Ankle joints are the most pressure-bearing joints, and thus, they are prone to injuries or fractures. Many people have sprained their ankles at one point in their lives. After a sprain, it can leave you with weak ankle joints that can be at high risk for a reoccurring injury for runners, especially those that enjoy trail running. Well, here is the solution to this problem: Get yourself the best ankle brace for running.
We’ve compared several models of ankle support so you can find the best ankle brace for running whether you’re sprinting, on the track, or running marathons.
Our 5 Top Recommended Ankle Braces for Runners
Name |
Type |
Our Rating |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
Strap Brace |
[aawp fields=”B00DG8T5CC” value=”star_rating” star_rating_size=”medium” rating=”4.2″] |
$$$ | |
Sleeve |
[aawp fields=”B003KJ1C96″ value=”star_rating” star_rating_size=”medium” rating=”4″] |
$ | |
Strap Brace |
[aawp fields=”B00Y7WJRY2″ value=”star_rating” star_rating_size=”medium” rating=”4″] |
$$ | |
Lace-up Brace |
[aawp fields=”B005GLWS26″ value=”star_rating” star_rating_size=”medium” rating=”4.5″] |
$$ | |
Lace-up & Strap |
[aawp fields=”B00TZTO0VM” value=”star_rating” star_rating_size=”medium” rating=”5″] |
$$ |
What Type of Ankle Support is Best for Running?
Here are some of the qualities you should look for when picking the best ankle brace for running:
- Firstly, if you are looking for an ankle brace to wear while running, you’re going to want something that fits comfortably with your running shoes.
- The brace should not restrict the natural movement of your ankle while running.
- It should support ankles from moving outside of the normal range of motion.
- So, unless you have sustained a specific injury, you’ll want to get a mild-to-moderate support ankle brace that is lightweight and has a low profile.
Ankle Brace Reviews
- It is a great brace if you are looking for the type of support that will help prevent overuse injuries.
- It compresses the joints through multiple adjustable straps that help prevent ankle inversion and eversion.
- On the plus side, the brace will give no inhibition during normal walking and running and is comfortable to wear over the top of your sock.
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The Zensah ankle support is very lightweight, comfortable, and excellent for running. It provides targeted compression in a horseshoe design without restricting motion.
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It is made out of moisture-wicking material, designed to pull moisture away from the skin and more it to the fabric’s exterior. This results in more evaporation and a dryer ankle brace.
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It is an incredible brace for runners and athletes looking for mild support while running or exercising.
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It is an easy-to-wear brace that is best for someone suffering from Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendonitis and looking for the best-suited brace to run in.
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It has a breathable material that makes the brace very comfy to wear, allowing you to run without restriction or over perspiration.
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Furthermore, it is easy to wear; all you have to do is slip it on like a sock and then adjust the Velcro straps to your comfort and support. Plus, it is also universal so that you can wear it on the left or right foot.
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The Shock Doctor is among the best ankle brace for runners as rated by our buyers. It provides significant support and stability to major ligament sprains, muscle strains, and unstable joints.
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It provides moderate support for your ankle while running and will help prevent reoccurring injuries. It offers both lateral and medial support to prevent eversion and inversion ankle injuries.
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The soft inside and extensive padding on the sides and back create a very convenient fit while running.
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This Aso ankle brace is a high-performance lace-up ankle brace. The main uses for this brace will be to prevent and support previous ligament injuries and stabilize the ankle.
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It contains lace-up support and straps that form in figure 8 to help secure and support the laces.
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Moreover, it has a low profile making it a great option for runners because it fits comfortably in any shoe.
Why You Might Need an Ankle Brace
The Kinetic Chain
There is a concept called the kinetic chain within the body. The movement of one joint of the body creates a kinetic ‘chain of events that impacts how all the joints above and below move.
As your ankles and feet are the first joints that connect to the ground when running, they impact the movement of all the other joints within the body.
As a result, when you experience an injury or misalignment in your ankle, this causes an incorrect movement that will promote other injuries, such as in your knees, hips, and lower back.
This is why it is very important to maintain the correct amount of support around your ankles, as they are the shock absorber for the whole body.
Most Common Injuries for Runners
First of all, the most common sprain is a lateral sprain. It is caused by an inward roll (inversion) of the ankle that damages one of the three ligaments located on the lateral/outside of your ankle.
Secondly, the opposite of a lateral ankle sprain is a medial ankle sprain. It is an outward roll (eversion) of the ankle that damages the deltoid ligament on the medial/inward side of your ankle. When these types of injuries occur, the overstretching of the ligament causes swelling, pain, and loss of motion.
On the third, overuse injuries are also common, caused by repeated microtrauma to ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones. These are often presented in the below-mentioned injuries: Achilles tendon rupture or tendonitis, stress fractures, and muscle sprains.
Lastly, Trail running is not only limited to injuries caused by running on a treadmill or the sidewalk. On top of running on uneven ground, you also constantly have to avoid rocks and sticks by quickly adjusting your running path. Any quick movement and misplaced step can easily result in an ankle injury.
Takeaway
In this article, we have listed the best ankle brace for running rated by users worldwide. Ankle braces are beneficial to limit sprains and potential fractures caused by excessive running. Moreover, they boost the overall range of motion of the ankle joint.
We’ve compared several models of ankle support so you can find the best ankle brace for running whether you’re sprinting, on the track, or running marathons. Read our related posts for more reviews.