An ankle sprain is a common problem for sportsmen and women because of their hyper-charged activities. Anyone can also sprain their ankle because, you know, accidents happen all the time.
An ankle sprain occurs when your ankle turns, rolls or twists out of position. This results in the ligament bands holding your foot together stretching abnormally resulting in pain. This pain can hamper your movements and you may be compelled to look into the best shoes to wear with sprained ankle.
Risk Factors
If you are a sports participant, then you are familiar with ankle sprains. The cutting action, jumping, rolling, and twisting motions common in basketball, trail running, soccer, and other sports can result in poor landing. This occasionally results in your ankles taking a beating.
Uneven surfaces are also a huge risk factor. For some people, it’s simply the lack of strength and flexibility while playing. If you’ve had a prior ankle injury, then you could easily have a repeated session again.
Improper shoes can also make you land in awkward positions that put a strain on your ankles. And by improper we mean shoes that don’t fit well or are not ideal for a certain activity. But since you are here, we are going to recommend to you some of the top footwear for sprained ankle. Let’s get the ball rolling, then.
Table of Contents
Best Shoes to Wear with Sprained Ankle
Here is a list of all the good shoes those with sprained ankles can wear:
1. ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoes
Just like Nike rules the fashion world, ASICS takes the crown for being a manufacturer of the most supportive shoes. One of their shoes that could help with an ankle sprain is ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoes.
Let’s forget functionality for a minute. This sneaker is a real head turner and comes in limitless bold color choices. So be sure to look good as you recover from your sprain. When it comes to functionality, Gel-Kayano 26 leaves no stone unturned.
To start off, much of the shoe’s support comes from ASICS’ Impact Guidance System (IGS). This outsole technology promotes natural heel-to-toe strikes resulting in better stability. Combine that with the contoured DUOMAX midsole and you have a shoe that caters to all your pronation needs (both overpronation and underpronation).
The heel part of the shoe is plushy and extends a bit to offer support to swollen and sprained ankles. When it comes to comfort, ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoe will over-deliver. The DUOMAX midsole, AHAR rubber sponge, EVA details, and the gel padding in the forefoot and rearfoot ensure impressive impact absorption as well as a good spring for longer distances.
Features
- A mix of fabric and synthetics
- Rubber outsole
- ASICS’ proprietary Impact Guidance System
- SpevaFoam 45 Lasting
- FlyteFoam Lyte technology
- FlyteFoam Propel Technology
- Dynamic DuoMax Support System
- EVA sock liner
- Contoured midsole
Pros:
- A beautiful and luxurious design
- Athletic-grade comfort
- Lightweight for long-distance performance
- Breathable construction
- Multiple appealing color choices
Cons:
- No serious quality concerns
ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoe is for those looking for superior comfort and support. It houses over 5 premium technologies designed to offer you the best performance you are craving. Like the best cross-fit shoes, this shoe boasts of a versatile design.
2. Ryka Women Tenacity Cross-Trainer
Low-cut shoes can help when you have ankle problems. But do you know what else is better? Mid-cut shoes. This design in itself is designed to hug your whole ankle for maximum support, comfort, and protection. One such shoe is Ryka Women Tenacity Cross-Trainer.
This cross-trainer comes with flex foil fabrics that go over your ankle locking it in place. This prevents the ankle from turning or rolling which could further worsen the injury. The thick padding in the collar and tongue helps to keep your foot as comfortable as possible.
Ryka Women Tenacity Cross-Trainer comes has a Velcro strap running across the midfoot to keep your foot locked. The synthetic fabrics on top are supremely breathable for hyperactive performance. On top of that, the rubber outsole features a pivot point for smooth and seamless turning during a dance session. Yes, this cross-trainer is also a dance shoe.
Features
- 100% synthetic
- Precise-Return footbed
- Rubber outsole with pivot point
- Synthetic mesh
- Flex foil material
- Midfoot Velcro strap
- N-gage EVA foam in the forefoot
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable
- Designed for better support
- Generously padded for comfort
- A versatile design for dancing and cross-fit exercises
Cons:
- Doesn’t come in many bold feminine color choices
Ryka Women Tenacity Cross-Trainer’s mid-cut design makes it one of the best shoes for a sprained ankle. So many previous customers highly recommend it because apart from its exceptional support, the quality too is good.
3. KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe
KEEN Men’s Targhee II is lightweight footwear meant for tackling any kind of terrains. As such, it comes laden with an internal support mechanism that includes an anatomical engineered fit that nicely conforms to your feet’s shape.
There is also a stability shank that offers more support for better mobility and torsion control. The shank is lightweight to avoid making the shoe burdensome. There is a strap running across the heel and locks to the laces so you can lock the ankle in position to curb movements that pull at the ankle ligaments.
Because KEEN Men’s Targhee II is a hiking gear, you also get additional superior traction that keeps you steady on any terrain. The collar is thickly padded for comfort and to avoid irritating your sprained ankles. The nubuck leather top is waterproof which can be advantageous in light showers. This pair runs small so go up by half size.
Features
- Waterproof nubuck leather
- Rubber outsole
- Heel pull tab
- Toe bumper protection
- Molded EVA midsole
- Lace closure
Pros:
- Waterproof protection
- Robustly durable
- Superior traction to take on any terrain
- Impressive internal support technology
- Excellent arch support
- Breathable panels
Cons:
- Runs a half small
- Fluctuating quality
KEEN Men’s Targhee II may be a hiking shoe but it is enriched with features that make it ideal for ankle support and protection. Of course, the quality has taken a hit lately but if your aim is to heal your ankle as quickly as possible, then this shoe is still a considerable choice.
4. Propet Men’s LifeWalker Strap Walking Shoe
Propet specializes in making shoes that deal with pain. They’ve come up with superb quality shoes (and a few mediocre ones too). But the bottom line is when you are in pain try looking up their shoes. One of their best footwear for an ankle sprain is Propet Men’s LifeWalker Strap Walking Shoe.
This shoe is designed for diabetics with a supportive and contoured heel stabilizer. As such, the level of comfort it provides has no equal. This makes it perfect for dealing with sprained and strained ankles as much of the impact you generate from walking is absorbed. This leaves you feeling good and pain-free.
With painful ankles, you don’t need the laces too tight right? You have to keep adjusting depending on the magnitude of the pain. With Propet Men’s LifeWalker Strap Walking Shoe, the hook and loop closure makes this far more easy and enjoyable. The footbed it comes with is removable to allow the use of custom choices.
Features
- Leather top
- Padded opening
- Hook and loop closure
- Rubber outsole
- Removable cushioned footbed
- EVA midsole
- Brushed nylon lining
- Contoured heel stabilizer
Pros:
- Roomier construction
- Extremely comfortable
- Easy to put on and remove
- No discomforting seams
- Exists in affordable models
Cons:
- Quality inconsistencies
Propet Men’s LifeWalker Strap Walking Shoe gives you the freedom of walking for longer and in peace. This is possible thanks to the massive cushioning it comes with. This shoe is also ideal for those with diabetes, arthritic fingers, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. Go check it out if it’s gotten you hooked.
5. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V10 Running Shoe
Seemingly bulky, New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V10 Running Shoe is also one of the good shoes for weak ankles. If you look at its image, you’ll notice the heel comes with an extended fabric that wraps around your ankle. The heel also boasts of a 3D engineered hypoknit upper for increased fit and comfort.
Another biggest advantage of this shoe is comfort. It derives this from the thick fresh foam midsole, cushioned footbed, and the engineered fit upper. Basically, this is an extreme running shoe with insane levels of spring and impact absorption. You could run so many miles in it without feeling burdened. The magnitude of obsession with detail in this shoe is on a whole new stride.
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V10 Running Shoe provides more support and flexibility through its stitched-down tip and foxing detail. The engineered fit design also contributes to the best fit that does away with feet discomfort. The shoe may look chunky but if you need quick healing, then you are going to have to look past the design.
Features
- A mix of synthetic and mesh
- Rubber outsole
- Stitched-down tip
- ABZORB midsole cushioning
- Engineered fit upper
- 3D heel design
Pros:
- Lightweight ride
- Immensely comfortable
- Multiple pomp color choices
- Long-lasting durability
- Flexible and ultra-responsive ride
Cons:
- Most people feel the design is awkward
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V10 Running Shoe is great for those in need of optimal comfort and ankle support. The quality is not bad and the sizing is accurate. However, the great cushioning it comes with makes it look a little bulky.
6. Clarks Men’s Vanek Mid Ankle Boot
Clarks Men’s Vanek Mid Ankle Boot is ankle-high footwear and by default, its design offers support to a sprained ankle. To boost comfort, the shoe includes an ortholite footbed and EVA as a shock-absorbing base.
Quality-wise, this Clark boot features a long-lasting premium leather to handle practically any terrain. The bold stitching details add an element of beauty while assuring impeccable structural integrity. The front is roomier enough to give your toes space to wiggle.
Clarks Men’s Vanek Mid Ankle Boot is super lightweight for walking all day long. Since it looks no different from other dress shoes, this could be a great grab for those in need of formal ankle support shoes. As you would expect of any work shoe, there are not many colors to pick from (just black and brown).
Features
- Premium leather top
- Ultra-lightweight EVA sole
- Ortholite footbed
- Padded collar
- Ankle-high design
- Lace closure
- Rugged performance
- Bold stitch details
Pros:
- Long-lasting performance
- Versatile design for any event
- Fairly padded for better comfort
- True to size
- Lightweight
Cons:
- A little expensive
Looking for ankle-support shoes that you can wear to work? The one special case is Clarks Men’s Vanek Mid Ankle Boot. With an ankle-high design and padded collar, you can expect this shoe to provide you with the comfort you need at work.
7. Orthofeet Foot and Heel Pain Relief Orthopedic Boot
Last but definitely not least is Orthofeet Foot and Heel Pain Relief Orthopedic Boot. This is a tried and true orthopedic shoe that caters to those with diabetes, heel pain, neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, and any foot condition you can think of. As such it stands to be one of the best shoes to wear with sprained ankle.
As an all-around foot pain shoe, this offer brings to you a roomier toe end that keeps your toes at peace. The leather used is supple and without seams that sometimes dig into people’s feet. The interior is extremely plushy and some people say its comfort is like walking on clouds. Inside this boot, you’ll find an orthotic insole that is anatomically designed to offer the best arch support.
The ankle-high design provides a comfortable fence around your ankles keeping them in position to avoid further swelling. In case the pressure becomes too much, the Velcro straps can help you loosen your fit in seconds. If you have arthritic fingers or hate dealing with laces, then you’ll enjoy this shoe even more.
The only condition that this boot doesn’t possibly address is a broken foot. For that, you can check out our guide on the best shoes for broken foot recovery.
Features
- Supple leather upper
- Adjustable Velcro straps
- Removable & cushioned footbed with anatomical design
- Lightweight outsole
- Multiple cushioning layers
- Non-binding uppers
- Extra-depth design
Pros:
- Supremely comfortable to address many foot problems
- Impeccable arch support
- Lightweight design
- Breathable uppers
- Convenient on and off Velcro straps
Cons:
- This shoe is perfect but the price is the catch. You’ll need $100+
If we were arranging our reviews from best to worst, Orthofeet Foot and Heel Pain Relief Orthopedic Boot would be basking at the top. This shoe goes all in for you by offering not just comfort and support but other important features such as breathability, lightweight, and extra room for toes. Anyone with serious foot problems would regret to ignore this orthopedic boot.
Frequently Asked Questions
a) Can a shoe cause a sprained ankle?
Most definitely, bad shoes are some of the causes of a sprained ankle. For instance, if you dance Zumba, hip hop, or play basketball, your shoe needs pivot points to facilitate easy turning. Without it, it’s your ankle that is going to turn, and that messes your ligaments up. So stick to the right shoe that suits the activity you are doing.
b) What are the best shoes for a sprained ankle?
We believe a shoe that helps with sprained ankle needs to actually cover the ankles up and provide superior support and cushioning as well. Such shoes include Orthofeet Foot and Heel Pain Relief Orthopedic Boot, Clarks Men’s Vanek Mid Ankle Boot, New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V10 Running Shoe, and Ryka Women Tenacity Cross-Trainer.
For those who believe in the versatility of cross trainers, check out this guide on the best cross-training shoes for high arches.
c) What should I wear for weak ankles?
Basically, weak ankles need support more than anything. This means shoes with low-cut designs will not help. You need high back shoes that usually come in booty styles with some padding on the tongue. If you go for a low heel shoe, then ensure it has a rocker bottom that provides the best stability needed for weak ankles.
Wrap Up
Looking for the best shoes to wear with a sprained ankle can be similar to maze running. So many options to consider and truthfully, a good number of them can be crappy. An ankle injury needs to be cushioned or supported to curb any movements that could worsen the pain.
As you have seen in this review, there are two things that are going to matter; cushioning and support. This means either a well-padded shoe or one with an ankle-high design would be appropriate. But that’s not everything, is it? Comfort and support would mean little if a shoe compromises on breathability, roomier construction, low weight, and even design.
So before you go back to our reviews to pick your favorite choice, at least know exactly what you want based on things like size, design, and your feet’s health. Otherwise, we wish you good luck in your choosing and a peaceful recovery period. Do carpe diem as well, won’t you?