Is it normal for the DrFlexa to feel loose after a few hours?

Thats just the material warming up probably

Mine actually got looser the more I wore it, not less. I ended up going a size down and that fixed it.

Loose after a few hours sounds like the straps are just stretching with movement, not you doing it wrong. Mine never really did that though, so I’d say it’s more about how the brace sits on you than some universal thing. Maybe check the top strap stays put when you bend.

Mine doesn’t really do that, but I only wear it for an hour or two at a time so maybe it just needs longer to show up. Could be that the straps stretch a bit more on longer walks though, especially if you’re moving a lot. I’d try tightening it a touch more before you head out and see if that holds.

I don’t have the DrFlexa specifically, but I’ve used a few knee sleeves and straps over the years, and the looseness after a few hours thing usually comes down to how the straps sit on your leg rather than you doing something wrong. If your leg changes shape at all through the day, even a little swelling or the muscle warming up, the fit shifts a bit. That’s just how it goes with anything adjustable.

For me, I figured out I prefer a snugger fit right off the bat and then just leave it alone instead of fiddling with it all day. Some people like it loose and re-tighten later, which is fine too, just a preference thing. If it’s not sliding down then the anti-slip part is probably doing its job. I’d say just wear it a bit longer and see if it keeps happening or if it settles into a spot you’re happy with.

Mine loosens up a bit too but only if I’ve been moving a lot. I’ve noticed it happens more on days I’m up and down stairs a lot versus just sitting at my desk. What I do is readjust once mid day if I remember, just a quick tug on the top strap. Not a full re-strap, just snug it back up. I don’t think it’s a tightening mistake, the material just gives a little with heat and movement. I actually prefer that over something that stays super stiff all day. I had a different brace that was rigid and it stayed put but was miserable after a couple hours. So for me a little looseness is fine as long as it’s not sliding down. If it starts slipping then yeah, something’s off, but just feeling less snug after walking around is normal in my experience.

I don’t think it’s a tightening issue at all. A few hours of walking will do that to almost any brace, especially if you’re actually moving rather than sitting around. The material warms up and your leg changes shape a bit as the day goes on, so the fit naturally shifts. That’s just normal with wearable stuff.

What I’d push back on is the idea that you need to fix it by strapping it tighter. That usually backfires. Too much tension early on and you end up with pressure points or it rolls or bunches once you start sweating. Better to start at a comfortable snug and accept that it’ll relax a little over the day.

If it’s not sliding down and it’s just less snug, that sounds like it’s doing its job. A brace doesn’t need to feel locked on the whole time to give support. I’d leave it alone unless it actually starts moving around on you.