Between sliding, running, hitting and fielding a softball player places a great deal of stress on their ankles. This can lead to ankle sprains, weak ankles and recurrent ankle pain. Now one of the best ways to combat this issue is to wear an ankle brace while the playing Softball. But what brace should you purchase for softball? There are a ton of ankle braces on the market, but what are you are looking for in an ankle brace when playing softball ?
1) Support and stabilize the ankle. Obviously the reason you are getting the brace is to provide support for your ankle.
2) Lightweight and easy to apply as not to impede the action of playing softball
So with those two traits in mind here are what I consider the best Ankle Braces for Softball Players:
Mizuno DXS2 Ankle Brace– Who better to make an ankle brace for softball players than a company well versed in softball from the softball cleats they offer. This brace does a great job at not hindering your ability to play softball. In fact you may not even notice it is there. You will be able to cut as if there is no brace there. This brace is not the greatest for support but as long as you do not have a severe issue this ankle brace should be able to function properly.
Zamst Moderate Ankle Brace– This ankle brace is all in the name. It provides moderate support. But you will find this is the lightest weight brace on the market. This brace is easy to apply, however it does not provide as much support as other braces listed. This brace will not interfere with your ability to play softball.
McDavid Lightweight Ankle Brace– The ankle braces that give the strongest stability and support are lace up ankle braces. They are the strongest braces on the market. This lightweight ankle brace provides some of the strongest support on the market and still manages to be lightweight. Now because it is lace up it can be a pain to put on and take some time but it is the strongest brace on the market so if you are having severe ankle issues this is the brace for you. The downer is this brace tends to be a little bulkier than you would like, but it should not effect your ability to play softball.