If you are looking for a little extra ankle support, you are probably interested in the best ankle braces for basketball. I’ll show you what to look for when making your selection as well as my top picks. By the end of this article you’ll know which brace is best for you.
What A Life Time Of Ankle Injuries Taught Me
I have a history of ankle injuries and rolling my ankle while playing basketball. I play hard and that puts me in some awkward landing positions.
A good ankle brace has gotten me through a lot of painful experiences in sports. Eventually, I learned to wear them to prevent injury instead of using them to recover from one. This has helped me a lot and taught me what to look for when making my decision on which to wear. Here’s my main criteria:
- Provides support while being flexible
- Comfortable
- Reasonably priced
You don’t want a brace that’s too rigid; in my experience that actually increase you odds of getting hurt. Instead you want a brace that naturally moves with the way your ankle bends and still provides support. This will prevent your ankle from bending too far without locking it in too much.
Next, you want to make sure the brace is comfortable to wear because not all are. After 20 years of playing basketball I can positively say what you wear and how it feels effects your game. If something is restricting or it just doesn’t feel right it can throw things off. Ankle brace don’t have to be clunky or uncomfortable. They can actually be virtually unnoticeable! Having a nice pair of basketball socks can help with comfort too.
Lastly, like with all things, you don’t want to underpay or overpay. If you spend too little you run the risk of getting a inadequate product and injuring your ankle. On the other hand. there’s plenty of reasonably priced ankle braces that will suit your needs. Because of this, there’s no reason to spend hundreds of dollars unless your doctor instructs you to.
Every ankle brace on this list meets those three factors. With all that in mind let’s take a look at my top choices.
Aso Ankle Stabilizer: My Top Pick
Company: ASO
Price: $21.92
Recommended ages: All (comes in 8 different sizes)
Rating: 4.7/5
The ASO Ankle Stabilizer is a favorite of professional and college athletes. It’s a top recommendation of many doctors too. It has excellent support, it’s comfortable and very durable. A few other features include:
- 8 points of protection
- Will fit any type of shoe
- Works for both right and left foot
It’s extremely light weight and made from a breathable Coolflex material. This is my favorite because it does everything well and is priced fairly. It’s perfect for anyone who plays multiple sports and will help a basketball player as much as a baseball player or volleyball player.
Take A Closer Look At The ASO Ankle Stabilizer
Zamst A2-DX Ankle Brace
Company: Zamst
Price: $53.45
Recommended ages: Most (comes in 4 different sizes)
Rating: 4.6/5
This is another excellent ankle brace that will protect your ankles. It’s a little more expensive than the ASO one but it’s worth the money. It provides enhanced structural stability and as well as:
- Grip-tech to prevent slipping
- Provides an individualized fit
- X-Strap Stabilizer gives 3 way anterior, lateral and medial support
The reviews on Amazon are really great, with most giving it 5/5 stars. One professional basketball player left a lengthy review gushing over this product. There’s a brace for your right ankle and left so make sure you choose the correct one.
Check Out The Zamst A2-DX Ankle Brace
McDavid 199 Lace Up Ankle Brace
Company: McDavid
Price: $26.90
Recommended ages: All (comes in 5 different sizes)
Rating: 4.6/5
I’ve used and seen these type of ankle braces on the basketball court a lot. They have a cool look and are very effective. There’s a lot of features and they include:
- Solid and reliable support
- Ventilated tongue for maximum comfort
- Lightweight for added mobility
These types of braces are nice because they aren’t bulky and are very simple. This particular ones fits both left and right foots.
Take A Closer Look At The McDavid 199 Lace Up
Breathable Neoprene Braces
Company: Product Stop
Price: $19.83
Recommended ages: Most (comes in 3 different sizes)
Rating: 4.5/5
This is another easy to use brace that will give you a lot of support. The Breathable Neoprene Brace is a favorite of all kinds of athletes and provides:
- Anti itch and odor protection
- Bilateral design so it’ll fit either foot
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
I love seeing a no question asked guarantee on products and that’s what you get here. If for any reason you are unsatisfied you will get your money back. However, I don’t think that will be a problem; this is a very respected and well liked ankle brace.
Take A Closer Look At The Breathable Neoprene Brace
Shock Doctor Ultra Gel Lace Ankle Support
Company: Shock Doctor
Price: $20.99
Recommended ages: All (comes in 5 different sizes)
Rating: 4.5/5
Shock Doctor makes makes a lot of safety equipment for basketball, including mouthguards. So it’s not surprising they make a very reliable ankle brace to ball with. It’s extremely comfortable and it provides:
- No slip foot bed
- Low profile lacing system
- Internal gel cushions
If you are looking for a reputable company this is the right brace for you. It’s reasonably priced too.
Take A Closer Look At The Shock Doctor Ultra Gel Lace Ankle Support
Are You Happy With These Braces?
I hope so. I know the frustration and pain that comes with rolling your ankle and ankle injuries in general. From personal experience I recommend preventing them instead of trying to relieve the pain after. Anyone of these braces can do that for you.
I like purchasing from Amazon because they have the widest selection of quality ankle braces at the best prices; plus there’s free shipping on all orders over $50. If you would like to take a closer look at their entire section, click below:
Check Out The Best Ankle Braces Available
If you have any questions about the products on this list, comment below and I’ll make sure to respond as fast as possible. If you would like your friends and family to see, share on social media.
Are you ready to keep your ankles protected?
Oh my goodness… I’m so thankful for this article. My husband hurt his ankle and had pain for months. I wish that we would have had this article to help with his ankle bracelet purchase. The one that he bought had velcro and it kept coming undone. Very frustrating… I really like the McDavid because it laces up! And it’s reasonably priced!
Yeah, I don’t really use velcro for the same reason; it’s a pain when it comes undone and you constantly have to re do it. You won’t have to worry about that with these. The McDavid is a favroite of mine and many people. You lace it up and you’ll be good until your ready to take it off.
Man I’ve turned my ankle so many times playing basketball I can’t even count. Years ago did it really bad and ended up on crutches for over a month. Now I’m supposed to wear an ankle brace everytime but don’t lol. I don’t like how they feel but the McDavid and the Shock Doctor looks like they wouldn’t feel too bulky. I think I’m going to try the McDavid. What do you think?
Hey Dan and yeah I’ve had a few ankle issues too. The McDavid is a really nice pair and should work perfectly for you – it feels good too. Let me know how it goes!