These Expert-Backed Ankle Braces Help With Pain, Swelling, and Injury Recovery (2024)

This lace-up ankle brace comes highly recommended by Prestipino, who appreciates that the elastic cuff closure enhances the support of the brace while keeping laces and stabilizing straps securely fastened. The brand notes it is suitable for those with ankle sprains and ankle instability. Reviewers also enjoy the “CoolFlex” achilles pad and tongue, as it offers breathability and comfort without sacrificing support. This product has over 19,500 five-star ratings and over 5,000 five-star reviews attesting to its quality.

Prestipino recommends this affordable option from ACE for its “reinforced stability, customizable compression, and adjustable comfort.” It offers a firm support level and therapeutic heat retention that aid with symptoms related to strains, sprains, arthritis, and muscle pain, according to the brand.

According to Litzy, this brace “will provide a lot of support and greatly limit the range of motion in the foot and ankle,” which is helpful when recovering from an injury like a sprain. According to the brand, its designed for use in those with recent ankle injuries and can help prevent recurring sprains while decreasing pain and swelling. Plus, the support and compression of the brace is fully adjustable thanks to inflatable air cushioning throughout.

“This sleek brace uses a wrapping technique that mimics kinesiology tape, which helps support mild irritations or inflammation,” explains Prestipino. “Its elastic material allows just enough mobility for high-intensity movements, making the ventilated sleeve great for activity.”

Litzy recommends this ankle brace for its supportive design (with laces and wrap-around straps) and because it’s suitable for use in athletic events, like on the basketball court or in the gym. The brand claims that the brace helps reduce pain caused by “sprains, tendonitis, and other acute injuries” as it helps immobilize the foot and ankle without restricting activities like walking or running.

The Aircast is similar to the Airloc brace in that it “will provide a lot of support and restrict movement in the ankle,” Litzy explains. However it has pre-inflated air cushioning that is not inflatable/deflatable like the Airloc. It’s a great option for those seeking a slim, yet supportive brace that stabilizes the ankle while helping to reduce swelling and pain. The brand notes that this brace is commonly used to treat and prevent acute ankle injuries, chronic instability, ankle sprains grade one, two, and three, as well as use post-operatively.

“This option will not give too much support as it does not have straps or lacing, but it may feel good to have on and give the person wearing it more confidence with movement,” Litzy explains. While this ankle sleeve doesn’t offer as much support as the traditional ankle brace, it provides enough compression to help alleviate swelling and increase blood flow, the brand claims.

This popular ankle compression sleeve has over 26,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with shoppers claiming it helps provide support to their feet and ankles and is made with high-quality, breathable material. “The level of support and stability these compression sleeves provide is outstanding. As a runner, I’ve always been concerned about potential ankle injuries, but these sleeves have offered me the reassurance I need to hit the pavement with confidence,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “They snugly fit around my ankles, providing a secure and supportive sensation that helps prevent twisting or rolling.”

In general, it’s best to consult your physician regarding how often you should wear an ankle brace, and for how long—especially if you have had a severe injury or recently underwent surgery. “In all other cases, ankle braces only have to be worn when you do an activity that is likely to twist or roll the ankle,” says Prestipino.

We spoke with Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ; and Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner and physical therapist at Karen Litzy Physical Therapy. We also conducted our own research and sifted through hundreds of online reviews to find the best ankle braces available.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.