Best Ankle Braces For Basketball: Reviews of Top Supports to Avoid Sprains

Best Ankle Brace For BasketballOnce you’ve sprained your ankle, it becomes a lot easier to sprain it again. I fell down a flight of stairs in the 3rd grade and gave myself a Grade III sprain to my right ankle. It swelled up like a grapefruit, turned 50 shades of purple, and I couldn’t walk on it for nearly two weeks. Ever since, I’ve needed to wear an ankle brace on it to have a stable platform for my basketball game, and prevent further injuries.

If you think you can just run to the store and buy any old ankle braces, you’re going to find yourself hurting after your next practice. Different ankle health issues require different bracing and you can’t always find what you need at the local store. You want to find the right brace for your issues in order to provide maximum protection.

From the lace up variety to the metal-braced kind and everything in-between, there are plenty of great ankle braces on the market today. These are the top-rated options in this category that you’ll want to consider.

The Best Ankle Braces For Basketball 2019 Reviews

Product Details
#1 Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer

Enhanced Support

  • Star Rating: 4.4
  • Highlight: Stabilizing Strap Support
  • Price: $$
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#2 Liomor Ankle Support Breathable Ankle Brace for Basketball Running Ankle Sprain

Moisture Wicking Design

  • Star Rating: 4.4
  • Highlight: Minimizes Risk of Injury
  • Price: $
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#3 SNEINO Ankle Brace

Contoured Arch Design

  • Star Rating: 4.3
  • Highlight: Max Amount of Vertical Support
  • Price: $$$
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#4 Sleeve Stars Ankle Brace

Speeds Up Recovery

  • Star Rating: 4.4
  • Highlight: Free Support Strap
  • Price: $$
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#5 Zamst A2-DX Strong Support Ankle Brace

Optimum Lateral Support

  • Star Rating: 4.4
  • Highlight: Great Grip Technology
  • Price: $$$$$
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1. ASO

ASO baketball ankle braceThe elastic cuff closure keeps the laces secure as well so they aren’t flopping out when you’re running down the court.

The stabilizing straps on this ankle brace gives the user a stable wearing experience, and help to protect the ankles. The complete a figure eight so that you receive a maximum amount of support that still works with the best basketball shoes. The elastic cuff closure keeps the laces secure as well so they aren’t flopping out when you’re running down the court. Each if the ankle braces fits the right or left foot, with the nylon boot giving you a fairly durable wear. Wear it over your sock for the best experience, otherwise the ankle brace can get pretty slimy after a practice.

Pros:

The stabilizing straps form a complete figure-eight for maximum ankles support.

Low profile design will fit any style of shoe.

US manufactured for higher quality control standards.

Low profile design will fit any style of shoe.

Cons:

Some customers reported that the size chart was off.

The Amazon seller does not accept returns

Click here to compare pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal.

2. Liomor

Liomor ankle braceThe elasticized moisture-wicking materials don’t cause an itch or make you feel like you’re walking in a puddle.

This basic ankle brace is super easy to use. Since it doesn’t have the laces of other ankle braces, you can quickly slip this thing on and be ready to run out on the court. You need to wear it under your sock, but the elasticized moisture-wicking materials don’t cause an itch or make you feel like you’re walking in a puddle. Meant more to support after injury recovery than provide stabilization and protection during one, you will need to make sure your foot is 11.8 inches or less in arch circumference to have this ankle brace work for you while you are playing.

Pros:

Designed to minimize the risk of injury, even during strenuous tasks.

Moisture-wicking material keeps your feet dry during workouts.

Designed to minimize the risk of injury, even during strenuous tasks.

Straps allow you to adjust your fit.

Cons:

Some buyers reported it was bulky under shoes.

It does not completely immobilize the joint.

Click here to compare pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal.

3. SNEINO Ankle Brace (Medium)

It adds compression and pressure right around the sides of the ankles, giving you a maximum amount of vertical support with its size stabilizers.

These are the ankle braces you’ll want to use if you are a player that needs to make constant cuts and drives during the game. It adds compression and pressure right around the sides of the ankles, giving you a maximum amount of vertical support with its size stabilizers. Even when a sprain has created swelling or acute muscle fatigue, this ankle brace can help to keep you going so you can finish the basketball game strong. The contoured arch design is particularly nice since it works with most basketball shoes. Wear it under the sock for best results.

Pros:

Provides 360-degree ankle support.

Two spring steels on either side provide extra support and stability while you are playing.

Comes in various sizes to provide you with exactly what you need.

Provides 360-degree ankle support.

Cons:

Some buyers complained that the product was too complicated to take on and off.

Click here to compare pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal.(Medium)

4. Sleeve Stars

Sleeve Stars Basketball Ankle BraceThis compression sleeve enhances circulation to the ankles and foot where you’re going to need it the most.

We often focus on ankle issues in basketball, but let’s not forget that plantar fasciitis can also be a major problem for some players. When you have that painful issue, especially when combined with an ankle problem, then players can be off your basketball game for several weeks. This compression sleeve enhances circulation to the ankles and foot where you’re going to need it the most, letting you receive instant comfort for what ails you. Best of all, you can wear it all day long to encourage faster healing, and it has adjustable straps which allow you to customize the fit to what your foot needs.

Pros:

Compression helps to relieve pain.

Adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit.

Absorbing material helps to keep your feet dry.

Adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit.

Cons:

Some buyers complained about the construction and said it started to fall apart quickly.

Click here to compare pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal.

5. Zamst

If you’ve had a serious sprain, this is the best ankle brace to use to take away the pain.

Zamst Ankle BraceThis is one solid ankle brace that players can slap on after an injury and get back out on the court. It provides three methods of support: medial, anterior, and lateral. It also offers grip technology so that players don’t have the ankle brace migrate out of position on you like some sleeves tend to do. It also features an open panel design with adjustable fasteners so players can always have an individualized fit and level of compression. If you’ve had a serious sprain, this is the best ankle brace to use to take away the pain.

Pros:

Provides optimum lateral support.

Multiple sizes allow you to get the best fit for your foot.

Created to lessen the severity of an ankle injury as well as promote healing.

Provides optimum lateral support.

Cons:

The company does not allow returns, even for unused items.

Click here to compare pricing on Amazon and get an awesome deal.

No matter how bad your injury or issue may be, the best ankle braces for basketball will help you stay in control of your game. Grab the design which best needs your needs today and you’ll be able to keep your skills progressing forward.

Whether you’re making cuts or just supporting your injured foot, the best ankle braces overall is probably the Venom for its excellent support and top quality design.

Let’s Talk About Ankle Sprains for a Moment

Ankle Sprains

You’re here because you’ve suffered an ankle injury and want to support it or you’ve got an old injury that is acting up on you. Ankle sprains are the most common ankle injury that happens in basketball. It can be worrisome when you pick up an injury, so here is everything you need to know about ankle sprains so you can start the treatment process.

If you’ve just sprained your ankle, then make sure you are following the RICE method of treatment.

  • Get off of your foot and give it time to heal. For bad sprains, that might mean going to the doctor to grab some crutches or a therapeutic boot.
  • Ice packs help to ease the pain and swelling of a sprain.
  • Ankle braces that are like an elastic wrap do a great job of pushing any extra swelling away from the joint.
  • Keep your ankle above your heart to control swelling as well.

For Grade I sprains, home treatment is usually fine. Get off of your foot, ice the ankle, and take it easy for the next few days. Anything Grade II or above will usually need to be evaluated by a medical professional since it involves tearing of ligaments.

In the past, players would probably be put into a cast for a severe enough ankle sprain. Treatment options are different today because the soft tissues around the ankle weaken when they are kept immobile. Wearing an ankle brace to allow for weight bearing will help players recover from even a severe sprain in 6 weeks or less in most instances.

Even mild sprains, however, can cause swelling in and around the ankle that may last for several months after the injury.

Which Ankle Brace Design Is Right for Me?

The goal of wearing ankle braces is to get you back onto the basketball floor as soon as possible after injuries. This means your ankle brace needs to be able to work with your current basketball shoes.

There are four basic types of ankle braces that may help to provide you with the supports that you need.

Lace Up Ankle Braces.

This is a basic support ankle brace that is worn much like you’d wear a shoe. It slips on over your sock and then you lace it up. Lace up braces allow you to wear it in your basketball shoe with relative ease.

Hinged Ankle Braces.

This ankle brace provides supports for a high ankle brace. The foot is kept relatively free, but a hinge goes from a foot plate to the full support that is worn around the ankle.

Hinged Cuff Ankle Braces.

This is the heavy duty ankle brace to wear when an injury has just occurred or there is a severe threat of a future injury. It’s a bulky ankle brace that is difficult to fit into most basketball shoes, but it will also provide you with the most overall stability.

Athletic Tape Ankle Braces.  

In a pinch, athletic tape can also work to provide your ankle with some bracing. Just remember that you shouldn’t run tape over your basketball shoes like athletes in other sports sometimes do.

You’ll also find that there are a variety of materials available today that form the foundation of the modern ankle brace. Entry-level ankle braces, especially lace up ankle braces, tend to be made from a rip-stop nylon. You’ll also find rigid plastics used in many hinged designs. An exciting new option may be thermoplastic resins, especially for those players who need to have a custom-fit ankle brace.

It All Comes Down to the Level of Support Your Ankle Brace Provides

Use a Brace to Support Your Ankle

Each ankle that needs a brace will require a specific level of support. The type of ankle brace I wear for basketball is probably not the same type of brace you may need to wear. This means it is up to you and your doctor, if necessary, to determine the actual level of support that you need based on your injuries. A professional opinion is always better than a lingering injury.

Basic supports can be obtained by a simple wrap. Something like an Ace bandage can get you through in a pinch. Elastic ankle supports can also give you that extra level of security that you need while still being budget friendly.

Structural supports are important. Neoprene is often included with ankle braces, which is nice because it gives your ankle some added therapeutic warmth. If you need more support, then get it. Modify your shoe instead of modifying your ankle brace.

And remember: ankle sprains rehabilitation program with your new ankle brace will help you get on your feet even faster [3].

Buyers Also Asked

What is the difference between an ankle brace and ankle support?

The difference between an ankle brace and an ankle support is that an ankle brace is made to help treat injuries, while an ankle support is designed to help prevent them.

Should I sleep with my ankle brace on?

No, you should not sleep with your ankle brace on. You should wear your ankle brace during your activities, and for 1-2 hours after, this way it is offering protection while you are active.

How tight should an ankle brace be?

Your ankle brace should be tight enough to restrict the motion of your ankle joint, in order to fully protect it. At the same time, your ankle brace should not be so tight that it cuts off your circulation.

How Much are the Best Ankle Braces for Basketball?

Ankle braces are reasonably affordable, especially when shopping for an over-the-counter solution. Basic ankle braces are typically $20 or less. If you’re looking for a hinged brace, you can expect to pay $100 or less for most models.

What’s Next

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