Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
In short: ankle braces fall into four commonly described types: soft, lace-up, hinged and rigid stirrup. MUSC Health matches them to support levels from mild to moderate-to-high. The table below compares them side by side so you can see how they differ before you read the details.
What is an ankle brace?
An ankle brace is a supportive device worn around the ankle to give the joint support. MUSC Health notes that braces can give support but cannot prevent injuries completely. For a neighbouring product class, see ankle compression sleeves.
Ankle brace types compared
| Type | Support level stated by the source | Shoe fit | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft brace or support | Mild | Not stated | Elastic or neoprene material |
| Lace-up (semi-rigid) | Mild to moderate | Lightweight; fits in most shoes | The most common style |
| Hinged (semi-rigid) | Moderate | Most are designed to fit inside a shoe | Limits side-to-side rolling but allows up-and-down movement |
| Rigid (stirrup-style) | Moderate to high | Tends not to fit in shoes very well | Hard plastic sides with straps; described as a post-injury type, not used when playing sports |
Source for every row: MUSC Health, “Types of Ankle Braces For Sports Injuries” (checked 2026-10-30).
Soft braces and supports
MUSC Health says soft braces tend to be an elastic or neoprene material used for mild support. They are the lightest-duty type in the table. A related product is the elastic bandage.
Lace-up braces
Lace-up braces are semi-rigid. MUSC Health describes them as highly recommended by physicians and other healthcare professionals for mild to moderate support, lightweight, and able to fit in most shoes. Parts, sizing and care are covered in the lace-up ankle brace guide.
Hinged braces
Hinged braces are also semi-rigid, and MUSC Health calls them a more recent style recommended for moderate support. They help prevent the ankle from rolling from side to side while still allowing it to move up and down, and most are designed to fit inside a shoe.
Rigid stirrup braces
MUSC Health describes the rigid type as a stirrup-style brace with hard plastic sides and straps, giving moderate to high support. MUSC Health describes it as more of a post-injury type that is not used when playing sports, and says it tends not to fit in shoes very well. AAOS OrthoInfo captions a photo “An air stirrup-type ankle brace”, which ties the stirrup name to orthopaedic wording.
Brace or boot?
AAOS OrthoInfo mentions a removable plastic device such as a walking boot or aircast brace in its sprained ankle page. A walking boot is a different product from the braces above; see what is a CAM boot. Splints are covered in what is a splint.
How to choose: the fit check
MUSC Health states that fit, comfort and support should be checked when choosing the type of brace, and describes putting the brace on, with the shoe it will be worn with, and walking around in it. Shoe fit differs by type, as the table shows.
How to measure and wear an ankle brace
Sizing and wear steps depend on the brace model, so follow the maker’s instructions for use. Step-by-step wear guidance is in how to wear an ankle brace.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a brace to prevent injury completely; MUSC Health says braces cannot prevent injuries completely.
- Choosing a type without checking shoe fit; MUSC Health says the rigid type tends not to fit in shoes very well.
- Assuming names are standardised; MUSC Health and AAOS OrthoInfo use different vocabulary (AAOS does not use the terms lace-up or semi-rigid), so read each maker’s own description of the product.
FAQ
How do I measure for an ankle brace?
Follow the sizing chart and instructions from the brace’s maker, since sizing methods differ by product. The lace-up ankle brace guide covers sizing for that type.
How do I use an ankle brace?
Use follows the maker’s instructions for the specific model. MUSC Health describes checking fit and comfort by walking around in the brace with the intended shoe.
How do I wear an ankle brace?
Wear steps vary by type (laces, straps or a pull-on design). See how to wear an ankle brace for the steps.
What is an ankle brace?
It is a supportive device worn around the ankle, available as soft, lace-up, hinged or rigid stirrup types giving mild to high support. Elastic bandages used for wrapping are a separate, simpler product; see elastic bandages.
Sources
- MUSC Health, “Types of Ankle Braces For Sports Injuries”, Brittney Lang, 18 November 2020: https://muschealth.org/content-hub/News/2020/11/18/ankle-brace (checked 2026-10-30).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo, “Sprained Ankle”: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases–conditions/sprained-ankle/ (checked 2026-10-30).
