Ankle support shoes are essential for comfort and confidence if you have weak or injured ankles or experience ankle pain. As an exercise physiologist who occasionally suffers from ankle pain and mild overpronation, I understand the importance of selecting a pair of shoes with extra ankle support. Ankle instability can affect everything from exercise to daily routines, so I look for high-quality shoes that offer motion control, lateral support, arch support, and good traction.
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How We Tested
To find the best ankle support shoes, we consulted with four experts: two foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons, a physiatrist, and a podiatrist, for advice on what key features to look for. Then, we tested over 135 pairs of shoes while walking, hiking, and working out on various even and uneven terrains. We evaluated each pair for its fit, comfort, responsiveness, stability, cushioning, traction, durability, and value to find the top options on the market. When testing ankle support shoes, we keep the following key questions in mind.
- Fit: When we put each shoe on for the first time, we note 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 the shoe during movement. As we continue to wear-test each shoe, we pay attention to whether the fit and feel change over time.
- Comfort: If your shoe isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it, so next up is assessing comfort. During each wear test, we pay attention to how the material feels: Are there any irritating seams? Do our feet feel overheated? Is there uncomfortable chafing or rubbing? We prioritize shoes that keep our feet cool, comfortable, and blister-free for hours on end.
- Responsiveness: Responsiveness refers to how effectively a shoe propels you to the next stride. To test for responsiveness, we spend weeks walking, running, and working out in each shoe to assess how springy or bouncy it feels when pushing off the ground. Shoes earn high scores for responsiveness if they prevent our legs and feet from feeling fatigued at the end of long walks, runs, or workouts.
- Stability: Stability is especially important when testing ankle support shoes. During our test walks and runs, as well as during daily wear, we note any knee or ankle instability. We also pay attention to shock absorption and impact protection. We prioritize shoes with additional motion control or stability features.
- Cushioning: We pay attention to how well the cushioning absorbs impact as our foot hits the ground. We also take note of any foot, knee, or leg instability, fatigue, or pain. Regardless of the level of cushioning—plush or firm—shoes earn high scores if they keep our feet comfortable and protected throughout testing.
- Traction: During testing, we use the shoes on various indoor and outdoor surfaces to evaluate the outsole’s grip. Do we experience any slipping or sliding while wearing the shoes on wet or slippery surfaces? Has the shoe’s traction deteriorated over time?
- Durability: We pay attention to how the shoe holds up to regular use and wear, particularly in demanding activities or environments. Do we notice any signs of premature wear, such as fraying seams, peeling materials, or worn-out tread? Has the midsole worn down, or has the shoe’s shape changed?
- Value: After rigorously wear-testing each shoe, we consider its performance and price to determine whether it’s worth it. We prioritize shoes that we would consider purchasing at the listed price or even a higher price.
- 135+ pairs of sneakers tested
- 10 winning ankle support shoes
- 16+ weeks of testing
- 4 experts interviewed
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What to Look For
- Motion Control: Shoes that offer motion control or extra stability features help decrease excessive movement in the foot and ankle, making them a good choice for those with weak ankles.
- Support: Choose a shoe with a well-cushioned footbed for added support and improved shock absorption. And if you have a history of ankle injuries or ankle instability, look for a shoe that has sufficient arch support to accommodate your foot, while ensuring that the shape of the shoe and arch match your unique arch and alignment, says foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon Jonathan R. Kaplan, MD.
- Sturdiness: Look for shoes with durable, sturdy soles and firm heel counters. The heel counter should be rigid to hold your heel in place, helping to stabilize your ankle, says podiatrist Nelya Lobkova, DPM.
- Drop: A shoe’s heel-to-toe drop measures the difference between the height of the shoe at the heel and at the forefoot. Its drop affects your cadence, foot strike, and what part of your body takes on the load or impact of each step. In running or walking shoes, the drop typically ranges from 0 to 12 millimeters. A high heel-to-toe drop encourages a heel-strike gait, which can lead to more impact forces on the heel and ankle, thereby increasing the risk of injury to those areas. On the other hand, shoes with lower heel-to-toe drops promote a more natural or forefoot strike and place less pressure on your knees, ankles, and hips, which can help prevent injuries in those areas.
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What We’ve Updated
- Since publishing our initial tested roundup of the best ankle support shoes, we’ve re-evaluated our previous recommendations and tested several new, popular models.
- Based on our new testing insights, we’ve added six new pairs to our list and updated our top picks for the Best Ankle Support Shoes for Women Overall, Best Ankle Support Shoes for Men Overall, and more. We also introduced several new superlatives, including Best Walking Shoes With Ankle Support, Best Ankle Support Basketball Shoes, and more.
- We consulted two new experts, a podiatrist and a physiatrist, to ensure our advice on choosing the best ankle support shoes is accurate and up to date.
Compare Top Picks
Compare Top Picks
Best Ankle Support Shoes for Women Overall
Nike Structure 25 Women’s Road Running Shoes
Best Ankle Support Shoes for Women Overall Nike Structure 25 Women’s Road Running Shoes
Dicks Sporting Goods
$140
$73
Running, walking, and everyday wear
Women’s 5-12 (medium, extra-wide), Men’s 6-15 (medium, extra-wide)
Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Plush, responsive
Full Review
Best Ankle Support Shoes for Men Overall
Brooks Beast GTS 23 Running Shoe
Best Ankle Support Shoes for Men Overall Brooks Beast GTS 23 Running Shoe
Amazon
$185
Walkers and joggers in need of motion control
Women’s 6-13 (medium, wide, extra-wide), Men’s 8-15 (medium, wide, extra-wide)
Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Moderate
Full Review
Best Budget Ankle Support Shoes for Women
Saucony Integrity Walker 3
Best Budget Ankle Support Shoes for Women Saucony Integrity Walker 3
Amazon
$90
$65
Walking on trails and pavement in cool weather
Women’s 5-12 (narrow, medium, wide, extra-wide), Men’s 7-15 (medium, wide)
Leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Moderate
Full Review
Best Budget Ankle Support Shoes for Men
Asics Men’s Gel-Venture 10
Best Budget Ankle Support Shoes for Men Asics Men’s Gel-Venture 10
Amazon
$80
$60
Road running and moderate hikes
Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide), Men’s 7-15 (medium, wide, extra-wide)
Mesh upper, foam and gel insole, synthetic rubber outsole
Moderate
Full Review
Best Everyday Running Shoes With Ankle Support
Hoka Men’s Gaviota 5
Best Everyday Running Shoes With Ankle Support Hoka Men’s Gaviota 5
Amazon
$175
$159
Everyday running and walking
Women’s 6-11 (medium, wide), Men’s 7-15 (medium, wide)
Jacquard mesh upper, foam insole, rubber outsole
Plush
Full Review
Best Cushioned Shoes With Ankle Support
New Balance Men’s Cross Training Shoes
Best Cushioned Shoes With Ankle Support New Balance Men’s Cross Training Shoes
Zappos
$80
$75
Walks, gym workouts, and casual wear
Women’s 5-12 (narrrow, medium, wide), Men’s 6.5-18 (medium, wide, extra-wide)
Leather and suede upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Plush
Full Review
Best Walking Shoes With Ankle Support
Ryka Devotion XT Mid Top
Best Walking Shoes With Ankle Support Ryka Devotion XT Mid Top
famousfootwear
$80
$75
Fitness walks and gym workouts
Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide)
Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Plush
Full Review
Best Trail Running Shoes With Ankle Support
Nike Zegama 2 Running Shoes
Best Trail Running Shoes With Ankle Support Nike Zegama 2 Running Shoes
REI
$190
Trail running and hiking
Women’s 5-12, Men’s 6-15
Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Plush
Full Review
Best Hiking Shoes With Ankle Support
Arc’teryx Aerios FL 2 Mid GTX Hiking Shoe
Best Hiking Shoes With Ankle Support Arc’teryx Aerios FL 2 Mid GTX Hiking Shoe
Amazon
$190
$133
Hiking and trail walking
Women’s 5-12, Men’s 7-14
Recycled polyester mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Moderate
Full Review
Best Ankle Support Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Hoka Women’s Bondi 8
Best Ankle Support Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Hoka Women’s Bondi 8
Amazon
$199
Walking and running with plantar fasciitis
Women’s 6-11 (medium, wide), Men’s 6-14 (medium, wide)
Partially recycled mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Plush
Full Review
Ankle Support Shoes We Also Tested
We tested over 135 pairs of ankle support shoes but included only 10 pairs on our final list of recommendations. Although these shoes might be suitable for certain activities, they ultimately fell a bit short in terms of ankle support.
- While we were impressed with Nike’s Metcon 8 Workout Shoe’s lightweight feel and grippy traction, 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.
- We love Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 3 Shoe’s springy responsiveness, sleek style, and lightweight feel. However, it doesn’t have enough ankle support for those with weak or injured ankles.
- Altra’s Women’s Rivera 3 Sneaker is a high-quality, durable running shoe with responsive cushioning and a lightweight feel. However, we found the support inadequate, and we’d be concerned about running or walking in them on uneven surfaces.
Verywell Fit
Our Experts
We consulted experts at each stage of our research, testing, and reporting process. The following experts provided insights into what key features to look for when shopping for the best ankle support shoes and helped us determine the best way to test them. While we select products independently, expert input helps inform our decisions.
- Jonathan R. Kaplan, MD, foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Southern California
- Nelya Lobkova, DPM, podiatrist at Step Up Surgical Podiatry in New York
- Carlos Milani, MD, physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York
- Steven K. Neufeld, MD, foot and ankle surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics in Northern Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ankle support important?
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 Kaplan.
What is the best way to tie shoes for ankle support?
Some sneakers have an extra eyelet at the top that you can use for additional ankle support. If not, lace your shoes all the way up through the top eyelets and tie a tight double-knot to secure the laces, ensuring a snug fit around the ankle.
What shoes give the best ankle support?
Look for a good pair of ankle support shoes with a rigid heel counter that wraps around the heel and ankle for stability. After extensively testing over 135 of the best ankle support shoes, Nike’s Structure 25 Shoes earned a perfect score, have a plush feel, and are ideal for walking, running, and everyday wear. For more budget-friendly options, we love Saucony’s Integrity Walker 3 Shoe and Asics’ Gel Venture 10 Shoes, both of which provide solid ankle support, have excellent traction on various terrains, and a well-cushioned feel.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
As a running coach, personal trainer, avid runner, and writer for Verywell Fit, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, has personally experienced ankle pain and coached athletes who need good ankle support. She recommends replacing shoes regularly, as even new, supportive shoes eventually lose their firmness, cushioning, and effectiveness. In addition to her personal experience with ankle support shoes, she also relied on our testing insights to help select the best products for this roundup.
Additional reporting contributed by Jennifer Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP
Jennifer Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, is an ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and Verywell Fit health and fitness writer. She has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years and has used and tested a wide range of fitness equipment, accessories, shoes, and activewear. She experiences occasional ankle pain and mildly overpronates, so she knows what to look for when selecting high-quality ankle support shoes.
