Top Ankle Support Braces for Basketball Players
In a sport like a basketball, where there is a lot of jumping and running, many players are prone to ankle injuries. It has been shown that nearly 40% of the injuries are ankle related. Ankle braces have proven to significantly help not only basketball players but also other athletes from the various sports field.
If you’re a basketball player who wouldn’t want to warm the bench because of the ankle sprain, you need to get a gear that will absorb the shock when you land. Luckily for you, there are plenty of ankle braces on the market.
The vast option for you to choose from comes with some challenges in selecting the most practical item. Not every ankle support gear you find out there will be perfect for you. In this write-up, we have prepared a list of five of the best ankle braces worth your money.
| ① McDavid 511 Ankle Brace - TOP PICK |  |
|---|---|
| ② ASO Ankle Stabilizer |  |
| ③ McDavid 195 Ankle Brace |  |
| ④ McDavid 199 |  |
| ⑤ Zamst A2DX |  |
1. McDavid 511 Ankle Brace
McDavid 511 Brace comes in all sizes; you are sure to get your right fit. Compression support technology has been incorporated in the brace, making it one of the most performing products.
It is made from top quality material that is smooth to give you a comfy feeling while you are wearing them. It also features non- neoprene breathable material; this ensures that there’s no sweating of the feet.
The product is highly recommended for those who are allergic to neoprene. You will find interesting about the McDavid 511 ankle sleeve because it can be worn on either left or right ankle.
Pros
- It can be worn on either ankle.
- It is made from highly breathable material.
- It is a good choice for people with neoprene.
Cons
- It does not fit in some shoes.
- It losses elasticity with time.
2. ASO Ankle Stabilizer
Another great ankle brace is the ASO stabilizer manufactured by the Med Spec. It comes with a six-year warranty, which you will be liable to due to the defect in material or workmanship. The product has quite a several features that make it one of the best performing ankles braces, some of which include;
Stabilizing straps that are angled and contoured above the ankle region for maximum comfort and support. The elastic cuff secures the laces and stabilizing straps. The CoolFlex Achilles pad is made up of latex material to offer you superior comfort. In addition, attached to the tank is the shoelace to ensure it’s always centered.
Pros
- It comes in various sizes and colors.
- Bilateral design.
- It is highly flexible.
Cons
- It cannot be washed with a washing machine.
- It is a bit tight, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
3. McDavid 195 Ankle Brace
This Level 3 Protection ankle brace comes in different colors and sizes. Some of the available colors include black and white. If you are looking for ankle support to help you recover fast, we recommend you buy the McDavid 195.
One unique feature of the ankle brace is that you can make adjustments on the feet without necessarily unlacing the shoe. Like many other ankle braces, the design is also bilateral. This is very important as it enables you to wear the product on either ankle.
The padded lining increases comfort, which is an important feature. While you are playing on the court, you need a distraction from an ankle brace.
Another thing to note about the product is the figure-6 strapping pattern that mimics the athletic tape. For minimum weight, the product is made using a single layer of polyester fabric. This also ensures that it fits in almost any type of shoe.
Pros
- It has a perfect fit for any shoe type.
- The product is lightweight.
- It has a fair price, considering the quality of the product.
Cons
- The product tends to slip while in the shoes.
- It is the most durable brace on the market.
4. McDavid 199
Another high performing product that will help you protect your ankle from injuries is the McDavid 199. This Level, 3 ankle brace, is not only used for support and Prevention of ankles sprains but is also recommended for post-surgery supports.
It features a double-layered polyester material that is highly breathable. This ensures that there’s no sweating on your foot. One feature to note about the product is that it is light in weight, allowing you to move freely without any weight pulling you down.
The bilateral design is also another great feature because it enables you to wear the ankle sleeve on either foot. The support mechanism used in this ankle brace is the steel still stays; this will provide you with the maximum ankle support you need.
Pros
- Highly durable.
- It is highly flexible.
- Feels nice on the feet.
Cons
- It has thicker laces.
- Some buyers have complained that the product fits poorly.
5. Zamst A2DX
The last item on our review list the Zamst A2DX; the product is multipurpose; this means that it can also be used by other athletes, for instance, in football and basketball, just to mention a few. It is one of the best support gears to curb ankle Sprains that will found out there.
They offer moderate to severe ankle sprain protection. The Exo -tech Incorporated in the design provide superior support, thus preventing lateral ankle sprain. Like other similar products, the Zamst A2DX also comes in different sizes and colors.
The material used in making the item is highly breathable. The grip technology prevents slipping, which is a major problem in many ankle braces. Perhaps what makes zamst the best choice is the three-way support system; the X-stabilizer offers lateral, medial, and anterior support for professional support.
Pros
- The exo-tech offers the best support for ankles.
- It’s available in different colors.
- It properly fits in many shoe types.
Cons
- It is highly-priced.
- Each ankle is sold separately.
Factors to consider when purchasing ankle braces for basketball
The task of selecting the right gear to prevent ankle injuries is not as easy as many people think. There are plenty of options available, not to mention the similarities in features, making it overwhelming to choose the appropriate product.
The purpose of ankle braces is to prevent ankle injuries or offer post-surgery support if you have already injured your ankle. Depending on your needs, different ankle stabilizers are built for each specific function. Here are some of the factors to keep in mind while shopping for basketball ankle braces.
Comfort
Post-injury soreness can be a real progress killer during recovery. This is the case with ankle sprains. Dealing with a sore ankle can be quite problematic and frustrating, especially when you don’t have the right ankle braces to nurse your recovering ankle.
All products are made to prevent an ankle sprain incident, but only a few are designed to offer maximum comfort to an injured sprain. For this reason, you must be vigilant when selecting a product for your ankle, as an uncomfortable brace will do you more harm than good.
First and foremost, a good brace should be made of non-irritating fabric that won’t harm your skin if worn for too long. The product should also be breathable and allow for unrestricted blood flow in and out of the injury area.
An excellent ankle brace should also be of manageable weight. This is very important as a heavy product will exert more strain on the injury slowing the healing process. Check out the product’s design and material used to make it as these are the primary factors that determine its weight.
Another comfort consideration is the degree of flexibility the brace offers. A good ankle brace should allow for fast, flexible movements. A non-flexible product is likely to cause another injury as it will not allow for sufficient movement. This also lowers an athlete’s performance as well.
Lastly, an excellent product should offer maximum ankle support. This is important as it allows the ankle to heal in the right position and prevent the injury from occurring again. Most support paddings are made of synthetic plastics, but other brands feature metallic parts.
Safety
One of the biggest comeback hindrances to all injured players is the trauma of having to endure the pain again. If you have suffered an ankle sprain, then you know what I am talking about. Therefore, the feeling of safety is invaluable as far as getting on to the field post-injury is concerned.
An excellent ankle brace can do just that. A properly designed product will always guarantee your safety on the field, making it easier for you to focus on recovery rather than worrying about a recurring sprain. So what safety features should an excellently designed ankle brace have?
The most common safety feature among several ankle brace brands is tough padding on either side. These padding can be made of plastic or metallic elements to increase their strength and sturdiness to prevent your ankle from rolling.
Another important feature to look at is fastening. These are the mechanisms in place to hold the brace in position on your foot. Most products feature laces as they are light and more durable. However, other brands utilize zippers and straps on their products.
You should make sure that your choice of braces has enough features in place to protect your ankle from sprain injuries. This feeling of safety will go a long way in motivating you psychologically as you recover.
Fit
You also need to consider how well the breast fits your ankle and avoid loose ankles because they tend to be less stable, which encourages slipping, which may lead to ankle rolling.
At the same time, you also need to stay away from the ankle braces that fit you too tight for obvious reasons. Such could hinder blood flow in your lower leg region, thus interfering with your performance. It is always essential to use the manufacturers’ guide chart to determine your proper size.
Durability
Durability is another crucial thing you need to consider before purchasing any ankle braces. The material of the brace you want to buy should be sturdy and able to remain elastic even after a long period of usage.
Remember that the way you handle your ankle sleeves will determine how long they will serve you. For instance, some braces when washed using a washing machine or dried using dry cleaners they tend to lose their strength. Therefore always make sure that you handle the product as advised by the manufacturer.
Cost
Do not mistake low prices for poor quality at the same time; do not confuse high prices for high-end products. The market is filled with plenty of ankle braces. And the good side of that is that they come with varying prices.
Some ankle braces are cheap, yet they are of good quality; the relationship between price and quality is only reliable. Most braces come at a standard price, and they will serve you just fine.
Your selection ought to be based on the best quality product that will comfortably fit in your budget so that you don’t end up broke. It is better to get an ankle brace in a retail shop so that you get to assess the product and ensure you get your money’s worth.
The intended use of an ankle brace also determines the price of the brace, the ankle braces used after surgeries are often more expensive than those used as a security measure.
Conclusion
The benefits of ankle braces are apparent; they are designed to act as external support to restrict certain ankle motions, thus preventing ankle sprains. In order to get the best out of such gears, you need to choose the one that is aligned to or offers a solution to a specific problem.
After in-depth considerations, we highly recommend the McDavid 511 ankle sleeves. They come in different sizes and colors to cater to everyone’s’ preference. Also, they are manufactured from high-end materials; this guarantees their durability.
McDavid 511 braces are also lightweight, which makes them comfortable to run with them. The material is also breathable, thus preventing excessive sweating on your ankle.
Another reason you should consider buying the recommended product is that the design is bilateral, which allows you to wear them on either side of the foot. Place your order with us today and prevent ankle sprains with the best ankle support.