THE KNAPMAN STORY
From Andijk to FC Barcelona

 27-08-2025 

What started in 2010 at a kitchen table in Andijk, a small town in The Netherlands, has now grown into an international sports brand supplying elite sports teams such as FC Barcelona, Manchester City and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Max Kramer and his wife Monique began on a small scale, but with a clear vision. Today, world-class athletes wear their self-developed compression shorts — still shipped directly from Andijk, The Netherlands.

The idea for Knapman was born after Max suffered a serious fall while cycling, breaking his elbow. During his recovery, he searched for high-quality compression garments, but couldn’t find anything that met his demands. Instead of settling for less, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Max sourced a supplier, imported his first batch of compression shirts, and began selling them from home.
 
“The media picked it up quickly, and suddenly demand exploded,”  Max recalls. “Before we knew it, we were packing dozens of orders each day from our living room.”
 
Not long after, the first major breakthrough came from professional football. The physiotherapist of NEC Nijmegen, a Dutch professional club, reached out with a key question: could compression wear also benefit football players?

Working closely with sports doctors and physiotherapists, Knapman developed unique compression zones that follow the body’s anatomy and muscles. The result was the very first Knapman compression short — specifically designed to deliver targeted compression to muscles and joints, helping both prevent and treat injuries.

First designs of the Knapman compression shorts and the final result. [Photos © Knapman]
 

NEC players tested the shorts, and the results were remarkable.

''Despite the high level of compression, the shorts do not restrict freedom of movement. Very quickly, players no longer wanted to train or play without them.''

Things moved quickly after that. Within a single season, players at every Dutch premier league club were wearing the Knapman compression shorts.
 
Guido Vriend, now Max and Monique’s right-hand man for over twelve years , joined the company, and their daughter Pia Kramer also became actively involved. Together with the growing team, they began expanding Knapman internationally.
 
But the journey was far from easy.

“Along the way, we faced many challenges, especially the technical difficulties that come with such high levels of compression” Max explains. “But we never stopped. Entrepreneurship is about continuing when others would give up.”

 
And that perseverance paid off. Last year, an order came in from none other than Raphinha of FC Barcelona.

“Imagine sitting on the couch watching the game Barça–Real, and suddenly you see multiple players scoring goals while wearing your product. That still feels surreal.” says Max. 

 
Today, Knapman supplies compression wear to elite athletes around the world, not only in football, but also in hockey, athletics, volleyball, and even top-level baseball teams in the United States.

Over the years, Knapman has grown into the global leader in compression wear. The Knapman compression short is the only compression short worldwide that has been scientifically tested and proven effective in both the prevention and treatment of groin and hamstring injuries

Max Kramer visiting Manchester City and Guido Vriend at Chelsea FC. [Photos © Knapman]

Innovation remains at the heart of everything we do. Our products are continuously refined and improved. Last year, we launched two new compression shorts: one for men and one specifically developed for women. Both designs have since been granted patents, due to their unique design and functionality.

Read more about the PRO compression short for men and the MIDI for women. 
 
What once began in the living room of Max and Monique has become a globally recognised brand — still proudly operating from Andijk, The Netherlands.