When it comes to playing soccer, protecting your ankles can be one of the most important things to do before stepping foot on the field.
Picking up a severe ankle injury could put you out of action for a long time and, in some extreme circumstances, could lead to a premature climax to your soccer career; many great players have suffered this fate over the years.
This means that is vital that you have a top-quality ankle brace that can see you through even the most challenging of fixtures.
If this is something that has been troubling you lately, then you have come to the right place!
Today we are going to be focusing on the best ankle braces on the market for soccer players, looking at what features they have, their price tag of them, 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 that want to give themselves discreet support that can be well hidden on the playing field.
The ASO Ankle Stabilizer is a mid-range level brace that can be purchased for around $50 online; this is of course the price for one of the braces meaning that the price should be doubled for those that 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 and provide a good level of compression and stability to weaker parts of your feet.
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 taking part in physical activity as trapping sweat can lead to problems with foot odor down the line, something nobody wants to suffer from.
Pros
- Price
- Versatility
- Breathability
Cons
- Not Suitable for Severe Cases
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 that is 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. This also helps to prevent any rolling of the ankle during matches or in training.
To use this brace, you simply 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, meaning that you cannot effectively use a right-sided brace on your left ankle.
Pros
- Price
- Subtle Design
- Ease of Access
Cons
Lack of Versatility
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 $20, the Shock Doctor Ankle Stabilizer is one of the best on this list in terms of value for money and is a great option for anyone that is only suffering from minor ankle issues (if you are under severe pain I would advise getting a more advanced model though).
The design of these braces 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 it up like a sock until you feel the lower strap under your heel, then tighten the stays and you are 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
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)
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
6. Cramer Active Ankle T2
Another of the more expensive models on this list is the Cramer Active Ankle T2 that currently costs around $80 per foot. The main reason for this is that this brace is marketed as being suitable for those with ‘moderate to heavy’ cases of 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 design of the brace does not restrict any movement of the feet and can be used on either side of your body as a result. 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
7. WASPO 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 WASPO Ankle Support Brace is a simple model that can be picked up for less than $10 on Amazon, meaning that it is also a great choice for anyone that needs to get support quickly as it can be delivered to your home fast.
Given the price of this brace, it is far more basic than all of the others we have discussed today, and as such, it should only really be used by those with minor ankle issues. The main reason for this is that they do not compress the ankle to the same level as many other braces.
These braces are still very easy to use though and 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 on either side of your body.
Pros
- Price
- Fast Delivery
- Breathability
Cons
- Basic
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?