You may have seen my other article about experiencing ankle pain during certain workouts such as calf raises. Often people experience ankle pain during exercises like the calf raise, but even exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, and box jumps can cause ankle pain. Ankle braces and compression socks can be worn temporarily to reduce pain and inflammation or can be used every-time you have a workout to keep your ankle supported.
When purchasing an ankle brace for working out it is important to find an ankle brace that doesn’t restrict your motion during exercises like calf raises or squats. These braces and compression sleeves can be worn for jogging, running, jumping, etc. Even daily use while walking or at work.
Whether you need an ankle brace to reduce pain/inflammation or just to keep your ankle supported and stable during your workouts, this guide will have the ankle brace that is right for you. This article will not only discuss the pros and cons to using ankle braces, but will also show you the best ankle braces and compression sleeves to wear for any activities.
How We Ranked the Best Ankle Braces
It’s important to know how we made our decision in ranking the top 10 best ankle braces for weightlifting. I take product reviews very seriously, and it is important to take multiple factors in consideration when doing product reviews. You want to make sure your purchase is going to be worth it and last a long time, which is why it’s important to consider the following factors:
Quality
Quality should be top priority when shopping for an ankle brace. Quality is the separating factor amongst all products. As a buyer you want to make sure your investment in the product is going to be worth it. Sometimes it is better to spend more money to buy a higher quality product because it is going to last much longer in the long run. All these ankle braces listed below are among the top ankle braces on the market. They all are made with high quality standards from reputable companies.
Price
Price is one of the most important factors when buying any product. It is important to consider the price vs. the quality you will be receiving. You should expect a high quality product when you are paying a decent amount for something. All of these ankle braces below are affordable, but some are more expensive than others. However, the price increase represents a higher quality in most cases.
Brand
Brand and company name is important. You want a brand you can trust, and most companies build their name by producing high quality products time after time again. So yes, brand was considered during these ankle brace product reviews. Brands like TechWare and Mcdavid are known for producing high quality products for multiple purposes not just ankle braces.
The Best Ankle Braces for Weightlifting
“Muscle Master’s Choice” PowerLix Ankle Compression Sleeve: Score 10/10
Pros:
– Moisture wicking
– High quality and form fitting
– Pack comes in a pair
Cons:
– Less support compared to others
I have heard great things about the PowerLix compression sleeve, and have had numerous athletes/clients in the clinic who wear this during their workouts. This is a great ankle support sleeve that provides deep compression that can be used to reduce inflammation. This sleeve can help reduce pain/inflammation from ankle sprains, achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, ankle impingement, heel spurs, etc.
The Powerlix compression sleeve provides even pressure throughout the entire brace to really cover the whole ankle joint. The compression sleeve is tight and form-fitting to allow support without restricting your ankle movement during workouts. The Powerlix would be an ideal brace to workout in because of the moisture wicking and odor free capabilities.
The Gonicc Sleeve with Compression Wrap: Score 9.5/10
Pros:
– High support and stability
– Breathable fabric
– Adjustable compression
Cons:
– Can be bulky
This is a fantastic ankle brace that allows you to increase support and stabilization with the compression wrap. It comes with the standard compression sleeve but also includes an extra support strap that you can add for extra support/stability. This compression sleeve is made from a durable nylon with 3D weaving technology to provide the entire ankle even compression. It is also breathable to use during tough sweaty workouts.
I really like the adjustable compression wrap support. This would be a great brace for people who suffer from ankle instability during workouts such as squats, single-leg deadlifts, or box jumps. Also for those who run and suffer from ankle sprains.
TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve: Score 9.5/10
Pros:
– Wide Variety of Colors
– Great compression
– Discrete, can be worn like a sock
Cons:
– Less support than some others
Another great compression sleeve that looks almost like a normal sock. So for those who are self-conscious about wearing an ankle brace in the gym or out in public this may be the brace for you. You can wear it discretely underneath your shoes and it simply looks like your socks. This compression sleeve is used for joint pain, achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and arch support.
The TechWare Pro brace can reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling due to the compression it provides. This brace would easily fit inside any sneaker and would be comfortable during any workout, sport, or activity. This compression sleeve is fairly inexpensive and comes in different colors, so you could get a few pairs to wear daily.
“Best Value” SB SOX Compression Foot Sleeves: Score 9.5/10
Pros:
– Very Affordable
– Comfortable and breathable fabric
– Feels like a sock
Cons:
– May be less quality compared to others
– Less ankle medial/lateral support
The SB SOX are great compression sleeves that improve your mobility while reducing pain. These compression sleeves are easy to use, comfortable, and can provide relief to your arch and heel through compression support.
I really like all the colors that SB SOX provides. Super comfortable, and almost feels like you are wearing a sock. SB SOX is medical grade and FDA registered compression foot sleeves. This compression sleeve comes in four different sizes which is important to ensure the proper support is provided.
Mcdavid Ankle Brace: Score 9/10
Pros:
– Tons of support the ankle to prevent sprains
– Heavy duty material
– Great for reducing stress on the ankle
Cons:
– Bulky and time consuming
– May restrict ankle mobility
The Mcdavid brace provides a ton of stability and support for the ankle joint. This brace is much more of an actual “brace” rather than a compression sock. This brace would provide lots of support during activities that require a lot of stress on the ankle such as squatting or box jumps. I would also recommend this brace for athletes who perform a lot of rapid accelerating/decelerating and lateral cutting.
The Mcdavid brace requires you to tie the straps and adjust the compression strap, so it would be a lot more time consuming compared to the braces that just slip on. However, this brace would provide the most support compared to the other sleeves listed above.
Thirty 48 Plantar Fasciitis Compression Socks: Score 9/10
Pros:
– Comfortable and breathable fabric
– Feels like a sock/can be hidden in your sneaker
– Wide selection of colors
Cons:
– Not much ankle stability
Thirty 48 compression sleeve is very similar to the TechWare Pro. It also comes in many different colors and simply looks like a sock rather than an ankle brace. They advertise it primarily for plantar fasciitis due to the compression it provides through the midfoot. T
This would be a great brace to reduce swelling and help with plantar fasciitis, but if you need a brace for stability purposes to avoid ankle sprains, then I would recommend another brace with more ankle support.
Crucial Compression Ankle Sleeve: Score 9/10
Pros:
– Lightweight and Breathable
– Very Affordable
– Unique compression technology
Cons:
– Some users say they are too tight
– Not many colors to choose from
The Crucial Compression sleeve can help relieve pain, soreness, discomfort, and less swelling. Crucial compression has a power support ankle stabilizer and protector compression technology that improves circulation and provides secure support in all the right places.
Another reason I like this brace is due to its lightweight and breathability. That is very important when you are going to be wearing this brace for hours at a time. It can become sweaty and uncomfortable. Crucial compression sleeve is affordable and can easily be worn under sneakers.
Venom Ankle Brace: Score 9.5/10
Pros:
– Heavy duty material
– Fits inside most sneakers
– Strong medial/lateral ankle stability
Cons:
– Can be bulky for some people
– May restrict ankle range of motion
The Venom Ankle Brace provides a ton of support! Especially side support and can help side stabilizers to reinforce your ankle. This can help prevent injury during running, hiking, tennis, golf, soccer, volleyball, cycling, basketball, softball, baseball, CrossFit, weightlifting and many other athletic activities.
Also, Venom Ankle Brace is fully adjustable with double strap support and laces which can provide dual reinforcement. The brace has sweat resistant neoprene which is breathable and moisture-wicking. If you are looking for lots of support and stability then this is the brace for you.
ComfiLife Ankle Brace: Score 9/10
Pros:
– Open Heel Design
– Anti-odor Fabric
– Adjustable Design
Cons:
– May need more support
– Takes time to wrap around ankle and adjust
Comfilife ankle brace offers a one size fits all ankle brace with elastic fabric and adjustable design. This ankle brace is unique in that it has an open heel design to help with comfort and provide more mobility.
This brace offers a breathable and anti-odor fabric which can be much needed on long days! Quite an affordable brace that provides a decent amount of lateral support and compression throughout the midfoot.
Bodyprox Ankle Support Brace: Score 8.5/10
Pros:
– Adjustable Open Heel Design
– Breathable Neoprene Material
Cons:
– Less Support in the Mid-Foot
Bodyprox ankle brace is a unique small little brace that perfectly wraps around the perimeter of the ankle joint. The unique design offers an open heel which improve range of motion during activity. The brace has a breathable neoprene material that reduces heat and moisture.
This brace is a one size fits all brace with adjustable straps for comfort. The Bodyprox brace is perfect for chronic and acute ankle injury symptoms, and can offer support for ankle sprains.
Final Thoughts
Whether you need an ankle brace for daily use or only while running it is important to consider the right ankle brace for you. If you find that your feet start to ache and swell while standing or walking all day then consider a simple compression sleeve. However, if you need strong support while playing basketball due to ankle sprains then consider a heavier duty ankle brace. The list above includes the top ankle braces currently on the market, however each ankle brace has pros and cons. Some ankle braces are bulkier and can restrict your motion, while others may not give enough support. It is important to figure out what you need and pick the correct ankle brace!
I recommend starting with a simple affordable ankle brace to see how it works for you. Before going and buying an expensive ankle brace that isn’t comfortable. The compression sleeves are some of the best ankle support braces out there and they feel almost like you are wearing socks. People won’t even notice you are wearing an ankle brace!
