Pro-tec Ankle Brace Review

The fabric is made mostly of nylon but features an interesting mix of polyester, Spandex, and a coating called styrene-butadiene rubber. SBR helps the wrap resist tears while also making sure your skin can breathe. You get a snug fit without giving up any flexibility.

As far as we're concerned, the best ankle brace is one you don't notice wearing. The Nike Combat Pro hugs your ankle like a second skin, protecting you from rolling your ankle or aggravating existing minor injuries. This isn't a healing or post-surgery brace, but it will do great for your everyday wearing during ankle intense sports or activities.

The wrap secures to your ankle with two thick velcro straps, one on the bottom of your foot and another at the top of your ankle. Since human bodies are made of curves, the straps sit diagonally instead of being parallel to each other. It's a great concession to anatomy that makes for nuisance-free comfortable long term wear.

These braces are sized by number. If you are ordering online, you can measure yourself according to the directions Ossur provides. Comfort comes from a low profile that slides into your sneaker, as well as nice vented fabric and a speed lacing system. You also get side stabilizers, covered in fabric, and figure 8 style double-strap closures.

The straps and overall design will limit your range of motion, much more than a wrap would, to promote healing with heat and compression. The fabric is tough but lightweight enough that you won't get any feelings of constriction. The laces also make it easier to get the Ossur on and off, even with a swollen or hurting ankle.

Ossur actually promises their brace is up to35 percent more protective than a typical stirrup brace would be. The fabric is treated for fast drying, so you get fewer foul odors and less chance for bacteria to grow. And, just so you don't have to stop in the middle of a game, the straps provide pull loops so you can adjust on the go. Whether you are kicking a soccer ball or pivoting on the basketball court, the Ossur will hold everything together to keep you safe and whole.

What makes this product special is the gel padding that surrounds and cushions your ankle. Pro-Tec makes a whole range of gel enforced protective and therapeutic braces, including knee sleeves. All their braces provide compression with a stretchy but form-fitting fabric. The fabric lets your skin breathe and keeps you dry at the same time.

Instead of rigid plastic or metal stabilizers, the Gel Force uses spiral stays. This is a flexible inner stitching pattern that bends and curves with your joints. Pro-Tec added lateral (side) spirals and also a medial (front and back center) spiral for the ultimate in non-constricting ankle stability.

This is a quality form-fitting brace, unobtrusive and invisible under your yoga pants, sweats, leggings, and even your jeans if you decide to wear the Gel Force off the court.

While providing maximum support for your ankle, the brace also stops at the bottom of your ankle, leaving the rest of the foot free to move about and bend. The lace closure is tight, though not as fast as straps, making a tight fit more difficult if you are already injured. The fabric, while not meant to be skintight, will shield your ankle bone and keep you in comfort during wear.

The rear panel is made of elastic material to give extra support and allow movement. You do get plastic lateral stabilizers, with a profile that matches the side of a human foot. It's both more secure and less constricting than the usual rodlike stabilizers that many braces feature.

Capping off the durability and safety features, your Mueller XLP ankle brace is lined with an antimicrobial material. This cuts down on odors, keeps bacteria in check, and resists some stains.

In addition to the foam, this brace is lined with springy steel to keep your ankle stable and keep you on your feet. The brace will aid in preventing sprains and others, ensuring that you don't overextend or roll your ankle even during a fast-paced game or tough race. You get a glove-like fit, and the material is light enough not to cause discomfort or chafing.

Sizing is simple, but you will want to look at Pro-Tec's sizing chart. Sizes go by the circumference of your ankle, anywhere from small to extra large. Some users with unusually large or small ankles will need to find a different brace. Do yourself a favor and use the sizing chart on the Pro-Tec website, just to be safe, even if you buy from Amazon or another retailer.

User reviews indicate that the brace is good for arthritis sufferers and others with chronic ankle or lower leg pain. The brace is easy to don and remove. The soft material wraps around your feet and you don't have to worry about cloth or velcro straps.

Though definitely not a serious sprain or post-surgical brace, Techware's offering can help relieve swelling and pain associated with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and Achilles tendon soreness. The sleeve is thin, lightweight, and invisible under clothing. The moisture-wicking fabric is at home inside any shoe and doesn't cause pinching or discomfort.

The compression encourages stability and offers you support, without the use of stabilizers, steel springs, or spiral stays. It is suitable for nearly any physical pursuit, able to stay in place without slipping or getting absorbed into your shoe. These are meant to take the place of socks, though some athletes will prefer covered toes. The Techware is open on the end.

The Techware ankle sleeve is made of nylon, with added Spandex for stretchiness. It comes in sizes from small up to XX-large. You will want to consult the sizing chart before purchase. The sleeves are universal, so the same sleeve will fit either foot.

The qualities of compression, circulation, and warmth are the point here. They will all help you heal from injury. The simple, ample crisscross style wrap lets you customize fit, lending stability with no stays or side rods. This wrap is designed for near continuous wear, helping you avoid injuries and stay active. You will have plenty of flexibility and comfort while you wear this sleeve.

The sleeve is sweat-absorbent and lets your ankle breathe. The elastic enforced fabric wicks moisture, keeping you dry inside and out even during high heat conditions.

The sleeves fit either foot and are sold in packs of one. We couldn't find much information about DocBear, but the company usually offers discounts and special deals on their sleeves.

The sizing chart is your friend with this brace. With the right fit, your Powerlix product will support and protect you during outdoor activities, sports, CrossFit, dancing, or just extended time on your feet. The sleeve conforms to your body shape, but won't constrict or limit your movement.

Powerlix offers guarantees and a small warranty on its sleeves. Some reviewers indicated the sleeve is a bit tight at the top of the ankle.

The fabric is thin and porous to let your ankles breathe. You will stay dry even when you wear the sleeve for a long time. There really aren't a lot of extra features here; this is a low-cost ankle sleeve you can use for all-around wear. It isn't suitable for injury recovery but will give you a degree of protection and do so in comfort.

The brace comes in sizes extra small to extra large. At the time of this writing, it only comes in black. There is no stirrup strap, which helps the brace slide into your shoe without causing discomfort. The brace will stay in place and not migrate, chafe, or sink into your shoe.

The sleeve will fit either your left or right foot. In addition to sprain treatment, the brace provides stabilization and roll prevention. The laces keep everything tight, allowing you a custom fit, but the laces also mean you cannot change the fit in the middle of a game. To find the right size, you will need to measure your ankle circumference, according to Amazon's instructions, and then use the size chart.

Reviewers agree the brace is a bit stiffer than expected, and that the tongue may move to the side. For a basic use brace, though, especially in a pinch, the FitPro will work just fine.

Support with comfort is the goal of this snug brace. It keeps your ankle neutral, so you don't reinjure it while healing from a previous sprain. The ankle wrap also works as a preventive help. The velcro backed straps also feature rows of silicone pads, making sure the strap will seal snug and not migrate or come loose as you move about.

Putting on and fastening the brace will take some getting used to. It is not a sleeve style. Instead, the brace looks like a long strip, with a rigid opening at one end that goes over your foot and the bottom of your ankle. You then follow a pattern to wrap the rest of the strip around your ankle, starting at the midfoot. Then, once it is on, the brace can be tightened with the velcro parts.

Construction is from breathable fabric with expansive elastic inseams. You can tailor the level of compression to where you need it most. You are able to wear the brace at all times if you wish, whether on the court or off. It comes with a lifetime warranty, too.