I remember last month when I had an ankle sprain. It was quite silly as I was taking a panoramic shot and wanted to turn around 360 degrees like Elastigirl, but my ankles didn’t quite agree with it, and the result was pretty painful.
Ankle sprains are not very pleasant occurrences, and often you don’t see it coming. They are also extremely painful, but once you have one, you should wear ankle braces. Ankle braces can comfort and make movement easier for you.
Hence, this article will focus on how to wear an ankle brace with shoes. But first, let’s talk briefly about a few other things.
When to Wear

Well, we don’t need to wear ankle braces regularly. When you have a sprain, chances are your doctor will recommend you to wear one. But do note that not every sprained ankle is treated with a brace. So, it is important to consult your physician.
However, if you are recommended to use it and are wondering why, well, ankle braces help with your recovery and make it quicker, it prevents further inflammation of the ankle from happening as well.
Ankle braces can be worn as a preventive measure as well. If you feel like your injured ankle is overexposed and in danger of getting hurt again, you can wear ankle sprain as a safety measure.
How to Wear with Shoes

Well, if that isn’t the question of the day! Well, let’s get to it. We all know ankle braces are worn on the injured ankle. But to wear shoes with them, you may need to do a few things right.
Selecting an Ankle Brace
Most of the ankle braces in the market are kind of bulky, and that’s exactly the kind of ones that you are going to have to avoid. While selecting an ankle brace, enquire for lighter ones.
Well, you must never compromise with the quality, so any research you’ll do will pay off. Ensure the size of your ankle brace fits your foot perfectly enough for you to comfortably walk around with it.
The surface of your ankle brace must not be rough. Always choose ankle braces with smoother surfaces. They should work well with shoes. Research well to select, and don’t be shy to try out different ones.
Selecting a Shoe
Now, onto the next important thing, which is the selection of a shoe. You must keep a few points in mind while choosing a shoe to wear with your ankle brace.
For example, while cheap shoes might seem okay as you are only going to wear shoes with your ankle brace, they are not good options. Because cheap shoes are often made with harsh materials that can very easily worsen your ankle condition if worn with a brace.
Again, that does not mean that you can buy shoes that have super soft materials. That’s a no-no as well since you would want your foot to be supported. Shoes that are a little oversized is good while choosing a pair to wear with your ankle brace. It makes you understand how little a size you might want to wear.
Next up is the lace. Shoes with laces go wonderfully well with ankle braces as you can tighten any time you want or leave the laces open if your ankle condition is too serious or just because you feel like it.
Considering all the options listed above, sneakers are the best choice to wear with ankle braces. They are comfortable but firm enough to support your foot.
Steps to Wear an Ankle Brace with Shoes

Now that you know which ankle brace to choose and which shoe might go wonderfully with it, time to get down to the step by step guide that would tell you how to wear an ankle brace with shoes.
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Step 1: Remove the Lower Side of the Ankle Brace
The very first thing to do here is removing the lower side of the ankle brace as they cannot be worn with shoes.
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Step 2: Place the Ankle Brace on the Shoe’s Insole
In the next step, you are going to have to lift the shoe’s insole and place the lower sides of the ankle brace there. This will prevent the brace from moving and causing you discomfort. As it is a matter of your comfort, make sure to be gentle and take your time.
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Step 3: Put the Shoe On
Now, what you would want to do is put the shoe on. Do it slowly and not to move the brace from its place. It is there to protect your foot.
Once you have the shoe on, stand up slowly, make a few steps, and see if you are comfortable. Initially, it might not feel too comfy, but don’t get discouraged. However, keep an eye out for any discomfort you might feel.
So, those are the basic steps. If you experience any problem wearing the shoe or with the ankle brace, contact your physician. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at a few alternatives to the sneakers we mentioned.
Alternative to Sneakers
Sneakers are more like the millennial option. You can try out with the ankle brace. But there are other options available. Many shoe brands have shoes specifically made to wear with ankle braces. They might cost you more but could be worth it. After all, you cannot make compromises with your health.
Final Remarks
Ankle braces might not be worn for fun, but the thought of wearing them should not make you so weary. Accidents can happen unannounced, and with the help of ankle braces, you can ensure fast recovery and prevent further ankle injuries from taking place.
To give you a summary of everything we talked about in the article, here it is. Purchase a good shoe. Don’t worry much about money, but that doesn’t mean you will have to go crazy and spend hundreds of dollars on one.
While selecting ankle straps, look for light ones with smoother surfaces. And finally, follow the steps while wearing the shoe, and if you feel any sort of irritation, talk to your doctor.