How To Wear An Ankle Brace With Shoes (With 6 Useful Tips) (2024)

About Haley Burress

Haley has been working with seniors and their caregivers for more than 17 years. She has held local and national leadership roles in a variety of senior services and senior care agencies. Today, she is a sought after writer specializing in topics for older adults, their family members, and professional caregivers. When she isn't at her computer sipping coffee, you can find her hiking with her husband, son, and dog or trying a new cookie recipe in the kitchen. Follow her on LINKEDIN. Read her LATEST POSTS. Learn more about her HERE.

...

March 21, 2023August 25, 2021 by Haley Burress

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.

How To Wear An Ankle Brace With Shoes (With 6 Useful Tips) (2)

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.

How To Wear An Ankle Brace With Shoes (With 6 Useful Tips) (3)

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.

How To Wear An Ankle Brace With Shoes (With 6 Useful Tips) (4)

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 ankle brace gets its sweaty, 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.

52 thoughts on “6 Handy Tips to Wear an Ankle Brace With Shoes”

Great tips! I have to use my insoles to help support my ankle.
Log in to Reply
Great tips! These are important things to remember when wearing a ankle brace!
Log in to Reply
I think buying the right size is the most important.
Log in to Reply
I know of someone who will find these tips and info super helpful! Great post.
Log in to Reply
Such an informative post. I know somebody who wore one before.
Log in to Reply
It is good to be able to combine the support of a brace with shoes. These are wonderful pointers.
Log in to Reply
I have weak ankles due to old injuries. I just bought a brace a few weeks ago and thought it was too bulky.
Log in to Reply
- 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.
  Log in to Reply
I need to keep this in mind. My son will most likely have to wear a brace since he has flat feet.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
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!
Log in to Reply
I wish I had tips like this to go off of whenever I was practically glued to an ankle brace!!!
Log in to Reply
These are amazing tips that are important to find the right ankle brace, that is comfortable and helps the cause.
Log in to Reply
See Also
The 12 Best Shoes for Ankle Support, According to a Podiatrist
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.
Log in to Reply
This is such a great post and very informative! I’ve learned a lot from this! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
I haven’t had a situation to need this and hope it stays that way, but these are some great tips! Thank you!
Log in to Reply
It’s definitely not a pleasant situation. But your advice will help to make it easier!
Log in to Reply
Such great tips! Glad to see such ankle braces are available that fit in our shoes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
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
Log in to Reply
My dad used to wear a brace but did not wear shoes on that foot lol! Wish we saw this sooner.
Log in to Reply
This is such a helpful post! I’ll have to keep these in mind!
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
There are so many great tips here, and I’m loving them all.
Log in to Reply
I imagine this can be tricky. I fall down a lot so I can see myself with an ankle brace one day.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
This is an overlooked problem that people don’t realize until they need to learn this info. Thanks for the tips.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
Great tips! I hope I don’t ever have to wear one but saving this article just in case!
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
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!
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
I get into sprains way too often, hope this will help me out.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
Filing this away for the future. These type of posts tend to come in handy when you least expect it.
Log in to Reply
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! 👍👟
Log in to Reply
This is all very useful advice in case I ever need to wear an ankle brace. It’s good to be prepared!!
Log in to Reply
These are helpful tips. It’s nice that they aren’t too bulky with shoes.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
I know of someone who will find these tips and info super helpful! Great informative post.
Log in to Reply
such great suggestions for products and tips for those who need this..
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
I learned my lesson and but good quality shoes. It is very important or your feet will feel it later.
Log in to Reply
We could have done with one of these for my husband. Good to know the ins and outs.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
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!
Log in to Reply
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!
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply
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.
Log in to Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.