10 Best Ankle Sleeves and Braces for 2022 - Running Ankle Sleeves

2022-12-13 05:10:06 By : Ms. Bessie HuangZJ

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Ankle sleeves are a fantastic way to prevent common running injuries and ensure you keep crushing miles, pain free. Stainless Clevis Pin

10 Best Ankle Sleeves and Braces for 2022 - Running Ankle Sleeves

No matter how much stretching or preparation you do before a casual jog or a race, even expert runners can find themselves battling pain and injuries, especially ones affecting the feet and lower legs. Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and ankle sprains are all extremely common for runners—but luckily, there’s gear that can help both prevent injuries and relieve pain in these areas. Ankle sleeves— which range from preventative compression socks to more supportive braces—help stabilize the foot and ankle, reduce swelling, and decrease the chance of further injury.

As noted, ankle sleeves exist in many different forms. Consider where you’re looking for more support, or where previous injuries have flared up. Compression socks and sleeves are best for preventing swelling and for post-run recovery, while a sturdier ankle brace is best for running after an ankle sprain or twist. While these products may appear similar at first glance, subtle tweaks make all the difference. You’ll want to consider where in the foot/ankle there is the most compression and support, how rigid or flexible the brace is, and whether or not it should be used for injury prevention or post-injury recovery.

Note: If you are dealing with a lingering injury that isn’t getting better, these products aren’t a suitable substitute for rest and recovery. If you’re experiencing pain while running that affects your form or swells for multiple days after a run, consult a physician.

As a long distance runner, I’ve unfortunately suffered a few injuries in my career. Whenever I feel the strain or twinge of an oncoming injury, I immediately start using a compression sleeve to alleviate swelling. This list includes a variety of products that I have personally used and swear by, as well as the favorites from my trail running community. Considering materials used, sizing, and stretchiness, you'll find the best ankle sleeves available for runners today below.

For more great ways to ensure your comfort on runs, check out our picks for the best arm sleeves, anti-chafing sticks, and moisture-wicking shirts.

The Sleeve Stars ankle sleeve is an all-around bullseye for pain relief and injury recovery anywhere in the foot or ankle. It has a compressive sock that slips onto your foot, and a strap surrounding the foot and ankle that allows you to customize the level of support you need.

Compression improves blood circulation, which reduces swelling and pain. It’s designed for high levels of activity, so while you log miles, this ankle sleeve comfortably wicks moisture away from your feet and flexes with your natural stride. This ankle sleeve is perfect for runners looking to prevent injuries anywhere in the foot, or for those coming back from an ankle sprain.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common injuries plaguing runners. For some, it is treated by a week or two of rest. For many others, it’s a chronic condition that flares up during intense periods of training. At the first onset of any pain in the heel or lower foot, it’s time to use this ankle sleeve.

The Pro-Tec PF foot sleeve compresses the heel, arch, and Achilles to reduce swelling and improve circulation in these areas, which offers relief from pain during runs or throughout the day when treating a case of plantar fasciitis. This is great for runners who are looking to prevent PF during intense training cycles, or for daily use for those currently healing.

Achilles tendinitis can be a long and recurring injury for runners. Whenever I feel that familiar strain or twinge of soreness above my heel, I immediately grab this ankle sleeve. Two gel pads surround the Achilles tendon, which provides support, stabilization, and compression where it’s needed.

This both relieves pain and reduces swelling in this area. It fits quite snugly and rigidly around the Achilles, but throughout the rest of the foot and ankle there is still plenty of flexibility and range of motion. This is the perfect ankle sleeve for runners coming back from an Achilles injury, or those who battle chronic soreness in this area.

Because of the bulk from the gel pads, I find it works best with low-rise or thinner socks.

The Zensah compression ankle sleeve is the perfect all-around option for runners who are looking to alleviate swollen or sore joints in the ankle and feet. A variety of factors, like heat or dehydration, can cause our ankles to uncomfortably swell. This is where compressive ankle sleeves really shine, by increasing circulation and blood flow in the targeted area, which reduces swelling and soreness.

I love this Zensah option because it fits easily over or under a sock without any chafing or rubbing, and you still have full range of motion. Furthermore, it can also be worn post-run to decrease swelling and soreness throughout the rest of the day.

The best way to treat injuries is to keep them from happening in the first place. This ultra-minimal ankle sleeve supports and stabilizes while running, without you noticing it’s there. It fits just like a sock, but has extra compression to increase blood flow and reduce swelling.

Furthermore, you can add additional stitching anywhere on this sleeve to target more support in any given area. This product is perfect for trail runners who want more support on technical trails, or road runners who need a bit of extra help recovering while upping miles.

This heavier-duty ankle brace provides the support you need while treating an injury, while still giving you some room to move. Bodyprox uses a stretchy elastic material that can still easily fit under a running shoe. This sleeve is intended to be used for injury prevention, or when first starting to run after healing an ankle sprain or twist. It provides excellent stabilization, compression, and support to help weakened ankles keep from rolling while running.

This is a great product for runners with chronically weak ankles, or those first coming back after being sidelined with an ankle injury.

Back in my team sports days, lace-up ankle braces were a must for basketball. The combination of a secure lace-up fit and compressive straps make for an incredibly secure and supportive fit around the ankle. These are meant to prevent and treat ankle-specific injuries, and they do affect your range of motion.

This ankle sleeve is great for runners who are slowly getting back to it after an injury, but it will affect running performance if you're trying to go fast or run down technical trails.

If you’re looking for a solution to chronic ankle/foot discomfort and swelling, this is it. This brace provides medical grade compression and support, while still giving you enough range of motion to run. Additionally, two soft pads surround your ankle bone and massage the joints while you move.

For runners who have had previous ankle injuries and are looking to stay healthy, this is a great preventive tool and it also works well following more recent pains and strains. While most sleeves can be worn on either foot, these are specifically designed for either a right or left foot to provide the most support and compression possible.

Struggling with arch and foot pain during and after runs? While a solid insole also provides extra arch support, this ankle sleeve wraps snugly around the midsection of your foot to compress and relieve pain in this area. It’s designed like many of the compressive sleeves listed above, with an extra strap that wraps around your foot to provide extra support. This increases blood circulation and reduces swelling, which allows you to run and recover without pain in the bottom of your feet.

Bear in mind that the strap does create a bit of extra bulk, so it works best with roomier shoes and thinner socks.

The SENTEQ ankle brace is designed specifically for athletes coming back from ankle injuries. It simply slips over the foot and compresses around the ankle and Achilles tendon. The neoprene material makes it suitable for land and water sports, and helps wick moisture and sweat away from your feet as you move.

10 Best Ankle Sleeves and Braces for 2022 - Running Ankle Sleeves

Junction Box Extension Ring Because of its minimalist design, it’s incredibly easy to wear under any running shoes. Before you order, you’ll want to measure the circumference of your ankle, and size up if you’re dealing with chronic swelling.