Ankle injuries are one of the most common types of injuries that can occur. Often they happen during sports activities, but they also unfortunately happen during simple, mundane tasks like going down a flight of stairs.
An ankle stabilizer is an orthopedic immobilizer that holds the ankle in place, providing support, compression and heat. Most often it is used after an injury, keeping the joint properly aligned and helping to relieve stress from it. By minimizing stress, an ankle can recover more quickly and easily. It is also used to help treat joint inflammations or sprains.
Often it is used by athletes to reduce the stress their joints have to put up with during high impact training.
Which ankle stabilizers are the best?
With ankle injuries being such a common occurrence, one can choose between numerous different ankle stabilizers. It can be a daunting task to try to navigate that many different products and decide on the right one. That is why we’ve made a selection of four top rated ankle stabilizers and reviewed them below.
ASO Ankle Stabilizer Review
The boot is made of ballistic nylon, which is a reliable, yet elastic material that will offer a good combination of support and comfort. It has an easily understandable sizing chart, so you will have no problem deciding the right size for your ankle.
Since it does use shoelaces, it may take a bit more time to get them on, but once you do it, you should feel supported while being comfortable at the same time.
Any type of shoe you wear, ASO Ankle Stabilizer will fit.
Futuro Sport Deluxe Ankle Stabilizer Review
It is worn low on the ankle and that way fits into any wide enough shoe, without feeling uncomfortable or strange.
Keep in mind that it can’t be machine washed. It does seem to provide a bit less support than its competitors, but that would make it an ideal stabilizer for non-athletes who don’t need their stabilizer to be too rigid and strong.
Bracoo Breathable Neoprene Ankle Support Review
Made out of neoprene, it releases moisture, while keeping in the beneficial heat. It is one sized, saving you the trouble of choosing the right one. However, if you do have slightly thicker ankles, it may be a bit too tight for you.
ACE Deluxe Ankle Stabilizer Review
If you have petite ankles, perhaps consider choosing a smaller size than the shoe size you actually wear.
Side reinforcements keep your joint in the right position at all time.
You do have to wear a bit wider shoes to fit your ankle with the stabilizer on comfortably.
How to choose the best ankle stabilizer
Finding the right ankle stabilizer for you is a balancing act.
Firstly, you have to keep in mind what you’re going to use it for. Athletes should try and find stabilizers that are a bit more strong, so they could withstand high impacts, but at the same time they have to be pretty flexible so they don’t restrict movement.
Non-athletes will not need such rigid support, and a stabilizer that is too strong may feel uncomfortable and restricting.
Be mindful of the materials. Ideally, they should be light and breathable, allowing the moisture and air to move freely from your body, and not keeping them in.
In the end, it all depends on what feels right for you. As long as the stabilizer of your choice holds your ankle in place, while being comfortable, it’s the right fit for you.
