How Does Incrediwear Work? Wearable Infrared Explained

It's not compression. It's not heat therapy. Here's how Incrediwear's wearable infrared fabric works, what the research says so far, and who it suits.

If you've ever dealt with achy joints, tired muscles, or the kind of post-training soreness that lingers for days, chances are you've tried compression. Tighter sleeves, firmer wraps, graduated stockings, all built on the same basic principle: squeeze the area and hope that's enough.

For decades, compression has been the default. And it does have its place. But what if a recovery sleeve didn't compress at all?

That's the idea behind Incrediwear, and it's one of the most interesting innovations we've come across in the recovery space.

How Does Incrediwear Work?

Incrediwear's fabric is infused with two semiconductor elements: germanium and carbon. These aren't surface coatings or temporary treatments. They're embedded into the fibre itself. According to Incrediwear, when you put on one of their sleeves, your body heat activates these elements, causing them to emit infrared waves that support blood flow to the area.

No batteries. No plugging in. No squeezing. Just your body heat and a fabric designed to respond to it.

Is Incrediwear The Same As Compression?

No, and that's the key difference. Compression works by applying external pressure, which can be useful in some situations, particularly straight after an injury. But it's restrictive by design, and many people find tight compression uncomfortable to wear for long periods.

Incrediwear takes a different approach. Rather than restricting the area, it's designed to encourage circulation, supporting the body's own recovery processes. Because there's no compression, the sleeves are comfortable enough to wear all day, overnight, or during activity.

What The Research Shows

Wearable infrared is still a relatively new area, but Incrediwear's knee sleeves have been studied in published research.

A 2019 study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine followed people with knee osteoarthritis who wore a germanium-embedded Incrediwear knee sleeve. People with mild osteoarthritis reported improvements in knee pain and function scores, and most wore the sleeves consistently, suggesting they were comfortable. It's worth knowing it was a small study without a control group, and those with more severe osteoarthritis didn't see significant changes, so more research is needed.

A second study, published in the Journal of Orthopedics, compared Incrediwear's non-compressive sleeves with standard compression stockings after knee replacement surgery, and reported less swelling and better range of motion in the Incrediwear group at the three-week follow-up.

The early research is encouraging, and it challenges the long-held assumption that tighter is always better when it comes to recovery.

The Range

One of the things that sets Incrediwear apart is the breadth of their product line. They've applied the same fabric technology across a range designed to support almost any part of the body.

Their joint sleeves cover the knee, ankle, elbow, wrist, calf, arm, and shoulder. The Incrediwear Knee Sleeve is the most popular, with integrated side stays for a little extra stability. It's also the sleeve Novak Djokovic wears, and he now has his own signature line in an all-white colourway. You can read the story behind that partnership in our post on why Djokovic invested in Incrediwear.

Beyond sleeves, the range includes a body sleeve, back brace, hip brace, circulation shorts and performance pants. Then there's the everyday range: circulation socks, knee-high socks and fingerless gloves, popular with people who spend long days on their feet or find their hands and feet get tired and stiff. Even their beanie uses the same fabric.

Who It's For

Incrediwear is used by professional athletes and sports teams, but it's just as popular with everyday users looking for comfortable, all-day support for stiff or tired joints and muscles.

If you've ever felt that compression sleeves don't quite suit you, or found them uncomfortable to wear for long, Incrediwear is worth trying. If you're choosing a support specifically for running, our guide to knee support for running compares it with other types.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Incrediwear work?

Incrediwear's fabric is embedded with germanium and carbon. The brand says these are activated by body heat to emit infrared waves that support circulation, without any compression, batteries or power source.

Is Incrediwear the same as a compression sleeve?

No. Compression sleeves work by applying pressure. Incrediwear is non-compressive and is designed to support circulation instead, which makes it comfortable for longer wear.

Can you sleep in Incrediwear?

Yes. Because the sleeves don't compress, Incrediwear says they're suitable to wear all day and overnight.

Where can I buy Incrediwear in the UK?

Nalu stocks the full Incrediwear range, including the Novak Djokovic Signature Line, with UK delivery.

Why We Stock Incrediwear

At Nalu, every brand has to earn its place. Incrediwear earned it through genuine innovation, published research that's still building, and consistently positive feedback from our customers.

Wearable infrared is still a relatively new idea to many people in the UK. But the approach represents exactly the kind of thinking we built Nalu to champion: considered, high-quality, and different from everything else on the shelf.

Explore the full Incrediwear collection, or get in touch with our team if you'd like help choosing.