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The Best Ankle Compression Sleeves For Easier Mobility

Last updated: 24 Nov 2021

Ankles are one of the most important points of the body. They're the bridge between your leg and your foot and are crucial for movement and balance. These joints must be in tip-top shape at all times to allow you to move around. Unfortunately, some people end up with inflamed or damaged ankles either through excessive physical activity or injury. You'll need the best ankle compression sleeves in 2021 to help ease the pain. That's why compression therapy is such a popular method to relieve ankle pain. It applies gentle pressure to allow blood flow, giving your ankles better recovery and reducing any pains or swells that you may have. Even if you're not an athlete or don't have any existing ankle problems, wearing these sleeves can be a great way to keep your ankles in peak condition.

Featured image courtesy of iStock

Compare The Best Ankle Compression Sleeve of 2021

UFlex Athletics Ankle Compression Sleeve – Best Overall

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Simple to put on
• Fits securely and stays in place
• Ultra-lightweight design
• 3D knitting technology

This ankle sleeve reduces ankle discomfort, swelling, and soreness associated with arthritis, Plantar Fasciitis, moderate injuries, and minor tears or overuse injuries sustained during sports. It improves proprioception by increasing the sensory abilities of the ankle, resulting in improved joint stability and support.

The silicone inserts relieve pressure off malleoli and apply intermittent, regulated pressure to the joint's soft tissues, boosting circulation and alleviating discomfort and swelling, while perfectly positioned breathable mesh prevents pinching. The ankle sleeve is suitable for men and women and does not add bulk to the foot, so it may be used with footwear, athletic shoes, ski boots, and cleats.

Copper Foot Recovery Ankle Compression Sleeves – Runner Up

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Simple design
• Comes in many sizes
• Easy to wear
• Comfortable

One issue that some people have with ankle compression sleeves is that they're needlessly fancy. Brands love to add designs and textures to the sleeves to make them stand out more, but many prefer the sleeves to look as simple as possible. You don't really need aesthetic appeal for sleeves, and some may even argue that simple is best, with simpler designs looking far better than those with actual designs and textures.

If you prefer minimal designs, then you'll love this pair of foot sleeves. Worn like your average pair of socks, you wouldn't know that these sleeves were actual ankle compression sleeves until you put them on. They're sleek and fashionable and are very comfortable to wear. They come in small to extra large sizes, so anybody can try on this pair of simple yet stylish pair of sock sleeves.

SB SOX Ankle Compression Sleeves – Best For Daily Use

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Breathable fabric
• Comes in many colors
• Great for everyday use
• Fits many outfit styles

When one thinks of ankle compression sleeves, one imagines sleeves that are supposed to be worn only in the event of ankle swelling or pain. And while these are indeed the best times to wear such sleeves, that doesn't mean you can't wear them every day, either. In fact, daily use of these SB ankle compression sleeves can help promote blood flow on a regular basis, which can be great for people who live sedentary lifestyles.

These sleeves come in a variety of colors, ranging from the typical black to grey, green, and even purple. While there isn't a true white color available, you have many other colors to choose from, so you could go wear these almost every day without compromising your outfit's overall look. The fabric is nice and easy to wear, making them great for wearing throughout the day.

Raymora Plantar Fasciitis Foot Compression Sleeves – Honorable Mention

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Ergonomically designed
• 4 zone compression
• Double-layered base
• Flexible and light material

Whether you're experiencing intense or throbbing foot pain, provide instant support for your soles, curve, ankle, plantar fascia tendon, and achilles with these compression sleeves. They provide a full range of motion and may even be worn easily beneath regular socks – making them ideal for walking, running, and cycling, as well as for relaxing and snoozing.

The discrete socks can also be used in conjunction with kinesiology tape, footbed, ligament aids, and orthotics. These foot sleeves have an added layer of cloth at the bottom to absorb stress with each stride; this is critical for alleviating foot discomfort. The innovative design of these compression sleeves offers comfort and support without being invasive. The customized combination of nylon, polyester, and elastane adds to breathability and elasticity.

TechWare Pro Ankle Compression Sleeve – Best For Athletes

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Extra tight fit
• Breathable fabric
• Great for physical activity
• Used by athletes

Athletes are most likely to use ankle compression sleeves. Regular physical activity can take its toll on one's body, especially the ankles. The pressure on one's ankles can even be greater with certain sports and activities, such as track and field running. To make sure that their ankles suffer no injury, athletes often wear compression sleeves during these activities to maximize the flow of blood and minimize swelling.

This ankle sleeve is designed with athletes in mind. The fabric is nice and breathable, which is great when paired with breathable sneakers. You may even feel like you're not wearing any footwear with how ventilated these sleeves are. The sleeves also have an especially tight fit, making them great for physical activity. It'll stay in place no matter what activity you are engaging in.

ComfiLife Ankle Compression Sleeves – Also Consider

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Customizable fit
• Focuses on the ankle
• Great for professionals
• Can be worn on many foot sizes

So far, we've covered ankle compression sleeves that were basically tighter and more durable versions of your typical sock. However, this ankle sleeve is designed specifically for ankle therapy and is worn by wrapping the fabric around your ankle. The design is unique, and you may find it difficult to put on at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll find it to be very, very comfortable.

There are a few reasons as to why you'd want this over sock-based designs. This sleeve gives you more open foot space, as it only focuses on the ankle area. It also gives you more freedom over how tight you want the sleeve to be over your foot, rather than relying on the natural tightness of other sleeves. Other than its unique design that may take a while to get used to, this ankle compression sleeve is great for experienced athletes and novices alike.

Powerlix Ankle Compression Sleeve – Long Socks

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Photo courtesy of Amazon

Key Features

• Unisex design
• Covers part of the shin
• Provides wider compression therapy
• Simple and stylish

Some people are particular about the length of their socks, and the same applies to ankle compression sleeves. Some sleeves only extend just beyond the ankle, whereas others go all the way up to the middle of your shin. This sock is of the latter kind, and for people who prefer more coverage when wearing a sleeve.

The sleeve is made out of breathable nylon and spandex fabric. It's got a firm grip on your shin and foot, which makes it great if you want compression in more areas of your leg. It also ensures a tighter fit, so the sleeve won't just move around as you do. The design is unisex, so both men and women will find this pair of ankle compression sleeves to be particularly useful, and you could even share it with others (just be sure to wash them first, of course).

Best Ankle Compression Sleeves Buying Guide

Ankle compression sleeves may feel great to wear, but are they really helping your ankle? Here's what you need to know about them and what type of sleeve is best for you.

What is an ankle compression sleeve?

Ankle compression sleeves are pieces of fabric that are worn over and around the ankle. The fabric is tight in nature and squeezes your muscles to help promote blood flow around the ankle. This is a form of compression therapy and can help with swelling and injuries in the ankle.

Why is it important to wear an ankle compression sleeve?

It promotes blood flow

Compression sleeves are commonly used by athletes and those with ankle injuries because it helps promote blood flow. The sleeves compress the muscles and area around your ankle. The pressure is gentle but strong enough to help encourage blood flow. This helps your muscles feel more active and can enable you to more efficiently use the muscles around the ankle.

This is a major reason why many athletes use compression sleeves when exercising and performing activities. The added blood flow goes a long way and can help promote the long-term health of an athlete's ankles.

It lessens swelling

While many people use compression sleeves as a form of injury prevention, it can also be used as a cure in the event of an actual injury around the ankle. When an ankle is sprained or damaged, it is common for the area to swell up. This can make it difficult to move around and can be a painful experience for those with such injuries. It can affect day-to-day life, which may not be ideal if you have to move around a lot throughout the day.

Ankle compression sleeves help with the swelling. It doesn't just visibly make the swelling less apparent - it also allows the fluid buildup inside your body to be absorbed, resulting in fewer swells after a long workout. The sleeves can also lessen any pain caused by an ankle injury.

Things to Consider When Buying an Ankle Compression Sleeve

Size

When it comes to ankle compression sleeves, size matters, and it matters far more than when buying a pair of socks. Compression sleeves work on the basis of compression therapy, which involves gentle yet constant pressure that improves blood flow. With too little or too much pressure, you may not get the intended effect, and may even result in worsening the injury in some cases. Again, size matters so here's a quick rundown on what size to get.

Generally, for compression sleeves, you'll want to get a size that matches your foot size. Do note that some companies use standard sizes, whereas others use their own size charts. Be sure to check what sizes they use to avoid confusion and you get the wrong size. If the brand you choose doesn't have a size that fits your size exactly, go for one size larger, instead of one size smaller. Larger sizes are the safer of the two, and they'll do their job when your feet become swollen after exercising or doing physical activity. On the other hand, smaller sleeves may apply too much pressure, which may be painful for some to wear.

Length

The length of the compression sleeve is also critical. While almost all ankle compression sleeves cover the area around the ankle, the actual length of the sleeve may vary. Some are similar to that of typical socks, with the length only extending up to just above the ankle joint. Other socks, however, go even further, with some reaching the middle of the shin.

This may not sound important until you realize that these aren't socks, but compression sleeves. Longer compression sleeves will apply pressure in more parts of your foot, and can even apply some pressure to your leg. If you're only using the sleeve for your ankle area, then you may not want the extra pressure on your legs, whereas others may prefer that added coverage. Whether you want long or short sleeves is completely up to you.

Types of Ankle Compression Sleeves

Sock sleeves

Sock sleeves are a common type of compression sleeve. Worn like your traditional sock, they are easy to put on and are comfortable to wear. They are also great to wear on shoes with tight fits. The only drawback is that you're at the mercy of the tightness of the sleeve - you can't make it any tighter or looser and will have to deal with the standard tightness of the sleeve.

Wraps

Wraps are the more "professional" type of sleeves, in a sense. They're worn by wrapping the strap around your ankle, which gives you a more personalized fit. This is great if you want to be in control of the tightness around your foot. Putting on the wrap will take some time getting used to, however.

Ankle Compression Sleeve FAQs

Is ankle compression therapy safe?

As long as the compression is not too severe, you should experience little to no negative effects through compression therapy.

What are the side effects of compression therapy?

Common adverse effects of compression therapy include skin irritation and discomfort.

Do ankle compression sleeves work?

Ankle compression sleeves do prevent swelling and maximize blood flow, making them great for exercise and therapy.

Sora has always been a fitness guru, and loves to try different foods and drinks. She is fond of varying her workouts and believes everyone should participate in some sort of physical or mental activity at least three times per week! Ms. Tanaka is thrilled to bring her fitness and nutritional expertise to the Product Reviews Team, and promises to bring you nothing but the best of the best.

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