Best Ankle Braces For Basketball Players Reviews 2022

Much like almost any indoor sport on the court, players find themselves running around and slipping. Occasionally, these could lead to injuries if the ankles are weakening that might even be serious. The best ankle brace for basketball has been designed to give you freedom of movement without hampering any of your in-game performance.

Taking a look at some of the many injuries, we find that most players don’t take enough care in the gym of smaller muscles in the ankles. These tendons and muscles will weaken over time, as was the case with me until I found a good ankle brace. In this article, we will look at a few of the top ankle braces used by players when on the basketball court.

Top 6 Best Rated Ankle Brace For Basketball

When looking for an ankle brace, there are a couple of small features that are generally important to consider. We have done a small section on these features, but the ankle braces are a little more important. Let’s have a look at some of the top ankle braces that you can find for basketball on the market today:

1. Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer

The Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer is probably one of the most popular ankle stabilizers on the market today and it features a figure 8 strapping configuration. Made from ballistic nylon, it provides durability and comfort, without enclosing the ankle in such a way that will make you feel claustrophobic.

An elastic cuff is the main part of the ankle that offers you support and will closely keep the ankle protected. This cuff allows your foot to slide in before you close it and it comes with an ergonomic touch to it. Additionally, each guard features a bilateral design and it can be used for any one of your feet that you need it for.

One of the downsides is that it does stabilize your feet in such a way that you might not always be able to move comfortably. It will help with preventing injuries and the durability does hold up pretty well, but it is not ideal for faster gameplay moments. I should mention that it has some decent ventilation with the right boots.

The Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer is also one of the more affordable options on the market today and you won’t need to break the bank. You can find it in a darker color as well, making it ideal for different types of apparel.

Pros:

• It has an 8-figure enclosed designed for more stability
• The ballistic nylon is extremely durable
• The price is really affordable for these materials
• You won’t need to worry about ventilation issues

Cons:

• It does hinder maneuverability a little until you get used to it

2. Mcdavid Ankle Brace

One of the most versatile ankle braces that you can use for sports outdoors is the Mcdavid Ankle Brace. It has been constructed from a single layer of polyester to help promote more movement for the player. Additionally, the figure-6 configuration also means that the unit is tightly strapped around your ankle without any hassles.

One of the best features for me is the ventilation that the polyester offers. No matter which sport or shoe you choose to wear, the ventilation will be ideal. Having this configuration also means that you no longer need to take it off for adjustments and most of the adjustments can easily be made on the fly in your game.

This one is one of the lighter models on the market today and while it does have some additional padding, it does lack a little bit of durability that many people might be looking for. However, it does not cause abrasions with this padding for longer games.

It also makes it onto our list as one of the most affordable options currently on the market today. The materials might not be the best, but the versatility and comfort that it offers will definitely take your game to the next level.

Pros:

• It is really affordable for what you get
• The figure-6 configuration makes it easy to set up
• Polyester aids in creating good ventilation
• The materials will also have padding to prevent abrasions

Cons:

• The ankle guard might lank long-term durability

3. Liomor Ankle Support Breathable Ankle Brace

If you need ankle support for minor injuries that won’t bog you down in the game, the Liomor Ankle Support Breathable Ankle Brace is definitely the ideal option for you. It has been tested and fitted to give you an ergonomic feel and will not clutch around your ankles without allowing you to have some freedom.

Additionally, the unit is one of the more durable options as well and the combination of nylon and Lycra allows it to stretch and maintain the form. I have found the ankle guard to be really functional when I need something that will easily slip onto my feet. Having some smooth Velcro might be tedious for some, but does make it comfortable to wear.

One of the main goals that the manufacturer was going for was to keep it as lightweight as possible. Unfortunately, this did not help a lot when we need maximum lateral protection for your ankles in fast-paced games. However, it could still be better than having nothing for protection.

Being one of the lightest units on the market today, it is also one of the most affordable. This is not the ankle guard you will be used to recover from an injury. However, it will work much better as part of your game to prevent injuries from occurring.

Pros:

• It is really lightweight, yet still durable with nylon construction
• The ergonomic fit is really comfortable for all users
• This ankle guard works best for preventing injuries
• The price is extremely cheap

Cons:

• The unit is not the best for recovering from injuries

4. Zamst A2-DX Strong Support Ankle Brace

One of the common trends that I did notice from many players who are recovering from injuries is the Zamst A2-DX Strong Support Ankle Brace. It might have an anatomical design, but the durable exo-grid skeleton has been specifically made to ensure that players do not twist their ankles or potentially slip when playing.

Grip-Tech is included at the bottom of this ankle guard, and this does have a massive impact on your game. Instead of having the ankle guard slip away all the time, it will remain firmly locked in place when you are playing. Small side plates can also give the player more stability and ensure that the ankle remains are rigid as possible.

Having tried this ankle guard, the only real issue that I did come across is the weight. You might not feel comfortable with it at first and it could add some weight to your feet. Additionally, you won’t have a lot of movement in fast-paced games to move around.

This technology has mostly been implemented to ensure you have the best possible durability when you are playing and to keep your ankles stable. However, the Zamst A2-DX Strong Support Ankle Brace is also one of the more expensive options on the market today.

Pros:

• Multiple Tech features for ankle recovery are included
• The brace is designed with side plates for stabilization
• Your feet will easily slip inside when you put it on
• A bilateral construction makes the brace perfect for both feet
• The fit is really accurate to expectations

Cons:

• It is a little heavy to wear
• The unit is fairly expensive

5. Shock Doctor 851 Ultra Wrap Laced Ankle Brace

Synthetic materials are generally great for most situations in a sports game. The Shock Doctor 851 Ultra Wrap Laced Ankle Brace allows you to make the best out of these materials with the figure-8 construction that allows each of the sides to wrap around your ankle in a simple and efficient way when you put it on.

The unit is lightweight and does not have any of the tech advanced plates that many of the others have. However, it will still give you lateral and medial support on the court. The lacing system is low-profile and will be hidden in your basketball shoes for an extremely comfortable fit, while also providing freedom to move.

Having the anatomical footbed will provide some additional cushioning underneath your feet as well. It will keep the unit comfortable and offer you up to LEVEL 3 protection. I have found that the compression straps can be adjusted depending on the warmth you are looking for as well, giving you, even more, to work with.

Unfortunately, this is one of those expensive ankle braces that will have a big price tag if you don’t really need it. Yes, the bilateral design will fit both your feet and it with the right size; it is made for women as well. However, I would only recommend it for recovering from injuries.

Pros:

• It is lightweight and still durable
• The unit will give you LEVEL 3 ankle protection
• You can adjust the warmth with compression straps
• These straps also have a bilateral design

Cons:

• They are a little overpriced for beginners

6. Active Ankle T2 Ankle Brace

Last but certainly not least, we have another great unit that has been designed for the active player on courts or simply outdoors. The Active Ankle T2 Ankle Brace is one of the more durable options and it features the same anatomical bilateral construction as many of the other units do on this list so far.

However, it has plastic pieces added to the sides of the unit and this will ensure that you do not twist the ankle or slip in any kind of direction accidentally. EVA padding will mold to the shape of your foot, much like you would expect from memory foam to give you a custom fit and to ensure your feet do not take any strain.

Since the unit does not have a ton of strapping, I have noticed that when it is not laced up correctly, it might accidentally slip off and cause you some frustration. However, the upside is that it gives you a lot of ventilation and will work with almost any type of boot. It is not only designed for basketball but can work with most low-profile shoes as well.

As for the price, it is can be a little expensive for those who are just starting out. However, it is much more affordable than paying a massive medical bill at the end of the month. I would recommend it for the durability and versatility it offers to all players in the world of sports, especially the action sports kind.

Pros:

• Moldable EVA protection has been added
• The unit will give you perfect ventilation
• It can work for any type of sports
• The price seems reasonable for what you get

Cons:

• The configuration does slip every now and again

What To Look For When Buying An Ankle Brace For Basketball Players

The top ankle braces are not that hard to find, but some of the features will vary depending on what you might like. However, we have done our research to find the most important features one should look for in an ankle brace. I hope that this guide should help you in finding the top ankle brace for basketball games:

Fit:

The first thing you will need to look for in your ankle brace is the fit. It should have a comfortable fit and not hinder your movement in any way. If the unit can offer you some lateral movement, it will be even better when you need to move around from side to side on the basketball court.

Additionally, the fit is also dependant on the sizing of the unit. While there are many different sizes that one can choose from, you need to make sure you understand the sizing chart to get the best possible fit for your feet.

Comfort:

The level of comfort is a little different than the fit. You need to look at things like padding and support when you look for comfort. Some of the straps have a little more comfort, with a reduced weight that will enable you to move around more smoothly.

However, plastic support structures on the sides will ensure your ankles do not bend or move in any way that could hurt you. They might be a little more frustrating and reduce the movement, but you won’t accidentally twist an ankle or slip.

Support And Protection:

I did briefly touch on both of these subjects whilst looking at the previous two features. However, the main goal of any support unit is to give you some support. You will need to find the right type of support and consider how much weight you can carry when you are playing. This will have a massive impact on your game.

Durability:

An ankle brace is not that expensive, but they still need to have a small level of durability if you are using them for prolonged periods of time. The materials used for the main part of the construction will largely dictate the amount of durability you have. I recommend having nylon and if you can afford the additional price, ballistic nylon is one of the best options.

Stabilizing Or Recovery:

As I was doing the research, one thing that many people still seem to struggle with is the stabilizing and recovery feature. You will need to choose between a stabilizing option and one that offers you the ability to recover from an injury. Those with the added padding and traction control will generally be better for players just returning from an injury.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I believe that all the bases of the best ankle brace have been covered, but many people still struggle with a few questions. To ensure that you get the best value for your money and you never have any real issues, I am trying to answer some of the most common questions that many might have. Here are a few of them:

Conclusion:

Protection and safety are one of the main things in any sport and when you have the right protection, you should not need to worry. The best ankle brace for basketball should help you to avoid any potential injuries and keep you protected at all times. Let us know in the comment section which of these ankle braces you like and if we might have missed any of your favorites.