Best Ankle Supports for Weak Ankles 2024
If you've suffered an ankle injury in the past, you may not be as confident in your ankle's stability as you once were. Until you strengthen your ankle back to where it should be, an ankle support is the best option to help prevent injury and gain the confidence to move again. We've consulted with product experts at some of the world's top manufacturers to provide a definitive list of the best ankle braces for supporting weak ankles, pointing out where each might have an advantage over the others.
What Will This Guide Cover?
First off, we'll outline some of the key attributes you should look for when buying an ankle brace. Equipped with this knowledge, we will then show you a selection of braces that have been recommended by experts to help with weak ankles. Follow the links below to find what you're looking for.
Before You Buy
Best Braces for Weak Ankles
- Best Overall Ankle Brace for Weak Ankles
- Best Ankle Brace for Weak Ankles in Sports
- Easiest Weak Ankle Brace to Apply
- Best Ankle Brace for Arthritis
- Most Supportive Ankle Brace for Weak Ankles
- Best Compression Ankles Brace for Weak Ankles
- Best Ankle Strengthening Bundle
How Should I Choose My Ankle Brace?
When setting out to decide which ankle brace to buy, it's important to know what you'll be using it for. All of our braces in this article are designed to allow movement, but each will be suited to a different level of activity or instability. Here, we'll lay out our three keys points to consider when choosing your support:
- Rollover Protection: This is our number one concern for weak ankles, as they will usually be vulnerable to twists and rolls. A good support will limit your side-to-side movement, helping your weakened ligaments from losing control.
- Comfort: This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how often people overlook that a brace for weakness is likely to be worn for a long time. Look for lightweight, soft materials that are easy on the skin.
- Bulk: Supports for a weak ankle should be worn during both everyday activities and exercise, so they'll need to fit into all your footwear. This is especially important for getting back to physical activity, as only low-profile braces will fit into athletic footwear like football boots.
Our Best Overall Ankle Brace for Weak Ankles
BioSkin TriLok Ankle Ligaments Support
- Ankle support for conditions that range from sprains to arthritis
- Works by controlling the motion of the forefoot for correct positioning
- Suitable for use with socks, shoes and while playing sports
- Designed to work as an extra ligament to improve foot and ankle problems
Why It's Our Pick: Acts as an extra ligament to take strain the off ligaments and strengthen the ankles.
Customer Feedback: "Great product if you suffer from torn tendons and ankle weakness. Used it to play golf offers great support." - Dean ★★★★★
Our Best Support for Weak Ankle in Sports
Aircast A60 Ankle Brace
- Prevents rollover and ankle sprains - the ultimate ankle support
- In-built contoured stabilisers on either side of the ankle for stability
- Designed for professional and amateur athletes alike
- Comfortable and low profile; wear it with almost any trainer or shoe
- Also available in white
Aircast A60 Ankle Brace White
- Prevents rollover and ankle sprains - the ultimate ankle support
- In-built contoured stabilisers on either side of the ankle for stability
- Designed for professional and amateur athletes alike
- Comfortable and low profile; wear it with almost any trainer or shoe
- Also available in black
Why It's Our Pick: Used by international athletes such as Andy Murray, this brace is our top choice for comfort, breathability and rollover protection.
Customer Feedback: "Great support, my clumsy son has never gone over on his weak ankle wearing this support. He wears it everyday, fits like a sock, very comfy and does exactly what it says on the tin." - Karen ★★★★★
Our Easiest Ankle Brace to Apply
Thuasne Malleo Dynastab Boa Ankle Brace
- Lightweight ankle brace offering a high level of support
- Ideal for restarting sports after mild to moderate sprains
- Quick and easy fitting with the Boa Lacing System
- Extra straps and a flexible metallic splint maximise stability
Why It's Our Pick: Boa lacing system allows adjustment in seconds, and can be worn in all types of footwear.
Customer Feedback: "I have very weak ankles and have to have steroid injections, my doctor advised me to use the Thuasne BOA Ankle Brace. It is a good support for me. I walk 5 miles each morning and this brace has really helped me to continue my exercise..." - Jayne ★★★★★
Best Ankle Brace for Arthritis
Actimove Arthritis Care Compression Ankle Support
- Ankle support to provide therapeutic warmth and compression
- Ideal for arthritis, stiffness and chronic ankle pain
- Unique ceramic fibres deliver soothing heat to the ankle
- Ambidextrous for use on either the left or right ankle
Why It's Our Pick: Made of fantastically insulating ceramic fibres, the Actimove Brace insulates arthritic ankles for soothing relief. The compressive design boosts circulation to encourage healing and reduce pain, while remaining gentle enough for arthritis sufferers who may be sensitive.
Customer Feedback: "Relieved the pain in my foot and ankle and enabled me to get around." - Mary ★★★★★
Our Most Supportive Ankle Brace for Weak Ankles
Aircast Airsport Plus Three-in-One Ankle Brace
- Top-of-the-range sports ankle brace
- BOA fastening system and stirrup design enhance stability
- High posterior helps prevent rolling and medial/lateral instability
- Compresses and supports the ankle at multiples levels
Why It's Our Pick: Stirrup design provides high level medial and lateral support.
Customer Feedback: This a very good and well made ankle brace, I used this as a follow on boot after being in a air/moon boot for 3 weeks after having ankle surgery. It has really helped me get my confidence back as I felt my leg and ankle was too weak to go straight back in to a shoe. - Jane ★★★★
Our Best Compression Ankle Brace
Ultimate Performance Compression Elastic Ankle Support
- Elastic compression ankle support
- Designed to provide a high level of foot compression
- Ideal for people with ankle injuries and sprains
- Ambidextrous design suitable for either foot
Why It's Our Pick: Low-profile to fit in all shoes and increase proprioceptive awareness.
Customer Feedback: "This ankle support provides a moderate level of support ideal for normal hiking to strengthen my ankle that is weakened from previous tendon damage." - Alan ★★★★★
Our Best Kit to Strengthen Weak Ankles
Aircast A60 and Dura Soft Ankle Ice Wrap Recovery Kit
- Stabilising ankle brace with an ankle-specific ice wrap
- Ideal for recovery of a weak or previously-injured ankle
- Support your ankle during activity and control swelling afterwards
- Two items supplied together at a reduced cost
Why It's Our Pick: Combines our top-rated ankle brace with an ankle-specific exercise band (suitable exercises are provided).
Take the Sprain Away
If your ankle has mostly healed up after a past injury and you're looking for some extra support and confidence, all of these braces will do the trick. Walking and exercising with support will allow the ligaments in your ankle to slowly strengthen while minimising pain and injury risk.
If you'd like to browse the vast range of ankle braces, sleeves and supports that we've chosen these products from, feel free to browse our entire Ankle Supports & Braces category.
Has an ankle support helped you support your ankle and strengthen the area? Let us know in the comments below, or find us on Twitter and Facebook!
Tags: Ankle Pain, Ankle Supports, Foot and Ankle Pain, Learn About Conditions