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When it comes to relief from foot pain, specifically ankle and/or heel pain, an ankle compression sock or sleeve is a great go-to, over the counter option. These compression sleeves work to gently or intensely compress the foot to help improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation, ease foot swelling, soreness and stiffness and allow you to participate in your favorite athletic activities.
Another great use of these compression sleeves is for the prevention of foot injuries. They are a functional and beneficial enhancement to any athletic performance.
Below are a few great options found on Amazon that are available in singles and as pairs depending on your needs. These sleeves are all made of high-tech, breathable compression-based material that yields incredible results with the goal of keeping you comfortable and supported while ensuring you have a full range of motion for your favorite sports and daily activities.
Compare the Top Ankle Compression Sleeves of 2024
Zeta Ankle Compression Sleeve — Best Overall
Whether you’re traveling or working out, you need these ankle compression sleeves from Zeta. These plus-size ankle compression sleeves have inclusive sizes for everyone to feel comfortable while running errands or flying. The sizes go up to 17 inches wide for ankles and 20-26 inches for calves. While the sizes make this sleeve comfortable, the soft plush material feels great against your skin and adds to the comfort level. Made of high-quality cotton, spandex, and nylon, you can wear them for a few hours or all day with how soft and sleek they are!
The pull-on closure is handy and helpful for anyone to put on and wear correctly. These compression sleeves can help alleviate pain from many different issues, including diabetes, restless legs, varicose veins, and lymph edemas. If you’re a nurse, retail worker, or someone who works all day long on your feet, you need this best overall set of compression sleeves for your ankles.
Pros
- Includes pull-on closure
- Great for people who stand all day
- Keeps blood flowing to ankles, feet
Cons
- Foot portion is not plus-size
Thx4COPPER Infused Compression Ankle Brace — Runner Up
This ankle brace is a different kind of foot sleeve that is a mix of nylon, spandex, and 20% copper-infused nylon which includes active copper to help prevent odors and keep your feet fresh during your most rigorous of activities. Four-way compression provides comfort and consistent pressure to the injured area while two silicone pads on the inside give maximum protection to the ankle, providing true ankle relief.
Pros
- Graduated compression at the top of the sock makes these easy to remove
Cons
- The end of the brace may roll slightly when wearing
KEMFORD Ankle Compression Sleeve — Most Breathable
The KEMFORD Ankle Compression Sleeve provides the perfect arch support to ensure your feet and ankles stay healthy and pain-free. It also helps reduce swelling, soreness, and inflammation, and its lightweight and breathable material makes it perfect for any type of athletic activity. This sleeve is especially great for those who are constantly on their feet as it offers all-day warmth for joints and muscles. Plus, it has a wide range of color options to choose from so you can match it with your existing wardrobe.
Pros
- Improves blood flow circulation and reduces pain
Cons
- Not as stretchy compared to other brands
SB SOX Compression Ankle Brace — Softest Feel
This pair of lightweight, premium nylon and spandex blend socks provide the ideal compression to help try and alleviate ankle and heel pain during any physical activity. These socks are smooth with no-slip top and bottom cuffs that pull on easily to provide the relief needed without compromising your mobility and will not irritate the skin. These socks also come in three different neutral color options that will help enhance your athletic wardrobe for any sport you choose to participate in.
Pros
- A free e-book is included
Cons
- It is not advised to sleep in these socks
POWERLIX Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve — Honorable Mention
These are another great pair of ankle supporters that will provide superior support, comfort, and relief without compromising mobility. Their form-fitting and breathable fabric apply even pressure across your ankle joints to provide pain relief from a variety of ailments including arthritis, sprains, swelling, muscle fatigue, and other ankle pain. An anti-slip system and 3D knit technology feel soft on the foot and prevent itchiness all while keeping your feet odor-free and dry.
Pros
- One size does not fit all and if you are between sizes, choose the lower size for extra compression and upper for reduced compression
Cons
- If you require extra strong compression another option might be better
Zensah Compression Ankle Brace — Contender
By using proprietary technology developed by athletic trainers, this ankle brace is made with textured ribbing to provide targeted support for active ankle pain relief while reducing heel and arch pain discomfort. Great for use by everyone from athletes to those with current or past ankle injuries looking for everyday support, this thinly designed brace provides the optimal compression needed without limiting your range of motion and can also be worn under hard ankle braces for added comfort.
Pros
- A seamless and flat cuff eliminates discomfort or chafing common with ankle sleeves and supports
Cons
- This comes with only one ankle sleeve
Crucial Compression Compression Sock — Also Consider
This ankle brace uses a premium ComfortFlex design to provide a snug, ergonomic fit without cutting off circulation. These braces are thin enough to wear under socks and use a moisture-wicking fabric to keep your feet dry all day long without restricting any mobility. Whether or not you have swelling, soreness, or discomfort, these socks make an ideal daily sock to wear whenever you need a performance boost while providing ankle support and protector compression technology in all the right places.
Pros
- Included with your order are an ankle and foot pain eBook
Cons
- Consult the size chart prior to ordering
Go2 Ankle Compression Socks — Excellent Quality
If a mild level of support is needed, these ankle sleeves are a solid option. This pair of sleeves provides a lower level of support that is unobtrusive yet will still keep you on your feet and improve the way you feel. Designed to enhance your performance during everyday activities, these sleeves will not restrict movement whether you are recovering from an injury, undergoing physical therapy, or partaking in any of your favorite sports. These unisex socks are also toeless, use soft durable fabric, and are anti-odor.
Pros
- These socks are comfortable enough to wear with any form of shoes and under socks
Cons
- These socks may be slightly looser at the ankle band
Buying Guide: Ankle Compression Sleeve
Ankle compression sleeves are great for injuries and taking care of sprained ankles. They provide extra support and comfort to the foot. However, you might have a hard time buying the right one for yourself if you do not know what features to look for when going ankle compression sleeve shopping. With our comprehensive buying guide, you can pick the best one for your ankles.
Why Should You Wear an Ankle Compression Sleeve?
Here are some of the most important reasons for wearing an ankle compression sleeve:
Gets your blood flowing
By compressing the muscle and ankle region with subtle pressure, ankle compression sleeves promote the flow of blood in the area. They are mostly used by people who have injured their ankles or athletes that need ankle support.
Wearing an ankle compression sleeve helps blood flow through vessels better, enabling efficient activity of the muscles around the ankle. Furthermore, increased blood flow promotes and directly affects the overall health of a person’s ankles positively. This is one of the reasons why compression sleeves are predominantly used during exercise and physical activity.
Decreases swelling
Ankle compresses can be used to heal injuries around the ankle. The ankle often swells up when it is sprained or the area around it is damaged. This may result in difficulty and pain whenever the area is used in movement, causing hindrance in a person’s daily routine.
Ankle compression sleeves effectively reduce the pain and swelling and heal the injury by encouraging absorption of fluid buildup in the inflamed area. They visibly reduce the appearance of swelling in an injury as well.
Prevents injuries
Ankle compression sleeves can also help protect one’s ankles from injury, especially if they are actively playing sports. Wearing this sleeve is helpful as it keeps the ankle safe when someone falls or twists their ankle. It helps keep the bone in place and reduces the chances of dislocating it.
Improves mobility
There are many injuries and conditions that can limit the mobility of your foot in many ways. An ankle compression sleeve acts like foot support that enhances your foot’s range of movement. This in turn allows the user to have better control over their foot and rehabilitate existing conditions.
Size of the Ankle Compression Sleeve
Size is an important factor to consider when you’re buying ankle compression sleeves. Since these sleeves follow the principle of compression therapy, they promote blood flow by applying constant but subtle pressure on the ankle. If that pressure is more than or less than that which is required, it may be ineffective, or may even cause more harm than benefit.
Normally, you would want the size of your ankle compression sleeve to match the size of your foot. However, not all companies manufacture a big range of sizes that suit all feet. Therefore, make sure that you choose a size that neither constricts your ankle too much nor is so loose that there is no compression.
If you cannot find the perfect size according to your foot, go for the size that is bigger instead of the one that is smaller. A size that is too small or tight may create more pressure than intended and either end up becoming uncomfortable or too painful to wear. Whereas, a larger size will still do its job effectively with no harm caused.
Length of the Ankle Compression Sleeve
Just like the size, the length is an essential factor when it comes to buying an ankle compression sleeve. Most sleeves are designed to cover the overall ankle area but they may differ in size from one another.
Several ankle compression sleeves resemble normal socks, ending just above the ankle joint while others may be longer and extend to the mid-shin region. The longer the sleeves, the more area it covers and applies pressure on, some even compressing parts of your leg.
For those who specifically want to use the sleeve for just their ankle area, the extended pressure may not be what you want while others may prefer it. Hence the length of the compression sleeves depends entirely on the buyer’s preference.
Types of Ankle Compression Sleeves
Sock sleeves
They are one of the most common types of compression sleeves where an individual wears them like a typical sock. They are comfortable and easy to put on, being ideal to wear with slightly tight-fitting shoes. However, there is a downside: you can’t adjust the tightness of these sleeves and will have to put up with their standard fitting.
Wraps
Compared to sock sleeves, wraps are a more professional type of ankle compression sleeve. You put them on by wrapping the straps of the sleeve around your ankle. This provides a fitting that can be customized specifically to suit the person wearing it.
This type of ankle compression sleeve is ideal for those who want to adjust the tightness around a specific area. Most people prefer this type of ankle compression sock as they can adjust the level of pressure it exerts on their ankle and they can find a comfortable fit as per their needs.
