Ankle Brace Championship
Back in the 80′s my basketball coach required us to wrap our ankles. The previous years squad been decimated due to a stream of ankle injuries and Coach Clark would not allow this to happen again. Some years later it become common practice for top basketball programs to require all players to use some sort of ankle protection. I suppose growing up in Canada where the sports we played all required special gear, (ie helmet, stick, pads and skates = hockey) a little ankle wrapping was a minor inconvenience. Back then, we used cotton strips that were wrapped around the ankle and then taped or clipped into place. It took some extra time in the locker room, but that year our ankle injuries were reduced to zero.
In the early 90’s a new way to secure your ankle was introduced: the lace-up ankle brace. The big “advancement” was basically a corset for your ankle. It promised to be easier than taping or wrapping, and the basic design still stands as the basis for the modern ankle brace. As an early victim of ankles sprains I tried out a few of the early ankle braces only to be repeatedly disappointed. The early ankle braces were rigid and the seams had sharp edges. These edges would cut into your shoes or even worse the skin of your feet. Not a good experience, and with the limited support and the sharp pains I quickly went back to wrapping my ankles. After more than 20 years of development I’m happy to report that the technology behind the ankle brace has improved significantly. Materials have gotten lighter, the braces fit and support better and they even allow a satisfactory and in some cases, a surprising range of movement. I can recommend the top ankle braces in this review as a good alternative to ankle wrapping and an viable alternative to all but the most professional of tapping jobs.
At the start of this project I realized that going about this task with any sort of scientific a method would require good organization, and a core group of ankle brace testers. Luckily many of my friends are basketball players, and unluckily, we basketball players sprain our ankles. We have a nice basketball community here in Holland so I put out the word out on the court, both on the street basketball scene, indoor leagues and on the almighty Internet. The feedback came pouring in. After more than three months of running around with a bag of braces and gathering over 100 individual reviews I’ve come up with this comprehensive report.
For a brace to be included in this report I’ve required a minimum of 10 independent reports to qualify. Some of the more popular braces received as many as twenty-five reports through the standard paper and pen report form or through our Internet feedback form. The data continues to come in. I’ve been especially interested in the feedback from people who have taken up the challenge and review multiple braces. With comparison reviews I can isolate the key qualities of a brace without the bias of a high scorer or a never happy reviewer. Thanks to “Hollywood” and Benny The Human Cannon Ball”, and of course street ball legend “Jesus”, your wise words are echoed in this report fellas.
We asked the biggest manufactures with the biggest and most popular brands to join in this report. An early entry was the Pro-Tec Ankle Brace, the recent winner in our search for the best Pattellar Knee Band. One of the biggest names in ankle braces, McDavid committed and then ducked out after discovering the heavyweight competition. Chicken!! This was a disappointment, but McDavid braces are so popular we were able to include two of their braces in our review… often in a head to head comparison with another brace from the panel. ASO stepped up confidently and immediately sent their celebrated brace into battle. The ankle brace specialty company Swede-O forwarded their complete range consisting of five different ankle braces and we’ve reviewed three of them here.
So here our our results. I hope this help you to select the best brace.
Pro-Tec
This nicely padded brace is made of a lightweight and soft material. Looking like a cozy quilt wrap for your ankle, it provides basic ankle support using the most basic of form factors. Many reports complain about the thick seams of this brace, especially when compared with the new low profile designs of the other braces in our test group. As for support, this brace is good for only the lightest of ankle support duty. |
![]() |
Swede-O X8
This brace uses two additional “figure-8″ support straps. These are basically two straps which are wrapped around the ankle in a a figure 8 and attached on the high side of the ankle with Velcro. These straps work effectively giving significantly more support and strength to the brace and the remainder of the ankle braces reviewed by this report all use a form of this design. This brace that also includes a set of two high ankle stabilizer inserts, or stiff plastic sleeves which can be removed if not needed. For the purposes of this report the high ankle inserts have all been removed. This brace is recommended for football but not for athletes who are protecting against a high ankle injury. |
![]() |
Swede-O Inner Lok 8
This lace-up brace is a great combination of comfort and easy of use. It features a lace-up design with the figure-8 straps ingeniously sandwiched inside the brace. This makes the brace extremely easy to put on and take off. The seamless bottom (found in all of the Swede-O braces) was reported to be extremely comfortable. With thinner, less adjustable straps the overall support of the brace is slightly less than it’s other Swedo-O brothers, but good just the same. If you can accept a bit less support, then this elegant brace is for you. |
![]() |
McDavid #195
This popular ankle strap is of solid construction and incorporates thick wrapping bands in the figure 8 style. This brace is reported to be quite bulky with a soft inner lining. This thickness has caused some people to complain of problems with the brace fitting into their shoes. The brace features a good solid construction of a poly/vinyl material with quality elastic touches in the heal. The inner lining of this brace deteriorates with use and this is reported to limit the effective lifetime of the brace to a maximum of two years. It does however become quite flexible and is reported as being very comfortable after being worn in. |
![]() |
Swede-O Strap Lok
With so many versions, Swede-O is bound to get it right eventually. This ankle brace is light, thin and strong. It uses the now familiar lace-up design with figure-8 straps and a high ankle wrapping strap. The lace up boot has numerous anchor points (9) giving the brace a highly customized fit but this does make it more difficult to remove or to put back on. The boot or shell of the brace uses a two piece design and we feel this gives this brace a slightly bigger range of motion than the ASO but with similar support. This brace is of a lighter construction so we expect this brace to last two seasons of heavy use at the most. |
![]() |
ASO Ankle Brace BUY it HERE
Bring on the champion. The ASO is just plain quality. Most people love the feel of this brace from the moment they put it on, as the quality construction and attention to detail is just extraordinary. The champion uses the figure-8 strap system with has a thick two piece upper ankle strap. When placed “head to head” the range of motion of the ASO is more limited when compared to the Swede-O Strap Lok, but then the support and quality is also better. With only 6 lace up rivets, the brace is easy to put on and take off. Made of a super high quality ballistic nylon, this brace has glowing reports of service even after 3 years of heavy use. This is the people’s champion, people who use this brace swear by it, love it, and will not use another. |
![]() |
.
Cost | Comfort | Ease of Use | Looks | Quality | Effectiveness | Overall | |
ASO Ankle Brace |
€70 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 9.4 |
Swede-O
Strap Lok |
€30 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.1 |
McDavid #195 |
€55 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 7.9 |
Swede-O X8 |
€30 | 8.9 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
Swede-O InnerLok8 |
€30 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 6.3 | 7.0 |
McDavid #199 |
€38 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 6.6 | 7.0 |
Pro-Tec
Ankle Brace |
€25 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 6.6 |
*Combined results of at least 10 reviews for each brace
Results
The ASO ankle brace received top scores in every category. Comfort, Easy of Use, Looks, Quality, Effectiveness and even the very subjective “Overall” category. The designs of the other top braces, although relatively similar with a “figure-8″ or “figure-6″ strap provide a high level of support, but the superior class of the ASO is in the details. A late charge by a thin and flexible Swede-O Stap Lok took the second place from the McDavid #195 due to better Comfort, Effectiveness and the feel good Overall metric. We suspect this may be due to a bit of the “devil you know” factor when placed in critical head to head comparison. The testers were impressed with the range of Swede-O Ankle Braces with their slim design and varied features, but the ASO showed it’s premium class early and never looked back. The ASO Ankle Brace just oozes quality, comfort and superior ankle security. The ASO Ankle Brace is the very best ankle support and is simply worth the price.
BEST ANKLE BRACEASO
|
|
33 Comments
I bought the ASO two years ago. It was expensive!
What a fantastic article! Keep it up and keep improving with more data. You run the risk of being the definitive resource on ankle braces. Thanks!
Great report mate, but one question — which of these (or any others) would you say is the thinnest and most wearable?
I currently have the ASO, which is fantastic but quite bulky. I only need it’s maximal support when injured, and would like to have something more wearable during regular periods.
If you find the ASO brace a bit bulky then I would suggest a Swede-O model. They are all quite thin. For a lightweight brace I personally prefer the InnerLok8.
Thanks a ton for the review and comments which have helped me narrow my search down to a couple braces. One question about the ASO compared to the Innerlok8. The bottom of the ASO appears to have a seam under the heal. Along with the strp, might this cause any discomfort? The Innerlok8 is very smooth. These will be used with custom orthotics with are harder than typical insole.
For sheer quality, you just can’t beat the ASO. Simply no negative reports.
Well, you are dead on about the ASO. Amazing quality, perfect fit, easy to put on. Worked better than interlok8.
Looking at their website, ASO makes several models that look similar to the one in the picture: ASO, ASO MAX, and ASO Speed-Lacer. Which are you recommending?
Hi Jennifer, The original and basic ASO is the one that we reviewed and collected data on.
Hi, have used all of the top 4 braces mentioned. For daily use and comfort the Swedo strap lok is the best by far. Your “champion” is a great brace for sport but for me the strap lok is a perfect fit. Great article by the way.
I would highly recommend the old adidas speedwrap ankle brace. Not the new adizero ones, but the old ones. Absolutely no way one can spratin their ankle with one of them…
I have been using the Mcdavid (spring steel) braces for over 10 years. Although they are uncomfortable, i feel more confident with the stays int he brace rather than not. The brace has also become too bulky to fit into my new shoes. I play netball and have a history of sprained ankles.
What can you recommend that is top shelf for protection, comfort and thinness?
Thanks
Hi Sam! I think that you’ll be pleased with the ASO brace reviewed and rated in the review. A great combination of support and comfort. This brace will keep you in the game for another 10 years!
Thanks for the review. Unfortunately ASO makes it impossible for me to get one. The only place in town that can get them (none in stock) requires a prescription and shipping isn’t an option since i need it too soon.
Sorry to hear that. We have them in stock!
It is not my first time to pay a visit this web page, i am visiting this site often and take nice facts from here everytime!
I am 60 and looking for an ankle brace for my very narrow (skinny) foot that I walk comfortably in. I get occasional light sprains when walking, especially on uneven surfaces.
Hi Dennis, The ASO is the most comfortable ankle brace that we have tested. It’s a quality brace. Keep on truck’n!
What would you recommend for basketball? I need something thin , lightweight , with excellent support . I need it to fit in my shoes. I thought about purchasing Nike’s ankle wrap . not sure which to go with .
We recommend the ASO ankle brace. Quality AND decent protection.
i recently broke my fibula and ankle playing soccer and undergone surgery. in stopping by various sporting good stores, I noticed that some of the braces I tried were too bulky and and I couldn’t wear it for soccer. Which do you recommend that is strongest to minimize a future ankle injury, but still thin and comfortable for specifically soccer? thanks for the the article!
The ASO provides a good combination of support and is thin in the right places.
My son has chronic ankle sprains each season and several fractures, he also plays basketball. 4 years ago we purchased the original ASO at the suggestion of a PT friend. Each year we purchase 2 new ones(both ankles) “just to be on the safe side that they are in top shape” and in no way would we change to another brand! He had an issue 2 1/2 months ago when he turned his ankle jumping out of his truck, the ligament pulled bone fragments off. ASO is the best! THANKS for this article!
I’m recovering from a total tear of the anterior talofibular ligament last October. I’ve had sprains most of my life, but this is the first where it’s been so serious (and the first where I’ve had physical therapy). The PT’s office stocks only two braces, the Donjoy Stabilizing PRO Ankle Brace and the Donjoy Velocity Ankle Brace. I like the Velocity (the other pressed on the back of my ankle whenever I moved my toes down), but I also need a thinner one for shoes where this doesn’t fit. Thanks for the review.
Orthotics are no longer really controlling a severe roll out/ subination of my right ankle. I tried the McDavids in the store and did not help Do you think ASO may help here?
Hi Rich, Fundamentally the ASO and McDavid ankle braces are the same, only the ASO is way, way better. As you’re more likely to wear the more comfortable ASO brace, the ASO WILL help. Just keep in mind that an ankle brace is only a brace and it doesn’t protect you 100% against spraining your ankle and it’s when you’re not wearing one is when you’re vulnerable.
Bought the Aso braces. They are great: great fit, easy to use and the protection is very efficient.
I recommend these braces to everyone!
I got this web site from my friend who informed me of this website.
Some very informative articles and reviews here.
its a little odd that you only recommend the single brand you sell. Hmmm
Dear K, must admit, I would also find it a bit suspect, but only if I was recommending all sorts of products. I want to offer the best brace, strap of whatever possible. Are their new challengers to the throne?
Hi! Thanks for the review. I only have one question, Has the ASO right and left feet?
The ASO brace is wearable on both right and left feet.
Just like to say thanks a lot for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design)!
2 Trackbacks and Pingbacks
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I’ll pick the ASO. Where can I find it?
Write a Comment