Human ankles undergo a humongous amount of stress and pressure. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that injuries are pretty common. Reportedly, over a million individuals visit the emergency rooms to treat ankle injuries. If you are also experiencing ankle issues and want a speedy recovery from the pain and discomfort, ankle braces are the ideal option.

But, do you know how to choose the right ankle brace? Remember that the wrong choice would cause more damage than good. This buying guide is a must-read if you want to find out which brace is right for your ankles.

Why use Ankle Braces?

Ankle braces aren’t recommended to treat ankle injuries currently existing but also to prevent injuries from happening. These braces offer optimum stability and support to your injured ankle and promote quick recovery. Due to the braces’ flexible and soft texture, these keep the impacted area compressed to reduce inflammation and pain. Moreover, it boosts injury awareness. The wearer will benefit from the ankle brace as they won’t mistakenly place excess pressure on the affected joint. If you feel severe ankle sprains, rigid braces will help alleviate joint movement and speed up the recovery process while preventing further injuries.

Advantages of Using Ankle Braces

Over the years, there has been tremendous advancement in injuries treatments and prevention options, which has led to an increase in athletes and runners. Overall, there has been a spike in people opting for physical sports and leading an active life. The primary benefit of using ankle braces is that it safeguards your joints during such activities to prevent injuries as well as encourage faster recovery in case an injury occurs.

Here’s a brief overview of how ankle braces can benefit you.

• Maximum joint support while performing strenuous tasks/activities
• People can prevent injury risks
• Reduces the probability of repeated injuries
• Reduces pain caused by degenerative diseases of the joints like arthritis or past injuries

How to Choose the Right Ankle Braces?

It is always possible to make the wrong choice when choosing an ankle brace. Be mindful that an incorrect brace can be harmful and utterly ineffective for you. If you are experiencing an ankle injury, you should first consult a certified and reputable physician prior to adopting any DIY remedy. The next thing is determining the right ankle brace. There are several types of braces you can choose from. Check out the next section to find out how many types are there and which one of them is ideal for you.

Ankle Braces Types and Their Differences

Our ability to walk is vital for human survival so when your ankle(s) is injured, there is nothing more important than to have a quick recovery. Here is an overview of the different ankle braces and their salient features.

Compression Braces

These are also called compression sleeves. This type of brace is effective for low-intensity or mild injuries in which ankle stability isn’t affected. These ankle braces offer warmth and adequate compression to decrease pain and swelling. Compression braces are created from lightweight elastic and are best suited for everyday usage. These can alleviate muscle stiffness as well.

Top Pick: Crucial Compression Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve

Crucial Compression Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve

The Crucial Compression’s compression support sleeve helps your ankle get the support it needs to recover from ankle injuries. Its best feature is its breathability, which prevents the development of excessive sweat, odor, and bacteria. This compression ankle brace is lightweight and ideal for minor sprains around the ankle area. This brace offers targeted compression to reduce swelling and allow faster recovery. Crucial Compression support sleeve for ankles is suitable for foot and ankle swelling, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, joint pain, injury recovery, and Achilles tendon.

Second Best: Ankle Support Brace, Adjustable Compression Ankle Braces

Ankle Support Brace, Adjustable Compression Ankle Braces

Ankle Support adjustable compression ankle braces are an innovative gear to improve blood circulation and help the wearer recover from ankle sprains, strains, fatigue, Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, injury, Achilles tendon, and ankle instability. This compression ankle brace is produced primarily as a preventive brace strap to support sports, including running, intensive exercise, weightlifting, soccer, hiking, and other activities. It is made from latex-free Neoprene that gives the wearer adequate compression around the ankles and keeps the feet dry and odor-free through its sweat-wicking capabilities.

Semi-rigid Braces

This type of ankle brace offers superior support compared to compression braces. Semi-rigid braces come in two different forms- Lace-up and Hinged.

Lace-up Braces:

Lace-up braces are the preferred choice of athletes. This is a highly adjustable brace and allows varying degrees of tension around the injured area of the ankle and foot. The only downside is that these restrict the ankle’s natural movement and impact their performance if used for a long time.

Top Pick: Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer

Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer

Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer is a truly lace up ankle brace that will allow you to tighten and loosen where it is needed. Favorites amongst athletes who frequently gets injured and often times uses this lace-up ankle brace to help with recovery. This ankle braces has a 8 figure stabilizing strap, a nylon bootie to help with support and durability. The design is bilateral so it can fit either the right or left foot. It also has an elastic cuff for to help secure in the lace and stabilizing straps. Best part is, it’s Made in the USA.

Secon Best: Bracoo Breathable Neoprene Ankle Support

Bracoo Breathable Neoprene Ankle Support

Bracoo Neoprene ankle support is the most reliable support system for acute injuries such as ligament sprain and muscle strain and stabilizing weakened ankle joints after surgery. This athlete-friendly ankle brace features an open-heel design that allows a broader range of motions while stimulating the plantar flexion, Achilles tendon, and talocrural joint. Through top-quality, breathable Neoprene, blood circulation around the affected area is ensured while the wearer feels warmth and comfort. Bracoo Neoprene ankle support is perfect for preventing injuries when playing soccer, basketball, running, or other physically strenuous sports.

Hinged Braces:

Hinged braces for ankles come with adjustable strapping, making them easier to wear and take off than lace-up braces. These braces feature padding on both sides to be more comfortable and supportive for the wearer. Hinged braces also prevent rolling of the ankle from one side to another without restricting up/down movement. Despite limiting the ankle’s side movements, these braces promote optimal flexibility and fit into almost all types of shoes.

Rigid Braces

Also known as stirrup braces, rigid braces have a relatively harder exterior shell that dramatically limits the side to side range of your ankle and restricts it’s up/down movement. These braces promote maximum ankle stabilization to protect it from the risk of further injury. Some braces contain a gel pad that ensures just enough compression to alleviate swelling and pain. Rigid braces are one of the most commonly used braces to treat ankle trauma, particularly in cases where joint stability is affected. These braces allow a superior level of support and ensure faster rehabilitation of the affected ankle. Considering that rigid braces limit motion, we wouldn’t recommend it for long-term use. A rigid brace offers the best protective layer in ankle braces.

Top Pick: Active Innovations T2 Rigid Ankle Brace

Active Innovations T2 Rigid Ankle Brace

The Active Ankle T2 Rigid Ankle Brace is designed explicitly for athletes requiring advanced protection levels and minimizes ankle injury risk. It provides optimum support and protection to the injured ankle with minimal compromise on a range of motion or performance. The T2 Rigid ankle brace features a single, quick-fit strap that you can easily adjust for the high-top and low-top shoes. It also features a bilateral anatomical hinge that encourages a full range of motion and alleviates the pain inflicted by strains and sprains.