Crossfit involves a variety of exercises where most of the weight and effort is placed on the ankles, which can suffer injuries due to stress, wear and tear or overuse. The best way to treat or prevent them is to wear the proper clothing for the particular injury you are suffering from.
That's why, in this article, we'll talk in detail about the best sports ankle braces for treating all types of injuries to the joint, including the features we recommend for choosing the right garment.
What is the best ankle brace for Crossfit injuries?
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Hydramesh
- Nº. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Adjustable design
- Cross straps for better support
- Lateral support for firm support
- Stretchy, breathable fabric
- One size too large
- Not suitable for all footwear
- Only one per order
Lateral supports and adjustable crisscross straps provide the correct tension to relieve pain and strengthen weak ankles. It can be used in arthritis treatment, post-operative pain and ligament injuries. Blood supply is increased due to the heat retention produced by this ankle brace, but in some users it fits too tightly to the foot and cuts off blood circulation.
- Sizes: XS-S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Strong support and compression
- Great fit thanks to its strap
- No material indicated
- Only one per order
The ankle brace is designed in breathable neoprene, so you will always keep your feet free of moisture. Just make the necessary adjustments to fit your ankle and that's it, you can go anywhere you want. The semi-rigid structure may cause problems for those with larger ankle diameters, causing the brace to fit uncomfortably.
- Sizes: T1 to T5
- Colors: 3 Options: Beige, Gray, Black
- Material: Viscoelastic
- Nº. of Products: Single
- Closure type: None
- Does not retain heat
- Breathable
- Stretch fabric
- Machine washable
- Low support strength
- Difficult to select the perfect size
- Only one per order
You can wear it anywhere you go because its ergonomic design will adjust to the ankle so you can wear it under your shoes. It promotes blood stimulation due to the compression and support that the ankle receives, but you must keep in mind that heat is not retained. The different sizes offered by the product will serve to accompany each movement of the joint opening, although in some people the size does not correspond to the table.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: 2 Options: Black-Grey and Black-Yellow
- Material: Nylon
- Nº. of Products: 2 Pack
- Closure type: None
- Quality finishes
- Highly elastic fabric
- Low support strength
It is ideal for use in any activity, and thanks to its size and weight you can take it wherever you want without taking up space. Warm or cold weather is not an obstacle for this ankle protector because its nylon and elastane fabric keeps the foot at the ideal temperature. As it wears it is likely that the compression will decrease, so you should analyze the correct size to order.
- Sizes: XS-S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: 3 Options: Blue, Pink and Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Optimal support with strap
- Quality finishes
- Good fit
- Breathable fabric
- No material indicated
- Not suitable for washing machine
- Only one per order
Its adjustable strap gives extra pressure to keep the foot always aligned. You can use the ankle brace to combat the symptoms of arthritis and inflammation of ligaments and tendons. Just measure your ankle circumference correctly and choose the right size, according to the size chart. If you tighten the straps too much, you may feel a tingling sensation, so it is often advisable to consult your doctor before continuing to wear this compression sock.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL y XXL
- Colors: 8 Options
- Material: Breathable
- Nº. of Products: 2 Pack
- Closure type: None
- Various colors
- Ideal for everyone
- Various sizes
- Highly elastic fabric
- Very small sizes
- Not suitable for washing machine
The compressive support absorbs perspiration, eliminating odor and keeping the foot always dry, which increases the feeling of comfort. The different sizes are divided between men and women and, to choose the correct size, you should measure the circumference of the arch and ankle. If you have skin lesions or wounds, it is not recommended that you use this product.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: 3 Options: Black, Blue and Beige
- Material: Breathable
- Nº. of Products: 2 Pack
- Closure type: None
- Perfect to wear with shoes
- Quality finishes
- Stretch material
- Breathable
- Low compressive strength
- No material indicated
Its upper and lower seams keep the compressive ankle sleeve in place, preventing slippage in footwear. Its different sizes available do not eliminate joint movements, making it a garment that should never be missing in your sports backpack. Its ergonomic 4-way design can be uncomfortable if you do not choose the right size and the heel area tends to break very quickly in these cases.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: 3 Options: Blue, Grey and Green
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- 360º support
- Quality finishes
- Ideal for everyone
- Highly elastic fabric
- Too bulky
- Not suitable for washing machine
- Only one per order
Quality design with premium fabrics and materials helps reinforce stability. Its adjustable system with double stitching provides comfort and is compatible with any type of barefoot. Just place the heel on the elastic strap and then cover the area with antiperspirant fabric. Depending on the activity you do can be uncomfortable if you do not use it with a compression sock. It is not recommended for certain types of ankle sprains because it does not tighten in the right places.
Video: Ankle joint anatomy
Types of ankle braces you should know about
What are the most common ankle injuries in Crossfit?
Crossfit is a strenuous sport, especially for certain parts of the body that bear more responsibility than others, such as the ankles, which are stressed during jumping exercises, running, carrying weights, deep squats and other exercises.
Ankle sprains
These are injuries to the lateral ligaments that occur when the athlete makes sudden movements. Ligaments are firm and strong elements that are injured when they are twisted or overloaded with weight. In Crossfit, this happens when all the weight is shifted to the feet, or when jumping on the toes, heels or edges. The most common symptoms are pain, bruising and swelling.
Stress fracture
This is the fracture of one of the two bones connected to the ankle by ligaments. It occurs when trauma, through the ligament and into the bone, causes the injury to break. They are called "stress injuries" because they are caused by repetitive strain injuries. That is, the affected area has taken several untreated impacts, and the bone gives way and breaks.
Tarsal Sinus Syndrome
A condition that a person will have for life if not treated in time. It is a syndrome characterized by pain on one side of the foot and ankle that goes away only after rest. This condition occurs when you have repeatedly sprained your ankle and it has not healed completely. It occurs in Crossfit when incorrect foot movements are made while running, jogging, jumping or carrying excessive weight.
Achilles tendonitis
At the back of the ankle is a tendon called the Achilles tendon. When this tendon is overused during high-pressure movements, Achilles tendonitis develops. It starts as inflammation in the back of the ankle and then develops into severe pain that eventually limits mobility. This is a very common injury in Crossfit, as it is caused by frequent exercises such as steep jumps, demanding body and footwork, or carrying too much weight and dropping it.
Osteoarthritis
This is the progressive wearing away of the surface of the ankle joints, particularly the joint area of the tibia, talus and fibula, which is responsible for cushioning the back and forth movements that the athlete performs during repetitive exercises such as running, long jumps, strides, squats and others.
In Crossfit, repetitive motion exercises are common to strengthen and tone the body. Part of this power is provided by the ankles, which are responsible for supporting and cushioning the entire body, making this area particularly susceptible to injury.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best ankle brace for Crossfit
It is important not to wear just any kind of ankle brace for superficial reasons. It must be tailored to the needs of our ankles and the requirements of the exercise programs. To help you make the best choice, we will list some of the most important features to consider when choosing your own sports ankle brace, whether they are physical, economic or functional.
Depending on the function
- Ankle supports to stabilize the joint: there are sports ankle orthotics specifically designed to support the ankle with muscles that stabilize it and prevent it from buckling during certain Crossfit pressure exercises, while reducing muscle vibration and keeping it firmer. This benefit is also very good to prevent your muscles from getting tired and therefore not working properly, avoiding possible injuries.
- Ankle braces to improve blood circulation: compression ankle pants allow better blood circulation in the ankle. Especially those made of neoprene, which give a thermodynamic effect to the muscles and the whole inside. This means that the joint is kept warm and active, which is the best way to avoid fatigue or stress injuries.
- Ankle sleeves for recovery from injuries: These garments are designed to help the ankle recover better and faster after serious injuries. They can also be used to treat sprains and recovery conditions.
- Ankle braces to reduce pain: one of the main functions of ankle braces is to relieve or prevent pain. This is due to their thermocompressive effect on the joint, which relaxes the muscles and keeps them in a constant state of rest.
Material
Sports ankle orthoses differ in the material they are made of, which affects their usefulness, flexibility, durability and quality. For example, the most popular and widespread are made of neoprene, as this material perfectly hugs the ankle and provides thermal support, but does not allow the skin to breathe properly.
To counteract this, ankle braces made of fabric, nylon and spandex have been developed to allow good blood circulation and more natural breathing of the skin. However, they can also be made with neoprene in varying proportions.
Type of support
Here are some of the most common and effective types of braces we recommend to support and hold your ankles during all types of Crossfit exercises.
- Elastic: these are provided with an elastic band anchored on the opposite side of the ankle. They provide very good support and compression for jumps and crossfit exercises.
- Velcro: Compression ankle orthoses with Velcro are widely used because they are very easy to put on and take off. Their strength and fastening efficiency is due to the fact that they are not ordinary Velcro, but a special, more resistant and sticky Velcro that does not allow them to come off during the most important moments of Crossfit, especially during running exercises or exercises with a lot of movement of the ankle.
Size
There are many different types and styles of ankle braces, but one aspect that doesn't vary much is the sizes. This is because they are designed to fit the body type in a way that provides the safest and most effective support. An ankle brace that is too loose or too tight will only have negative effects if we are doing a challenging Crossfit exercise. To determine your ankle size, simply take a tape measure and measure the circumference above the ankle. There are some in one size fits all, but we recommend you choose the size that best fits your body.
Design
Ankle pants are not exactly aesthetic, but rather functional. Most are solid color (black, gray, dark green) and do not have many accessories or fasteners. Their importance and focus are more therapeutic. However, the types of elastic compression ankle are a bit more diverse than the typical basic monochrome model. When looking for the best crossfit apparel, you will find some with special designs, with prints in dark or eye-catching hues.
Prices
The more special the products are, the more expensive they usually are. This is the case with compression ankle sleeves, which have important factors that set them apart from other compression garments.
The high-quality materials combined with the closures and the design customized to your taste result in the most recommended ankle support for the protection and recovery of your ankles. It should be noted that buying a cheaper garment can be a waste of money, as the materials used do not have the necessary properties to maintain the health of this joint.
Do compression ankle sleeves for Crossfit really work?
Ankle supports are designed with the health of the athlete in mind, specifically to aid in health maintenance and prevention during and after training, including potential injuries.
Compression ankle sleeves are designed for the physical and mental well-being of any athlete, especially Crossfit athletes who are particularly prone to ankle injuries. Their benefits lie in the compression therapy they exert on this joint, which allows for better blood circulation, a reduction in pain and inflammation, and a quick recovery.
Braces for ankles are the great ally of those who practice Crossfit, since they increase their performance, avoid any type of injury to the joint and, if you have them, help in recovery and ensure that your ankles are always healthy and ready for Crossfit.