Easy Spirit Men's Brooks Ankle Boot

Product Information

Steven K. Neufeld, MD, foot and ankle surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics in Northern Virginia The best way to protect your ankles from pain and injury is to wear supportive shoes and work on strengthening the muscles surrounding your ankle by performing certain exercises—like standing or seated calf raises and lower leg resistance band exercises, says our certified running coach. Another great practice is to try balancing on one foot for 30 to 60 seconds, alternating feet for five minutes—you can do this exercise anywhere, anytime to build up ankle strength. Before any activity, you should always consider doing ankle warmup exercises. Weight: 10.2 ounces | Materials: Partially recycled mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Moderate | Closure: Lace-up | Drop: 12 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Fit: When we put each shoe on for the first time, we take note of its initial fit: Is there a thumb’s width of space between our toe and the end of the shoe? Then, we start walking or running to see if there’s any rubbing, sliding, or shifting inside of the shoe during movement. As we continue to wear-test each shoe, we pay attention to if the fit and feel changes over time.Weight: 9.1 ounces | Materials: Partially recycled engineered air mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Maximum | Closure: Lace-up | Drop: 10 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 Some general guidelines for strengthening weak ankles: Keep your weight under control. Always wear the appropriate footwear, including braces and other supports as needed. Do proper warm-ups and cool-downs when you work out. And try ankle-specific exercises, such as standing calf raises. Why are my shoes causing my ankles to hurt? While we were impressed with the lightweight feel and grippy traction of Nike’s Metcon 8 Workout Shoes, we found that they don’t have enough ankle support for walking or running on various terrains. We believe these are better suited to indoor strength training or weight-lifting. Arc’teryx’s Aerios Mid GTX Shoes are durable, supportive, and protective for hiking on- and off-road. The mid-cut height helps support the ankles, while the integrated support shank provides torsional stability (meaning stability in the midfoot of the shoe) to keep you balanced and stable on uneven surfaces.In fact, we think it's one of the best hiking shoes out there.

Weight: 7.3 ounces | Materials: Recycled mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Soft but responsive | Closure: Lace-up | Drop: 5 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5 Motion Control: Shoes that offer motion control or extra stability features, like Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 22, help to decrease the amount of excessive movement through the foot and ankle—making them a good choice for those with weak ankles. During testing, we also appreciated the grippy rubber outsole that offers reliable traction on different surfaces, helping to keep us balanced and steady. Plus, the APMA-approved shoe’s plush, form-fitting collar and tongue add to its overall comfort and stability. If you have weak or injured ankles or deal with ankle pain, choosing a pair of shoes with extra ankle support is essential to keep you comfortable and confident during exercise. To find the best ankle support shoes on the market, we began by interviewing experts—two foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons—for advice on key features to look for. Then, we tested over 130 pairs of shoes in the Verywell Testing Lab and at home to find ones that provide motion control, arch support, and grippy traction for optimal stability.The Lunar design team believes that you are as passionate about shoes as they are. Above all, they strive to bring you unique seasonal designs, incorporating the best trims in the latest colours. Lunar Shoes use only the best available materials while maintaining an affordable price. It’s not an easy job! Ankle support helps protect you from painful foot injuries that often require months of recovery, physical therapy, and—in some cases—even surgery. Wearing a supportive shoe while walking or running can not only reduce the likelihood of injury should a misstep occur, but also aid in the mechanics of these activities, says Dr. Kaplan.

We also find the cushioning to be soft yet responsive, helping to propel our strides. The upper is mesh and suede, which feels breathable and looks stylish. And we love that the spacious toe box allows toes to spread out, which also helps with balance. You can even fit custom-made orthotics—a huge plus for those with foot injuries and issues.The New Balance 1540v3 is our top recommendation for those who just want some support for their daily walks. All New Balance sneakers excel when it comes to cushioning, stability, and support, and this one is no exception. While it's a little heavier than the average shoe, it makes up for it with roll support and a breathable mesh upper. What We Like Since these are motion control shoes, they are not as plush and comfy as other options on our list. If you're playing a sport like basketball, you may want to look into high-top shoes, which offer added ankle support. High tops also limit your range of motion, though, which means they're not as well-suited for activities such as running. FAQs About Shoes for Ankle Support Are high top shoes good for ankle support? To find the best shoes for those with weak, painful, or injured ankles, we sifted through all of the shoes we’ve wear-tested—over 130 pairs—to find ones that offer additional ankle support. When we test shoes, we evaluate each option based on the following criteria: The Salomon brand offers a full lineup of trail running shoes, all of which offer ample support for weak ankles as well as flat feet. We especially love these shoes for how grippy they are, for their lightweight design, and for their ample weatherproofing. This is an essential brand for anyone who loves running through the wild. What We Like

Weight: 10.3 ounces | Materials: Leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Medium | Closure: Lace-up | Drop: Not listed | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5 We noticed that the heel cup may be too low for some, causing a light strain on the Achilles tendon. If you're not prone to tight calves, this shouldn't be an issue.When shopping for the best shoes for ankle support, size and fit are essential. As a general rule, you'll want shoes that allow around half an inch of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. A deep heel cup is also important for holding your foot securely in place. Traction These shoes are more expensive than others on our list, but worth the investment if you’re a serious hiker. Weight: 11.3 ounces | Materials: Suede leather and synthetic mesh upper, foam and polyurethane midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Soft but responsive | Closure: Lace-up | Drop: 12 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 4.3/5 Weight: 10.5 ounces | Materials: Mesh, synthetic leather upper, foam and gel insole, synthetic outsole | Cushioning: Moderate | Closure: Lace-up | Drop: 10 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5 A good rubber outsole should offer lots of traction, which in turn prevents your feet from rolling inward or outward. This stops your ankle from moving any more than is needed, helping to reduce your risk of injury. Look for decent soles with deep, wide grooves, which typically offer the most traction. Support