutout! 4 months later they’re still incredible 🤙🏼
Agreed
Great review! Question, my knee measurement is two inches larger than my calf measurement. Small calve problems. Should I go up two sizes to fit my knee or go off the chart and risk them not fitting my over my thighs
Hmmm, tough one. I’d contact Pioneer and ask their opinion. I wouldn’t want to give the wrong recommendation
Great review Marcus, quick question, how long was the shipping ? Just put my order in the other day, again great review 👍
Thanks! It’s hard to use my shipping time as a reference since I missed the 1st batch and my size wasn’t in stock at the time. However, when they have stock they typically ship right away and you could expect it within a week.
Great review, Marcus! Carter texted me while he was doing that workout, and he was having a rough go😅 I have not tried the Pioneers, but I LOVE the A7’s and also have the Ghost Strong(est) sleeves. The rigidity of these new gens makes the individual sleeve constructions and how it agrees with an individuals leg shape very important since they do not conform as much. The Ghosts are very stiff but do not fit my leg as well as the A7’s. Either way, stiff sleeves are a blast to use and really alleviate the knee pressure of heavy squats. I am glad you got some and they helped you with your knee pain!
Thanks Phil! Interesting to hear your take on the other 2 brands. Did either of them irritate your legs?
@@twistedbarbell3950 the ghosts did irritate my legs a tad, but neither were unbearable.
The titan tks and inzer ergo pros broke in a lot after months of using them 2x a week for me. I walk and do things normally with them on. They’re stiff still but no where near as rigid on as they were when I got them
The same happened with the Pioneer’s, as I now also use them 2x a week and there’s no need to remove them right away
I bought the pioneer sleeves. Couldn’t get them on. Even with the fold. My calves measure at 19-20 “.
Yeah, I do t think they make sleeves big enough for those monster calves
My calves are 15”. Thinking of sizing down to a L instead of XL pioneers, should I buy true to size instead?
I would definitely buy true to size! Most feel they run small/tight and you will feel like they are super tight or too small to begin with. Going down in size may be impossible to get on.
My calves are also 15” and I ordered an XL. Was able to pull them on but they were impossible to remove. I even used pliers to grab onto the material and could not get them past my calves again. Once my feet started going numb I cut them off. I recommend going to a XXL.
@@dho.onthesteel Thanks for sharing! It's hard to relate to the size of these until you have them.
What size are you calves for those XXXl's? It seems I almost need same, though I'm certainly smaller.
I measured my calves at 14", I purchased the XL's, but found I can't quite get them on (and even less than zero chance over my left, which evidently is 1/4" larger). My knees could really use the help, and I just want to feel for myself that cheat code / rebound from the hole.
16.5”, so I went by the size chart and the 3xl works great. Did you try the folding method to get them on? If that doesn’t work then you should try the 2xls.
@@twistedbarbell3950I managed to actually get both on today, by first slipping each over my ankle, then folding the top over straight down to the bottom. Then pull the whole thing up, but ... could then only get about 1/3 of it past the middle of my knee. Folding the bottom up first, Brandon-style, I end up an inch or two lower (and can't pass my left calf at all). Seems my problem is .my knees at 15-1/2", and thighs 6" past the middle at 18" are a tad too much fro the XL's that measure 15" and taper to 12.. I'm going to go for the XXL's, and if I end up with extra material bunching / rubbing too hard - my current ~2mm spandex sleeves should be a nice liner 🙂
@@twistedbarbell3950 Folding them Brandon-style, I can get about an inch of material past my right kneecap, and stuck getting past my calf on the left. However, I've since found that by simply slipping them on past the ankle, then folding them down in half, I can get maybe 1/3 of the material past the middle of my kneecaps. Not enough. Seems my problem is my uncompressible knees .at 15-1/2", and thighs 6" past the middle at 18, are a tad too much for the XL's that measure 15" and taper to 12 unstretched. I'm going to go up one to the double X's, and if I end up with extra material bunching / rubbing too hard - my current ~2mm spandex sleeves should be a nice liner 🙂
@twistedbarbell3950
Received my RMA, 2XLs earlier this week and tried them on right away in the living room. Not too hard, but wow do they pinch the skin on the back of my thigh something fierce. Tried again with spandex sleeve liners - extremely difficult to get on, but then they graduate from painful to only uncomfortable. Tried them for squats the next day. After warm up sets ... took 10 minutes to put on and then I realized I had left my shoes off - so that was comical. Finally...waddle into position and ... holy moly! You're not kidding about cheat code. Like hydraulic jacks right under your knees those first few ferocious inches. I can hit a top set of 6 with these, same effort as set of 5 without.
After all that ... probably won't use them much - too much work! Gotta be a super confidence booster for competition, though.
@@squealer42 sounds like you could use the 3xl yourself, but glad you like them
I have 1 cm difference between calves. 43 cms on left leg, 44 cms on right one. Would you recomend 3xl or 4xl?!
Also I ve torn 2 a7's rigor Mortis with correct size. Hopefully those are not like a7's. The seam seems really strong on pioneers.
So hard to say based on that info. So far mine have proven to be quite durable and there’s no indication of seams having issues in the future
Yeah Carter had bleeding, that's another level of tight
Indeed!
The things we do for bigger numbers! 😅
@@TheCarterHomeGym small sacrifices along the way to big gains!
They’re definitely stiff mine will hold up a 25lbs plate. As an old Rehband guy they are definitely taking some getting used to the stiffness. I sized up and got bruises on the back of my legs lol
Impressive that they held up 25lbs! I would have kept stacking weights but the other 2 failed at the first try! The back of my legs were quite tender after 1st use, so I waited until my comp to slide them on for the 2nd time.
25 with just one sleeve or both?
What's the material? I thought all knee sleeves were just 7mm neoprene! I only own one pair of knee sleeves my whole life haha.
Hey man, these are also 7mm neoprene but it’s a new type of neoprene that is far more dense and therefore, rigid! It really elevates the level of support they provide.
Are these the new non competition ones or the regular 7mm ones
I’m not familiar with their non competitive sleeves. These are their 7mm sleeves made with the newer density foam for greater support. I have used them in 2 competitions since getting them late last year.