An ankle or a leg fracture is one of the most difficult things for an individual to suffer. Any trauma to the ankle can immobilize a person and render them out of action for a long time.
Ankle injuries can be the result of an accident or could be sustained while playing sports like basketball, volleyball, or soccer. Even athletes tend to sprain their ankles or tear a ligament which results in an injury.
Often, most doctors would prescribe an ankle support brace for such injuries in order to help them recover. An ankle brace or an ankle support helps immobilize a joint to prevent excessive movement which can stress the muscle or the bone. Moreover, ankle braces also help provide compression to the injured part which helps the healing process (and reduces pain).
A good quality ankle brace tends to be lightweight and will have straps that allow you to fasten it securely around the affected portion. The material used would ideally be nylon or a similar fabric which is lightweight and also mildly water-resistant.
If you’re reading this article, chances are that you might have injured your ankle or know someone that is suffering from a similar injury. While theres a lot of different ankle braces in the market, it becomes difficult to be able to choose since one doesn’t know what exactly to look for. Be it an ankle support for running or an ankle brace for basketball, the choices are mind boggling and a decision is difficult to make.
Therefore, we decided to research the 15 best ankle braces and supports available out there in the market. Along with their details, we also reviewed them to ensure that you’re aware of all the pros and cons before you make a buying decision.
Here’s a list of the 15 best ankle braces and supports for all kinds of injuries:
Zamst A2-DX Ankle Brace
A lot of you might have heard of the Zamst A2-DX because its recommended by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. With anterior, lateral, as well as medial support, the Zamst A2-DX ankle brace fits snugly and ensures that you’re comfortable even when going about your day-to-day work. The x-shaped straps are perfect for those with ankle supination problems as they manage to perfectly hold the brace in place.
On the other hand, the straps on this brace are a bit too short so people with larger foot sizes will face some issues. Moreover, the velcro on the straps is a bit weak and can sometimes come off due to the weight so you’ll need to add some extra patches.
Also, the sizes tend to be smaller than the ones advertised so ensure that you purchase one thats a size or two larger than your usual measurement.
Cramer T1 Rigid Ankle Brace
The Cramer T1 Rigid Ankle Brace is versatile and works with both your ankles: simply adjust the strap in the direction that you need depending on which ankle is affected. Moreover, the support padding on this brace ensures that your ankle remains protected from any additional pressure while working during the day. This is also among the best volleyball braces available in the market and can be worn comfortably while playing the game.
Be careful if you’re going to use this with work shoes because the ankle support is quite hard and might cause discomfort when worn with footwear that has hard heels.
Also, this brace scores slightly low on flexibility so it might not be the best choice for those who have a very athletic daily routine.
Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer
The Med Spec ASO ankle stabilizer is completely manufactured in the United States and comes with a stellar quality assurance. The straps on this ankle brace are designed to form a snug figure-8 shape which provides the perfect stability and support for your injured ankle.
The one consistent issue with this ankle brace is that the delivered size tends to be slightly larger than standard measurements. As a result, the fabric on this brace tends to create little folds (when worn inside shoes) which leads to “points of pressure” that can cause an irritation as well as unnecessary pressure to parts of your foot. A good rule of thumb for those that are between 2 sizes is to go for the smaller than the larger one.
For instance, if your ankle size range is between medium and large, pick the medium sized option for a more comfortable fit.
McDavid 199 Lace-up Ankle Brace
The McDavid 199 is a lace-up ankle brace which means that it fits perfectly and snugly on to your ankle. This is, therefore, one of the best ankle support for running as the brace can be loosened or tightened depending on your preference. Also, the lace provided with these braces is adequately long and the extra part can be easily tied up and tucked into your shoes.
The one drawback with the McDavid 199 is that the material is too rigid. As a result, while it is perfect for those recovering from an injury, it might not be recommended as a preventive brace.
The hard material helps immobilize a healing ankle but could be an inconvenience for those who need flexibility in their daily movement and want an ankle brace just to prevent stress and injuries.
Liomor Ankle Brace
First of all, the Liomor ankle brace is among the cheapest ones available in the market. Despite its low price tag, this ankle brace is of an excellent quality and comes bundled with an easy diagram sheet that explains how to strap it on.
The Liomor ankle brace offers 6 different levels of support depending on your need and is extremely flexible to wear for daily use. Moreover, this brace is super slim and can be comfortably worn with your shoes even as a preventive measure to protect against ankle sprains.
The only drawback that some would face is that the velcro isn’t extremely strong especially for those that tie it snugly.
Kunto Fitness Ankle Brace
The Kunto Fitness ankle brace is made with high-quality elastic, and hence, can be comfortably worn all day without any worry of itching or sweating on your feet. Its open design helps protect and support your ankle tendons and joint while ensuring that your toes remain free for all kinds of movement.
That said, the support provided by this ankle brace would not be sufficient except in cases of minor injury. This brace fits like a sock which means theres no way of customizing its fit or tightening it around your ankle. Moreover, the lack of support straps means that only basic minimum immobilization can be expected from this brace.
Copper Compression Recovery Ankle Sleeve
Made with 88% copper-nylon material, this ankle sleeve provides firm support to those recovering from an injury with excellent immobilization. This is especially great for those who have suffered a past injury and wish to use an ankle sleeve to prevent any further damage to the tendons or muscles. Due to the copper content, this sleeve also provides the right amount of heat and compression thats required for a recovering ankle injury.
However, it is important to note that this is merely a compression sleeve and not a full-fledged ankle brace. Therefore, while it is perfect for minor injuries and to wear as a prevention, please avoid it in case you’re recovering from a serious injury and need multi-pronged support for your ankle region.
Bracoo Ankle Support
The Bracoo Ankle Support is a nice and cheap ankle brace for sprains. However, other than that, there isn’t much use for it.
With multiple tightness settings, this slim support brace fits snugly in your shoe. Its perfect when you are recovering from a minor sprain or have an inflamed tendon which takes a few weeks to recover. At around $10, its quite cheap for the purpose that it serves. That said, it is not a full-fledged ankle support brace which can be used by those recovering from a fracture or sports injuries.
Aircast A60 Ankle Support Brace
The Aircast A60 is an excellent volleyball support brace. In fact, most sportspersons will find this ankle brace pretty useful owing to its light weight and perfect fit. This is evident from the fact that tennis player Andy Murray too uses one of these. The ankle stabilizer on both sides of this brace helps protect from rollovers and provides stellar support. Moreover, thanks to a single strap mechanism, wearing this ankle brace and taking it off is an absolute piece of cake.
The size of the Aircast A60 is based on your shoe size. However, we would recommend getting a size smaller than your shoe size otherwise this ankle brace tends to fit very loosely. Also, ensure that you purchase an extra pair since you’ll need to wash this often and the Aircast A60 can take at least 5-6 hours to get completely dry.
Powerlix Ankle Brace
This is an excellent compression brace and is highly recommended for those suffering from tendonitis or constant inflammation in the ankle. Moreover, thanks to its slim design and snug fit, the Powerlix Ankle Brace is a great choice for those that play games such as squash, tennis, or even soccer. Due to its strap-free design, this brace fits almost like a sock but works wonderfully for providing the necessary all-round compression for an affected ankle.
However, the Powerlix Ankle Brace fares terribly when it comes to injuries involving the Achilles heel. Moreover, contrary to the company’s advertisements and claims, this ankle brace is does not help Plantar Fasciitis. Considering these factors, we feel that the price is a few dollars higher than it should be. However, casual users that wish to support their ankle for preventive reasons can safely use this brace.
CopperJoint Compression Ankle Sleeve
Ok so we are a bit ambiguous about the CopperJoint Compression Ankle Sleeve. This ankle sleeve works well for post-surgical recovery especially if you’d broken your fibula or tibia. The graduated compression technique on this ankle sleeve works in stabilizing the affected part while providing enough flexibility to those that need to move around a lot everyday for work.
However, despite its “all-copper” design, this ankle brace exhibits rolls on its edges like you can see with nylon or synthetic socks. Moreover, for a compression sleeve, the fit isn’t too snug and this can cause discomfort to those whose ankles and tendons are weak from surgery. Its not a bad choice considering the low price tag but we would recommend it only to those that wish to use it as a preventive measure.
Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace
The Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace is specially designed for sportspersons who are recovering from mild to moderate ankle troubles. Since this brace is made from Performathene, it allows for a wide range of motions while effectively providing support to an inflamed tendon or ankle. As a result, the Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace is a perfect ankle brace for basketball players.
The size chart for this ankle brace is extremely effective as it relies on the circumference of your ankle and not your shoe size. This allows you to get a brace that supports your ankle snugly without having to second-guess the perfect size for you. The one big drawback, though, is that this ankle brace is quite expensive. For about $49, you only get one brace (and not a pair).
Therefore, be prepared to shell out a fair amount of money in case you need an ankle support brace for both your feet
Aircast Air-Stirrup Ankle Support Brace
Aircast is pretty much a gold standard amongst ankle support braces and the Air-Stirrup lives up to that reputation. Lined with proprietary Duplex air cells, the Aircast Air-Stirrup adequately stabilizes the ankle while providing the necessary amount of compression sans any inconvenience. The design of this ankle brace allow for flexible movement while ensuring that the ankle muscles and joint stay protected. The Air-Stirrup works great even for post-operatic recovery and provides supports to those suffering from Level I, II, and 3 ankle sprains.
The one drawback of this ankle brace is that its a bit too thick to fit properly under a shoe. Therefore, if you’re a sportsperson that wishes to play wearing an ankle brace, this one might not be the perfect one for you.
Aircast AirSport Ankle Support Brace
The Aircast AirSport is a purely preventive ankle brace and is not meant for those recovering from surgeries or serious injuries. It works perfectly well with ankle sprains up to Level II but don’t expect anything more than that. Its a great choice for athletes as well as sportspersons who wish to wear an ankle brace while practicing. The anterior talofibular cross-strap combined with shin wraps provides great flexibility while playing and yet keeps the ankle stabilized.
However, if you’re in post-operative recovery, we would not recommend the Aircast AirSport.
The 1st Elite Compression Socks are specifically meant to be used by those with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. The heavy compression provided by these socks ensures that your pain reduces to a minimum. Moreover, these are perfect for those that practice martial arts such as judo or karate.
However, one note of caution: avoid these if you’re suffering from a broken bone or a tendon inflammation. Thats because the fit of these compression socks might be too tight in your case and end up causing more discomfort instead of providing relief.
Eventually, the best ankle support brace for you really depends on your particular need or the injury that you’re recovering from. The ankle support braces reviews above cover a wide gamut of support equipment that’d help patients recovering from ankle surgeries, sportspersons, athletes, and even those that have ankle or tendon issues since a young age.
If you’re recovering from a broken ankle or a tendon injury, please do ensure that you speak to your doctor or physiotherapist first before picking the right ankle brace. Shortlist a few options based on the reviews above and check with your medical professional before taking a final call on which ankle brace to purchase.
We hope that these reviews of the best ankle support braces help in making things easy and simple for you. In case you’re recuperating from a recent injury, we wish you the best of luck with your recovery process.