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Top 10 Ankle Support Braces Reviewed and Rated

last updated: Dec 10, 2020

Your ankles take a lot of pounding in the gym. Whether you’re on the treadmill, in the squat rack, or doing box jumps, they endure a whole lot of pressure and lateral force. It’s no surprise, then, that ankle injuries in the gym are very commonplace. The best ankle support brace can give you the extra strength and protection needed to avoid becoming another statistic.

In this article, we review the Top 10 options on the 2019 market.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 17 hrs of research

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ASO Stabilizer
95.2/100 our score
Use
95
Effectiveness
94
Materials
96
Support
96
Style
95
ASO Stabilizer
Why is it better?

Elastic Cuff Closure

Stabilizing Straps

Ballistic Nylon

Bilateral Design

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Researched Sources
42
Researched Sources
Reviews Considered
8.5k
Reviews Considered
Hours Researching
17
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
14
Products Evaluated
Sorting Options
Use Effectiveness Materials Support Style By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
95.2
Use
95 %
Effectiveness
94 %
Materials
96 %
Support
96 %
Style
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$34.17
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.2
Use
93 %
Effectiveness
94 %
Materials
94 %
Support
93 %
Style
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$22.49
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90
Use
89 %
Effectiveness
90 %
Materials
91 %
Support
90 %
Style
90 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$45.65
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
89.2
Use
89 %
Effectiveness
90 %
Materials
88 %
Support
90 %
Style
89 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$31.99
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88.8
Use
89 %
Effectiveness
90 %
Materials
89 %
Support
88 %
Style
88 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$29.28
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.2
Use
88 %
Effectiveness
88 %
Materials
87 %
Support
87 %
Style
86 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$40.74
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
86.8
Use
87 %
Effectiveness
88 %
Materials
86 %
Support
87 %
Style
86 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$69.95
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
Use
84 %
Effectiveness
85 %
Materials
83 %
Support
84 %
Style
84 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.2
Use
83 %
Effectiveness
83 %
Materials
84 %
Support
82 %
Style
84 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$16.99
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
78
Use
78 %
Effectiveness
77 %
Materials
78 %
Support
79 %
Style
78 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (05.11.24)
Amazon Link
$18.95

10 Best Ankle Braces for Ultimate Support

1. ASO Stabilizer

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
95.2
image of ASO Stabilizer
Amazon Link
Use
95
Effectiveness
94
Materials
96
Support
96
Style
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$34.17
Pros:

Elastic Cuff Closure

Stabilizing Straps

Ballistic Nylon

Bilateral Design

Cons:

No Warranty

​The ASO Ankle Stabilizer features a figure 8 design to provide complete protection to your lower foot while exercising or walking around. This best ankle support from ASO effectively creates a ballistic, lightweight nylon boot that delivers the support you need with the flexibility that you require for your workout.

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An elastic cuff closure gives added support while boosting the rigidity of the best ankle support lacing system. ASO Ankle Stabilizer brace features a bilateral design so that each unit will fit on either the left or right foot. It has a low profile so that it will work with all manner of footwear. The ankle support braces are sold separately, not as a pair.

2. PowerLix Support Sleeve

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.2
image of PowerLix Support Sleeve
Amazon Link
Use
93
Effectiveness
94
Materials
94
Support
93
Style
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$22.49
Pros:

Special Knitted Design

Form Fitting

Compression Fabric

Breathable Yet Firm

Cons:

Tricky To Put On

PowerLix Ankle braces are an extremely supportive lower foot aid that delivers even pressure across the ankle joint. The tight, form-fitting design provides very effective support against arthritis, sprains, strains, and tendonitis. The compression fabric is both comfortable and breathable.

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The best ankle support means that you’ll have no problems with sweat build up and itchiness around the ankle while you’re working out. The special knitted technical design of PowerLix means that they will fit any size ankle, providing the form fit that you need for comfort and performance. On top of that, the finish of the ankle brace gives you a very stylish design that looks great.

3. Cramer T1

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
90
image of Cramer T1 ankle brace
Amazon Link
Use
89
Effectiveness
90
Materials
91
Support
90
Style
90
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$45.65
Pros:

Very Supportive

U-shape Design

Neoprene Padding

Great For Volleyball

True To Size

Cons:

Can Be Too Rigid

Sharp Edges

The Cramer T1 is a versatile brace, and it works equally well with both of your ankles. All you have to do is adjust the strap in the direction it needs to go, depending on where you need the support to be.

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There is support padding present on this brace as well. This padding makes sure that your ankle is safe from the additional pressure you may feel when going about your day, or when you exercise. This ankle support brace is also one of the best volleyball braces out there, and you can wear it comfortably all throughout the game. If you wear work shoes and want to use this brace, however, be careful, because the brace is quite rigid and it will bother you. Also, it might not be a good fit for running, because it offers way too much support and will hinder you from moving normally.

4. Ossur Formfit

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
89.2
image of Ossur Formfit ankle brace
Amazon Link
Use
89
Effectiveness
90
Materials
88
Support
90
Style
89
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$31.99
Pros:

Exoskeleton Design

Figure 8 Heel Lock

Speed Lace Up

Lightweight

Low Profile

Cons:

A Bit Stiff

Ossur Form Fit ankle support braces deliver just the right balance between a rigid ankle stirrup and soft ankle support. The ergonomically designed stirrup-shaped plastic exoskeleton is form-fitting and amazingly comfortable. This innovative design from Ossur has been shown to deliver 25-30% more support than the traditional design.

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Ossur Form Fit features a figure 8 heel lock strapping to provide very rigid support to the lower leg. You will have no concerns with the ankle brace slipping, as happens when you use tape. There is also an innovative speed lace-up design, which allows you to put the ankle brace on and take it off extremely quickly.

5. McDavid 195

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88.8
image of McDavid 195 ankle brace
Amazon Link
Use
89
Effectiveness
90
Materials
89
Support
88
Style
88
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$29.28
Pros:

Single Layer Polyester Fabric

Compression Comfort Top Strap

Breathable Tongue

Padded Lining

Cons:

A Little Bulky

The McDavid 195 ankle brace is made from a single layer of polyester fabric, providing enhanced stability and form fit.

It also provides an extremely lightweight design that feels as if you’re not even wearing an ankle brace.

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The compression comfort top strap provides you with very secure and rigid support while allowing for custom fitting. Most of the ankle bracers made by McDavid including 195 feature a breathable tongue that allows the air to circulate. This eliminates sweat build-up, along with odor and bacteria problems. The ankle brace can be easily adjusted without having to undo laces.

However, it also stays securely in place. Padded lining and reinforced closures enhance the comfort level.

6. Active Ankle T2

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.2
image of Active Ankle T2 support brace
Amazon Link
Use
88
Effectiveness
88
Materials
87
Support
87
Style
86
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$40.74
Pros:

Very Lightweight

Anatomical Bilateral Hinge

EVA Padding

Quick-fit single-strap Design

Cons:

Not For Taller People

The Active Ankle T2 is a ‘U’ shaped rigid ankle brace that provides a great deal of stability and support. It features anatomically designed ‘U’ shaped support which controls both the heel and forefoot. This brace features a quick-fit single strap that is adjustable for both high top and low top shoes.

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This is a more sleek, and less bulky style of brace than many that you currently find on the market. It features a lightweight style mold of durable EVA padding which molds to the contours of an ankle and is designed for comfort and supportive fit. The anatomical bilateral hinge of the T2 allows for a full foot range of motion through the ankle. This makes it ideal for minimizing the effects of strains and sprains. You will get the highest level of ankle support of any rigid brace with the T2.

7. BioSkin Trilok

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
86.8
image of BioSkin Trilok
Amazon Link
Use
87
Effectiveness
88
Materials
86
Support
87
Style
86
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$69.95
Pros:

Ultima 2 Fabric

Strong Velcro

Double Strapping

Lycra And Polyester

Cons:

A Little Bulky

Bioksin Trilok Ankle Brace is an extremely versatile ankle brace that offers a great deal of support for inversion, eversion, ankle protector and plantar flexion inversion. This knee brace features a Footlok strap which gives a lot of support to the plantar fascia. Two individual straps are placed to stabilize the mid and rearfoot.

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It is constructed from high grade patented Ultima 2 fabric and industrial strength Velcro. There are no laces with this ankle support brace, making it much easier to take on and off. The Bioskin Trilok will give you the stability and strength you need to prevent ankle sprains and strains, along with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD).

8. Liomor

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
image of Liomor support brace
Amazon Link
Use
84
Effectiveness
85
Materials
83
Support
84
Style
84
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Pros:

Perforated Interlayer Design

Open Heel Design

Criss-cross Reinforcement Strap

Anti-odor

Anti-itch

Cons:

Cuts Into Feet

Liomor Ankle Support is a specialty ankle brace designed for runners and basketball players. It features a unique crisscross reinforcement strap design to provide you with the ultimate in strength and rigidity. These ankle braces are made from a highly elastic, moisture wicking material.

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A perforated interlayer design provides the ultimate in breathability, delivering a more comfortable, easy-wearing support. This will also enhance the oxygen circulation. You’ll have no problems with odor issues or bacterial build-up, which contrasts with many competing brands. The Liomor Ankle Supports also feature an open heel design with a soft ankle brace, which provides you with a greater range of motion; this makes it ideal for quick change mobility while playing sport.

9. TechWare Pro

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.2
image of TechWare Pro ankle brace
Amazon Link
Use
83
Effectiveness
83
Materials
84
Support
82
Style
84
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$16.99
Pros:

Graduated Compression

Thin And Lightweight

No Spandex Used

No-slip Fit

Cons:

Runs Small

The TechWare Pro ankle brace provides an effective level of compression in a thin sleeve, making this a very unobtrusive ankle support that you can wear with any type of footwear.

This means that you can do plyometric box jumps, or play sports without any encumbrance.

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The breathable moisture wicking soft fabric has been anatomically shaped to contour to the foot for better stability. The graduated compression will improve the blood circulation in the affected area, improving edema treatment as well as bunions and bursitis. The non-slip fit of the TechWare Pro makes it ideal for playing sport. There is no neoprene used in the construction of this brace. Instead, the manufacturers make use of 80% nylon and 20% spandex to deliver superior foot and best ankle support and comfort.

10. SLEEVE STARS

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
78
image of Sleeve Star Plantar Fasciitis
Amazon Link
Use
78
Effectiveness
77
Materials
78
Support
79
Style
78
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$18.95
Pros:

Compression Support

Extra Compression Strap

Soft Inner Lining

One Size Fits All

Cons:

Strong Petroleum Smell

​The Sleeve Star Plantar Fasciitis is compression support that will speed up recovery by enhancing the flow of blood and nutrients to the lower leg area. It is made from a high-quality fabric that features a soft inner lining to provide a comfortable feel against the skin, achieved with a tie-up ankle brace.

Read more

An extra compression strap gives you more stability and rigidity when you are doing plyometrics or squatting. The Sleeve Star Plantar Fasciitis strap performs the dual purpose of preventing lower leg injury and providing recovery if you do suffer from injury to the area. Those good ankle braces are ideal for use when lifting weights, playing sports, or just going about your daily activities.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Use

If you ever suffered from any type of ankle injury, you are probably well familiar with ankle braces. They keep the poor injured ankle in place, and surround the weakened surrounding tissues and help them heal faster. But what if you don’t have an existing injury and still want to wear a brace?

Ankle braces first gained traction back in the 1990s. This is because of the new design, and this design made them a much cheaper option compared to kinesiology tape, which needed to be used again and again. Today, we can see many different styles of ankle braces, all supporting our ankles, more or less, well adjusted to the sport we are into. They usually sit around our ankles to help us heal faster from an existing injury, as we mentioned, or to help us heal faster from one.

Although an ankle brace makes ankle injuries less probable when an injury does happen it will not be less severe than it would be usually. The internal support that makes up your ankles is made out of the tiny bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, that work like a well-oiled machine. These parts also connect your ankles with the rest of your legs, namely your knees and hips, which all work together to help you perform. The best ankle braces are just extra help for your body, and they stabilize your ankles to work even better. Inversion and eversion are terms that involve the movements that tilt the sole of the foot away from or towards the midline of your body. Away is eversion, and towards is an inversion. An ankle inversion is a type of strain in which the lateral ligaments end up getting too stretched and the anterior talofibular ligament is most commonly involved in this particular type of ankle sprain. The majority of all ankle sprains typically occur due to inversion injuries. An ankle version is the opposite of inversion and involves the peroneus longus, brevis, and Tertius which are the three muscles that are involved in an everted ankle injury. The braces keep the ankles from doing just this, making them a very useful tool.

Effectiveness

Ankle braces can help an individual avoid an injury and when there is a sudden movement in which the foot is perpendicular to the actual direction of the movement, a ligament injury can occur. An ankle brace would have kept the ankle in a more stable position and could have helped prevent such an injury.

If you are wearing an ankle brace due to an injury, then you will likely be wearing it anywhere from ten days and possibly even up to a total of six weeks depending on the severity of your injury. It should at least be worn until the signs of swelling, pain, and instability have diminished.

Ankle braces are very useful to athletes because they give very strong ankle protection when they need their ankles to be stable. The ankle support braces also help with swelling and pain. The most common way to injure your ankle is the ankle sprain - this is where your rolls on the side, resulting in severe pain, and after that, swelling and tenderness. If you hurt yourself this way, you will need a brace with a sturdy, either plastic or metal construction but only on one side, to help your ankles stay in place. By doing this, your injured tendons and ligaments have time to heal, while the pain and swelling go away. If your ankle also rolled outwards, then your brace has to have support on both sides.

But what if you just want to use the brace as support, not to heal your injury? Well, when you wear a brace like that you lower the risk of having an injury, you can avoid possible future injuries, especially if you are prone to them. Ankle braces are also affordable, and much more effective than the taping method which has been around way before the brace was. They are superbly designed - athletes can wear it no matter when, as long as the brace doesn’t hinder his or her performance. But some athletes fear that the brace will weaken their muscles and make their ankles more unstable. This is true if you don’t wear the right brace style for your sport. So make sure you have the right type of brace and it will definitely be effective.

Materials

The material your ankle brace is also a major role. Before everything else, it might change the breathability a brace has. The last thing you want is to restrict your feet from breathing while you work out! This will also make sweating more profuse, and they will then be susceptible to bad odors, which are prone to happen anyways simply because feet tend to sweat a lot. The support and fit will also be different because of the material, so you need to make sure that you’ve got the right brace before actually using it!

Most of the braces found on the market are made out of neoprene, which is what we will focus on. If you love going for a swim, and if deep-diving excites you, then you probably already know what Neoprene is, or at least you’ve encountered it without knowing it. It’s the rubbery thing that makes up your diving suit! It was created from the very same thing, at almost the same time as nylon, and that thing is plastic! Some very sciencey people at DuPont were working with plastic polymers around the 1920s, and it was then that they had a breakthrough and spotted one that acts the way natural rubber does, and then gave it the name DuPrene.

It was renamed to neoprene in the 1930s, and then the production exploded because of World War II. Once people realized how convenient and great it actually is, demand for it started to rise, and we simply have it around every corner today, and many of it is in our ankle braces. Neoprene is resistant to wear and tear and stays firm for as long as it can. It can also withstand a very big temperature range, meaning it won’t fall apart if you leave it in the car or if it gets too cold. It’s squishy and soft like foam, so it also acts like additional padding. But, neoprene has its drawbacks, and that’s breathability. It is not so breathable, so it will never cover your body completely, it will usually be with nylon, lycra or velcro.

Support

The amount of support is arguably one of the most important factors for ankle braces, which is why you shouldn’t overlook it. An ankle brace can either super supportive, almost to the level of immobilizing you, or they can just be a tighter hug. How much support you need will be determined by what sport you are into, and by how healthy you are.

The support a brace offers is affected by a lot of things. First things first, the support ankle brace provides will be affected by material. Nylon is the most pliable one, especially paired up with elastane. This is the right brace for you if you do not have an injury and are into running, for example. Sometimes, the brace has a plastic or metal skeleton, which makes the braces rigid and slightly heavier. This is what you need if you are injured because the cage will give you all the support you need. The amount of support can also be determined by the closure.

A simple, elastic brace that looks like a sock will give you a little bit of support. On the other end of the spectrum, we have lace-up braces and braces that wrap around your ankles tightly. The best ankle brace will keep your foot super still and are just what injured folks need. Hinged braces are a special kind because they keep your ankles still in place, but still, have elements that make them very flexible!

Style

There are several different models of ankle support braces available that cover a variety of injuries and concerns. Each ankle brace boasts of its own effectiveness, comfort, and stability. When it comes to an ankle brace, the size you pick up really does matter. It won’t be as effective if it does not properly fit your foot. You should always follow all instructions on how to use it as well.

Ankle tape, on the other hand, is used most often by athletes and actually costs more to tape then it does to purchase an ankle brace. The tape cannot be reused so you will constantly have to be buying tape rather than just keep using the best ankle support.

Now let’s mention ankle braces made for specific sports. Running and ankle pain seem to go hand in hand. The constant pounding on the joints can have a cumulative effect that may cause Achilles tendon damage, shin splints, or worse. There are a number of things that runners can do to minimize their risk of an ankle injury. These include running on softer surfaces such as grass and dirt, wearing shoes that have been orthopedically designed for their gait type, replacing their shoes regularly, and doing proper warm-up exercises. However, the most effective way to prevent sprains and strains, as well as providing relief for existing injuries, is to wear adequate support. Ankle braces provide the best protection for runners from sprains and strains to the Achilles area. Finding the most effective ankle brace for your running needs, however, is no easy task. The market is literally swamped with all manner of ankle braces, each claiming to be the ideal product for your running needs.

Did you know that 40% of all basketball-related injuries are ankle sprains? While, you can and should strengthen your ankles with specialized training devices such as wobble boards, the best way to prevent an injury is to wear a support brace. It will absorb the impact of landing and prevent ankle roll. You will also gain confidence when you enter the court with a sore ankle.
When you are shopping for basketball support for your ankles, you need to consider the fit, comfort, and durability. There are a vast number of options on the market, making it difficult to know which ones to choose. That’s why I’ve gone to the effort to review in-depth the premium ankle brace and supports for basketball players in my Best Ankle Braces for Basketball Reviews 2019. If you’re serious about staying in the game, you have got to check it out.

Volleyball places a lot of demands on the ankles. More than any other sport, you are jumping, pivoting and landing constantly. If you’re playing without an ankle brace then you are courting injury. When it comes to ankle support for volleyball, your options are varied. Sock model braces are very popular, giving you the ability to slide them on and off easily. Mechanical model bracing is a wraparound model that is secured to the base of the foot with a mechanical stirrup. Some braces are also filled with air-cells to enhance healing and decrease swelling post-injury.

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How To Wear Your Brace

Well, you think to yourself, how hard can that be? You just pop your foot in, right? Most of the times, ankle braces will have a handy manual that will tell you how to do this, but here are some general guidelines. You simply have to wear a sock under your brace. The ankle sock will make the ride more comfortable, and won’t let the brace rub your skin draw. When the brace rests on your foot, make sure that it is tight around, but not too tight. You can test this by pressing your big toenail, and if the color returns to it fast, you are good to go! If perhaps the brace is too loose, and you feel the seams overlapping, it might be too big. Your best bet is to try walking when you have it on, and then put your shoes on - if nothing feels off, they are a good brace.

Other Factors to Consider

Fit

The way your brace fits you is important, but it is affected by the criteria we already covered, so it’s not high on our list. What we didn’t cover is how the fit should feel, and you can compare it with your shoe size. A brace that is too small for you will feel uncomfortable and could possibly make your foot cramp up and will hinder your performance and progress. A brace that is too big will wiggle everywhere and rub your skin, possibly causing blisters and irritation. You can compare the size of the brace you need to the size of your shoes. The width of the best ankle support brace will also be the same width of shoe you need, and you can simply follow along with the guidelines the manufacturer gave you and you will be fine.

Comfort

The comfort of the best ankle brace depends mostly on the material it is made out of, and the fit. We talked about neoprene, and how soft and squishy it is. It’s pliable and molds to the shape of your feet, making it comfortable, to begin with. When it’s blended with nylon or spandex, you get a super comfy best ankle support brace that cushions your feet completely. The way your brace is seamed and the type of hinges it has will also play a role in the comfort of your brace. The seams of the braces and the hinges will also affect the comfort, simply because they will rub your feet and annoy, and might even hurt you. Make sure that the best ankle brace you've chosen for yourself does not squeeze or poke you in any way, and you will have a very comfortable ride.

Flexibility

Your brace shouldn’t be super bendy, but it also should allow you to go about your day as you usually would. If you have an injury right now, you need the opposite from a flexible brace, because your joints and tissues need to stay in place firmly. When you participate in any kind of sport, your feet will be doing most of the work, propelling your body with a few simple moves. An ankle brace should not hinder these movements, it should only help your feet move more efficiently. This is exactly why you, an athlete, need a stretchy flexible brace - you don’t want it to hurt your performance!

Weight

Ankle braces aren’t usually that heavy, but they are at their lightest when made out of neoprene. Braces will also be light when they are combined with Nylon or other materials because all of the materials used to create the base of the best ankle support brace are lightweight. But a brace gains some potentially harmful weight when the plastic or metal structure is added. Braces used to help your body heal faster usually have these materials because they are used as support for your feet. But these materials make the braces heavy, and will only bring you down if you use them for sports. This is the reason why you need a very light brace, or at least a not so heavy best ankle support brace when you exercise. You will get tired faster, and your bones and muscles may ache, not helping you in any way!

Bottom Line

Ankle braces have been in the spotlight for the past few years, but sadly not in a good light. This is explained due to the fact that many people believe that the ankle braces weaken your ankles and knees, potentially hurting them in the long run, which is completely undeserved. Some models really do make this happen, but the ones created for various sports activities will definitely not do that, instead of keeping you safe at all times. If you already have an injury or some kind of joint disease, the best ankle support brace will make the healing process easier, and might even allow you to play just like you did before! We hope that our guide has helped you understand the magic behind the best ankle support braces and that you will enjoy using it!

Frequently Asked Questions

q: How do I wash my ankle braces?

a:

If you keep hygiene in high regard, or if you just want to avoid bad odors and the possibility of fungus and bacteria, then you must absolutely wash your braces. Feet are some of the sweatiest areas on our body, and they will almost definitely soak up your braces, no matter how hard they try to wick the moisture away or absorb it. All you have to do, to wash your braces properly, is to follow what the manufacturer said. If it says that you can wash your braces safely in a machine, then do so without worry. But if your braces are more on the delicate side, and have properties that might be lost in a machine, then wash them by hand. You can do so by using a mild soap and lukewarm water. Once you are satisfied with the result, leave the braces to dry completely, but not out in the sun. And keep them away from the dryer as well.

q: Will a brace affect my performance?

a:

The best ankle support both can and can’t affect the way you perform. This will depend if you choose the right style of the brace for your specific sport activity. If you bought lace-up braces and headed straight for your morning run, you won’t have such a good time. These braces almost immobilize your feet and will keep them from moving properly when you run. Also, a simple tight brace won’t be good enough for volleyball, because they need more protection. Choose the style of your brace wisely, and your performance won’t be affected!

q: Why do my braces hurt my feet?

a:

Having that excitement about your first brace dissipate because the brace hurts you more than your injury is something many of us are familiar with. If your braces hurt your delicate feet and ankles, it just might be that you bought the wrong size for your feet, or that the fit as a whole is off. You also have to make sure that you are wearing socks underneath your braces. This is because, with the sock on, the brace won’t dig so deep into your skin, and it will not rub you raw, so as a result, you won’t feel any pain!

q: Can I wear a brace on just one ankle?

a:

If you feel the need to do so, no one is stopping you. This is especially common with people who have had recent injuries, and want to keep being mobile, so they need support on only one ankle. This is why some braces are not sold as pairs, and you should make sure that you read what you are getting with your purchase. But if you bought two braces, you could wear both of them, no harm done!

q: Do I need an ankle brace?

a:

This all depends on how much you work out, and the type of sport you are into. If you like to play basketball or volleyball on the regular, you will benefit from wearing a proper brace made for the sport. If you only go to the gym and do the lifting, an ankle brace might not be needed so much. You can always give the best ankle support braces a try, and you should also make sure to wear them anyway if you have an injury that has not healed completely, or if you have any kind of joint disease.

Sources

  1. www.amsurg-news.com, How to Choose the Best Ankle Brace,
  2. Rick Peters, blog.ultraankle.com, Do Ankle Braces Weaken Your Ankle?,
  3. Micah Dorfner, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org, Brace for it: When to use an ankle brace,
  4. Johan, www.ultraanklebrace.se, Types of Ankle Braces – ultraanklebrace,
  5. Rick Peters, blog.ultraankle.com, Frequently Asked Questions About Ankle Braces,