I have a weak left ankle due to previous sports injuries years ago. I love playing tennis, and I'm really getting into it, but I'm scared of rolling my ankle so I've been wearing a good ankle brace and some high top basketball shoes. The shoes I've been wearing are pretty beat up though and I need some new ones so I've started looking at "real" tennis shoes. At this point though my main priority is stability - so should I stick with high top basketball shoes or are there any tennis shoes that provide this type of support? Or maybe I am worrying for nothing and the brace I wear is enough. I don't know, I'm just scared to hurt my ankle again because if I do I doubt I'll be playing tennis for a loooong time. So are there any tennis shoes that are generally considered "the best" for ankle support??
Best shoe for ankle support?
- Thread starter limitup
- Start date
I've had spotty ankles for years. I'd recommend a mid-cut shoe. I've been wearing the diadora protech da2's for a couple of years now and they are excellent shoes.
That and some rotational, balance and leg-strengthening work should alleviate your problem and fears.
What's great about a mid-cut shoe is that the simple contact of the collar with your ankle is giving bio-feedback, which helps you avoid sloppiness, if you will, as regards your ankle.
Good luck.
Jet
That and some rotational, balance and leg-strengthening work should alleviate your problem and fears.
What's great about a mid-cut shoe is that the simple contact of the collar with your ankle is giving bio-feedback, which helps you avoid sloppiness, if you will, as regards your ankle.
Good luck.
Jet
backhand_finish
Rookie
limitup said:
i have the same problem. what braces are you using? i suggest the barricade they're amazingly stable. also no thick soled shoes.
I'm currently using an "aircast" brace:
http://www.backbenimble.com/new/pages/aircast/aircast_airsport_ankle_brace.htm
I'm probably going to try the ASO (with and without stays) too just to see if it fits any better. The aircast is awesome it's just a little on the bulkier side. The only thing it's missing is laces, which could be good or bad I guess depending on what you're looking for. It just feels a little loose on my foot - I'm thinking that with the ASO with laces I might also get a slightly tighter fit, which I think I prefer.
http://www.backbenimble.com/new/pages/aircast/aircast_airsport_ankle_brace.htm
I'm probably going to try the ASO (with and without stays) too just to see if it fits any better. The aircast is awesome it's just a little on the bulkier side. The only thing it's missing is laces, which could be good or bad I guess depending on what you're looking for. It just feels a little loose on my foot - I'm thinking that with the ASO with laces I might also get a slightly tighter fit, which I think I prefer.
Prince_of_Tennis
Professional
Forget the shoe I'd go with an ASO ankle brace!
Klippy
Semi-Pro
Limitup, these look very good for ankle support. They are the Head Strong Mid shoes. Maybe try them?. Tennis Warehouse sell them:
See how the are sort of higher at the top than most tennis shoe? They must be great for protecting the ankle.
Here's a review I found on the shoe's foot support/stability:
Although the slightly wide fit of the HEAD Strongs provided better support to our wider footed team members, even our resident narrow foots found adequate support. Granville said, "while the shoe is quite comfortable, it does seem a bit roomy in the toe box for my feet. I like the more contoured interior and glove-like fit that I find in a shoe like the Adidas Barricade. This shoe just didn't provide that fit for me, otherwise it would rival some high-end performance shoes for comfort and fit. Overall, I found this an adequately stable shoe for all but the most competitive play."
John found the HEAD Strongs to be supportive and stable. He said, "the soft and supple leather construction provided ample support when moving forward or laterally. I never was in danger of rolling an ankle or coming out of these shoes."
Chris also said the HEAD Strong shoes held his feet pretty well, adding, "although the fit was a little wide, the velcro strap across the lace system helped me get a fairly secure fit. I still had some slight slipping inside the toe box of the shoe on side to side movements. It wasn't enough to cause me blisters or lose a lot of stability, but it was noticeable nonetheless. I was surprised at how well the supple uppers supported my foot in the heel area, and I seemed to get a better fit in this part of the shoe. My feet also felt low to the ground in the HEAD Strongs, and I think this gave me a more secure feeling on court."
With his wide feet, Danny found the HEAD Strongs to provide good fit and support. Danny said, "the mid cut design and adjustable leather strap gave me great support and stability. I never experienced any slippage during the playtest of these shoes."
See how the are sort of higher at the top than most tennis shoe? They must be great for protecting the ankle.
Here's a review I found on the shoe's foot support/stability:
Although the slightly wide fit of the HEAD Strongs provided better support to our wider footed team members, even our resident narrow foots found adequate support. Granville said, "while the shoe is quite comfortable, it does seem a bit roomy in the toe box for my feet. I like the more contoured interior and glove-like fit that I find in a shoe like the Adidas Barricade. This shoe just didn't provide that fit for me, otherwise it would rival some high-end performance shoes for comfort and fit. Overall, I found this an adequately stable shoe for all but the most competitive play."
John found the HEAD Strongs to be supportive and stable. He said, "the soft and supple leather construction provided ample support when moving forward or laterally. I never was in danger of rolling an ankle or coming out of these shoes."
Chris also said the HEAD Strong shoes held his feet pretty well, adding, "although the fit was a little wide, the velcro strap across the lace system helped me get a fairly secure fit. I still had some slight slipping inside the toe box of the shoe on side to side movements. It wasn't enough to cause me blisters or lose a lot of stability, but it was noticeable nonetheless. I was surprised at how well the supple uppers supported my foot in the heel area, and I seemed to get a better fit in this part of the shoe. My feet also felt low to the ground in the HEAD Strongs, and I think this gave me a more secure feeling on court."
With his wide feet, Danny found the HEAD Strongs to provide good fit and support. Danny said, "the mid cut design and adjustable leather strap gave me great support and stability. I never experienced any slippage during the playtest of these shoes."
bigserving
Hall of Fame
Avia, with the concave sole.
Rumjungle
Semi-Pro
Check these out:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/catthumbs.html?CREF=166
My buddy has always had ankle problems (rolling them over in basketball too many times) and found good success with the Nike Air Resolve Mid.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/catthumbs.html?CREF=166
My buddy has always had ankle problems (rolling them over in basketball too many times) and found good success with the Nike Air Resolve Mid.
PBODY99
Legend
Have you been checked for any foot problems. My ankle woes decrease with custom insoles from my trip to the foot doctor six years back. They work by correct the your foot strike. I still carry my Kallasy ankle braces but seldom need to use them.
I have found that all iof the current mid cut shoes work about the same. K_swiss had a Preventor model that was a true high top, but I 'm not sure if it is still around. Good luck.
I have found that all iof the current mid cut shoes work about the same. K_swiss had a Preventor model that was a true high top, but I 'm not sure if it is still around. Good luck.
devilish_duke
Semi-Pro
I used to use ASO braces when I played while rehabbing from a right ankle injury, but after I got good stability and strength I stopped wearing them. The more you wear braces the more susceptible you are to injury if you should ever forget to put them on. That's because your ankle gets used to not having to support itself.
On the shoe front, I wear Barricade II's right now and they're super stable, although they are low cut. I'm actually going to order another pair tomorrow, along with a pair of Reebok Upset DMX. The Upsets are mid cut and have a good rep for comfort, stability, and ankle support.
On the shoe front, I wear Barricade II's right now and they're super stable, although they are low cut. I'm actually going to order another pair tomorrow, along with a pair of Reebok Upset DMX. The Upsets are mid cut and have a good rep for comfort, stability, and ankle support.
S
SpiderDave
Guest
Active Ankle Brace
I've got a very weak left ankle. Mid-high shoes do not give enough support. Years ago (ok, decades ago) I wore high-top basketball shoes when playing racquetball.
Today I wear an Active Ankle
http://www.activeankle.com/
It provides strong protection from turning the ankle to the side but it does not prevent forward bending of the ankle.
When I first started wearing it there was a little discomfort due to pressure on the side of the ankle bone. After several weeks my ankle bone got used to the device and now I have no discomfort.
I leave the device permanently in my shoe. I like it.
I've got a very weak left ankle. Mid-high shoes do not give enough support. Years ago (ok, decades ago) I wore high-top basketball shoes when playing racquetball.
Today I wear an Active Ankle
http://www.activeankle.com/
It provides strong protection from turning the ankle to the side but it does not prevent forward bending of the ankle.
When I first started wearing it there was a little discomfort due to pressure on the side of the ankle bone. After several weeks my ankle bone got used to the device and now I have no discomfort.
I leave the device permanently in my shoe. I like it.
jonolau
Legend
I had a complete fracture of my left fibula and tore my ligaments in the left ankle 20 years ago which left me with a weak left ankle. I tried different brands of shoes since and found that New Balance provides the best support. It feels really solid and leaves little room for unwanted rotation.
S
SpiderDave
Guest
eqx said:
There is no noticeable effect on the shoe size and fit. The ActiveAnkle brace has a flat plate which I put under the shoe's removeable insole. Attached to the flat plate are two supports, one one each side of my ankle. The supports are small and don't bother the shoe fit. After the supports exit the shoe there is a pivot point and attached to the pivot is a wide band that wraps around the ankle. At first the pivot area was a little uncomfortable because it pressed against the side of my ankle bone. After a few weeks the discomfort went away.
The brace gives great side support and doesn't interfer with running or any other foot action.
The ATP Tennis web page has a January 3, 2006 story about Roger Federer with a photo of him wearing a brace on his ankle (brand unknown). The article says he's been wearing the support since November.
http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2006/doha_tuesday.asp
oscar_2424
Legend
what about the reebok matchday pump? are they good for ankle support?
The brace Fed uses looks pretty close to my ASO brace. Supposedly a lot of pros use the ASO. It rocks. It seems to work so well that I'm tempted to try using regular shoes, but if I did that and ended up re-injuring my ankle and not being able to play for months I would be seriously pissed off at myself LOL. I'm using the Diadora DA 2 and while it's a fine shoe I don't think it's that great. It just doesn't seem to fit or feel that great on my foot. I think I'm going to try the Nike Air Resolve Mid next ...
Marat Safinator
Banned
check out K-Swiss tennis shoes, they seem to be very good around the ankle area.
Joe Average
Rookie
Yep. Another recommendation for the Aso ankle brace. I've been using it for a couple of weeks and there is no fear of turning my ankle. In fact, it gives me more confidence on the court, and I feel I can run with a little more abandon. Although, I do take Devlish's warning to heart. You can become a little too confident, when you really shouldn't be. I'm surprised at the fit. Those braces always look thick ... especially the black braces ... but they fit without making a difference in shoe size, much less of a difference than Thorlo socks, for instance.
The Nike Air Resolves are more suited for players with wide feet. I wear them ... and I have wide feet. I can't say they're particularly better for ankles, however.
The Nike Air Resolves are more suited for players with wide feet. I wear them ... and I have wide feet. I can't say they're particularly better for ankles, however.
T
TW CSR
Guest
oscar_2424 said:
The MDP's have very good ankle support, I'm suprised no one else has mentioned them.
