7 Best Ankle Braces For Soccer

Choosing the best ankle braces for soccer can be a difficult task with so many options to choose from. Protecting your ankles before playing soccer can be one of the most important things you can do.

Picking up a severe ankle injury could put you out of action for a long time. In some extreme circumstances, it could lead to a premature climax to your soccer career. Many great players have suffered this fate over the years.

This means that it is vital that you have a top-quality ankle brace that can withstand even the most challenging activities. 

If this is something that has been troubling you lately, then you have come to the right place!

Today, we will focus on the best ankle braces for soccer players. We will review their features, price tags, and the pros and cons of buying each model. 

Here are the 7 best ankle braces for soccer players.

1. ASO Ankle Stabilizer 

The first brace on our list is a great choice for those who want to give themselves discreet support that can be well hidden on the playing field.

The ASO Ankle Stabilizer is a mid-range brace that can be purchased for around $40 online. Of course, this is the price for one of the ankle braces. The price should be doubled for those who need a brace on each ankle. 

In terms of features, this brace has a figure-of-eight style design that incorporates laces and Velcro fastening methods.

The braces wrap around the ankle and heel areas like a bandage. They provide a good level of compression and stability to weaker parts of your feet. This should be a key factor in choosing the best ankle brace for soccer.

As with many of the braces on this list, the Ankle Stabilizer can be worn on either the left or right ankle, which can be an added bonus for those with pain that isn’t limited to one side of their body. 

Another important aspect of these braces is that they are fully breathable. This can be important when participating in physical activity. Trapping sweat can lead to problems with foot odor later on, something nobody wants to suffer from. 

Pros

• Price
• Versatility
• Breathability

Cons

• Not Suitable for Severe Cases 

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2. Aircast A60 Ankle Support

Next up on our list is the Aircast A60 Ankle Support brace. This is another good choice for those that want to get the support they need without having to break the bank, as one of these braces can be picked up online for around $40 at the time of writing. 

Like all braces, the Aircast A60 is designed to provide cushioned support to both the ankle and heel parts of your feet and features a subtle design that allows for a full range of motion while still offering the support your ankles need.

The main feature of this brace is the plastic stabilizer inserted into the material behind the ankle. This gives your ankle a level of stability that could normally be a problem for those with weak ankles. It also helps to prevent the ankle from rolling during matches or training. 

To use this brace, you need to slide it over your foot and fasten the Velcro straps to the level you want; this can be less effective than laces but shouldn’t be an issue for those with minor pain. 

The only real issue with the Aircast A60 is that they are only suitable for the specific side that you purchased. Therefore you cannot effectively use a right-sided brace on your left ankle. 

Pros

• Price
• Subtle Design
• Ease of Access

Cons

• Lack of Versatility 

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3. Shock Doctor Ankle Stabilizer 

One of the market leaders for ankle support devices in the US, Shock Doctor has a wide range of stabilizers and supports available that are all worth checking out if you want to get a taste of the variety of models out there.

Today we are going to be taking a look at one of the companies’ more simple stabilizers though. 

Retailing at less than $30, the Shock Doctor Ankle Stabilizer is one of the best on this list in terms of value for money. The Shock Doctor provides good ankle brace for soccer for anyone suffering from minor ankle issues. If you are in severe pain, though, I would advise getting a more advanced model. 

These braces’ design is very simple and far smaller than many of the others on this list, making them discreet and easy to use.

To use these braces, you need to pull them up like socks until you feel the lower strap under your heel, then tighten the stays. You’re good to go! Given the design of this brace, it is suitable for use on either side of your body. 

Pros

• Price
• Versatility
• Ease of Access 

Cons

• Not Suitable for Severe Cases
• Basic Design 

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4. McDavid 195R Ultralite Ankle Brace

Another of the most popular choices in the US and beyond, the McDavid 195 is the flagship model for the brand and is often used by championship-level athletes in a range of sports (including soccer players).

Given this level of popularity, you would naturally expect a high price tag; however, this isn’t the case, as you can pick up one of these braces for $40 online. 

The primary selling point of this brace is its lightweight design of it. Each brace is made out of a thin nylon fabric that is strong and allows freedom of movement. This also makes it a more long-term solution for players that often wear kinesio tape during matches. 

As with most on this list, you merely need to slide this brace over your foot and strap up the velcro to give yourself the protection you need.

This is perhaps the only minor drawback of these braces, as having laces would allow for better compression when combined with the straps. 

Pros

• Price
• Popularity
• Lightweight

Cons

• No Laces (Minor Drawback) 

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5. DonJoy Deluxe Ankle Brace

As far as the braces included in this list go, this is on the more expensive side of things with a price tag of around $60 online.

There is good reason for this though, as the DonJoy Deluxe Ankle Brace is more of a heavy-duty style brace that can be used by those suffering from more intense conditions and those with minor pain in equal measure. 

The top of the brace is made out of strong plastic that can provide high levels of stability to the ankle, though it may limit movement at some points in the match.

Despite this level of support, the braces are still pretty lightweight, meaning that they shouldn’t become uncomfortable even after 90 minutes of action. They are also highly breathable and, therefore, shouldn’t cause any issues regarding sweat or dampness. 

The heavy-duty nature of these braces also means that sizing can sometimes be a problem as they only come available in three different sizes and must be purchased for use on a specific side of your body. 

Pros

• More Suitable for Severe Cases
• Lightweight,
• Breathability 

Cons

• Sizing

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6. Cramer Active Ankle T2

Another of the more expensive models on this list is the Cramer Active Ankle T2, which currently costs around $60 per foot. This brace is marketed as suitable for those with ‘moderate to heavy’ ankle pain.

This is the kind of brace that your doctor may actually prescribe to you if you suffer from ligament damage, chronic instability, or are going through rehabilitation following a broken ankle. This all makes them a popular choice among professional soccer players. 

The brace’s design does not restrict foot movement and can be used on either side of your body. The Velcro on these braces can also be tightened very heavily, meaning that the issue of not having laces is somewhat reduced here. 

Durability is at the heart of what makes these braces so good, as they are made out of high-quality materials that shouldn’t wear out very quickly, provided you wash them regularly. 

Pros

• More Suitable for Severe Cases
• Durability

Cons

• Price

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7. RIKEEP Ankle Support Brace

The final brace on our list is a very basic one. However, this also means that it is the most affordable too.

The RIKEEP Ankle Support Brace is a simple model that can be purchased on Amazon for less than $10. It’s a great choice for anyone who needs support quickly, as it can be delivered to their home quickly. 

Given the price of this brace, it is far more basic than all of the others we have discussed today. As such, it should only really be used by those with minor ankle issues. It is not built to compress the ankle to the same level as many other braces.

These braces are still very easy to use. They could be a good option for any children that need a little extra support on the soccer field. They also have a good level of breathability and should last at least a few months.

Pros

• Price
• Fast Delivery
• Breathability 

Cons

• Basic 

Compression Sleeve Option

We wanted to provide one more popular option when you need a little bit of additional ankle support as a preventative measure on the pitch. You may not be looking for stiff ankle support for injury recovery. As I have gotten older, I have found that a little extra support for the ankle joints goes a long way.

This ankle compression sleeve is a game-changer for soccer players, providing reliable support for quick sprints and sharp turns on the field. The Modvel Sleeve is great for those dealing with plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, or achilles tendonitis. The sleeve offers the perfect balance of compression to reduce swelling and stabilize the ankle, aiding in faster recovery between games.

Crafted with a premium copper-infused fabric, it delivers a lightweight, breathable feel that keeps feet fresh and dry, even after hours of intense play. The sleeve comes in a range of colors to match any sports uniform, fitting comfortably without bunching or slipping. Whether for competitive matches or casual play, this ankle sleeve adds a layer of support and confidence to every move.

Hopefully, this short guide has helped you become more familiar with the range of ankle braces out there for soccer players, especially if you or anyone you know suffers from ankle pain. Will you be picking up any of the braces we have looked at today?

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