A Comparison of Active Ankle® T2 and Ultra Zoom® by Ultra Ankle®: Choosing the Preferred Ankle Brace

Author’s Note: Before we delve into the comparison between the Active Ankle® T2 and Ultra Zoom® ankle braces, I want to disclose that I am the inventor of both products. I developed the first commercially available hinged ankle brace and co-founded Active Ankle Systems in 1989 and was president until 1996. In 1999, I co-founded Ultra Athlete LLC and introduced the Ultra Ankle line of ankle braces. Over the years, I have accumulated several patents for emerging ankle bracing technologies.

When people inquire about the difference between the Active Ankle® T2 and Ultra Zoom® ankle braces, I’m often asked to provide insights. In this post, I will outline the characteristics of each brace and discuss why the Ultra Zoom is preferred over the Active Ankle T2.

The Active Ankle T2, designed around 35 years ago, represented a significant breakthrough in ankle brace technology compared to traditional splint-style braces such as the Aircast®. Its hinged design allowed full ankle motion, providing support and freedom to run and jump without restrictions. The hinge ensured that the brace moved with the joint, keeping the straps securely in place and maintaining ankle support. The Active Ankle T2 was primarily designed to prevent excessive ankle turning, known as “inversion,” which often leads to low ankle sprains.

Braces for High Ankle Sprains

In the mid-90s, there was an increase in athletes experiencing high ankle injuries, also known as syndesmotic ankle injuries. While low ankle sprains involve excessive inward or outward ankle turning, high ankle injuries occur due to excessive ankle twisting or rotation. These injuries tend to be more severe and require longer healing times. At that time, all ankle braces, including the Active Ankle T2, were designed to treat low ankle injuries exclusively. Consequently, a new ankle brace technology was required to protect against both low and high ankle injuries.

In 1999, Ultra Ankle introduced the first hinged-cuff ankle brace, addressing the need for comprehensive ankle injury protection. By incorporating a cuff into the hinged design, this new brace could effectively restrict both excessive ankle turning and twisting, offering support for both low and high ankle injuries. In 2010, Ultra Ankle introduced the hinged-cuff Ultra Zoom performance ankle brace. Compared to the rigid Active Ankle T2, the Ultra Zoom features a flexible Performathane® shell that custom-fits to the ankle using body heat, providing comfortable and long-lasting ankle support. The Performathane® shell boasts advanced resin technology, which was not available when the Active Ankle T2 was invented in the 1980s. This innovation ensures the Ultra Zoom will never crack, break, or tear, ensuring durability across multiple seasons of use.

When comparing ankle braces and deciding about which is best for you, it’s important to consider various factors. Questions such as durability, injury prevention capabilities, comfort, and warranty coverage should guide your research and help you make an informed decision. If you have any specific inquiries regarding ankle braces and how they relate to your situation, please leave a comment below or send us a message. Our certified athletic trainers will be more than happy to assist you.

Quick Comparison: T2 vs. Ultra Zoom

Ankle Brace Design

  • T2: Hinged design
  • Ultra Zoom: Hinged-Cuff Design

 Injury Protection

  • T2: Helps prevent low ankle injuries
  • Ultra Zoom: Helps prevent low and high ankle injuries

Shell Material

  • T2: Rigid Polypropylene
  • Ultra Zoom: Flexible Performathane®

In the sphere of product evolution, quite frequently, progress remains stalled until new materials are created or manufacturing techniques improved. This fact holds particularly true for ankle braces. The Ultra Zoom® ankle brace, produced by Ultra Ankle®, stands as a perfect example of this phenomenon. The key technological advances underpinning this unique product didn’t exist until they were explicitly devised, scrutinized, and demonstrated to offer superior protection against ankle injuries than other alternatives in the market.

The Ultra Zoom® ankle brace from Ultra Ankle® is exceptional in its design and technological attributes, thanks to its patented Performathane® flexible soft shell, proprietary PerformaFit® 3D padding system, and robust hinged-cuff design— three elements that are not available in any other braces.

 

How Does it Function?

For a brace, including ankle braces, to deliver optimal efficacy, it must mimic the anatomy’s structure. This requirement calls for the brace to adapt or custom-fit to the joint’s shape. A custom-fit ankle brace provides more comfort, maintains a lower profile, and offers superior support. However, achieving these custom-fit design aspirations necessitates the development of new materials.

Ultra Ankle® undertook a rigorous five-year endeavor to formulate materials that would facilitate the design of an ankle brace that provides exceptional comfort, long-lasting support, and durability across multiple seasons. The culmination of this endeavor is the Ultra Zoom® ankle brace, equipped with Performathane® and PerformaFit® technologies.

 

External Flexibility, Internal Custom Fit

So, what are Performathane® and PerformaFit® exactly?

Performathane® forms the soft external shell of the Ultra Zoom® and utilizes the athlete’s body heat to adapt or custom-fit to the ankle. Generally, it requires one or two practice sessions for the brace shell to fully mold to the joint’s shape. However, this process can be expedited by using a common home hair dryer. Watch our Custom Fitting Video to start making your Ultra Zoom custom to you. Additionally, the Performathane® shell is engineered to be unbreakable, resistant to cracks and tears, thus offering durability that lasts multiple seasons.

PerformaFit® is another innovation from Ultra Ankle® that adds to the Ultra Zoom’s custom-fit capabilities. This unique padding system, constructed from a specially formulated foam, allows the padding to conform to the ankle joint’s shape and retain that shape over time. The PerformaFit® system maintains its cushioning properties throughout an entire sports season.

 

An Unparalleled Degree of Ankle Injury Prevention

Together, the Performathane® soft shell and the PerformaFit® padding system introduce unprecedented comfort, support, and durability levels that previous ankle brace designs can’t compete with. If you’re curious to learn more about our innovative technology, or want to determine if the Ultra Zoom® ankle brace is the ideal choice for you, feel free to reach out to us! Our certified athletic trainers would be more than pleased to assist with your queries.

Title: Experience Enhanced Mobility and Protection with Ultra Ankle’s Hinged Cuff Ankle Braces

 

It’s 2023 and we’re more active than ever. Whether it’s professional sports, fitness regimens, or simply daily activities, our ankles play a vital role in supporting our movement. This makes them susceptible to injuries, emphasizing the need for an optimal protective solution: Ultra Ankle’s proprietary hinged-cuff ankle braces.

As per recent health statistics, ankle injuries make up approximately 15% of all sporting injuries globally. Athletes are continually seeking effective preventive measures to reduce their downtime and get back into the game faster. That’s where Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff or “Limitless Performance Series” ankle braces come into play.

Unlike most traditional ankle braces that restrict mobility, because they bind the ankle in the neutral position, Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff design allows for unlimited natural ankle range of motion to enhance performance and keep the muscles strong. The Limitless Performance Series braces restrict excessive ankle turning and twisting to help prevent both low and high ankle injuries.

Innovations in the field have led to these braces being lighter, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before. Because the braces work to reduce the excessive movement that can lead to ankle injuries, it makes them a top choice for athletes looking for preventive solutions, as well as those on the road to recovery.

For active individuals or athletes who have previously suffered an ankle injury, the risk of re-injury is a pressing concern. However, according to recent studies, wearing a hinged-cuff ankle brace can decrease the odds of re-injury by approximately 50%. This is significant when considering the peace of mind and safety it brings to those wearing the brace.

Not only for athletes, but these braces also cater to individuals of all ages with varying activity levels. They provide support and stability for those with weakened or imbalanced ankles, thereby reducing the risk of falls and accidents. The Ultra CTS is the only brace available that helps reduce weight bearing pain in Osteoarthritis patients. The brace “unloads” the ankle and reduces bone-on-bone irritation and pain.

Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff ankle braces are a blend of advanced technology, innovative design, and medical-grade materials that provide unparalleled comfort and security. Whether you’re in a high-impact sport, like volleyball or football, or need additional ankle support for everyday activities. Ultra Ankle braces offer innovative solutions for ankle protection.

Invest in your health and mobility today with Ultra Ankle’s hinged-cuff ankle braces. These braces are built for ultimate performance and are designed to adapt to the natural shape of your ankle, offering a secure fit, incredible support, and optimal mobility. Take a proactive step towards ankle injury prevention and enhanced performance with Ultra Ankle.