Ultra High-5 Rigid Ankle Brace – Chronic Ankle Instability, Boot Ready | Orthopedic Ankle Stabilizer · Work Boots · Hiking Boots · Active Adults · Daily Use · Weak Ankles · Rolling Ankles

Full disclosure - I bought these myself, and am getting zero compensation from Ultra Ankle for this review. I'm not a marketer, just a teacher who loves to hike. I want give my honest thoughts about the High-5, and give this company some love since I think they make a fantastic product. I have total garbage ankles. I injured them badly in my late teens, then again and again afterwards, and now it's way too easy to roll them if I'm on uneven ground. That's a real shame since I'm lucky enough to live right near the White Mountains of New Hampshire and I love to hike. For years now, I'd love every minute of heading up these mountains, and my time at the top, and then hate every second of coming back down... fearful of getting an injury and having to then limp off the mountain, which has happened more than once. I tried high-top boots, stability poles, and ankle wraps, and nothing really helped. I saw these and though they were pricey, I figured I'd give them a shot. When I first tried them on, I thought they were kind of uncomfortable, and bulged out my shoes so badly it looked like I had clown feet. I almost returned them! But I checked out the instructions and saw that they needed a break-in period to mold to your ankles. So, I wore them around the house, around the neighborhood, and on my treadmill for a few days. It really wasn't long at all before they were very comfortable and I could pretty easily forget they were there. Score! Now it was time for the real test. I picked a moderate level hike up Stinson Mountain, and geared up. These braces, a pair of comfy boots, a good pair of stability poles, and I was good to go. Almost immediately, I noted the High-5's as a big improvement over the ankle wraps I'd tried before in how much mobility I still had on the way up. I really was able to forget they were there. I had a nice hike up, spent a bit of time at the summit, and then started my way back down. I was about a third of the way down a fairly steep trail with lots of rocks and roots when I realized that 1 - I wasn't afraid, and 2 - I was actually enjoying myself! These braces kept my ankles from rolling, and though I could probably still injure myself with a bad fall or something, I felt a LOT safer, and a ton more confident. I made it down the mountain without any pain at all, and now I'm a total convert. These are more expensive than wraps, but I really believe they're worth every penny, and I'm very glad I gave them a try! You just need to make sure you take the time to BREAK THEM IN, or you're going to end up hating them. Wear them around a few days and let them mold to you. Once they do, they're like comfortable armor for your ankles. I even got over the "clown shoes" feeling about them. Heck, they could be neon and sparkly and I'd still love them. These braces have given me back my hiking! :-)

Update I am back to buy another set because my first set felt like they were getting weaker after 2 1/2 years. I love these. For 2 1/2 years I have not once turned my ankle .i hike all around in and out of woods with no issue. Having 2 avulsion fractures that is like a miracle to me!! After having avulsion fractures on both ankles my ankles were very unstable. Ortho gave me a lace up which was uncomfortable and didn’t offer much support. I tried the donjoy pod which I liked but didn’t feel it was as supportive as I needed for walking my dogs. We walk my dogs in the woods where there are tons of tree roots leaves and pine needles (which is how I got the avulsions in the first place). So I ordered these. Honestly at first they were super uncomfortable especially on the inside of my ankles. I used my blow drier to heat them up (as recommended on their website) and wore 2 pairs of socks. I wore them for a few days before they started to feel comfortable. Now I have no discomfort and can wear one sock. The breaking in was so worth it. My right ankle is still in recovery from the avulsion fracture and my balance is horrible. I can go to work and walk around with my dogs and no issues. From the beginning I could feel how much more supportive they were which is why I gave them time to break in. So happy that I gave them time.

Unfortunately this brace offers little to no support for either an inversion sprain or a high ankle sprain. It is painful to wear because the side brace padding is too firm and it contacts the tender and damaged areas with a sprain. It cannot get tight enough to help the high ankle sprain heal. I recommend just wearing a soft wrap that you can tighten to comfort, it gives more support than this brace unfort.

This brace provides the support I need for a very bad ankle. I had very high hopes, but it unfortunately rubs sores on my tibia, which makes me not want yo wear it as much as I should.

It protects a weak twisted ankle and gives the wearer confidence until healing is accomplished

I like that they fit with my current shoes. Ankle support is good as long as you are at a level of walking on your own. If limping I would probably get the next one up that’s for full support. Using this for my Achilles Tendonitis / Plantar Fasciitis. Inflammation is down and can kinda walk while this adds extra support. I use it during nighttime as well so I don’t accidentally twist my ankle. I like it at this point that I may buy another just not to deal with the hassle of taking in and off on my shoe.

These have changed my life. Very comfortable. They keep my ankles from rolling. Due to back issues I thought I had to give up hiking. I love to hike in the mountains and with these I"m heading out soon. Very Happy I purchased these ankle braces.

I would never play volleyball without these. I had a much older version of the ultra ankle which lasted 20 years believe it or not. Only thing that went was the strap. These are much lighter than my previous pair but feel just as sturdy. These are the ankle braces to get if you want maximum protection against rolling ankles landing on other peoples feel while spiking / blocking. Well worth the price!

Great product!