Ankle supports: why wear them and which to choose?
Ankle supports support the ankle, keep the foot warm and prevent grazes when kicking; choose tight but not constricting.
Ankle supports are elastic sleeves without heel or toes that support your ankle, keep the foot and Achilles tendon warm and prevent grazes on the instep and ankle when kicking pads and bags. They are not mandatory kit, but almost every kickboxer and muay thai practitioner wears them. Pick a size that fits tight without constricting; Twins Special, Booster and King Pro Boxing make them in several sizes.
What an ankle support does
An ankle support is a snug elastic sleeve that sits around the ankle and instep, with an open heel and open toes. It does three things. It gives light compression and support around the ankle joint, so your ankle feels more stable when pivoting and kicking. It keeps the foot and Achilles tendon warm, which is welcome when kicking on cold mats. And it protects the skin of the instep and ankle bones against grazes from pads, bags and shin guards.
For many athletes that last point is the main reason. Anyone who regularly throws low kicks on a bag or Thai pad knows the raw patches on the instep. A thin elastic layer prevents that. In our shop you will find ankle supports from Twins Special, Booster and King Pro Boxing, single and by the pair.
Who are they for?
Anyone who kicks benefits: kickboxers, muay thai practitioners and MMA athletes. Boxers do not need them. They are also welcome in pad work, where plenty of low kicks are thrown with power; Billy sees in his sessions that students with ankle supports dare to kick longer and harder because the instep does not chafe.
Athletes with a previously sprained ankle often appreciate the light support. It is not a brace and does not replace medical advice, but the extra sense of stability helps with confidence. Many people also wear them under shin guards, as the sleeve then sits between skin and guard and removes friction.
The right size
Ankle supports are elastic and usually come in two or three sizes (S/M and L/XL, or S, M, L). Choose by shoe size and by the circumference of your ankle. A support that is too small constricts and cuts off blood flow; one that is too big slides down and rolls over when you kick.
Rough guide:
- S/M: shoe size up to about EU 41
- L/XL: shoe size EU 42 and up
The support should feel tight when you put it on and go unnoticed after a minute. If your toes tingle, it is too small. If the top rolls over or it slides down while kicking, it is too big or worn out. For brands with three sizes, the exact breakdown is listed with the product in our shop.
Thin or padded
Most ankle supports are thin and purely elastic. There are also models with a thin layer of padding on the instep, a kind of mini shin guard for the foot. Those are handy if you kick a hard bag a lot without shin guards, and for athletes with a sensitive instep.
For sparring, padded ankle supports are sometimes used instead of or under shin guards, but that varies by gym. For most people a thin model is enough: light, cheap and easy to wash. If you want both, buy a thin pair for daily use and a padded pair for hard bag sessions.
Material and lifespan
Ankle supports are made from a mix of cotton, polyester and elastane. The ratio determines how long the elastic lasts. Cheap models have sagged after a few months; those from Twins Special and Booster last a year or more with regular use.
Wash them after every session together with your hand wraps, at 30 or 40 degrees, and hang them to dry. Never put them in the tumble dryer, as that kills the elastic. Replace them as soon as they slide down or wear thin on the instep. Because they cost little, it is smart to buy two pairs straight away, so you always have a dry pair in your bag.
Ankle supports and competition
In kickboxing and muay thai competition, ankle supports are usually allowed and widely worn, with or without the mandatory shin guards. Some federations have rules on colour or ban padded models; check with the organisation. In muay thai they are part of the classic look, along with the Thai shorts.
For training you need not worry about that. Choose the size and model that feels comfortable and wear them for everything that involves kicking: bag, pads and sparring. It is a small, cheap piece of kit that makes a disproportionately big difference in comfort.
| Feature | Thin model | Padded model |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle support | Light | Light |
| Instep protection | Against chafing | Against chafing and impact |
| Use | Daily, under shin guards | Hard bag without shin guards |
| Size S/M | up to shoe size 41 | up to shoe size 41 |
| Size L/XL | from 42 | from 42 |
| Washing | 30-40 degrees, no tumble dryer | 30 degrees, no tumble dryer |
Ordering from anywhere in the EU
PadsByBilly ships from the Netherlands to every EU country: Belgium €7.95, Germany €9.95, other EU countries €14.95, free from €75. No customs or import fees inside the EU; prices include VAT. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal.
Running a gym or fight school and need ankle supports for the whole team? From €500 order value we make a custom quote with a bigger discount.
Frequently asked questions
Are ankle supports mandatory?
No. They are a comfort choice, but almost every kickboxer wears them for the support and the protection against grazes.
Do ankle supports prevent a sprain?
They give light support and more sense of stability, but they are not a brace. For ankle problems, consult a professional.
Do I wear ankle supports under shin guards?
You can, and it is comfortable: they remove friction and soak up sweat. Make sure the shin guard still closes properly.
What size ankle support do I need?
Roughly S/M up to shoe size 41 and L/XL from 42. Tight but not constricting; for three-size brands, the breakdown is listed with the product.
How long do ankle supports last?
From a good brand, about a year with regular use. Replace them as soon as they slide down or wear thin.
