NIKE Unisex - Adult Pro Ankle Sleeve Ankle Brace

Product Information

High arch: "A high-arch foot structure is one that typically does not evenly distribute weight, meaning the ball and the heel of the foot experience excessive friction, pressure and weight", explained Kor. "In addition, this foot structure is more prone to ankle sprains". Meet the Experts: Christopher E. Hubbard, M.D., a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon with Atlantic Medical Group of Atlantic Health System; Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., a podiatric surgeon practicing in New York City; Miguel Cunha, D.P.M., a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City. With exceptional cushioning, stability, and support, Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 22 sneakers are ideal for those with weak or injury-prone ankles. They feature the brand’s unique motion control technology that we found limits unwanted movement while also promoting a natural stride and proper foot alignment. During testing, we were impressed by the shoe’s stability and traction on various surfaces—including the treadmill, pavement, and light trails.

While they maintain that this sleeve is breathable, there is some neoprene in the material, and this usually isn’t the most breathable material that could be used, but it offers strong elasticity and solid durability. In this sense, you will likely retain some of your body heat around the ankle, which isn’t a bad thing unless it really annoys you. The heat can help reduce pain and free up some movement, but it isn’t good if you are trying to prevent swelling (ice is better for that). One of our favorite trail running shoes, Nike’s Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX helps limit excess movement and prevent ankle rolling on wet, uneven terrains. During test runs in various conditions, we were impressed with the durable, waterproof upper that provides protection from the elements without causing our feet to overheat.

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Nike Zoom Structure running shoes feature a triple-density dynamic support system in the midsole. This system uses opposing wedges of foam with different densities to help slow the rate of pronation. They also have asymmetrical Nike Flywire cables that wrap your foot and provide support without adding bulk. Pronation (technically, overpronation) means your foot leans too far inward, with the weight distributed more on the inner foot and arch. Responsiveness: Responsiveness refers to how effective a shoe is at propelling you to the next stride. To test for responsiveness, we spend weeks walking and running in each shoe to assess how springy or bouncy it feels when pushing off the ground. Shoes earn high scores for responsiveness if they prevent our legs and feet from feeling fatigued at the end of long walks or runs. Seated Calf Stretch: Sitting on the floor, stretch your calves in front of you and reach for your toes, ankles or shins. This will help loosen up tight Achilles tendons caused by overpronation. A supinated foot often causes tight Achilles tendons and calves, so performing this can help fix supination.

Shoes with too much flexibility will only worsen your foot's natural inclination to roll inwards. It's important that your shoes keep your feet stable. Supination (aka underpronation) leads to your foot leaning outwards, distributing the weight on the outside edge of your foot and ankle. This can lead to ankle pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, sprains and iliotibial (IT) band pain. Release the toes of one foot from the floor, so that just your heel is on the ground and your toes are pointing upright. Flat feet: "A flat foot has no or a significantly decreased arch on the inside of the foot", explained Kor. "Most flat feet function (when walking, climbing, running, etc.) in a more pronated position. This foot structure can be rigid or flexible". We tested over 130 pairs of sneakers, but only ended up including 10 pairs in our final list of recommendations. Although these shoes might be suitable for certain activities, they ultimately fell a bit short in terms of ankle support.KEEN is known for making world-class hiking gear, and their KEEN Targhee II is an especially supportive option. A premium rubber outsole offers tons of traction, keeping you in control even when you traverse uneven terrain. Meanwhile, an external stability shank provides plenty of support without contributing extra weight. What We Like Arch supports can help with conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet with tendon problems, high-arch feet with cushioning problems, shin splints, hammertoes, bunion conditions and other mechanically induced problems that feet and legs may encounter", said Mendeszoon. While some portions of the brace can offer therapeutic heat, there is also a breathable mesh that is placed over areas where you need it most. The contoured design allows for freedom of movement in flexion and extension directions, but it still offers some lateral support. Again, you should be cautious with support, as this won’t completely prevent you from rolling an ankle, but it does help keep you aligned and feeling more confident while you maneuver on the court or field. Comfort: If your shoe isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it, so next up is assessing comfort. During each wear test, we pay attention to how the material feels: Are there any irritating seams? Do our feet feel overheated? Is there uncomfortable chafing or rubbing? We prioritize shoes that keep our feet cool, comfortable, and blister-free for hours at a time.

Similar to the sleeve above, this one is very easy to wear under a pair of shoes and slips on easily, so long as you don’t get a size that’s too small. It’s more expensive than the standard Nike ankle sleeve, but this is due to the higher quality materials that offer better performance. Durable and versatile, ASICS’ GEL-VENTURE 8 shoes are rugged enough to handle road running, trail runs, and hiking on moderate trails. The grippy rubber outsole keeps us stable on uneven and wet surfaces, while the gel-cushioned midsole offers responsiveness and comfort. Plus, the mesh upper is reinforced with abrasion-resistant overlays—providing a snug and protective fit. Cushioning: Evaluating a shoe for its level of cushioning can be difficult, as some wearers prefer a plush midsole, while others appreciate a firm landing. That’s why when we test each shoe, we pay attention to how well the cushioning absorbs impact as our foot hits the ground. We also take note of any foot, knee, or leg instability, fatigue, or pain. Regardless of the level of cushioning—plush or firm—shoes earn high scores if they keep our feet comfortable and protected throughout testing.Plantar fasciitis: "Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a ligament on the bottom of the arch and heel that is prone to overuse", said Kor. "This overuse is usually the result of many factors, including foot structure, weight carried, shape of foot, activity level, shoe gear, etc."