Spraining or rolling your ankle can be a real hassle, whether you’re out for a peaceful walk or engaged in a lively tennis match. It’s also quite common, with about 25,000 people experiencing an ankle sprain daily, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Thankfully, ankle braces can help in both preventing and treating these frequent injuries.
Ankle braces are typically used for sprains or sudden injuries, but they are also useful for issues like chronic instability or other types of ankle pain, according to Dr. Kentston Cripe from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Since there are various braces available, consulting a medical professional is essential to find the one that suits your specific needs. In certain cases, you might actually need a prescribed brace.
We talked to experts and did some research to find the best over-the-counter ankle braces. Based on their advice and our findings, we put together a list of the top ten picks to help you get back on your feet with confidence. A physical therapist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the article for accuracy.
According to Dr. Cripe, the BIOSKIN TriLok Ankle Brace is a favorite among both orthopedists and podiatrists due to its hypoallergenic lycra and polyester material, which offers great support in a snug fit. Its additional arch support is effective for both easing plantar fasciitis pain and preventing injuries. It’s a plus that you can wear it with shoes or sandals comfortably all day long.
The Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer offers similar features to the TriLok but at a lower price, with more size and color choices. Available in black or white, the affordable brace comes in different adult sizes and a children’s size, ensuring a good fit and style for everyone. We appreciate its unique design, which combines laces, stabilizing straps, and an elastic cuff for maximum support.
Another option, the Aircast AirSport Ankle Support Brace, offers a semi-rigid design that helps with compression and stabilization, making it useful for preventing or recovering from mild ankle sprains. Dr. Cripe suggests pneumatic braces like this for severe sprains. It protects against both inward and outward ankle movements with air cell technology, a cross strap, and wraps for extra support.
For athletes, Dr. Cripe recommends the ARYSE IFAST Ankle Stabilizer Brace, designed to fit with athletic shoes like cleats. Its slim, low-profile design and thermoplastic polyurethane material offer protection while allowing full movement. Available for purchase individually or as a pair, it comes in six sizes for teens and adults with various color options.
The Modvel Ankle Brace, crafted from stretchy, breathable fabric, provides comfort and support with 11 color choices and six sizes. Each sleeve has double silicone gel strips to keep it secure, and the fabric wicks away moisture to maintain dryness and eliminate odors. You’ll get two compression sleeves—one for each foot or a spare.
For a simple strap design, the BodyProx Ankle Support Brace wraps around your foot and ankle and remains open at the heel for enhanced mobility without sacrificing support. Made from breathable material, it’s also easy to wash. Each order includes one brace suitable for either foot.
The Velpeau Ankle Brace stands out with its stirrup-style design and gel or foam pads on each side for support. It works well for moderate to severe sprains, tendonitis, and injury prevention. Its gel pads can be heated or frozen for therapeutic use, but avoid doing so with foam pads to prevent damage.
Unique from the rest, the Ankle Roll Guard Armor1 attaches to the outside of your shoe, offering ankle protection without limiting joint movement. Made of EVA rubber and weighing just 2.4 ounces, it can be worn with any shoes, including sports footwear.
The Swede-O Ankle Lok Reinforced Laced Ankle Brace features removable side stabilizers and elastic backing for comfort and breathability. Available in black or white in six sizes, it fits either foot and allows for customizable tightness with its laces.
The Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Ankle Brace is a soft option made from breathable knit fabric, offering a snug fit with extra padding for Achilles tendon support. Choose from three colors in five sizes, specifying for the right or left foot.
To help you choose the best ankle brace, we consulted with physical therapists and foot and ankle surgeons. Based on their expert suggestions, we evaluated various braces at different price points, including compression sleeves, strap styles, and rigid designs.
According to Dr. Cripe, ankle braces are beneficial when transitioning from a controlled ankle motion boot to supportive footwear. Wearing them can help prevent re-injury. Physical therapist Trenton Titus also suggests integrating a therapy routine focusing on balance, strengthening, range of motion, and endurance exercises for healing and recovery.
Comfort features like stirrups and padding around the edges or Achilles can make a big difference, preventing pinching or skin irritation. A well-fitting brace should be snug without cutting off circulation or causing discomfort. Titus advises testing the fit by walking and moving around in the brace before using it all day.
Kelsey Ogle from Health.com shares her experiences with ankle braces and physical therapy, highlighting the effectiveness in recovering from an ankle sprain.
