Nothing derails your fitness routine as quickly as an ankle injury. A simple sprain can sideline you for weeks, and even when you return to your workouts, you have to take extra care not to re-injure it. Whether you’re in recovery or looking to prevent an injury from happening in the first place, the best ankle brace will provide the support that you need while still allowing you a normal range of motion.
We researched the best-selling ankle braces on the market and found four that stood out from the rest. Our favorite was the Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer because its sturdy, lace-up design provided excellent support and adjustability while still allowing your foot to bend and flex as it should. But depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to get by with a lighter-duty brace.
This guide will walk you through our findings and help you select the best ankle brace for your condition, so that you can get back to doing what you love as quickly as possible.
Quick Summary: Our Picks for the Best Ankle Braces
- Best Overall: Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer
- Best for Mild Injuries: PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve
- Best for Versatility: Sleeve Stars Ankle Support Wrap
- Best for Affordability: Liomor Ankle Brace
The Best Ankle Brace: Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer
We recommend the Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer brace for those recovering from a serious sprain and those looking for the maximum support possible. It’s made of a lightweight, yet durable nylon that fits easily inside of your shoe and doesn’t restrict your ankle’s natural range of motion. The lace-up design provides compression to help combat swelling and assist those struggling with tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. There’s a thick strap that wraps around the ankle to add support and prevents your ankle from rolling sideways.
Users are pleased with the support the Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer brace provides and with how comfortable it is to wear, even for several hours at a time. At the time of writing, it has already garnered over 2,300 five-star reviews on Amazon, and many physical therapists recommend it to their patients who have suffered a severe ankle sprain or break. In addition to being sturdy, the brace is also quite durable, so it’s an excellent choice for those who suffer from chronic ankle problems. Athletes who have battled ankle pain for years report that they are pain-free when using this brace.
The brace is available in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one that fits your foot well. Their bilateral design ensures that it will fit either foot comfortably, so you don’t have to purchase separate left and right braces. Choose between black and white braces based on what will blend in best with your outfit. After a workout, you can toss the Med-Spec brace in the washing machine, but it’s best to run it on the delicate cycle and air dry it if you want it to last.
What You Need to Know Before Buying an Ankle Brace
Here are a few factors you need to consider when choosing an ankle brace:
Level of Support
The type of brace you need is largely determined by how much support you require, and this, in turn, is determined by the type of ankle injury you have. For those suffering from a serious sprain and those prone to ankle problems, we recommend a heavy-duty lace-up brace like the Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are simple compression sleeves, like the PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve, that you slip over your foot and ankle. These sleeves help to reduce swelling and prevent re-injury but they do not offer the same level of support as lace-up braces and they’re not recommended for serious injuries.
In between compression sleeves and lace-up braces, there are strap-style braces that provide a little more compression and stability than a traditional sleeve brace for those who want extra support but don’t feel the need to upgrade to a lace-up brace. Sometimes the extra strap is detachable, as with the Sleeve Stars Ankle Support Wrap. Other times, the straps are attached to the brace itself, like the Liomor Ankle Brace.
Comfort
The ankle brace you choose has to stay in place and fit comfortably or else you will never want to wear it. It should fit snugly on your ankle so it will not slide around without being so tight that it cuts off your circulation or digs into your foot. The fabric should also be soft, so it does not cause blisters. There’s no way to know for sure what you’ll think of the brace until you actually try it out, but you can read through customer reviews to see if there are any common complaints.
Size
Size is key to ensuring the ankle brace fits correctly. Most are sized in traditional Small, Medium and Large sizes with some manufacturers offering Extra Small and Extra Large sizes as well. The company should provide a size chart to help you determine which brace size will fit you based on your ankle circumference or shoe size.
Material
It’s crucial that you choose an ankle brace made from a durable material that can hold up to extended and frequent wear, otherwise you’ll be buying a new one every few months. You also want to be sure that the fabric is breathable. Non-breathable fabrics can cause your foot to sweat more and may lock in odors, especially if you live in a hot or humid climate.
Washing Instructions
Like all of your athletic clothing, your ankle brace will need periodic washing or else it will begin to smell. Some braces are machine-washable, but others may need to be hand-washed in order to protect the material. If you plan to use your brace often, it’s usually best to go with one that can be washed in the machine for convenience’s sake.
Ankle Brace Reviews: A Look at Our Other 3 Top Picks
We evaluated dozens of ankle braces based on their support, comfort and customer reviews. The Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer was the obvious first choice because it offered the highest level of support and had the most positive customer reviews. But the following three ankle braces are also worth considering, and one of these may even suit you better if you’re interested in a brace for daily wear or to help prevent an ankle injury. Here’s a closer look at each of them so you can figure out which one is best for you.
PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve Review
The PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve is a good choice for those with mild ankle injuries and those looking to prevent an ankle injury or re-injury. It slips snugly over your foot and ankle and provides compression to help prevent swelling and boost circulation. There’s also some built-in arch support, so it’s a good choice for those with flat feet. Individuals with tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and arthritis may also see some relief from using this brace.
Users are surprised by how much support the brace provides while still being thin enough to fit inside of any shoe. It doesn’t restrict your motion at all, which is great if you find heavy-duty, restrictive braces uncomfortable. But if you need a lot of support, we recommend the Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer over the PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve.
The sleeve is available in black and blue and it comes in sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large. It’s made of a soft, moisture-wicking material to prevent your feet from sweating too much while you are wearing them. Many users say the brace is so comfortable that they often forget that they’re wearing it and have no trouble keeping it on all day, if necessary. But if for some reason you do run into issues with the brace, you’ll be pleased to know that the manufacturer offers a six-month money-back guarantee.
Sleeve Stars Ankle Support Wrap Review
The Sleeve Stars Ankle Support Wrap is similar to the PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve, but in addition to the compression brace, it also includes a detachable support strap that wraps around your ankle in a figure-eight pattern to provide additional support. This makes it a versatile choice for those with mild to moderate ankle pain who want the option to adjust the level of support that the brace provides. Most of those who have tried the brace prefer to use the compression strap with it because then they can customize the amount of compression.
The brace’s fabric is soft and stretchy, so you can move your ankle back and forth freely. It also absorbs the sweat so your feet don’t get hot and smelly while you are wearing the brace. The Sleeve Stars Ankle Support Wrap is suitable for men and women and can be worn on either foot. However, it only comes in a single size, so you will have to rely primarily on the support strap to get the level of support that you need.
If this doesn’t bother you, though, this is an affordable ankle brace that’s great for long-term wear. The brace holds up well over time and it’s backed by a one-year warranty, so you can get a new one if yours wears out on you during this time. There’s also a satisfaction guarantee in case you’re not happy with the results that the Sleeve Stars Ankle Support Wrap gives you.
Liomor Ankle Brace Review
The Liomor Ankle Brace is a strap-style ankle brace that provides a medium level of support and compression to injured ankles. It employs an open-heel design to allow a wide range of motion and to help air circulate throughout the brace to prevent odors and bacterial growth. There’s also a perforated interlayer to help increase air circulation and to keep your feet dry and cool.
Users are pleased with the level of support that the brace provides, but some say that it’s a little bulky, so it may not fit well in all types of shoes. It’s only available in two sizes: Small/Medium and Large/Extra Large, but this shouldn’t pose a problem for most people because the Velcro straps are adjustable and can accommodate users of all different sizes. There’s a sizing chart based on ankle circumference and shoe size to help you determine which size will fit you best.
Most users are pleased with the Liomor Ankle Brace, with over 650 customers giving it a positive review on Amazon. But for the few that aren’t satisfied with what they receive, you’ll be happy to know that, while there is no formal money-back guarantee, several users have reported being offered a full refund by the manufacturer if they were unhappy with the support the brace offered. But given how affordable this brace is, many choose to keep it as a backup anyway, even if they feel it’s too bulky for everyday use.
Get Back Up and Running with the Right Ankle Brace for You
If you’ve suffered from a serious ankle injury in the past, you know that things rarely ever go back to normal after that. Once your ligaments get stretched out, there’s no way to fix them and you could be at risk for further ankle injuries in the future. That’s why it’s so important to invest in a quality ankle brace. It can provide the extra support and stability you need to keep doing what you love without being slowed down by aches and pains.
Choosing the right ankle brace can be difficult because there are so many factors you need to consider, including the size and level of support that you need. But it’s important that you make your decision carefully. Otherwise, you could end up with a brace that doesn’t offer enough stability. We recommend the Med-Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer for severe injuries while the PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve may be enough for mild injuries. And if you need something in between, try the Sleeve Stars Ankle Compression Wrap or the Liomor Ankle Brace.
