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If you’re looking to recover from an ankle injury or are trying to prevent one, the best ankle brace can help you feel confident on your feet again. These recovery tools help provide ankle support and relieve pain from swollen ankles.
Meet the experts: Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ and Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner and physical therapist at Karen Litzy Physical Therapy
Ankle braces are especially helpful in providing compression, support, and pain relief, and are great tools for preventing and recovering from injuries, says Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ. “A brace can help to reduce strain, tension, and pressure on the ankle joint. One of the major uses of an ankle brace is to immobilize the joint and help to reduce swelling after an injury,” Prestipino adds. “Among the many problems that can be helped by wearing an ankle brace are sprains, Achilles tendonitis, and arthritis.”
There are many different types of ankle braces, and they vary in shape, size, material, and structure, adds Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner and physical therapist at Karen Litzy Physical Therapy. You can purchase some varieties over the counter, have one custom made by an orthotist, or get one prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist.
Ahead, find the best over-the-counter ankle braces for a variety of needs, including post-surgery, basketball, post-injury, and more, recommended by experts.
This lace-up ankle brace comes highly recommended by Prestipino, who appreciates that the elastic cuff closure enhances the support of the brace while keeping laces and stabilizing straps securely fastened. The brand notes it is suitable for those with ankle sprains and ankle instability. Reviewers also enjoy the “CoolFlex” achilles pad and tongue, as it offers breathability and comfort without sacrificing support. This product has over 19,500 five-star ratings and over 5,000 five-star reviews attesting to its quality.
“This sleek brace uses a wrapping technique that mimics kinesiology tape, which helps support mild irritations or inflammation,” explains Prestipino. “Its elastic material allows just enough mobility for high-intensity movements, making the ventilated sleeve great for activity.”
Prestipino recommends this affordable option from ACE for its “reinforced stability, customizable compression, and adjustable comfort.” It offers a firm support level and therapeutic heat retention that aid with symptoms related to strains, sprains, arthritis, and muscle pain, according to the brand.
This popular ankle compression sleeve has over 26,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with shoppers claiming it helps provide support to their feet and ankles and is made with high-quality, breathable material. “The level of support and stability these compression sleeves provide is outstanding. As a runner, I’ve always been concerned about potential ankle injuries, but these sleeves have offered me the reassurance I need to hit the pavement with confidence,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “They snugly fit around my ankles, providing a secure and supportive sensation that helps prevent twisting or rolling.”
According to Litzy, this brace “will provide a lot of support and greatly limit the range of motion in the foot and ankle,” which is helpful when recovering from an injury like a sprain. According to the brand, its designed for use in those with recent ankle injuries and can help prevent recurring sprains while decreasing pain and swelling. Plus, the support and compression of the brace is fully adjustable thanks to inflatable air cushioning throughout.
Litzy recommends this ankle brace for its supportive design (with laces and wrap-around straps) and because it’s suitable for use in athletic events, like on the basketball court or in the gym. The brand claims that the brace helps reduce pain caused by “sprains, tendonitis, and other acute injuries” as it helps immobilize the foot and ankle without restricting activities like walking or running.
“This option will not give too much support as it does not have straps or lacing, but it may feel good to have on and give the person wearing it more confidence with movement,” Litzy explains. While this ankle sleeve doesn’t offer as much support as the traditional ankle brace, it provides enough compression to help alleviate swelling and increase blood flow, the brand claims.
The Aircast is similar to the Airloc brace in that it “will provide a lot of support and restrict movement in the ankle,” Litzy explains. However it has pre-inflated air cushioning that is not inflatable/deflatable like the Airloc. It’s a great option for those seeking a slim, yet supportive brace that stabilizes the ankle while helping to reduce swelling and pain. The brand notes that this brace is commonly used to treat and prevent acute ankle injuries, chronic instability, ankle sprains grade one, two, and three, as well as use post-operatively.
In general, it’s best to consult your physician regarding how often you should wear an ankle brace, and for how long—especially if you have had a severe injury or recently underwent surgery. “In all other cases, ankle braces only have to be worn when you do an activity that is likely to twist or roll the ankle,” says Prestipino.
Though ankle braces are useful tools for preventing and recovering from injury, experts note that they don’t come without risks—which is why it’s important to use one under a doctor’s supervision.
The main risk associated with wearing an ankle brace happens when you wear your brace for too long, which can impede your muscles from getting stronger and cause too much reliance on the brace, Litzy explains. “It may also alter your sense of balance and proprioception,” or the ability to sense movement, location, and action. All of these side effects put you at a greater risk of injury to the foot or ankle when not wearing the brace.
Prestipino adds that in addition to the above risks, wearing an ankle brace for too long can also irritate the skin.
When choosing an ankle brace, it’s best to begin by consulting your physician who can help guide you to the correct option for your specific needs. In general, Prestipino suggests considering the following:
✔️Support. Depending on your level of injury, you can choose from different support levels like rigid, semi-rigid, and soft. The more compression and stability you need, the higher you’ll go in terms of support level.
✔️Fit. If your ankle brace doesn’t fit correctly it will likely be uncomfortable and may not provide the proper support. “Ankle braces are typically sized based on your shoe size or ankle circumference, so it’s important to consult the sizing chart to get your best fit,” Prestipino explains.
✔️Material. Choosing the right material is another important factor when it comes to comfort. Prestipino suggests trying ankle braces made from neoprene, which allows for a snug fit and lots of support, or fabric/knit materials that are more breathable and can help keep you cool. Ultimately, it’s about what feels good for you.
We spoke with Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ; and Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner and physical therapist at Karen Litzy Physical Therapy. We also conducted our own research and sifted through hundreds of online reviews to find the best ankle braces available.
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
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