Best Ankle Supports for Sports

For people with a passion for sports, an ankle injury means a lot of time spent on the side lines, and not a lot of time having fun. If you've recently suffered a break, fracture or sprain and you want to recover as quickly as possible, a sports ankle brace is the best way to do so. Not only will a brace help ease pain, swelling and tension, they can also prevent you from suffering an injury again and ending up back at square one.

The only caveat is that it can be hard to find the exact brace for your condition, as there are so many different models that are designed to treat various types of injury. To help you find a brace that will ensure a swift return to competitive fitness, we asked industry experts for their recommendations, and came up with this list of the Best Ankle Supports for Sports.

What Will This Guide Cover?

This guide covers a number of braces that are specifically designed for a certain sport or condition. If you already know which type of brace you need, use the links below to skip straight to what you're looking for.

• Best Overall Ankle Supports for Sports
• Best Ankle Support for Football
• Best Ankle Support for Ski Boots
• Best Ankle Support for Running
• Best Compression Ankle Support for Sports
• Best Arthritis Ankle Support for Sports
• Best Achilles Tendonitis Ankle Support for Sports

Best Overall Ankle Support for Sports

Aircast AirSport Ankle Brace

How It Works...

✔ AFT Cross Strap provides adjustable support to stabilise the ankle
✔ Foam-filled air cells offer compression to mitigate swelling
✔ Semi-rigid shell helps prevent the ankle from rolling on either side

Ideal For...

✔ Football, running, tennis and more!
✔ Instability, mild sprains, post-op use

Not the Best For...

✘ Arthritis (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: Designed just for sports, the Aircast AirSport Ankle Brace has multiple features which help to rehabilitate the ankle after a sprain or surgery. A unique AFT cross-strap provides the stability and support to assist healing, while compressive air cells work to reduce pain and swelling. Its rigid outer shell also prevents an unstable ankle from rolling over and injuring again.

Supplier Guarantee: "The Airsport has a clinically proven semi-rigid shell and foam-filled aircells to provide moderate support, compression and comfort."

Customer Feedback: "I have had a number of ankle braces (40 years of amateur football) and this is by far the best. Great support, easy to wear, no rubbing. Well I am 57 and still playing that's got to be a solid recommendation." - Paul ★★★★★

Best Ankle Support for Football

Aircast A60 Ankle Brace

How It Works...

✔ Stabilises the ankle at a 60° angle to significantly reduce the chance of rollover
✔ Adjustable strapping provides compression to help relieve pain
✔ Breathe-O-Prene fabric ensures a light, breathable feel

Ideal For...

✔ Football, tennis, golf, running and more!
✔ Chronic instability and injury prevention

Not the Best For...

✘ Ski boots (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: The Aircast A6O is our most popular ankle brace, used worldwide by athletes including tennis champion Andy Murray. Why is it so popular? In short, it's specially designed to keep the ankle at a 60° angle to eliminate the risk of rollover during movement, and it's sleek and slender design fits easily inside any trainer, football boot or running shoe.

Supplier Guarantee: "Incorporating a stabilizer moulded at a 60 degree angle and breathable material, this lightweight anatomic design fits easily into athletic footwear to provide cool, comfortable protection. A single strap offers easily adjustable application."

Customer Feedback: "Great support for assisting my son's return to football after a broken ankle. The item slips on easily and was comfortable for him to wear all day. Fast delivery too." - Claire ★★★★★

Best Ankle Support for Ski Boots

Silipos Malleolar Cushioning Gel Ankle Sleeve

How It Works...

✔ Two gel pads cushion the ankle to prevent knocks
✔ Delivers gradual compression to relive ankle pain and swelling
✔ Fits inside a range of footwear, including ski boots

Ideal For...

✔ Sprained ankles, impact protection, injury prevention
✔ Trainers, cleats, skates and ski boots

Not the Best For...

✘ Adjustable support (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: Ski boot or ice skates can be uncomfortable, as they often rub against the malleoli to cause blisters and pain. To prevent this, the Silipos Malleolar Ankle Sleeve are designed to cushion the sides of your ankle with two gel pads on the side, which work to mitigate friction and impact as you skim down the slopes.

Supplier Guarantee: "The Malleolar Sleeve provides mild compression to help reduce swelling in and around the ankle. Designed with 2 gel pads on either side that comfortably conforms over the ankle to moisturize the skin while cushioning and protecting the ankle area. Can be worn with shoes, athletic footwear, ski boots, skates, and cleats." 

Customer Feedback: "The sleeve has been comfortable and cushioned my extra bony ankle so I can wear my walking boots on pain free long walks. I am planning on purchasing another." - Mary ★★★★★

Best Ankle Support for Running

Donjoy Strapilax Adjustable Ankle Support

How It Works...

✔ Compressive sleeve improves proprioception and eases pain
✔ Optional strapping feature offers varied levels of support
✔ Knitted fabric provides breathable, multi-directional comfort

Ideal For...

✔ Acute and chronic ankle injury
✔ Mild ankle and foot osteoarthritis 

Not the Best For...

✘ Easy application (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: Runners who are coming back from injury need proprioceptive support to prevent unwanted movement of the ankle. Providing adjustable compression with an intuitive strapping system, the Donjoy Strapilax compresses the ankle to encourage proprioception and neuromuscular stimulation.

Supplier Guarantee: "With integrated ankle pads and adjustable strapping, DonJoy StrapiLax Ankle helps relieve, stabilise, and protect the ankle joint from abnormal movements, as well as aiding proprioceptive acuity."

Best Compression Ankle Support for Sports

Ultimate Performance Compression Elastic Ankle Support

How It Works...

✔ Lightweight knitted neoprene delivers warm, graduated compression
✔ Helps stimulate blood circulation to ease pain, swelling and hypertension
✔ Anatomically designed for the most comfortable fit possible

Ideal For...

✔ Ankle pain, swelling and circulation issues
✔ Football, tennis, basketball, running and more!

Not the Best For...

✘ Rollover prevention (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: Ask any doctor what's needed for a quick recovery from injury, and compression will be one the first things they suggest. The reason for this is that compression helps to improve blood circulation, which in turn boosts muscle repair and neuromuscular stimulation. With a precise anatomical design and advanced neoprene fabric, the Ultimate Performance Compression Support is far and away our best for compression.

Supplier Guarantee: "A stable all-day support for weak, stiff or aching ankles. Lightweight, compression with 4-way stretch targets the area's most needing support."

Customer Feedback: "This ankle support provides a moderate level of support ideal for normal hiking to strengthen my ankle that is weakened from previous tendon damage." - Alan ★★★★★

Best Arthritis Ankle Support for Sports

Actimove Arthritis Care Compression Ankle Support

How It Works...

✔ Ceramic fibres reflect body heat for optimal heat-retention
✔ Combines this heat with compression for greater relief
✔ Durable stitching for long lasting use

Ideal For...

✔ Arthritis and tendonitis
✔ Walking, hiking, light exercise

Not the Best For...

✘ Stability (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: Although arthritis is usually associated with older people, it can affect people of any age, especially those who lead a more active lifestyle. To help treat pain and stiffness caused by arthritis, the Actimove Arthritis Ankle Support combines heat retention and compression that relaxes joint stiffness and eases chronic pain.

Supplier Guarantee: "The unique heat-retaining ceramic fibres retain and reflect body heat providing soothing warmth to help relieve pain."

Customer Feedback: "Relieved the pain in my foot and ankle and enabled me to get around." - Mary ★★★★★

Best Achilles Tendonitis Ankle Support for Sports

Ultimate Performance Ultimate Achilles Tendon Support

How It Works...

✔ Promotes an early heal rise to ease strain on the Achilles tendon
✔ Soft tube compresses the tendon to further relieve pressure
✔ Designed to fit snugly inside any athletic shoe

Ideal For...

✔ Achilles tendonitis
✔ Competitive sports

Not the Best For...

✘ Warm compression (see our solution)

Why We Picked It: The Achilles tendon runs down the back of your ankle, connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. When this tendon becomes strained due to overuse, running or simply moving in general can become incredibly painful. The UP Achilles Tendonitis Brace is designed to reduce heel exertion while compressing the tendon, resulting in both pain relief and prevention.

Supplier Guarantee: "Designed to promote an early heel rise to further reduce stress on the tendon. Fully adjustable straps ensure a personalised fit and allow you to adjust the level of compression you need."

Customer Feedback: "Although initially sceptical I have been amazed how such a simple and inobtrusive support has stabilised my ankle and reduced achilles tendonitis." - Mark ★★★★★