We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Personal Care & Medical Devices The 10 Best Ankle Braces For Stability and Injury Prevention These are the best ankle braces to stabilize your ankle and prevent injury. By Kelsey Ogle Kelsey Ogle I have written a number of product review articles and I'm passionate about helping people find the best products for their needs. health's editorial guidelines Updated on November 26, 2024 Medically reviewed by Amy Kwan, PT Medically reviewed by Amy Kwan, PT Amy Kwan, DPT, PT, has been a physical therapist for over 10 years. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews How We Selected Our Experts What to Know Who We Are Health Whether you're taking a leisurely hike or playing a fast-paced game of tennis, rolling or spraining your ankle is inconvenient and painful. It's also a common occurrence: About 25,000 people report an ankle sprain per day, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Luckily, an ankle brace may help prevent and treat these common injuries. Ankle braces are often used for sprains or acute injuries. However, they can also treat chronic instability, degeneration, or other types of ankle pain, says Dr. Kentston Cripe, an American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons associate member. Several types of braces are available, so it’s important to consult a medical professional to determine which is best for your needs. In some instances, you might need a prescription brace. We asked experts for their suggestions and researched highly-rated ankle braces to find the best over-the-counter options. Based on expert advice and our analysis, we compiled our list of the top ten best picks so you can put your best foot forward again. Then, a physical therapist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Editor's Take I’m an Editor at Health, and I've twisted my ankle more times than I'd like to admit, but I know how to take extra precautions to prevent injuries. For those who, like me, have faced the frustrating cycle of injury and recovery, finding the right ankle brace can make a difference. It allows you to stay active while providing the necessary support to avoid further injury. Dr. Kentston Cripe, an associate member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, explains that "stabilizer" typically refers to more flexible braces, while genuine ankle braces should have stirrups or a buttress for support. It’s vital to consult an ankle specialist if you’re dealing with ankle pain to choose the appropriate brace. Some braces are meant for all-day wear, such as compression and rigid braces, while strap braces are designed for physical activity. This guide can help you select the right brace to stay active and injury-free. -Lauren Paige Richeson, Editor Our Top Picks Best Overall: BIOSKIN TriLok Ankle Brace for Women & Men at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Best Budget: SALE Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer at Amazon $45 $37 Jump to Review Best Budget: Aircast AirSport Ankle Support Brace at Amazon $41 Jump to Review Best for Sprains: ARYSE IFAST Ankle Brace at Amazon $99 Jump to Review Best Compression Sleeve: SALE Modvel 2 Pack Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve at Amazon $30 $21 Jump to Review Best Strap: Bodyprox Ankle Brace at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Stirrup: Velpeau Ankle Brace at Amazon $26 Jump to Review Best to Prevent Rolling: Ankle Roll Guard Armor1 Ankle Support at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best for Arthritis: Swede-O Ankle Lok Reinforced Laced Ankle Brace at Amazon $29 Jump to Review Best for Achilles Tendonitis: SALE Bauerfeind Breathable Knit Ankle Brace at Amazon $124 $90 Jump to Review Best Overall BIOSKIN TriLok Ankle Brace for Women & Men PHOTO: Amazon $70 at Amazon $70 at Walmart View on Orthout.com Why We Like It Dr. Cripe says the BIOSKIN TriLok Ankle Brace is the most popular ankle brace among orthopedists and podiatrists he works with. This hypoallergenic wrap brace is made of lycra and polyester, providing excellent support and stability in a form-fitting package. The brace also features extra arch support, which makes it great at relieving plantar fasciitis pain and preventing injuries. We love that it can be worn with shoes or sandals and is comfortable and breathable enough for all-day use. It’s Worth Noting The figure-eight design has a bit of a learning curve, so it might take a bit of experimenting to get it just right the first few times you use the brace. Product Details Material: Lycra and polyesterSizes: Small, medium, large, and X-largeMachine-Washable: No Best Budget Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer PHOTO: Amazon $45 $37 at Amazon $40 at Walmart View on Orthout.com Why We Like It The Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer provides features similar to those of the TriLok but at a more affordable price and with more size and color options. It’s available in two colors (black or white) and comes in one children’s size and seven adult sizes, which ensures you’ll find the right fit and style to suit your needs. We love the rigid brace’s unique design, which combines features of different types of braces such as laces, stabilizing straps, and an elastic cuff to maximize support and stability and hold the brace in place. It’s Worth Noting The brace tends to run large, so you might want to order a smaller size than usual if you’re between sizes. Product Details Material: NylonSizes: Children: XX-Small, Adults: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, and 3X-LargeMachine-Washable: Yes Best Budget Aircast AirSport Ankle Support Brace PHOTO: Amazon $41 at Amazon $58 at Walmart View on Sourceortho.net Why We Like It The Aircast AirSport Ankle Support Brace has a semi-rigid design that provides compression and stabilization to help you prevent or recover from grade I or II ankle sprains. Dr. Cripe says pneumatic ankle braces like this one are a good choice for high-grade sprains and acute injuries. The brace protects against both inversion and eversion of the ankle joint and features air cell technology, a cross strap, and forefoot and shin wraps to provide extra compression and stabilization. It’s Worth Noting It can be difficult to wear this brace with a shoe. Also, remember that the AirSport is not a universal brace, so you’ll need to specify whether you need a brace for your right foot or your left foot when you order it. Product Details Material: FabricSizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-LargeMachine-Washable: No Best for Sprains ARYSE IFAST Ankle Brace PHOTO: Scheels $99 at Amazon View on Scheels.com View on Aryse.com Why We Like It Dr. Cripe recommends the ARYSE IFAST Ankle Stabilizer Brace for athletes because it’s designed to be worn with athletic footwear like cleats. The sleek, low-profile design and thermoplastic polyurethane material make this brace stand out. It prevents ankle injury and provides support while still allowing full range of motion. You can buy the brace individually or as a pair. There are six sizes available to fit both teens and adults, as well as many color options. It’s Worth Noting Despite its unique design, this brace is susceptible to wear and tear. Product Details Material: Thermoplastic polyurethaneSizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-LargeMachine-Washable: No Best Compression Sleeve Modvel 2 Pack Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve PHOTO: Amazon $30 $21 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Modvel.com Why We Like It The Modvel Ankle Brace is made with stretchy, breathable fabric for a comfortable and supportive fit. There are 11 colors and six sizes available to accommodate anyone who needs extra ankle compression. Each sleeve features double silicone gel strips to keep it in place, and the fabric wicks away moisture to keep your feet dry and odor-free. We love that you get two compression sleeves, so you can have one for each foot or keep the second as a spare. It’s Worth Noting Sizing is a bit tricky, so you might need to size up or down. Product Details Material: NylonSizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, and XXX-LargeMachine-Washable: Yes Best Strap Bodyprox Ankle Brace PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon View on Bodyprox.com Why We Like It The BodyProx Ankle Support Brace is a strap that wraps around your foot and ankle to provide support, protect from sprains, and reduce pain caused by plantar fasciitis. The brace is open at the heel to allow for greater range of motion while still providing adequate support. It’s made of breathable material for comfort, durability, and flexibility and is machine washable for easy cleaning. Each order contains one brace that will fit either foot. It’s Worth Noting This open heel design may cause some discomfort around the heel when worn for extended periods of time. Product Details Material: NeopreneSizes: One Size Fits MostMachine-Washable: Yes Best Stirrup Velpeau Ankle Brace PHOTO: Amazon $26 at Amazon $26 at Walmart View on Aliexpress.com Why We Like It The Velpeau Ankle Brace is a rigid stirrup-style brace that features pads made of gel or foam on either side of the ankle to provide support. It can be used for a grade 2 or grade 3 ankle sprain, as well as tendonitis or injury prevention. One thing that makes this brace stand out is that the gel pads can be frozen or heated for cold or heat therapy. However, heating or freezing the foam pads can damage them, so make sure you keep the brace out of the freezer or microwave if you select the foam option. It’s Worth Noting Each order only comes with one brace, and you’ll need to specify whether it’s for your right or left foot. Product Details Material: Foam or gelSizes: Small and LargeMachine-Washable: No Best to Prevent Rolling Ankle Roll Guard Armor1 Ankle Support PHOTO: Amazon $45 at Amazon View on EBay View on Everymarket.com Why We Like It Unlike other ankle braces on our list, the Ankle Roll Guard Armor1 is intended to be strapped to the outside of your shoe instead of being worn on your foot. This innovative design offers ankle support without reducing mobility of the ankle joint. It can be worn with any type of shoe, including athletic shoes like cleats. Weighing in at just 2.4 ounces, this product is made of EVA rubber and features a super-thin undersole strap. It’s Worth Noting You only get one brace per order, and there are no specific sizes (one size fits most). You’ll also need to specify whether you need it for your right or left foot. Product Details Material: EVA rubberSizes: One size fits mostMachine-Washable: No Best for Arthritis Swede-O Ankle Lok Reinforced Laced Ankle Brace PHOTO: Amazon $29 at Amazon $26 at Walmart View on Alimed.com Why We Like It The Swede-O Ankle Lok Reinforced Laced Ankle Brace includes side stabilizers that can be removed if you don’t need the extra support. The back of the brace is made of elastic for comfort and breathability. It’s available in two colors (black or white) and six sizes. Each brace has a universal design that will fit either foot, and we love that the laces allow you to customize the tightness according to your individual needs. It’s Worth Noting It can be difficult to put on at first and takes a while to lace up. Product Details Material: ElasticSizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and 2X-LargeMachine-Washable: Unknown Best for Achilles Tendonitis Bauerfeind Breathable Knit Ankle Brace PHOTO: Amazon $124 $90 at Amazon $23 at Walmart View on Bauerfeind.com Why We Like It The Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Ankle Brace is a soft brace made of breathable knit fabric that conforms to the shape of your foot for comfort and support. It has extra padding on the heel and Achilles tendon to relieve and prevent pain caused by Achilles tendonitis. The brace is available in three colors (Black, Nature, and Titanium) and five sizes. Each order includes one brace, and you’ll need to specify whether it’s for your right or left foot. It’s Worth Noting While the extra support is great for people who have severe Achilles pain, it might be overkill if you have infrequent or mild Achilles issues. Product Details Material: Knit fabricSizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5Machine-Washable: Yes How We Selected To learn about the types of ankle braces and get product recommendations, we interviewed physical therapists and foot and ankle surgeons to ask for their advice on selecting a quality product. Based on their advice and recommendations, we searched for the best products and narrowed down the ones that fit our criteria. We included braces at a range of price points, as well as different types, including compression, strap, lace-up, and rigid braces. Our Experts Dr. Kentston Cripe, an associate member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Trenton Titus, PT, DPT, a physical therapist based in Austin, Texas What to Know About Ankle Braces Types There are several types of ankle braces, including compression sleeves, braces with straps, rigid, semi-rigid, and lace-up braces. Titus says different types of ankle braces serve different purposes: Compression braces decrease inflammation, swelling, and pain.Lateral and medial support braces prevent the ankle from moving from side to side.Semi-rigid braces limit side-to-side and up-and-down forces that are best for mild to moderate sprains or instability.Rigid braces provide support to the ankle and essentially immobilize after a severe injury to a ligament in the ankle. Usage Dr. Cripe recommends ankle braces for people who are transitioning from a controlled ankle motion (CAM) boot to supportive shoe gear. You should use it whenever you are on your feet to prevent re-injury. Physical therapist Trenton Titus also recommends incorporating a physical therapy routine that includes balance, strengthening, range of motion, and endurance exercises to support proper healing and recovery. Comfort Features Dr. Cripe says stirrups are the most important comfort feature to look for, but some braces have padding on the edges, at the Achilles or the arch of the foot. This extra padding prevents the brace from pinching and rubbing your skin and reduces blisters and abrasions. Fit An ankle brace should fit snugly. A brace that’s too tight can reduce blood circulation, and one that’s too loose will rub on your skin and not provide enough support. Titus recommends walking, squatting, kneeling, and bending in the brace to make sure it fits properly and provides adequate support before wearing it all day. Who We Are Kelsey Ogle, a writer for Health.com, has dealt with multiple ankle and knee injuries and has personal experience in utilizing an ankle brace and physical therapy to recover from an acute ankle sprain. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 1 Source Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. FootCareMD. Ankle sprain.