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Looking for tips on how to wear an ankle brace with shoes?
You’re exactly where you need to be!
Below, I’ll go over everything you need to know about using the two together, from choosing the right size to dealing with soreness.
Let’s get started!
Don’t forget to also check our review about the best ankle supports for weak ankles!
Table of Contents
How to Wear an Ankle Brace With Shoes
Wearing an ankle brace with shoes is not just about putting a brace and a shoe before starting your day.
You need to find the correct size brace and a perfect pair of shoes. You need to feel comfortable wearing both, and you need to know how to maintain your brace.
That’s a lot of “needs,” isn’t it? No worries, I’ll walk you through each step.
Tip 1. Buy the Right Size Brace
One of the biggest mistakes most people make while buying an ankle support brace is, purchasing one according to their shoe size.
Shoe size and brace size are often different. Shoes cover your entire foot while an ankle brace does not.
Different ankle brace production companies have different measurement charts, that help you select the correct size.
Check out the size matrix of respective companies and only then invest in your ankle support.
Take your ankle protection knowledge to the next level with our ‘Ankle Brace vs. Ankle Support: Quick Comparison’ video. Learn the differences and choose the right option for your needs today:
Tip 2. Quality of Footwear Matters
Wearing a shoe over your ankle support brace is a must. But you need to be wise while selecting your footwear.
The intention of wearing a shoe over your ankle brace is to provide sturdy support.
Footwear like floaters, slippers, flip-flops, sandals, heels, etc. does not fulfill the purpose.
The material of the shoe needs to be sturdy but not too hard. As there is a possibility it might limit the range of motion of your foot and make your injury worst.
But, using cheap shoes made up of extremely flexible material is equally useless. As it does not give the necessary support.
Trying an oversized shoe is the best way to find the correct shoe size to wear over your ankle support brace. Oversized shoes are firm, yet gentle and offer enough room for your foot to settle.
Snickers or casual shoes are the best shoes to wear with an ankle brace. Unlike other footwear, shoes with laces can be adjusted according to your preference. This reduces the possibility of severe sprains.
Tip 3. Make Sure You’re Wearing the Brace Correctly
Once you’ve found the perfect fit and the right shoe, the next step is to make sure you’re using the two together the right way.
The lower strap of the brace needs to be removed while wearing a shoe. Make sure the shoelaces are loosened.
Insert your foot carefully and take your time, especially if it’s your first time or you have an injured ankle.
Once your foot is safely placed inside, fasten the laces and but make sure it’s not too tight or too loose.
Walk a few steps to make sure you are comfortable.
Tip 4. Wear socks to prevent rubbing
Many ankle support users experience redness, irritation, blisters, or sores. Your foot is not used to wearing a brace and hence it requires some time.
Often first-time users wear a sock underneath their brace to avoid unnecessary friction between the skin and the brace.
Your ankle needs time to get accustomed to wearing a brace. If you are healing from severe injury take extra precautions while selecting and using a brace.
Tip: Book an appointment with your physical therapist if you feel discomfort despite taking all the necessary precautions while wearing an ankle support brace.
Tip 5. Know Why and When to Wear a Brace
If you consider wearing an ankle brace means, either you wish to use it as a preventative device to avoid potential ankle injuries. Or you need it to heal from the previous one.
In both cases, an ankle brace is needed, and you need to wear it as instructed by your physician.
However, the unnecessary use of an ankle brace has adverse effects on the entire foot. Your muscles began to rely on the brace for extra support.
Which in turn weakens your ankle joint. Plus, if you wear a snug shoe over the brace it may restrict the range of motion of your foot.
Try an ankle sleeve before opting for ankle supports for weak ankles.
Tip 6. Take Care of Your Ankle Support Brace
Regular use of an ankle brace gets it sweaty and dirty and leads to wear and tear. Keep an eye on the condition of your brace. Occasionally, check the hinges and insides for any sign of damage.
If possible, hand wash your brace once a week to get rid of dirt and odor.
FAQs
Do I wear an ankle brace over or under socks?
You can wear an ankle support brace both under and over a sock. Some users prefer wearing a sock under the brace to avoid blisters, redness, sweat, and sores. Whereas, many wear it over the brace for extra ankle compression. Consider wearing a sock that travels past the top of your brace for maximum protection.
Is it OK to wear an ankle brace all day?
Yes and No! It is ok to wear an ankle brace all day if you are active most of the day. Otherwise, using a brace all day will weaken your ankle increasing the risk of injuries. As your ankle will depend on the brace for support and stability, other than healing itself.
Do ankle braces go by shoe size?
No! Shoe size should not be considered while purchasing an ankle brace. There is a separate size chart you need to refer to while buying an ankle brace. If you get one according to your shoe size, chances are it won’t fit well and be extremely uncomfortable.
Is an ankle brace bad?
No! If you are recovering from an ankle injury or if you are a sportsman, an ankle brace is a good preventive measure against ankle sprain. However, do not overuse it. Moreover, it is better, affordable, and feasible than an ankle tape.
Should I wear an ankle brace to bed?
So, can you sleep with an ankle brace on? No! Unless advised by your doctor you need not wear your brace while you sleep.
Conclusion
Wearing an ankle support brace with shoes is an easy task if all the above points are taken into consideration. An ankle brace is an excellent help while healing tissues and increasing muscle strength.
References
- “Will wearing an ankle brace weaken my ankle? Ultra Ankle. December 19, 2018. https://www.ultraankle.com/resources/customer-support/fit-and-sizing/.
- “How to Wear an Ankle Brace with Your Shoes?” 2019. AnklePain.info |. October 2, 2019. https://anklepain.info/ankle-brace-with-shoes/.
- “How to Wear Ankle Supports & Braces with Socks & Shoes? | SootheYourFeet.com.” 2020. SootheYourFeet.com. January 20, 2020. https://sootheyourfeet.com/how-to-wear-ankle-supports-braces-with-socks-shoes/.
- MayoClinicHealthSystem. 2017. “Brace for It: When to Use an Ankle Brace.” Mayo Clinic Health System. 2017. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/brace-for-it-when-to-use-an-ankle-brace#:~:text=For%20maximum%20effectiveness%2C%20ankle%20braces%20should%20fit%20comfortably,consider%20rehabilitation%20as%20part%20of%20your%20treatment%20plan..
Do you have more tips on how to wear an ankle brace with shoes? Please share with us in the comment section below!
Great tips! I have to use my insoles to help support my ankle.
Great tips! These are important things to remember when wearing a ankle brace!
I think buying the right size is the most important.
I know of someone who will find these tips and info super helpful! Great post.
Such an informative post. I know somebody who wore one before.
It is good to be able to combine the support of a brace with shoes. These are wonderful pointers.
I have weak ankles due to old injuries. I just bought a brace a few weeks ago and thought it was too bulky.
However, I ended up spraining my ankle and it was the support I needed to wear while it’s healing. I get the ones where you can lace them up.
I need to keep this in mind. My son will most likely have to wear a brace since he has flat feet.
So glad to see that there are ankle braces that fit in your shoe. Last time I injured my ankle, I had to wear a massive boot.
I think I need to start wearing a brace for my bad ankle. Though it’s interesting that wearing one too much can weaken it. I didn’t know that!
I wish I had tips like this to go off of whenever I was practically glued to an ankle brace!!!
These are amazing tips that are important to find the right ankle brace, that is comfortable and helps the cause.
This is good information to have. I have to wear an ankle brace occasionally and I didn’t realize that the shoes could make a difference.
This is such a great post and very informative! I’ve learned a lot from this! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Great tips for anyone ever that needs them as this can be a hassle I am sure. I remember my mom wearing one of these when I was a little kid… she had broken her ankle in a pot hole.
I haven’t had a situation to need this and hope it stays that way, but these are some great tips! Thank you!
It’s definitely not a pleasant situation. But your advice will help to make it easier!
Such great tips! Glad to see such ankle braces are available that fit in our shoes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I will have to share this article about wearing an ankle brace with shoes with my brother-in-law. He was just discussing this over the weekend how it is difficult to do.
As a wife and mom, I am always on the lookout for ways to keep myself and my family safe and comfortable. Your article provided some really helpful tips on how to wear an ankle brace with shoes, and I am grateful for the information. I especially appreciated your advice about buying the right size brace and the right kind of shoes. It can be overwhelming to choose from so many options, but your tips made it easier to find what works best for each individual. Y
My dad used to wear a brace but did not wear shoes on that foot lol! Wish we saw this sooner.
This is such a helpful post! I’ll have to keep these in mind!
I had to wear one of these as a kid, but I feel like these have become more popular and easy to find over the years. Good to know how to best use it to help recover from an injury.
There are so many great tips here, and I’m loving them all.
I imagine this can be tricky. I fall down a lot so I can see myself with an ankle brace one day.
This is such a clever way to use an ankle brace with shoes. I have to keep this in mind should the need arise for us.
This is an overlooked problem that people don’t realize until they need to learn this info. Thanks for the tips.
I hate when I sprain my ankle. I did that back in December and had to wear a brace. Braces are big and bulky so it makes putting shoes on a bit of an adventure.
Great tips! I hope I don’t ever have to wear one but saving this article just in case!
Ankle braces are so readily available now. It is nice to have this as an option to treat injuries, and good to know how to properly wear it.
Love this and good to know that you can wear the brace and still wear shoes as needed 😉 I am bookmarking this one to come back to!
I’ve sprained my ankle more times than I can count. It’s awful but wearing a brace can help you tremendously while it’s healing.
I get into sprains way too often, hope this will help me out.
This is always great to know. You never know when you may need an ankle brace. I could only imagine how hard it could be with shoes on too.
Filing this away for the future. These type of posts tend to come in handy when you least expect it.
Great job on the ankle brace tips! Your advice is super helpful and easy to understand. I especially liked the shoe selection tips, they made a big difference in comfort. Thanks for sharing! 👍👟
This is all very useful advice in case I ever need to wear an ankle brace. It’s good to be prepared!!
These are helpful tips. It’s nice that they aren’t too bulky with shoes.
I have worn a similar brace like this before. It is nice to have the freedom of a brace you can wear with shoes, but important to understand how to use it properly.
I know of someone who will find these tips and info super helpful! Great informative post.
such great suggestions for products and tips for those who need this..
Although these tips are great, what I am trying to find is a brand of shoe that works best with ankle braces. One with good support but a shoe that can also be worn with a dress. I was thinking a white shoe would be perfect because it would go with more.
I learned my lesson and but good quality shoes. It is very important or your feet will feel it later.
We could have done with one of these for my husband. Good to know the ins and outs.
Some great tips! I had to wear ankle support once after a bad sprain and I couldn’t figure out how to wear it with shoes.
I wish I’d had this guide a few years ago. I had to wear an ankle brace for about three weeks, and I never could get my shoe on right.
This is really helpful. I have learned time and time again that you just never know the kind of things that you will find helpful until you need them. Then that information is priceless and you wonder how you ever lived without knowing it. This post is going to help so many people figure things out the easy way. Thank you for sharing!
These are good tips to go off of when sustaining any kind of ankle injury that needs a bit more support while you’re on the go!
Wearing an ankle brace with shoes used to be a struggle, but these 6 handy tips have made it a breeze! This blog is a game-changer for anyone looking for the perfect balance of support and style.
This seems to be quite a common route to go with ankle braces – I see this often. It is good to know how to wear it correctly.