From running, jogging or a simple walk, every physical activity requires you to wear the best shoes that support your ankle to the fullest. Especially, when you are going through some ankle injuries or going to participate in a competition. 

The availability of a huge number of shoes in the market often leads to confusion. You tend to select either the wrong pair or the branded shoe that comes with a huge price tag.  That’s why it becomes necessary to understand some basic features that will help you in making a smart choice.   

• Cushion 

 A basic feature which is the first priority of any shoe is it’s cushioning. As it helps your foot in being free from pain or fatigue. But the selection of correct cushioning depends on your foot shape or the conditions under which you are going to wear it.

 For running and heavy exercise, you need more cushioning whereas walking and indoor activities require a lesser amount of cushion. You need to make a choice between the stiffer and more cushioned shoes. Along with that,  check that the cushioning offered is durable and doesn’t get stiffer after a short period of time. 

• Style and construction 

 Style and construction of shoes also play a vital part in determining whether your shoe offers arch support or not.  High Top shoes are often considered the safest option for protecting the ankle. In situations like ankle injuries or the people with risk of feet pronation can wear high top shoes because it protects your feet from getting injured and helps you in getting recovered from previous ankle sprains. 

 For the longer duration and normal feet, you should wear low top snug fit shoes with good ankle support which helps you in exercising and strengthening your muscles. This eventually helps your feet from getting protected from frequent ankle injuries.  

• Proper Fitting 

 While buying a new shoe, it is important to check that it fits your feet properly. Normally our foot expands with the number of physical activities you perform. It causes problems like toes biding or pinning due to less room for toes to flex which makes it important to select the shoes that offer proper fitting. 

For that, it is recommended to buy shoes with 1/2 bigger size. To get the right shoe, you should check the size of your feet in the evening as it gets in its largest size after a workday. 

• Midsole 

 The midsole is one of the essential areas of a shoe as most of the updates are done with them. From foam to gel cushioning, there are many varieties that are offered by different brands. A good midsole absorbs the shock, offers comfort and support in the arch and heel area. 

The proper support and stability don’t let your foot twist frequently which helps in improving your ankle health. A cushioned and soft midsole keeps you energized and fatigue-free that doesn’t cause sudden ankle injuries. 

• Flexibility 

 Ankle injuries mainly happen because of a lack of flexibility in shoes. Stiffer shoes don’t offer too much movement and just keep your foot intact at its place. So whenever your foot wants to flex in stiffer areas, it causes ankle rotation which eventually leads to injuries. 

Good ankle support shoes should be flexible enough to bend from heel to toe. So that you will be able to flex your foot without getting any severe injuries. 

• No break-in period 

 The most comfortable ankle support shoe is the one that comes with no break-in period.  As many times injuries happen due to the stiffness of a new shoe. Although it gets comfortable after some time. 

This break-in period of new tight shoes not just wastes your time, but become the cause behind severe injuries in the future. It’s best the buy the shoe that offers comfort right out of the box.