Top 10 best ankle braces for basketball: Find out which is the best and why

Top 10 best ankle braces for basketball: Find out which is the best and why

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM

The best ankle braces for basketball can give the ankle joint more stability and support. As a result, it aids in avoiding injuries or, if one has already happened, guards against additional damage. Even if a player has never sustained an ankle injury, purchasing an ankle brace will provide the best support and keep him safe.

Top 10 best ankle braces for basketball: Find out which is the best and why
The shoes worn by Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 14, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. Photo: Alika Jenner
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Basketball players frequently strain their ankles significantly because of frequent jumping, abrupt stops, and direction changes. As a result, basketball players frequently sustain ankle injuries. An ankle brace can be worn to either help prevent these injuries or offer support and stability if an injury has already happened.

Should basketball players wear ankle braces?

According to some studies, basketball players are five times more likely to suffer an ankle injury the second time. Due to this, many basketball players, both amateur and professional, should use ankle braces to prevent injuries.

Best ankle braces for basketball

Do basketball players wear ankle braces? Every serious basketball player, even those in the NBA, knows the excruciating pain associated with such an ankle sprain. The sprains account for nearly 40% of all basketball-related injuries.

10. Run Forever Sports Foot Compression Sleeve

Best ankle braces for basketball
Nevena Jovanovic of Serbia competes against Iva Slonjsak of Croatia during the Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers on February 9, 2023, at Ranko Zeravica Sports Hall, Belgrade, Serbia. Photo: Nikola Krstic
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The Run Forever Sports Foot Compression Sleeve is a great option for those looking for a discrete option that will not add bulk, especially for those who already use orthotic inserts like insoles for flat feet in their shoes. It also boasts a low-profile silhouette and versatile colour palette. The stylish compression sleeve comes in three simple-to-wear colours—black, white, and beige—and resembles a sock more than a brace.

The fabric used to create this compression sleeve is a four-way stretch compression weave that maintains comfort and flexibility. Additionally, it is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. Because of the sleeve's moderate stability, which offers support and relief without restricting mobility, you can wear it for various activities.

9. Vinaco Ankle Brace

This product is lightweight and will easily fit inside your shoes. It has no laces but is simply made from an elastic material that must be wrapped around your feet and then velcroed down. The result is comparable to having a bandage wrapped around your foot.

Your heel is positioned in a hole meant to increase flexibility in that area of the foot because your heel can move in all directions. Given that it offers a little less support than one of the lace-up styles, it is actually more appropriate for casual wear or jogging than for the intensely fast-paced environment of a basketball court.

8. Pro-Tec Achilles Tendon Support

Best ankle support braces for basketball
Vincent Poirier of Real Madrid ties his sneakers during the 2022 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four Belgrade Real Madrid Official Practice at Stark Arena on May 18, 2022. Photo: Pau Barrena
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The Achilles Tendon Support from Pro-Tec is intended to support the Achilles tendon rather than the ankle, as with most ankle braces. The low-profile brace is designed from two simple pieces—an ankle cuff and a heel strap. These characteristics provide Achilles support, ease heel pain, and lessen discomfort.

The strap's low-profile design and stretchy construction should keep your range of motion unrestricted and flexible. The strap includes EVA foam padding on the inside, which cushions your foot without bulking up your shoes, which is another advantageous feature.

7. ComfiLife Ankle Brace

Should basketball players wear ankle braces?
Shoes worn by Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match against AX Armani Exchange Milan at Mediolanum Forum on April 19, 2022. Photo: Emanuele Cremaschi
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A fully customisable option, such as ComfiLife, might be the best option if you want more control over how your ankle brace fits. In addition to the flexibility of a wrap, it provides support with the low profile of a compression sleeve. The hook-and-loop closure allows you to adjust the brace to be tight where you need more support and loose where you need more room.

The wrap is made of a stretchy material and should be simple to slip inside your favourite pair of athletic shoes because of its low-profile design. You can fasten the wrap whenever you need extra assistance, but remember that it probably will not provide as much stability as a more robust brace.

6. Sleeve Stars Active Ankle T1 Rigid

Do basketball players wear ankle braces?
Troy Daniels (R) of AX Armani Exchange Milan thwarted by Walter Tavares (C) of Real Madrid during a game on March 10, 2022, at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid, Spain Photo: Simone Lucarelli
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This product is one of the best ankle braces for basketball players. It is advertised as especially helpful for people with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of a band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot that causes sharp pain in your heel. However, it also benefits other foot-related aches and pains, such as tendonitis, heel spurs, and sprained ankles.

The Sleeve Stars is snug and compressive and has an adjustable strap for a custom fit. It is a lightweight, breathable, supportive material that wicks away moisture to keep the wearer dry and flexible. The sleeve is further strengthened with a plush inner lining, making it even cosier.

5. McDavid Ankle Support Brace

It is a lace-up product with straps that you wrap around your foot like taping before fastening them with velcro above the ankle to support the lacing. According to its maker McDavid, the product is suitable for moderate to major instabilities and provides Level 3 support.

It is made of durable, lightweight ballistic nylon, and both styles have laces that make getting a comfortable fit simple. They also both provide the possibility of quick mid-game adjustments without having to take the brace off or unlace it. It may be too bulky to fit into some shoes because it offers more support than others.

4. SENTEQ Ankle Brace Asain Slim Fit

Do most NBA players wear ankle braces?
A close-up of the Under Armour sneakers Stephen Curry wore during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center on March 13, 2023, in San Francisco, California. Photo: Ezra Shaw
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The SENTEQ belongs to a group of braces that resemble cut-off socks more than anything else. It is essentially a loop of rubber that you slip over your foot. This is not sophisticated technology, but it succeeds in giving your ankle some compression to help stabilise it.

With the SENTEQ, most of your foot, including your heel, is unencumbered and free. As a result, it is cosy and barely noticeable when worn.

The fact that your sole is largely bare means that there is little impact on your grip and plenty of airflow. Because neoprene is moisture-wicking, it helps prevent the obnoxious sweaty odours that are a natural danger with any footwear product.

3. Zamst A2-DX Strong

Best ankle braces for basketball
A detailed view of the Under Armour "Stephen Curry" basketball shoes worn by De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 13, 2023. Photo: Thearon W. Hend
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The Zamst A2-DX Strong Ankle Brace is a strong brace that is ideal for those seeking professional-grade security. It is designed with "dual-moulded Exo-Grid technology," which improves stability and prevents inward or outward rolling of the foot. It also has straps that provide medial, lateral, and anterior support, safeguarding the entire ankle.

This type of basketball ankle brace is mostly won by NBA players, and it is Steph Curry's favourite. Its portion that wraps around the sole prevents the foot from moving forward, keeping it in place while playing sports. It has fasteners that can be adjusted for a snug fit and will not move while being worn.

2. Bodyprox Ankle Support Breathable

What ankle braces do NBA players wear?
Giannis Antetokounmpo (in black) of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against Ish Wainright of the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on March 14, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Christian Petersen
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This is one of the best ankle support braces for basketball. In terms of comfort, adaptability, and affordability, it is a great option.

Although the semi-rigid brace has safety features to keep the ankle secure, the range of motion it permits is its main selling point. Its wearer can move around with ease thanks to the open-heel design, and the covert sleeve design adds comfort and flexibility.

1. Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer

Best ankle braces for basketball players
Cedi Osman (#16) of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Charlotte Hornets during a game at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: David Jensen
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The first item on our list of the best ankle braces for basketball is Med Spec's Stabilizing Orthosis, a great all-around brace. It is available in sizes small through large. You can determine your size by taking the circumference of your ankle; a size chart for Med Spec can be found online.

As a lace-up brace, it provides good support and adjustability because the laces can be tightened to fit your foot comfortably. Before wrapping the straps around the foot and ankle and velcroing them in place, you first tie up the cotton laces. Ballistic nylon, the material used to make the product, is strong yet lightweight and offers good durability.

The choice of ankle brace will ultimately depend on the requirements and preferences of each player. They should be worn by basketball players to help them play with confidence and stability on the court, as well as to prevent or protect against injuries.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.