Volleyball Equipment Archives | Page 2 of 2

Ankle injuries are extremely common in volleyball and honestly it's easy to see why. If it's not the lateral movements getting into passing positions, chasing down balls or transitioning to block. Its players or opponents contacting each other and landing on other peoples feet causing your ankle rolls. Ankle injuries depending on severity can be worse than breaks sometimes. They can lead to long term ligament damage or muscle weakness. There is nothing worse than having a niggly ankle problem that just won’t quit. Having an injury especially in something so pivotal to so many movements such as the ankle can really play on your mind. It can cause you to hold yourself back or worse compensate which can cause injuries or weaknesses in different areas due to unfamiliar movements. Luckily with improving technology in ankle braces you can get a fantastic strap that not only gives you the confidence to play to the max but also allows you to feel comfortable and not restricted and heavy. In this article I am going to cover some of the best ankle braces on the market that will have you back on the court in no time. Please note although this list is a top 10 lots of these braces could be interchanged on the list so I would suggest you check them all out and pick the one that looks best for you. 1. Shock Doctor 849 At number 1 we have the Shock Doctor 849. Shock Doctor has built up a fantastic name for themselves in the ankle brace world and is recognised as a well trusted brand. The brace is designed to offer maximum support whilst still be flexible enough to allow you to practice or carry out rehabilitation activities. This ankle brace has various gel pads featured around common areas which usually cause discomfort to offer maximum support and comfort. You will also notice the brace sports a tongue that closers mirror the curvature of your ankle to ensure the brace does not feel cumbersome and bulky. Using the laces you are able to secure this brace quite tightly which combined with the uppers offers a natural compression that produces heat. This heat helps circulate blood to the area and also encourages regrowth of the muscle and ligaments. It has an open heel to allow air to enter and exit the brace to assist in ventilation and prevent bacteria build up in the anti-microbial liners One clever feature about the Shock Doctor 849 is it can be suited to either foot meaning you don’t need to fork out for two braces should you pick up another injury or be unlucky in both ankles. The Shock Doctor 849 is available in both a black and white finish meaning you can go for the more discreet option of white to blend in with the socks if you so desire. 2. Active Ankle T2 Ankle Brace, Rigid Ankle Stabilizer Next on the list is the Active Ankle T2 Ankle Brace (Rigid Ankle Stabilizer). Active Ankle are another brand that are proving a point in the ankle brace world. They are establishing themselves as one the most reliable brands on the market and you this is especially true in the Active Ankle T2. This brace has really thought about the practicalities of wearing both and ankle brace and volleyball shoes. The main bracing is lifted up around the ankle and lower leg and is kept in place using a non-slip silicon grasp. This grasp sits just in front of the heel of your foot preventing it from slipping backwards and causing the support to slide up your leg. The brace itself sports large gel pads that rise up the medial and lateral side of your leg. This is then forced to snuggly secure around your ankle using an elastic band. As I said, this ankle brace is particularly good for those who don’t like the feel of a bulky brace around the opening of the shoes. Inside the gel pads in low binding circles which encapsulate the ankle bones perfectly giving a nice comfortable ride. The pads offer great compression which offers a warming sensation to the area thus speeding up recovery times. The pads are made from a nice breathable material so although the compression provides a natural heat your leg and ankle won’t feel sweaty and clammy. The last thing that bears mentioning is that the brace has well placed finger tabs to ensure the brace can be placed on and taken off with ease which prevents you from trying to push your ankle into the brace and causing further damage. 3. Bodyprox Ankle Support Brace The Bodyprox ankle support is unlike the other supports/ braces I have listed prior. The reason being this brace is adjustable meaning you can place it in whatever you feel you need the most support. The brace is constructed using an 11 inch customizable neoprene wrap is not only supportive but it is also flexible and breathable. On top of this the neoprene is extremely easy to wash so you don’t need to worry about it smelling or suffering from bacteria buildup. Once the wrap is stretched and contorted into the required position it simply secures in place using a velcro pad. As the wrap is made nearly entirely of neoprene it feels very supportive and slim line. One thing that is worth noting depending on where you finish the wrap and what type of shoes you tend to wear the velcro pads can occasionally end right around the neck of the shoe which can cause some discomfort. As the wrap can be adjusted as required it fits both males and females. 4. McDavid 195 The concept of the McDavid came from the ever popular K-Tape. It features a built in figure 6 pattern which not only hugs the ankle offering great support but also allows the ankle to have a nice range of motion. The support is made up of a neoprene sock with a lace to increase compression as required.. Over the top of the neoprene is a further neoprene strap that allows you to wrap around the foot, ankle and secured onto the lower leg. A nice feature the McDavid offers is the ability to be able to tighten, adjust and reposition the brace without needing to take off your shoes. The liner padding is very strong and offers fantastic compression although it is worth noting that the tough material makes the brace feel very snug. So if you don’t like a really snug feeling you may want to look at other options on the list. One of the biggest things in the McDavid’s favour is the fact their products are proven to reduce long term ankle injuries. In 2010 the University of Wisconsin, Madison conducted a study on their braces. They found that wearing the McDavid braces reduced long term injuries and reduced the number of injuries faced throughout the season. 5. VIVE Stabilizer Brace The Vive Stabilizer is perhaps one of the heaviest and bulkiest braces however this is for a good reason. This brace is very supportive and comfortable as it features gel pad liners which conform round the ankle for supreme comfort. The strap tightens using a series of wraps and layers to offer fantastic lockdown and support in all the required areas. The top strap is adjustable meaning it can be easily tightened and loosened as you require and it can also be done without taking your shoe off. The materials offer great compression and a natural warming sensation which helps the healing process. The brace also sports an open heel which allows great ventilation. This helps reduce odour and also prevent bacteria buildup. 6. ASO Ankle Stabilizer The ASO ankle stabilizer was made with your support and comfort in mind. As such they have made this brace in a variety of sizes as opposed to creating a one size fits all. By creating a variety of sizes it offers a better fit for each customer regardless of size. The sizes vary from XXS to XXXL so you can be sure you will find an ankle brace that fits you perfectly. The brace features a cross strap that forms a figure 8 when tightened. This offer fantastic compression whilst still offering great freedom of movement. The brace features an open heel for ventilation and a lace up front to make the brace as tight as possible. The sleeve is made of ballistic grade nylon to ensure it is durable even during the most intense and long games. The brace is universal meaning it will fit either the left of right foot. The materials are all suitable for machine washing however they will perish if put in the tumble dryer so be sure to let it dry naturally if you pick this up. To ensure you get the right fitting brace Med Spec suggest measuring the circumference of your ankle just above the heel. For further guides on this you can look at the amazon listing below to make sure you get the right size. 7. Ultra Ankle High-5 Brace The ultra ankle high-5 brace as the name suggests sports more a high top look. The brace is much more rigid than the other models listed as it designed to greatly improve stability on the joints and ligaments. This brace is designed for those with more serious long term injuries. The brace features 2 rigid padded sides on the lateral and medial sides. These are pulled together and secured using an elastic strap. The brace features a heel cap with pivot points to the side pads, This ensures the brace does not move or slip when playing. As I said this brace is designed to really lockdown and support your ankle in all movements so the rigid materials do restrict full range of motion to ensure no over rotating or rolling can take place. The braces do sit nicely inside shoes but as a said the rigid materials don’t give very much so it does feel like quite a lot in the rear of the shoe. 8. BioSkin Wrap-around Ankle Brace The bioskin Wrap-around ankle brace is actually recommended by many podiatrists for post injury and surgery rehabilitation. The brace features silicone gel pads which offer gentle compression making it perfect to assist with pain without feeling too tight and causing discomfort. The compression on the brace helps reduce swelling specifically after sprains, ruptures and or surgery. The brace has straps on both the lateral and anterior sides which allow you to tighten the brace very securely around your foot. This offers amazing stability hence why it is recommended for rehabilitation. An additional strap on the bottom looks to keep your foot safely in a comfortable position whilst ensuring the straps do not land on any painful areas. Now it is worth noting that given the medically approved design it does come with a medical grade price tag. The brace may actually be overkill for the average volleyball player however if you have sustained a serious injury or had surgery and you are looking to start rehab we can certainly recommend this brace to get you back into the action. 9. Aircast A60 Ankle Brace The aircast A60 is a light and gentle ankle brace designed to assist with injury prevention or provide additional to minor sprains or history of injury. Much like nearly all braces on this list, it has an open heel for improved ventilation and securely wraps around the base of the foot to give a nice secure anti-slip brace. The reason the Aircast named this particular brace the A60 is due to the side panels that run up the lateral and medial side. These pads are designed at a 60 degree angle to secure round your lower leg and ankle to prevent rolling, twisting or spraining when playing in even the most intense rallies. Due to the good quality materials used the brace is light and still allows free range or movement. The pads are simply like guides to help keep your ankle stable. Now as I said this brace is designed for injury prevention or just to add that little bit of stability if you have a history of ankle problems. If you have recently suffered a more severe injury or you are on the way back to rehab from surgery, you will want to look at the more supportive options on the list. 10. Mueller Sport Care 4-way stretch Last but not least is the Mueller Sport Care 4-way stretch. Perhaps the most prehistoric design on this entire list as it much more resembles the old school tubigrip supports more so than a top of the range ankle brace. However with that being said don’t the simplistic design fool you as it is constructed in such a way that makes this a top performer. Now much like the A60 it is lightweight and designed to offer that peace of mind during minor sprains or long term history of ankle problems. The brace has a clever stitching design that runs both vertically and horizontally, these stitching patterns increase compression to prevent swelling. This is the first brace on the list that features a closed heel so the support we feel far more like a second sock as opposed to a bulky brace. The materials used in the support are very good quality in that they are durable, slightly elasticated and most importantly soft on the skin. Mueller have been very clever in placing certain materials in areas which usually cause discomfort so you can rest assured you want have a new indentation everytime you take them off. The 4-way stretch is a rather long support that is designed to offer better support whilst ensuring it can not slip down or ride upwards when playing in intense rallies. The support has also been designed in a way that conforms around your foot and lower leg, leaving a nice minimalist feel when playing.