There's no shame in admitting that sometimes your ankles need a little extra support. Whether it's an ankle sprain or chronic pain that has you gritting your teeth which every step, an ankle brace might help. When you wear an ankle brace, you intentionally restrict your ankle's range of motion. This stabilizes the joint, reducing the risk of further injury. Once you've decided to purchase an ankle brace, the challenge lies in making sure it fits properly. If you get one that's too big, your ankle will have too much room to move around, but if the fit's too small, it'll irritate your foot and constrict blood flow. Here we've reviewed a few of the best ankle braces on the market today with the intention of helping you choose the right one for your needs, both in terms of fit and cost value. Bodyprox Breathable Neoprene Sleeve Brace No Stinky BracesAside from its overall appeal, this one is also made from a breathable material, so you won't have to worry about it smelling bad so quickly.Best OverallFind on Amazon Made from a breathable neoprene material, this ankle brace is beyond comfortable to wear. It’s designed to fit either foot, so no matter which foot you’ve injured, you can wear this brace. This makes it a great option for the injury-prone mom who wants to keep a brace on-hand for when the need arises. Aside from the fabric’s comfort, it’s also a one-size-fits-most, so you can adjust it to the perfect size for your body. The semi-rigid and open heel design provides a better range of motion than many other braces. You can wear this one while playing a variety of indoor or outdoor sports, or just while engaging in your typical daily activities. Regardless of the activity, this is a budget-friendly way to support your ankles. Pros Comfortable to wear so you won’t mind having it on all day long Open heel design allows you to maintain normal ankle movements Adjustable, so it can fit nearly any foot and you won’t have to bother measuring Cons Fairly thick material, so you might not be able to wear all of your shoes, especially if they’re a bit tighter Zenith Ankle Brace, Lace-Up Adjustable Support At the Zenith of Ankle SupportYou can give your ankle the exact level of support it needs with this adjustable ankle brace.Best for AthletesFind on Amazon Designed with athletes in mind, this ankle brace has the support you need to protect your ankle during active play. The combination of laces and figure-8 straps lets you achieve the level of support that your ankle needs. The straps also help keep the laces in place so you don’t have to worry about it loosening up once you start moving around. Made from high-quality materials, this brace has double-stitched seams that will help it last longer, even if you wear it frequently. This ankle brace isn’t too bulky, so you should be able to wear it with your shoes. However, you want to make sure you purchase the right size so it fits better. There are three sizes available: small, medium, and large. You can size this brace based on your shoe size, so it’s simple to get the correct one. If your feet are wide, you may want to go up a size to ensure it won’t be too tight. Pros Double-stitched seams so it holds up better to frequent use and you won’t have to replace it as often Simple to get the right one without measuring because fit is based on shoe size Designed for athletes so you can continue moving and running while wearing this brace Cons With the laces and the straps, this brace does take some time to put on. You can’t just pull it on and get moving, so give yourself a few minutes to get it properly tightened Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer Something for EverybodyWith the low-profile design, you can still wear your regular shoes while sporting this ankle brace.Best Size SelectionFind on Amazon This ankle brace comes in a huge variety of sizes, so no matter the size of your foot, you can get one that fits. Available in sizes XX-small through XXX-large, you’ll want to use your ankle circumference as a guide to order the right one, so get out your measuring tape and then refer to the sizing chart. Just as you’d expect, your ankle will certainly be stabilized in this brace. There’s a nylon boot on the outside to provide strength and stability to the brace. Then, there are figure-8 style straps that wrap around for additional support. It is a bit complicated to put on correctly, but the directions are well written and easy to follow. You can wear this brace on either foot, and since it has a low-profile design, it’ll fit inside nearly any pair of shoes. Pros Stabilizes your ankle to help it heal Elastic cuff around the outside to hold the laces in place and prevent you from rolling your ankle Available in many sizes so you can always find one that fits Cons Since this is a medical product, it may not be eligible for returns. Make sure you order the correct size before purchasing PowerLix Compression Support Sleeve (Pair) Pull it OnYou can quickly get the support you need with this sleeve-style ankle brace. Easiest to Put OnFind on Amazon If you’re looking for a compression-style ankle brace, this pair will do nicely. Since it comes with two, you can support both ankles at the same time. Soft and smooth against the skin, they are comfortable enough to wear all day long. They absorb sweat fairly well, too, so your feet will stay dry. You can quickly pull these on and be ready to go without taking time to adjust straps or tighten laces. They don’t limit your range of motion, either, so you can still participate in all the things you enjoy. You can select from four different sizes. To get the right fit, you’ll need to measure around your heel circumference. There are three different colors available. Since these are compression socks, they need to be directly on your skin to offer maximum support. Then you can add socks and shoes over them. Pros Comfortable enough to wear all day long every day, so you can help your ankle fully recover Easy to put on so you save time Comes with a pair so you can support both ankles at once Cons May not offer enough support initially after an injury, so you may need to start with another style and then switch to these. BraceAbility Lace-Up Kids Ankle Brace Protect Active KidsThis pediatric ankle brace can give your child the support they need to help their ankle heal.Best for Kids Find on Amazon Adults aren’t the only ones who injure their ankles. If your little one has gotten hurt, you want a brace that’s been designed with them in mind, and for that, these pediatric ankle braces will work nicely. Designed to fit kids between the 2-6 shoe size, they can worn on either foot. The figure-8 straps help you achieve a perfect fit. The laces provide support to help keep the ankle stable. Your child will appreciate the lightweight design of this brace. It’s made from thin nylon that is breathable. The open heel design helps provide a large range of motion, so your child can wear this brace during activities, including sports. Since the brace has a low-profile design, your child should still be able to wear their shoes with this brace on. Pros Designed to give kids the support they need as their ankle heals Lightweight design that won’t weigh your child down Can be worn during sports so your child can still participate in the activities they enjoy Cons The laces are really long, so you may need to get creative with knotting or looping them so they stay out of the way Frequently Asked Questions What type of ankle brace do I need? If you’re dealing with an ankle injury, your doctor is the best person to help you decide on the type of ankle brace you need. They are familiar with your body and know the type of support would be appropriate to your injury. However, some people wear ankle braces to prevent injuries rather than to rehabilitate an injury after the fact. If that’s what you are doing, you’ll want to find one that is comfortable and provides support in the right spot. Your brace will need to be designed for the type of activity you are doing. Some are built with specific sports in mind, as they offer the support those athletes typically need. Your coach or athletic trainer can give you additional information on the type of ankle brace you should wear. Do you wear your ankle brace over socks? Most ankle braces are designed to be worn over a thin sock. This helps to keep sweat from your foot from ending up on the brace. It also protects your skin from any roughness on the brace material. Should you sleep in an ankle brace? Typically, you should take your ankle brace off at night. However, always follow the directions of your medical professional. If they have asked you to wear it at night, then your ankle will heal better if you follow their advice. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Knee Braces for Dogs Read more The Best Dog Knee Braces Read more The Best Dog Knee Braces In 2024 Read more