Best Brace for Sprained Ankle

You’ve injured your ankle and can’t bear weight on it. It is tender to the touch, bruised, and maybe even swollen – and you aren’t sure whether it’s sprained or broken. Regardless, you know there’s a hefty road to recovery ahead of you.

Not quite a fracture, but just as terrifying, sprained ankle injuries are not to be taken lightly.

They occur when ligaments are torn or stretched beyond their limits, and usually come with relatively extensive recovery periods. Though this does depend on the severity of the sprain.

Best Brace for Sprained Ankle

Sprained ankles can also interfere with your day-to-day activities from walking your dog to running errands, so it’s vital that you get the right support for your injury as soon as you can.

That’s where we come in.

We’ve compiled a list of the best braces for a sprained ankle to help you get back on your feet as quick as possible.

Our handy buyer’s guide towards the end of this article will also outline some of the most important factors to look for in a supportive ankle brace.

McDavid Ankle Brace 

The first ankle brace on our list is from McDavid. With a large range of supportive products available, the brand’s main concern is to help you to regain your mobility as soon as possible. 

Designed with your comfort in mind, this ankle brace features a lightweight single-layer polyester fabric that gives you all the support you will need. This supportive design also has a top strap that allows you to tailor the level of compression offered.

Additional padding in the lining reinforces the closures of the straps and, most importantly, increases your comfort.

A key feature of this ankle brace is that it simulates athletic tape with a figure-6 strapping pattern. So, in terms of appearance and practicality, it offers an ideal solution to help you begin healing your sprained ankle.

An important fact to bear in mind about this product is that you can fully adjust its tightness without having to unlace or remove your own shoes, so it’s perfect for a busy day full of errands.

This ankle brace is intended to fit tight to the skin for the best support. If your measurements are close to the maximum size range, you should size up to ensure your own comfort.

Pros:

  • Lightweight – you can go about your day without feeling the weight of the brace surrounding your ankle.
  • Supportive – the materials used, and the generally secure design, mean that you can completely customize the ankle brace to your needs.
  • Easy to Use – simple design means it is easy to put on and take off.

Cons:

  • Sizing – you may need to size up to get the full support you require for your injury.

Bodyprox Ankle Support Brace 

Bodyprox gives you support where you need it the most.

This semi-rigid brace has been designed with your comfort and security in mind. The perfect balance between practicality and design, it’s made from a light Neoprene material that ensures it is strong and durable.

Its simplistic design can also be easily incorporated into your everyday style.

An important thing to note is that this ankle brace is thin enough to be worn with your shoes throughout the day, but is also thick enough to give you the extra padding you may need for your injury.

What’s more – it has elastic properties that compress your tendons and push you on your way to recovery. All in all, it is highly practical when it comes to treating a sprained ankle.

An unyielding hook and loop closure gives you all the reassurance you will need for a full day of joint support. It will stay fastened unless you forcefully pull it apart, so you can count on it to withstand long hours of use with minimal wear and tear.

We’d recommend occasionally taking this ankle brace off for short intervals to give your skin a breather, or to wash it. But don’t feel pressured – you can do this whenever you feel comfortable!

Also, its open heel gives you even more freedom to move around your day with ease.  Wear it around your home, in bed, or even as extra padding when running errands – we won’t judge! 

Pros:

  • Secure – hook and loop closure guarantees full support for your injury.
  • Lightweight – a neoprene construction means the product is a suitable support for a variety of ankle injuries.
  • Simple Design – it is effective and also has the ability to blend in with your everyday clothing, so it won’t draw any added attention to your injury.

Cons:

  • Velcro – it can irritate the skin, so it’s best to wear a sports sock underneath as a protective layer.

Z Athletics Zenith Ankle Brace 

If you’re looking for a way to increase mobility without the added stress of a walking boot, this is the perfect product for you.

Arguably the most design-friendly product on this list, the Zenith ankle brace will help you heal in style.

Unlike typical ankle supports, this brace can be adjusted in order to customize the level of support you require, using unique lace-up strings and ‘figure 8’ straps that hug your foot. 

By allowing you to adjust the tightness of the brace depending on your needs, you can be rest assured that your ankle will be safeguarded against additional damage. Its rigid nature also ensures that your ankle will be kept straight whilst it heals.

So if you’re confident enough with your recovery and are planning to go on a hike, play soccer or simply go for a relaxing stroll – you can do so with the reassurance that your ankle will be well protected!

The product is made using nylon and neoprene materials for optimum comfort. These also create additional flexibility and support for your injury while ensuring your feet are kept away from excess moisture – which will make your road to recovery much easier. 

Pros:

  • Straps – give you the freedom to tighten or loosen the brace according to your needs.
  • Supportive – supports your injury whether you’re standing up or playing soccer.
  • Material – Its Neoprene material will help to reduce swelling and inflammation quickly.

Cons:

  • Bulky – makes it difficult to fit into shoes.

SNEINO Ankle Brace 

If you’re in dire need of a durable, strong ankle brace – SNEINO is the brand for you. The brace not only has two spring steels on either side to provide stability, but also features two tough straps to enhance your healing experience. 

Featuring a distinctive 360 degree design, this ankle brace is one of the sturdiest currently offered on the market. It is made from neoprene, which is both durable and breathable.

It is quick drying, too, which means this brace is the perfect accompaniment for any exercising ventures you may undertake, such as cycling or going to the gym. These materials combined optimize your comfort, meaning the brace can be worn all day with little to no issues.

Reinforced side stabilizers and a contoured arch design aid in the reduction of pain around the area of injury, whilst also relieving a large amount of pressure from the ankle.

SNEINO understands that one size fits all supportive sleeves wouldn’t have made the cut for this type of injury. Especially if your ankle is extremely swollen or bruised.

Therefore, this product has a convenient adjustable lace up front, so you can personalize your ankle brace to achieve maximum comfort without having to disturb your injury. 

Pros:

  • Convenient – an adjustable lace up front allows you to tailor the brace to fit your exact needs.
  • Comfort – it is padded for an extra layer of protection.
  • Universal – can be used as support for a variety of activities.

Cons:

  • Bulky – though it is sturdy, it can also be quite bulky. Therefore, depending on your size, you may find it difficult wearing the ankle brace with your shoes.

CopperJoint Ankle Brace 

This CopperJoint ankle brace is perfect if you’re seeking something a bit different.

A more elasticated option than others on this list, the CopperJoint product is made for everyone. So whether you’re a world-class athlete or a working professional, the compression sock feel of this item can easily be tailored to fit in with your lifestyle!

The most important thing to know about this product is that it’s made of a copper-infused nylon. This naturally removes any excess electricity from your body, which, in turn, helps to alleviate some discomfort caused by your injured ankle.

Additionally, this type of ankle support provides you with an effective way of relieving your pain, making your daily life that bit easier. 

A non-invasive design that can be fitted into any shoe also makes this product stand out. It has elastic straps with a strong hook and loop that can be adjusted according to your specific requirements.

Just bear in mind that if you pull the ankle brace tighter, it will be easier to get rid of excess pressure that may be weighing your ankle down.

It will also provide more cushioning for the moments where you may be moving around, which is always a bonus!

Finally, the copper-infused material will help to prevent the product from developing an odor, so you can go about your activities without having to worry. Just remember to wash it between uses!

Pros: 

  • All Day Comfort – its ergonomic design ensures that your mobility is not impacted. 
  • Odor Free – you can go to the gym or run errands without worrying about the smell of your ankle brace.
  • Practical – it features many adjustable elements that mean you can tailor the brace to your exact needs.

Cons: 

  • Runs Small – it’s best to size up in this product. This will ensure it is not pressed too tightly against your injury, and won’t completely cut off blood flow to the area.

Buyer’s Guide 

Use this buyer’s guide to identify key features to look out for when in the market for a brace for your sprained ankle.

Type

There are many types of brace available for a sprained ankle injury, and it can be difficult to narrow your choices down.

However, we have discovered that it’s best to either stick with a more sturdy lace up brace with additional straps for comfort, or a wrap around product that more resembles a compression brace.

Many of the products under these two design aspects will give you the option to tighten or loosen the pressure on your injury according to your needs, so there’ll definitely be a suitable product for you.

Comfort

You must prioritize comfort when purchasing a brace for your sprained ankle. Therefore, you need to consider the compression abilities of the brace to make sure it fits all of your practical needs.

To put it simply: it should be tight enough to properly support your injury, but shouldn’t completely cut the circulation off. 

It’s also generally a good idea to look for an ankle brace made from a sturdy yet breathable material. Not only will this ensure that your injury is fully protected and supported, but you also won’t have to worry about any odor permeating the air.

However, there is no specific material that we can recommend to you. Instead, we can narrow it down to the top three: neoprene, nylon and polyester.

Neoprene tends to be the most popular – and applicable – material to use for the material part of an ankle brace. It is sturdy and durable, so you can rely on it to form a protective barrier around your sprained ankle.

Polyester shares many of the same qualities, although it is known to dry even quicker than both neoprene and nylon. It’s also incredibly lightweight, which is a large reason why it is commonly used in the manufacturing of injury support bandages and braces.

Much like the other two materials mentioned, nylon will keep your injury safe and dry, but it is less commonly seen as the sole manufacturing material in ankle braces.

Support

Sprained ankles are inconvenient and painful injuries to have, so you are going to want a brace that gives you 360 degree support from the get go.

It’s best to look for an ankle brace that can be fastened using tough anti-slip Velcro straps, or one that features an easy-to-use set of laces. Or you can look for a product that has both of these to give an added layer of protection! 

Either way, this secure design will help you customize and tailor the straps to your specific needs, providing an increased level of comfort, control and security as a result.

It will also mean that your injury will be well-padded, preventing further damage from occurring. With either of these methods of safeguarding support for your sprained ankle, your injury will remain tucked away and secure from morning to night.

Sizing 

It’s always difficult to judge sizing when you order an item online. Though this is typically an issue with clothing, ankle braces such as the ones in this list are no different.

If you are stuck between ankle brace sizes, we would recommend leaning towards the bigger size available. A good ankle brace will come with several ways to adjust and tighten it to better protect your injury, so you won’t have to worry about anything. 


To Summarize

A sprained ankle can be a very serious injury, so you want to make sure your chosen brace can provide you with the safety and support that you need.

Therefore, we suggest that you prioritize the security and durability of an ankle brace far above the material it is made from, unless you have an allergy to a specific material. If this is the case, it’s best to filter out such products from the beginning of your search.


Frequently Asked Questions

What type of brace is best for a sprained ankle?

Rigid braces with adjustable compression straps are usually the best way of helping you to recover from a sprained ankle injury.

They reduce swelling whilst promoting normal movement of your ankle. As a result, you are likely to gain full use of your ankle in a shorter period of time than with other brace types. 

Can you walk on a sprained ankle with a brace?

There isn’t one specific answer for this. You can walk on a sprained ankle, but you should rest it for the first few days after the injury. Apply a compression bandage or a brace and see what it’s like.

Then, when your pain is tolerable enough, you should try to walk and bear some weight on it. Make sure to use crutches and keep your brace on, so your ankle is cushioned. You can do this a few times a day, but make sure you don’t overdo it!

How long should you wear a brace for a sprained ankle?

In terms of overall time, this is entirely dependent on the severity of the sprain. You could be recovering for weeks or months – it’s all on an individual case basis!

However, you must also be aware that ankle braces are not designed to be worn all day every day.

In this case, it’s best to wear the brace when you are at your most active during the day, whether that is walking around your home, going to the store or resting your ankle, and then take it off when you are just about to head to bed.

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