Source: Style Altitude — “Review using the Ski-Mojo instead of a knee brace”
Review using the Ski-Mojo instead of a hinged knee brace
Questions explored: What advantages does Ski-Mojo have over a hinged knee brace? Is the hype real? Does it work, and how well?
Introduction
The reviewer had long assumed that a Ski-Mojo was not a true alternative to a medical hinged knee brace (e.g., Donjoy). After a full day of hard skiing with prior, persistent knee issues, the device proved a revelation.
This feature is in two parts: first, a practical on-snow review of Ski-Mojo versus a normal knee brace; second, an analysis of benefits to the knees and whether Ski-Mojo can substitute for a hinged brace.
Reviewer profile
65-year-old, 76 kg male; above-average fitness (running 5 km/25 min, cycling major Alpine cols in Serre Chevalier, open-water swimming in the UK, kitesurfing and wingfoiling). Over 45 years of skiing and snowboarding: ski touring, XC skating, carving GS race skis, and powder whenever possible.
Extensive injury history: one ACL reconstruction, one ACL rupture without reconstruction, multiple arthroscopies, and a broken knee. Has used various braces (e.g., Donjoy; currently Stoko on flare-ups) yet still experiences underlying ache unless conditions are pristine.
Context: SIGB Ski Test, La Clusaz
En route to the test, knee pain returned after heavy use in prior days. Day 1 included eight All-Mountain skis (~100 mm+) across conditions from fresh to hard icy piste.
That evening, the reviewer met the Ski-Mojo team at the hotel, explained skepticism (“for the unfit / those lacking leg strength”), listened to their case, and agreed to try it the next morning.
Fitting & first impressions
Fitted by Ski-Mojo owner/inventor Martin Hannaford. Handling the sprung rod felt like easing the barrel of an air-rifle under load—immediately conveying the concept of a powerful, spring-assisted support down the outside of each leg.
System layout: a climbing-style hip harness; upper rods clipping to the harness; an articulated spring mechanism at the outside of the knee; a lower rod clipped to the boot. According to Ski-Mojo, the spring stores energy during knee flexion and returns it on extension; the assembly is held with a neoprene sheath.
Hannaford’s one-liner: “A spring-loaded knee-support acting as an exoskeleton, taking about a third of the load off legs and knees — the skiing equivalent of an e-bike.”
Setup typically takes 10–15 minutes using instructions/videos; on/off thereafter is a couple of minutes. The only fiddly part was clipping to the back of the boot. On the first squat, the power was obvious. Resistance is tuned to weight/height via a “power adjuster”; a simple external switch engages/disengages. Worn discreetly under ski pants; normal to drive and walk in.
On-snow test protocol
Location: Balme sector, La Clusaz. Test lap: ~5.3 km, ~1,200 m vertical (Balme gondola + Col de Balme chair). The reviewer initially chose to engage assistance after unloading the chair, though there is a “spring off the lift” technique if engaging just before dismount.
Parallel ski tests: Nordica Enforcer 99; then Völkl Mantra 102, Dynastar M-Pro 100, Salomon Addikt Pro; later K2 Mindbender 96 and Elan Playmaker 101 (lower section). Conditions covered firm pisted snow and softer spring-like sections—ideal for carving evaluation. All runs were skied non-stop and aggressively to stress quads and technique.
Results: fatigue, control & pace
Descents felt almost effortless. Where quad burn would normally kick in mid-run, there was only the slightest twinge. At the test center finish, the reviewer could speak normally, with no breathlessness or sweat. Strava time for the 5.3 km was ~8:43. Subsequent non-stop runs produced similarly quick times with low average heart rate (~115 bpm).
Notably, the test used touring boots (Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 120), which usually demand more leg work than alpine boots—yet the legs felt fine the next day back in Serre Chevalier. Provisional score: 9/10 (a tentative 10/10, pending heavy off-piste “ultimate test” where the knee typically suffers).
Why it works (manufacturer’s technical rationale)
- Adjustable springs support ~one-third of body weight (feels like −33% body mass).
- Energy stored in flexion is returned in extension; load is transmitted from pelvis to boots.
- Springs act as shock absorbers, smoothing terrain like suspension.
- Slight extra hamstring work (~10%) + ~30% reduced quadriceps contraction may help protect cruciate ligaments.
- Delayed quad burn: less lactic build-up → fewer fatigue-related errors and soreness.
- Claims of ~40% reduction in vertical knee pressure & vibrations/impacts; hips and back also relieved.
Brace vs. Ski-Mojo
A conventional hinged brace provides lateral joint support. Ski-Mojo, by contrast, reduces a substantial share of vertical loading. Many users report significantly less knee pain, sometimes disappearing altogether. It is a support, not a medical brace, and is not a substitute where a brace is prescribed.
Expert perspectives
Founder Martin Hannaford notes most clinicians recommend reducing load on knees—Ski-Mojo achieves a similar effect by off-loading about a third of body weight. Anecdotally, users without prescribed braces often stop wearing generic braces when using Ski-Mojo; those with prescribed braces make their own decisions in consultation with clinicians.
Dr M. H. Binet (ISSS board, SITMESH officer) states Ski-Mojo helps skiers with weak/damaged knees or leg muscles ski longer each day and extend their ski life by supporting body weight and acting as a shock absorber. He recommends Ski-Mojo for arthritis, recurrent knee swelling, cartilage damage, post-reconstruction, total knee replacement; it is not a brace and is not an alternative to one, but can be used in addition to a brace to reduce stresses. Support level is weight-based and adjustable. Personal notes: easy to ski with; support felt immediately; no muscle pain after long runs (still out of breath!); does not like to ski without it.
ACL considerations
Ski-Mojo is not a medical device. Regarding ACL injuries (e.g., “phantom foot” falls), some argue the engaged springs may prevent a fully relaxed, deeply flexed knee position associated with that mechanism—however, no guarantees are made; responsibility remains with the skier and medical advice.
Bottom line
The day-long, non-stop test delivered far less quad fatigue, stable technique, and faster laps with low exertion. For non-prescribed use, the reviewer regards Ski-Mojo as a compelling alternative to a generic hinged brace—while emphasizing that prescribed braces and medical guidance take precedence.