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The McDavid Lightweight Ankle Brace (yes, that is it’s real name) is best described as simple, yet extremely effective. Just like it’s product name, this ankle brace is nothing flashy or extravagant. BUT if you are looking for something lightweight that keeps your ankle extremely supported at a great price, then you’ve found the product for you.
If you’ve ever sprained your ankle (and I mean SPRAINED) then you know the joint/tendons are never going to be the same again. Unless you’re one of those people who actually rehab it like crazy directly after the injury, you’re going to need some sort of brace. Read on for the full Mcdavid ankle brace review!
Why this brace?
Lets face it, nobody actually rehabs things consistently. Most of us aren’t highly paid professional athletes with top notch care and programs and we usually just limp around until we can start exercising again. Everybody also knows that the first sprain is the worst. I was playing pickup basketball as a spry 16 year old when I jumped up for a rebound and came down on somebody’s stupid foot. I went through the normal process- excruciating pain, black and blue ankle, hobbling around for 6 weeks, RICE, etc.
However, when I came back to sports, I noticed it wasn’t the same. My ankle sprained easier and felt “looser,” and it would give out at random moments. Even though my recovery process after subsequent sprains was never as long or painful as the first twist, I knew that I couldn’t go on the way I was. It had gotten to the point where I didn’t have confidence in my ankle anymore. As anybody who has played sports recreationally or competitively can attest to- this just doesn’t work and is not sustainable.
When I got to the point where I knew I needed a brace, I put a ton of different ankle braces through the ringer to see what would work and what wouldn’t. My ankle wasn’t destroyed so I knew I didn’t need an absolute behemoth of a brace, just something simple-ish to keep things locked down.
At first, I went strictly Velcro. They were usually the least bulky and seemed easy to adjust on the fly if I felt it was too loose/tight at any given time. However, the Velcro braces I was using honestly weren’t great (even though they aren’t all bad-see my other reviews) so I knew I needed something that was guaranteed to stay in place, without the bulk. This is where the
McDavid Lightweight ankle brace comes in.
Highlights
The best thing about this brace is the lace-up system that keeps things locked down so well. While a lot of lace-up ankle braces are HUGE and too big to even squeeze into your shoe, the McDavid brace is thin in the right places and supple so you won’t have this issue. Honestly, it just feels like you are wearing an extra thick sock in terms of bulkiness. Another huge plus for lace-up ankle braces like this one is how easy it slips on, laces up, and then doesn’t need adjusting anymore. Out of all of the ankle braces I’ve ever worn, this one is the easiest to forget about when you’re wearing it. It never stops doing it’s job, and actually does it so well it’s easy to take it for granted.
While the lace up system keeps the brace in one place and helps moderately support you, the real magic happens thanks to the spring steel stays on each side of your ankle that make rolling/twisting a thing of the distant past. Some ankle braces go way overboard in terms of rigidity when it comes to keeping your ankle locked in. It’s not the fault of the brace itself- some people just actually need that much support. However, the McDavid Lightweight ankle brace is more for people like I mentioned before: you’ve sprained your ankle, it still feels weak and a bit painful, and you want to prevent it from happening again. If you’re looking for a more generalized support like that instead of a full on ankle brace cast, I really don’t think you can beat this brace in terms of complete value and functionality.
Comfort and Fit
This brace is also super breathable and cool (in terms of looks and temperature). Obviously, something that has “lightweight” directly IN the name of the product is telling us that it’s not going to cause a swamp to form in your ankle, and you also won’t have to worry about hotspots either. This might go without saying for some, but this brace also fits your left or right side so no need to differentiate (and God forbid you need one for both ankles).
The Final Word
The last thing I’ll say about this brace is that it comes at a great price. Like with all my reviews, I try to choose the brace that I feel gives you the best “bang for your buck” but I also have no problem recommending the best brace out there even if it is more expensive. In this case, you don’t need a 3-figure ankle brace to do the job. The McDavid Lightweight Ankle Brace will set you back a couple of 20 sheets and then you’ll be on your way.
Check it out at the link below!
Until next time!
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