To ensure the safety of your ankles in volleyball, particularly in positions that entail frequent jumping such as hitters, it is vital to give careful thought to the utilization of ankle braces. These braces provide utmost protection, offering maximum security and peace of mind.
I’ve learned from experience that taking care of your ankles can make a big difference in your game, and I’m here to share some tips to help you do just that.
So, let’s dive in and make sure you’re well-equipped to protect those ankles and keep playing at your best!
Top 5 volleyball ankle braces for 2024
Best Overall
Active Ankle T2
The ankle brace offers an optimal combination of support, comfort, and affordability. It is also highly trusted and widely recommended by volleyball players worldwide.
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The Active Ankles T2 strikes the ideal balance between providing support, ensuring comfort, and being affordable.
Similar to other top-notch ankle braces, this one incorporates semi-rigid lateral supports to create a protective shield around your ankle. This ensures that your ankle stays safe and stable, preventing any irregular or risky movements.
Not only does the T2 ankle brace help prevent injuries, but it’s also great for aiding in recovery from existing ones. The compression it provides helps reduce swelling and promotes blood flow, while the stability ensures your ankle stays aligned and protected during physical activity.
What sets the Active Ankles T2 apart is its highly adjustable design. You can easily customize the fit to meet your specific needs. With its unique single strap design that crosses over the front of your ankle and attaches on either side, you’ll enjoy excellent compression and support. It’s a breeze to put on and take off without sacrificing stability. So you can keep your focus on the game while the Active Ankles T2 takes care of the rest!
The best part? The Active Ankles T2 is remarkably lightweight. Unlike those clunky braces you find, this one won’t burden or limit your movements. You’ll hardly even notice it, but rest assured, you’ll definitely experience the added support and stability it provides.
The price is definitely worth it and won’t break the bank. Plus, they come highly recommended by volleyball enthusiasts for good reason. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Volleyball players of all positions, particularly hitters. With their lightweight design and excellent support, they provide the perfect landing gear for those high jumps.
Back row players. They prioritize stability and may require a more stable and perhaps “bulker” option.
Best Protection
Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace
This ankle brace is a great option for volleyball players with injury history, providing exceptional support. Though slightly pricier than other braces, its unmatched quality justifies the investment.
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The Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace engineered with athletes in mind, the Hinged Cuff Design is geared to limit excessive ankle twisting and turning, preventing LOW and HIGH ankle sprains. This versatile choice offers maximum ankle protection.
The Hinged Cuff Design moves in tandem with your ankle’s natural range of motion, ensuring smooth movement and safeguarding against twists after landing from a high jump.
The strap can be easily adjusted within seconds, ensuring a secure fit with minimal effort. It’s like having a personal assistant that takes care of your comfort with just a simple adjustment. No more struggling or wasting time trying to find the perfect fit. Just a quick tweak and you’re good to go!
While the ankle brace may be on the pricier side compared to others that are about half the price, it’s definitely worth a shot if you’re not trying to spend a fortune.
But I’ll let you decide if there are other options with slightly less support but at a more reasonable price.
It’s crucial choice for volleyball players with a history of injuries to prioritize recovery.
- Optimal protection
- Simple to adjust and customize
- Costly option
Most Comfortable
Zenith Ankle Brace
The brace offers desirable comfort and support. It is praised for its breathability, adjustable fit, and ability to provide optimal ankle support.
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The Zenith Ankle Brace stands out as a top choice for athletes looking to prevent or recover from ankle injuries. It offers a blend of comfort, support, and affordability, making it an ideal option for those seeking reliable ankle protection.
With excellent support and stability, it offers comfort and lightweight wear. Crafted with durable, flexible materials, including breathable neoprene for airflow, it keeps feet cool and dry during intense activities.
Notably, its adjustable straps allow for a customized fit, ensuring maximum comfort and support. The hook-and-loop closure system facilitates easy wearing and removal, without compromising on a secure fit.
Featuring a sleek, low-profile design, it effortlessly pairs with any footwear, catering to athletes in need of extra support during play. Plus, it can be adjusted to fit nearly all types of shoes.
If you find yourself constantly replacing ankle braces, the Zenith Ankle Brace is a reliable choice. Made from high-quality nylon and neoprene, with double-stitched seams, it offers long-lasting durability, saving you from frequent replacements. It’s definitely worth investing in!
- Durable
- Easy to adjust
- Secure a snug fit with the customizable straps
- Some users are experiencing issues with their range of motion
Most Popular
Med Spec ASO
This choice is greatly preferred by players grappling with ankle issues.
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The Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer is widely recognized as the go-to ankle brace in the market.
It’s known for its unique figure-eight strapping system that provides secure support while allowing easy and precise adjustments.
The ankle supports have a remarkable impact, providing exceptional support and effectively relieving pain. Notably, they demonstrate tangible effectiveness without causing discomfort or irritation to the skin.
You can wear the Med Spec ASO Ankle Stabilizer comfortably with any type of footwear, thanks to its low-profile fit.
The brace’s stability is exceptionally satisfying, effectively fulfilling its purpose of maintaining ankle stability. It offers reliable protection and support, with notable arch support that is greatly appreciated.
One thing to note about this item is its services. Unfortunately, customers can only return it if it arrives damaged.
Also, each ankle brace is sold separately, so be sure to carefully check the size to find the right fit for you.
For athletes and individuals aiming to prevent and recover from ankle injuries.
- Excellent ankle support, pain relief, and comfortable
- Durable due to high-quality materials
- Reasonably priced
- Return is only applicable in cases where the item is damaged
Best For Backrow
Active Ankle 329
Featuring a sleek, low-profile design, it effortlessly complements any footwear, making it ideal for athletes in need of versatile support in a reasonable price.
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As mentioned earlier, the T2 is perfect for front row players who often require lightweight and highly supportive gear, including shoes and ankle braces.
To provide optimal support, the 329 incorporates a high compression liner sock that offers essential support. That’s totally fine! Since back row players don’t jump frequently.
The straps system and integrated heel lock provide added stability to the joint, which is fantastic for positions that require quick movements. This helps prevent unnecessary ankle injuries, ensuring you can play your best without worrying about any setbacks.
The 2″ elastic heel lock is an innovative feature that expertly controls ankle inversion and eversion, all while keeping unnecessary bulk at bay. It’s a crucial element for the agility and mobility demanded by back row players.
Players in the back row, including liberos, defensive specialists, and setters, play crucial roles in the game.
Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Volleyball Ankle Brace
What position do you play?
If you’re in a position that requires frequent jumping, it’s important to have proper footwear to prevent injuries from landing awkwardly on someone else’s foot. Additionally, lightweight ankle support is crucial for ensuring optimal jumping ability.
Backrow players, who don’t jump excessively, can prioritize mobility over support. This strategic choice can significantly elevate your game and yield remarkable results!
Do you have any injury history?
If you’ve been playing volleyball for a while and are experiencing ankle issues, the Ultra Zoom is the ideal choice for maximum support. The support can significantly enhance your performance while reducing the risk of ankle sprains.
For those who are new or fortunate enough to not have any ankle issues, considering lightweight and less supportive options can greatly enhance your jumping ability and mobility.
What type of shoes are you currently wearing?
There are a few things you should bear in mind when responding to this question:
- Do you have on low-top shoes or mid/high-top shoes?
If you opt for mid/high-top, bulky options may not be suitable due to potential fit issues. It is advisable to prioritize low-profile shoes with a minimized design to ensure a proper fit for your ankle brace. - Ensure that you examine the padding of your inner shoes
When it comes to choosing shoes, it’s important to consider the thickness of the inner padding and how it may interact with ankle braces. Even if the braces have a low profile, certain shoes may not be ideal. - Are your shoes offering enough support?
If you’re playing in the back row, where ankle support isn’t crucial, a good pair of shoes that offer minimal support should suffice. This is particularly true if you don’t have any ankle issues.
What is your budget?
The typical price range for all the items I mentioned above is around $30.
However, please note that the ankle brace is sold separately.
When making a purchase, it’s often necessary to order a quantity of two, which represents a pair. It is advisable to take your budget into account when selecting the most suitable option.