Wearing an ankle brace can be essential for preventing injuries and providing support during recovery from an ankle injury. However, finding the right shoes to accommodate your brace can be challenging. Not all shoes are created equal when it comes to fitting ankle braces comfortably and securely. This guide will help you understand which types of shoes work best with ankle braces and why.

Understanding the Compatibility of Shoes and Ankle Braces

While ankle braces fit comfortably in most traditional athletic shoes or sneakers with a tongue and laces, there are some shoes that don’t work well with braces. If you purchase an ankle brace and can’t fit it inside your shoe, or it’s uncomfortable while you’re wearing it with your shoes, it may be due to the design or style of the shoe and not the ankle brace. For that reason, it’s a good idea to know upfront which shoes you should avoid when wearing your ankle braces.

Best Shoe Designs for Ankle Braces

Traditional Tongue and Laces Design
The style of sneaker that works best with ankle braces has a traditional tongue and laces design so you can spread out the opening of the shoe and easily insert the ankle brace. Low-top athletic shoes work best with ankle braces because they don’t apply undue pressure over your ankle bones like a mid- or high-top shoe will.

Avoid Modern Collar or Sleeve Designs
Athletic shoe styles are changing all the time. In recent years, athletic shoe companies have been introducing sneakers that deviate from the traditional shoe design. Rather than having a traditional tongue and laces, this new style of shoe has a collar or sleeve design that makes it almost impossible to fit an ankle brace in the shoe. These shoes typically are of the mid- or high-top design and are hardest to fit an ankle brace inside.

Finding the Right Fit for Different Shoe Types

Lace-Up Ankle Braces
For those without a traditional tongue and laces design, a smaller shoe size, or a high-top shoe, a lace-up ankle brace will most likely be the best option for you. The Ultra 360® locks your ankle in place while the figure-8 straps provide 360º of ankle support to help prevent excessive ankle rolling. The multi-adjustable design allows you to customize your level of support.

Hinged Ankle Braces
We have found that our customers with traditional tongue and laces shoes can wear a hinged ankle brace if their foot size is above a women’s size 9 or a men’s size 7. Shoes of these sizes or larger have enough room to comfortably fit both the foot and ankle brace inside. Customers do not need to “size up” on shoes to wear hinged ankle braces. Ultra Ankle® offers three different hinged ankle braces. The Ultra Zoom®, the Ultra High-5®, and the Ultra CTS®. Each offers different product features for different ankle conditions. To compare and contrast, visit our Compare All Braces page.

Considerations for Athletes

Selecting the Right Athletic Shoes
If you’re an athlete who is planning to wear an ankle brace and you want it to fit in the shoe properly and be comfortable to wear for long periods of time, stick with a traditional, low-top sneaker designed for the sport you play.

The Myth of High-Top Shoes
No high-top shoe is going to prevent an injury in sports that have a higher risk of ankle sprains (such as basketball or volleyball) where the mechanism of injury is coming down from a jump and landing on an opposing player’s foot at a high velocity. The only things that can help prevent ankle injuries are stronger muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the ankle, and/or, and sturdy ankle brace (FCSF)(Lems). Therefore, we recommend wearing a low top athletic shoe with a high performance ankle brace, like the Ultra Zoom, which is designed to help prevent ankle injuries or lessen the severity should an injury occur. The Ultra Zoom will fit easily in a traditional low top sneaker and provide a comfortable fit all season long.

Modern High-Tops and Ankle Support
Conventional wisdom is that high-top athletic shoes or tall work boots can support the ankle more effectively than low tops primarily because the high-top shoe is higher and therefore has more leverage to grab the ankle and hold it in place. However, today’s high-top sneakers are not your parent’s high-tops. These new high-top designs use flexible and stretchable materials with the goal of being comfortable to wear for long periods of time. And if the material stretches, it’s probably not going to provide much in the way of ankle support. While high-top shoes are advertised to provide additional ankle support, the truth is that no shoe can support the joint and help prevent ankle injuries like an ankle brace can.

Tall Work Boots and Ankle Braces

Challenges with Tall Work Boots
Let’s say you are a construction worker and you suffer from ankle osteoarthritis, so you like to wear a sturdy work boot to help stabilize your ankle. Let’s say recently your ankle started hurting on the job site and you’re thinking about getting an ankle brace for additional support.

Two things happen when you try to wear an ankle brace in a tall work boot:

1. The ankle brace is very difficult to fit inside your tall work boot.
2. If you get the brace to fit in the boot it may not be very comfortable. This happens after you lace up the boot, which pushes the sides of the brace against the ankle bones, potentially causing pain and irritation.

Low-Top Work Shoes
In general, we recommend a low-top work shoe where you can spread out the laces enough to easily fit the brace in the shoe. Since the sides of the shoe are below the joint, there is no potential for irritation over your ankle bones. A low-top work shoe combined with a good professional ankle brace can provide more ankle support than a tall work boot worn by itself by far.

For those looking for an ankle brace that will fit in a high-top work boot, the Ultra 360 Lace-up will be your best option. This flexible, fabric brace fits in almost any shoe – providing extra support and compression to help protect your ankle.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shoes to wear with your ankle brace is crucial for comfort and effectiveness. Stick with traditional tongue and lace designs, preferably low-tops, and avoid modern sleeve-style shoes that complicate fitting. For athletes, low-top athletic shoes paired with a high-performance ankle brace provide the best support. In work environments, opt for low-top work shoes over tall boots to ensure a comfortable and supportive fit.

If you have questions about which ankle brace would fit best inside your athletic shoes or work boots, you can send one of our athletic trainers a message or call us directly at (317) 520-9898.

Football is a high-impact sport that places intense demands on the body, particularly the ankles. Ankle sprains are the most common sports injury for football players due to the frequent physical contact and dynamic movements of the sport. Ankle sprains can occur from cutting, stepping on another player’s foot or landing from a jump. They also can occur when your ankle gets stepped on or fallen on. This can damage the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and is the most commonly injured ligament in the ankle, usually due to inversion injuries (MDPI).

Ankle injuries can cause pain, loss of playing time, loss of fitness, and potential medical expenses for athletes and/or their parents. Injury prevention programs that include multiple components, such as strengthening and agility/balance exercises, can help reduce the incidence of ankle injuries (Sage Journals). The addition of ankle braces can further reduce the risks of ankle sprains and acute ankle injuries. Lace-Up ankle braces alone have shown to reduce the risk of ankle injuries in football players (NIH).

This blog post will explore the following topics:

1. The two primary types of ankle injuries affecting football players.
2. The football positions that suffer the most ankle injuries.
3. The different types of ankle braces available.
4. Ankle brace recommendations based on ankle injury history.
5. Recommendations for Ultra Ankle braces.
6. How to choose the best football cleats to wear with ankle braces.

Primary ankle injuries affecting football players

There are two main types of ankle injuries football players suffer from the most. Inversion or “Low” ankle sprains and syndesmotic or “High Ankle” sprains. Here is the difference between the two.

• Inversion ankle sprains can stretch and sometimes tear the ligaments holding the ankle joint together, leading to extended bench time that could range from a few days to weeks, depending on the injury’s severity. Even after resting to allow the ankle to heal, the ligaments remain somewhat stretched, making the ankle loose and unstable and prone to future ankle injuries. This cycle of recurring ankle injuries can be interrupted or slowed down by wearing a preventive ankle brace (3CBPerformance).
• High ankle sprains, also known as syndesmotic ankle sprains, are distinct from the more common low ankle sprains. They involve injury to the ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula together. These injuries are often caused by ankle external rotation and/or dorsiflexion trauma, common in high-impact sports like football, rugby, lacrosse and soccer. High ankle injuries are more severe than low ankle injuries and take longer to heal.

Common Ankle Injuries by Football Position

Ankle injuries can vary significantly depending on the position played. 2,285 football players were recently part of a study (NIH) during an NFL Combine. Of these players, 53.2% had an ankle injury of some form or another. These were the positions who incurred the most ankle injuries.

Running Backs: These players are at high risk for ankle sprains due to the sudden stops and turns they make during practice and games. This study showed that running backs have the highest incidence of ankle injuries at 61.9%. Wide receivers and defensive backs can fall under this same category due to similar movements on the field.

Linemen: Offensive linemen are second in risk percentage of players who suffer ankle injuries at 60.3%. Linemen often suffer from high ankle sprains caused by the heavy physical contact and twisting motions required in their positions.​

Quarterbacks: While less frequent, quarterbacks can experience ankle injuries from being tackled or during rapid changes in direction​.

Types of Ankle Braces Available for Football Players

There are several types of ankle braces, each offering different levels of support and flexibility.

• Lace-Up Ankle Braces: These braces are made from fabric and lace-up tightly to provide support. While they offer a snug fit and can be tightened as needed, they tend to restrict the ankle’s natural range of motion, which can be detrimental in high-intensity sports like football​ (NIH)​.
  • Pros: Inexpensive and readily available on-line and/or at most sporting goods stores. They are low profile and fit into almost any football cleat.
  • Cons: Restrict natural up-and-down ankle movement, which for any athlete is crucial for running and jumping. The fabric stretches out, migrates, and loses support rapidly during athletic activity. Lace-up ankle braces are also difficult and time consuming to apply.
• Rigid Ankle Braces: Made from hard plastic with hinges, these braces allow for natural up and down ankle movement while preventing excessive side-to-side motion. They provide robust support but can be bulky and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
  • Pros: Move with the natural up-and-down movement of the ankle, not restricting performance, speed, agility, or vertical jump. With most rigid ankle braces the straps stay securely in place, maintaining long-lasting support for the duration of practices and games. Rigid ankle braces are typically put on and and removed much more quickly than lace-up braces.
  • Cons: Larger or “bulkier” than lace-up braces, requiring more room in the shoe. Because the braces are rigid they do not form-fit to the foot and ankle and can become uncomfortable after long periods of wearing.
• Soft-Shell Ankle Braces: The flexible plastic shell is designed to form a comfortable custom fit to the ankle using body heat. They offer excellent protection while allowing natural movement, making them ideal for prolonged use during practices and games​.
  • Pros: Move with the natural up-and-down movement of the ankle, not restricting performance, speed, agility, or vertical jump. Through body heat the soft-shell ankle braces form fit to the ankle making them very comfortable and supportive over long periods of time. Soft-shell braces are quick to put on and remove with very little effort.
  • Cons: Like the rigid ankle braces, soft-shell braces can be bulkier than lace-up braces, requiring more room in shoes. The soft-shell braces may take a few practices or games to break-in (like a new pair of shoes) before they are comfortable.

When choosing which style of ankle brace you want, or need, be sure to read the next section on our ankle brace recommendations based on ankle injury history.

Ankle Brace Recommendations based on Ankle Injury History

Once you’ve had an ankle injury you are 70% more likely to reinjure it. Of all ankle sprains 40% of them develop chronic symptoms. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) can occur in up to 70% of patients who have recurrent ankle sprains. CAI can have negative health effects, such as reduced quality of life and early-onset osteoarthritis (NIH).

“Many people think, ‘It’s just an ankle sprain.’ But sprains aren’t a ‘nothing’ injury. Many sprains can lead to chronic instability and problems down the road.”

–Gergory Waryasz, MD, CSCS

Sports Medicine Specialist at Mass General Brigham

Depending on how many ankle injuries, and types of ankle injuries, you have incurred, we recommend the following ankle braces:

1-3 Previous Ankle Injuries: For athletes with 1-3 previous ankle injuries, an entry-level ankle brace made with fabric that laces up, called Lace-Ups, might suffice. Lace-Ups with figure-8 straps are preferred as they wrap around the ankle similarly to a tape job performed by an athletic trainer. Think of Lace-Up braces as a reusable tape job that can be applied before every practice and game, eliminating the need for an athletic trainer.

4-5+ Previous Ankle Injuries: For athletes with 4-5 previous ankle injuries, including one or more grade 2-3 injuries, more support is required along with possible medical consultation. For athlete’s with numerous ankle injuries, plastic hinged ankle braces and soft-shell ankle braces offer a structurally sound design that provides additional ankle support needed for unstable ankles (Harvard Medical School).

Best Ultra Ankle® Braces for Different Scenarios

Ultra Ankle® offers a range of braces suitable for various needs. Depending on the type of ankle injuries you’ve had and the number of ankle injuries you’ve sustained, Ultra Ankle has four advanced ankle braces designed to help prevent, treat, and recover from ankle injuries.

• Ultra 360® Lace-Up: The Ultra 360 locks your ankle in place while the figure-8 straps provide 360º of ankle support to help prevent excessive ankle rolling. The multi-adjustable design allows you to customize your level of support. The Ultra 360 is for athletes who require mild ankle support and have a minimal history of ankle injuries.

• Ultra Zoom®: The only ankle brace built for performance— you’ll play better and play more, losing less time to injuries with the Ultra Zoom. The Performathane® soft shell forms to you, and has a hinged-cuff design, allowing your ankle to move in all the natural ways while helping to prevent both LOW and HIGH ankle injuries. The Ultra Zoom is on your ankle in seconds, protects continuously for hours and lasts for multiple seasons. The Ultra Zoom is for athletes who play sports with high incidence of ankle injuries and who want increased ankle support while not sacrificing mobility or agility.

• Ultra High-5®: Designed for athletes who need maximum support, particularly after an injury, and/or multiple injuries. This brace provides robust stability for high-risk movements and is feather-light, and super strong. The Ultra High-5 is for athletes with chronic ankle instability due to a history of multiple ankle injuries and who have recurring joint pain due to excessive pounding on unforgiving surfaces.

• Ultra CTS®: The Ultra CTS or Custom Treatment System, is designed specifically for athletes who have had a high ankle injury or an acute ankle injury. A high ankle injury occurs when the ankle is excessively externally rotated. The Ultra CTS has a hinged-cuff design which restricts excessive ankle inversion and ROTATION to treat both LOW and HIGH ankle injuries allowing the injured soft tissue to quickly heal. With an acute ankle injury you will most likely have weight bearing pain. The Ultra CTS will “unload” the ankle. Ankle unloading means the brace will absorb some of the impact from standing or walking that would normally be transferred into the ankle causing pain. Maximum lower leg and ankle support and stabilization will take stress off the injured ligaments allowing them to heal much quicker.

Ankle Braces and Football Cleats

For any type of football shoe/cleat, it is recommended the shoe have “traditional tongue and laces.” These shoes allow the laces to spread out enough to fit the ankle brace inside the shoe. They offer the best fit for any type of ankle brace. What is not recommended is a shoe with a “sleeve or collar design.” These shoes lack a traditional tongue, making the opening much smaller and very difficult to fit the ankle brace inside. Depending on your ankle injury history, you must first determine the type of ankle brace you need and then select the style of football cleat that fits best with that ankle brace.

Conclusion

Ankle braces are a vital component of a football player’s gear, providing essential support and reducing the risk of injury. By understanding the types of braces available, the common injuries per position, and how to pair braces with the right cleats, players can enhance their performance and safety on the field. For the best results, consider using Ultra Ankle braces tailored to your specific ankle condition and injury history.

Do Ankle Braces Work?

It’s an age-old question and there are a myriad of opinions out there. What we do know is our ankles bear a lot of weight and are often subject to sharp and awkward movements. It is no surprise that injuries are common, so, when it comes to ankle injury prevention, support, pain management, and healing, do ankle braces actually help?

In short, yes. The long answer, however, is a little more complicated.

The Functionality of Ankle Braces:

Ankle braces have gained popularity as an aid in injury management and prevention. They are designed to provide stability, limit excessive movement, and offer support to the ankle joint. By minimizing the risk of unnatural twists and turns, ankle braces can significantly reduce the likelihood of sprains and strains during physical activities. However, not all ankle braces are alike. When considering buying an ankle brace, take the following into consideration:

1. The brace must be made of quality materials and meet medical standards.
2. Your ankle brace needs to fit you perfectly. That means any fabric should not be loose or too tight. Any splints should be anatomically contoured and all padding needs to be well placed.
3. The brace must suit your specific condition. Are you wearing it for ankle injury prevention or recovery? Do you already have unstable ankles? Have you incurred a high ankle sprain or an acute ankle sprain?

For example, a neoprene “brace” won’t be the best choice for helping prevent an ankle injury and a neoprene “brace” certainly won’t help you recover from an ankle injury. That’s because there are no medical compression standards for neoprene. Additionally, cheap cost means mass production, which makes it very difficult to find a perfectly sized brace for your ankle. Remember, your brace must properly support and compress your ankle in key areas, because if it doesn’t, you risk ineffective injury prevention. If recovering from an injury you’ll likely have little to no relief from pain and swelling, at best, and re-injury at worst.

Also not recommended for ankle injury prevention or recovery are compression sleeves. The primary function of compression sleeves is to support your muscles by providing slight pressure and compression to promote optimal blood flow to the area the sleeve surrounds. Studies have shown that wearing compression sleeves dilates your arteries, resulting in increased blood flow, or vasodilation. Vasodilation is the widening of the blood vessels as a response to low oxygen in the blood, which happens during exercise and triggers an increased blood flow. Increasing blood flow improves the levels of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the body, which enables you to power through your workouts. What this means is compression ankle sleeves do nothing to actually support your ankle joint.

Lastly, in a study done by the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, it was determined that with the right ankle brace or stabilizer, athletes wearing ankle braces had a 64% reduced risk of ankle sprains compared to those with no ankle brace.

So, what braces do you want to buy that will provide you with the support, comfort and recovery benefits you may need?

Introducing Ultra Ankle® Products:

Among the leading brands in the ankle support industry, Ultra Ankle stands out for its advanced and scientifically engineered solutions. Ultra Ankle products combine cutting-edge technology with ergonomic design to offer unparalleled protection and comfort.

1. Ultra 360® Lace-Up Ankle Brace:

The Ultra 360 Lace-Up is a game-changer in the world of ankle support. Its innovative design incorporates adjustable figure-8 straps provide 360º of ankle support to help prevent excessive ankle rolling. The multi-adjustable design allows you to customize your level of support. The Ultra 360 is recommended for individuals who require mild ankle support and have a minimal history of ankle injuries.

2. Ultra Zoom® Ankle Brace:

Specifically tailored for athletes, the Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace offers a perfect blend of flexibility and support. Its sleek, low-profile design fits comfortably in sports shoes (traditional tongue and laces), making it an ideal choice for basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, and other high-impact sports. The Ultra Zoom’s Performathane® soft shell conforms to the ankle’s natural shape, through body heat, ensuring maximum comfort while providing maximum support. The patented Hinged-Cuff design allows the ankle to move in all its natural motions, and none of the bad ones, while still keeping all the tendons and muscles fully engaged as the brace does not bind the ankle and foot in the Neutral Position. The hinged-cuff design also helps to prevent high ankle sprains, which are much more painful and take much longer to recover from.

3. Ultra High-5® Ankle Brace:

Have a history of ankle injuries? Are your ankles chronically unstable? Then the Ultra High-5 may be the ankle brace for you. With its feather-light but incredibly strong materials, the Ultra High-5 reinforces unstable ankles and can handle even the toughest twists and turns. The Ultra High-5 is also a great ankle brace for athletes and individuals who have recurring joint pain due to excessive pounding unforgiving surfaces.

4. Ultra CTS® Ankle Brace:

When it comes to high ankle sprains, acute ankle injuries, or even Ankle Osteoarthritis, the Ultra CTS Ankle Brace shines. Engineered with the patented PerformaFit® upright technology, this brace mimics the anatomical contours of the ankle, delivering personalized support and stabilization.

• High-Ankle Injuries: A high ankle injury occurs when the ankle is excessively externally rotated. The Ultra CTS has a hinged-cuff design which restricts excessive ankle inversion and ROTATION to treat both LOW and HIGH ankle injuries allowing the injured soft tissue to quickly heal.
• Acute Ankle Injury: With an acute ankle injury you will most likely have weight bearing pain. The Ultra CTS will “unload” the ankle. Ankle unloading means the brace will absorb some of the impact from standing or walking that would normally be transferred into the ankle causing pain. Maximum lower leg and ankle support and stabilization will take stress off the injured ligaments allowing them to heal much quicker.
• Osteoarthritis: With bone-on-bone joint irritation, or osteoarthritis (OA) you will need an ankle brace that will “unload” the ankle. Ankle unloading means the brace will absorb some of the impact from standing or walking that would normally be transferred into the ankle causing joint irritation and pain. For more details on how the Ultra CTS works for Osteoarthritis please visit our Osteoarthritis Page

The Verdict:

Do ankle braces actually help? The answer is a resounding yes, especially when armed with the right information and equipped with superior products like those offered by Ultra Ankle. Ankle braces serve as vital tools in both preventing and managing ankle injuries. With Ultra Ankle’s range of advanced solutions, individuals can confidently pursue their active lifestyles with reduced worry about potential ankle-related setbacks.

Conclusion:

In the realm of ankle support, Ultra Ankle products have truly elevated the game. Their commitment to blending science, comfort, and innovation has resulted in a lineup of braces that not only provide exceptional support but also contribute to the overall well-being of athletes and individuals. So, if you’re considering investing in ankle braces to safeguard your ankles, don’t overlook the transformative offerings brought forth by Ultra Ankle. Your ankles will thank you for the reliable protection and support these products provide.

Why Parents Trust Ultra Ankle Ultra® Zoom Braces for Their Kids: Ensuring Safety with Advanced Ankle Support

As parents, we prioritize our children’s safety and well-being, especially when they are involved in sports and physical activities that may put them at risk for injuries. In these situations, protective gear is a must, and among the many options available, ankle braces are essential. One standout brand parents trust is Ultra Ankle, specifically the Ultra Zoom®, and for good reasons.

1. Superior Support and Protection:

Ultra Zoom® braces offer robust and high-quality design that provides exceptional ankle support while still allowing for maximum mobility. Designed to stabilize and help prevent the ankle from injuries such as sprains, twists, and rolls, they are a top choice for parents whose kids play high-intensity sports like football, volleyball, or soccer.

2. Innovative Design:

Ultra Zoom® braces feature advanced technology and an innovative design. The hinged-cuff design limits excessive movement that could lead to high ankle injuries while maintaining enough flexibility for peak performance. This means your young athlete will stay in the game and not on the sideline with an ankle injury. This balance between safety and performance is why many parents opt for Ultra Ankle.

3. Comfort and Fit:

Ultra Ankle braces are celebrated for their snug fit and comfort, ensuring that kids can wear them for extended periods without feeling restricted or uncomfortable. Ultra Ankle braces, specifically the Ultra Zoom, custom form-fit to the athlete’s foot and ankle through body heat. This is perfect for growing children who need consistent and reliable support over several seasons of play.

4. Durability:

Durability is a major selling point for Ultra Ankle braces. Made from high-quality materials, these braces can withstand rigorous physical activity, giving parents value for their money and the assurance that their child’s safety gear is up to the task. The Ultra Zoom brace can last up to 3 full seasons depending on use and demands put on the brace.

5. Ease of Use:

Designed with usability in mind, Ultra Ankle Ultra Zoom braces are easy to put on, adjust, and take off, which is an essential feature for kids who might need to use them independently. This ease of use enhances their appeal among both kids and their parents. This differs from taping or lace-up braces which are both time consuming to put on and take off.

6. Positive Reviews and Experiences:

Ultra Ankle braces have been positively received by professionals in the sports and health industries and parents alike. A user review from a parent named Sarah states, “My daughter has been using Ultra Ankle braces for her volleyball games, and they have been a game-changer. I no longer worry about her getting injured on the court. Plus, she loves how comfortable they are.” Another parent, John, shared, “I got Ultra Ankle braces for my son who plays soccer. They’ve stood up to some tough games, and he’s been injury-free. Highly recommended for any young athlete.”

These endorsements and positive experiences have helped build trust and a strong reputation for Ultra Ankle braces, making them a preferred choice among parents.

To summarize, parents prefer Ultra Ankle braces for their children because of their advanced design, superior support, durability, and positive reviews. Not only do these braces protect young athletes’ ankles, but they also provide parents with the assurance they need when their children are out on the field or court.