FAQs
Rigids | Lace-Ups | Returns | Shipping | Warranty | Medical Products
Rigid FAQs
What is the difference between a rigid brace and a lace-up brace?
The difference is really in level of protection. Rigid braces offer the highest level of preventative and post injury support while maintaining the full range of motion to perform at the most competitive level. Lace-up braces are the most affordable preventative support without sacrificing comfort or freedom of movement for athletes at all levels.
How long can I expect my Active Ankle rigid brace to last?
This answer is different for everyone and really depends on your personal activity level. If you are very active and play a team sport seasonally as well as other organized sports throughout the year, you should replace your Active Ankle brace every year. If you only use the Active Ankle brace occasionally for recreational sports, you may be able to keep your Active Ankle brace for at least 2 years or more depending on how hard you are on the braces. Think of our braces like a pair of athletic shoes. After a year or so, they will start to wear out and the Active Ankle brace wears out very much the same way.
How can I tell if my rigid brace is worn out and needs to be replaced?
Hold the brace upright in the palm of your hand, if the side supports fall over on their own the brace has lost its ability to provide maximum support and is too loose to continue to wear.
How are Active Ankle braces sized?
The braces are sized by shoe size. With rigid braces, you need to take into consideration the width of your foot as well. If you have a wider foot and are on the borderline between sizes, go up a size. The same if your foot is narrow, go down a size.
How do you wear the rigid ankle braces properly?
Make sure you place the ankle brace under the insole of your shoe with the logo facing out. See the fitting instructions demonstration videos for a precise and more comfortable fit.
Will the rigid ankle braces slow me down or impede my performance?
There is no evidence that this is the case. If anything Active Ankle braces can only help your performance by keeping your ankles healthy and you in the game. According to research, the Active Ankle rigid brace performed best in a range of motion test when compared to tape and lace-ups. So although you may perceive the rigid brace to slow you down, look past that and look at the facts and give it a try.
Can I sprain my ankle wearing an ankle brace?
While your injury will be far less severe wearing rigid ankle braces versus not wearing braces at all, it is a possibility. With an ankle brace, you may experience a day to a week of down time depending on the severity of the injury, without bracing you are usually looking at 6 weeks out from your normal activity.
Where can I purchase Active Ankle braces?
We have retail locations across the country. Please see our retail finder for a store near you.
Which rigid brace is the best for me?
All of our rigid braces provide great support; it really depends on personal preference. We have several choices depending on your support needs, your comfort preferences, visit each rigid product for the features and benefits to see which is best for you.
Which brace has the most protection?
As far as maximum protection, the rigid braces are your best bet-the T1, T2, or Volt. They maintain their protective integrity throughout the duration of activity.
Will the Active Ankle brace fit my shoe?
Absolutely. We recommend a low top shoe or athletic shoe for best fit, but many of our braces, especially the lace-ups, will fit in other types of shoes as well.
Do the ankle braces come in pairs or are they sold individually?
Each brace is sold individually not as a pair.
Do I need to wear the braces on both ankles or is it okay to wear a brace on just one?
This is an individual decision. Those who only wear one usually only use the brace as protective gear after an injury, those who wear braces on both ankles usually wear them for preventative reasons.
How do you recommend cleaning the rigid braces?
We recommend that you hand wash the pads and straps as needed and then allow them to air dry.
Why does the T1 have two straps and the T2 have one strap, it doesn't make sense?
The T1 was our first brace design with two straps for a more customizable fit. When we came out with our next brace, naturally we called it T2 because it was our second brace, but on this model we had consumer feedback looking for a brace that would be quicker to put on, thus the one strap.
Will ankle braces cause my ankles to weaken?
There is no evidence that suggests that ankle bracing weakens the ankle. Our ankle braces are not engineered to be so restrictive that the ankle cannot function on it's own. The brace is only there for a support. It allows your normal range of motion. In fact, having tape or ankle braces on a body part usually increases proprioception-your body's awareness of where it is in space-and therefore makes your body more quickly able to respond to outside forces. You can still injure your ankle while wearing braces, but the injury will be far less serious than if you did not have a brace on. We also must stress the importance of strength and conditioning as part of your regimen if you are concerned about your ankles becoming weak.
Will an ankle brace cause a knee injury if the force is strong enough?
There is no evidence to prove that is the case. If the force is strong enough to cause a knee injury and the circumstances are correct, you will suffer a knee injury regardless if you are wearing the Active Ankle braces or not. Thus, they are not a cause for knee injury, but for prevention of ankle injuries.
Recent studies have shown no significant increase in the occurrence or severity of knee injuries. Wearing ankle braces has no direct correlation to knee injuries. These same studies do show a decrease in ankle injuries to those who wear ankle braces.
Lace-Up FAQs
What is the difference between a lace-up brace and a rigid brace?
The difference is really in level of protection. Rigid braces offer the highest level of preventative and post injury support while maintaining the full range of motion to perform at the most competitive level. Lace-up braces are the most affordable preventative support without sacrificing comfort or freedom of movement for athletes at all levels.
How long can I expect my Active Ankle lace-up brace to last?
Lace-up soft-sided braces are a one-season brace and will need to be replaced possibly more than once a year especially if you are a multi-sport athlete.
How are Active Ankle braces sized?
Lace-up braces are sized by shoe size. Although if you have a half shoe size or on the borderline between sizes, always go down a size for the best fit due to the soft tissue and ankle anatomy.
Will the Active Ankle brace fit my shoe?
Absolutely. We recommend a low top shoe or athletic shoe for best fit, but many of our braces especially the lace-ups will fit in other types of shoes as well. Our Direct Kick lace-up is designed specifically to fit in a soccer cleat.
Where can I purchase Active Ankle braces?
We have retail locations across the country. Please see our retail finder for a store near you.
Which lace-up brace is the best for me?
All of our lace-up braces provide great support; it really depends on personal preference. We have several choices depending on your support needs, your comfort preferences, visit each product for the features and benefits to see which is best for you.
Do the ankle braces come in pairs or are they sold individually?
Each brace is sold individually not as a pair.
Do I need to wear the braces on both ankles or is it okay to wear a brace on just one?
This is an individual decision. Those who only wear one usually only use the brace as protective gear after an injury, those who wear braces on both ankles usually wear them for preventative reasons.
Will ankle braces cause my ankles to weaken?
There is no evidence that suggests that ankle bracing weakens the ankle. Our ankle braces are not engineered to be so restrictive that the ankle cannot function on it's own. The brace is only there for a support. It allows your normal range of motion. In fact, having tape or ankle braces on a body part usually increases proprioception-your body's awareness of where it is in space-and therefore makes your body more quickly able to respond to outside forces. You can still injure your ankle while wearing braces, but the injury will be far less serious than if you did not have a brace on. We also must stress the importance of strength and conditioning as part of your regimen if you are concerned about your ankles becoming weak.
Will an ankle brace cause a knee injury if the force is strong enough?
There is no evidence to prove that is the case. If the force is strong enough to cause a knee injury and the circumstances are correct, you will suffer a knee injury regardless if you are wearing the Active Ankle braces or not. Thus, they are not a cause for knee injury, but for prevention of ankle injuries.
Recent studies have shown no significant increase in the occurrence or severity of knee injuries. Wearing ankle braces has no direct correlation to knee injuries. These same studies do show a decrease in ankle injuries to those who wear ankle braces.
Returns
Merchandise that is defective upon receipt may be returned for a full credit. Merchandise received as part of an incorrect order may be returned or exchanged. Merchandise may also be returned within 30 days if it is in resale condition. Please note freight damaged merchandise cannot be returned. In this instance, a freight damage claim should be filed with the transportation company.
All returns or exchanges require a return authorization number from Active Ankle Systems, Inc. Any product returned to our office without this number clearly indicated on the outside of the package will be refused and shipped back to the sender. To obtain a return authorization or should you have any other questions regarding Active Ankle Systems’ return policy, please call us at 1-800-800-2896 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Shipping
Orders are collected once each morning, processed and shipped via UPS ground in the US unless otherwise noted on the order for quicker delivery. Once the order is placed, it is usually shipped within 3-5 business days. Orders placed after 9am CST will be processed the following business day.
For international customers, all orders will be shipped via US mail. UPS service does not apply. International customers are responsible for all additional customs and duty fees which may be associated with the shipment of your order.
Warranty
While Active Ankle Systems, Inc. strives to manufacture our products using the highest quality materials and manufacturing practices, many of the parts used in the fabrication of Active Ankle products are considered "consumable" and do have a certain functional life prior to their wearing out. Much like a shoe, Active Ankle products do have a certain life expectancy and should be replaced should excessive wear be noticed.
Active Ankle's warranty obligations are limited to the terms set forth below:
Active Ankle takes pride in its products. Active Ankle offers a limited warranty on the plastic and hinged portion of the brace against breakage. Active Ankle offers a limited 30-day warranty on all other portions of the brace, which are consumable. Both warranties are valid only for the original consumer from the date of purchase, and terminate if the product is sold or transferred to someone else. Both warranties are void if the product has been damaged by accident, misuse or abuse.
During the applicable warranty period, if you feel your brace is defective in material or workmanship, you must contact us with a brief description of the problem at:
Telephone Number: (800) 800-2896
E-Mail Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
At our option, we will either have you send the defective part or product to us for inspection, postage prepaid, to the address set forth below and we will repair or replace it if covered by one of our warranties; or we may elect to send you a replacement part or product without investigation. Active Ankle will require you to provide us an original sales slip or bill of sale before instituting any repair or replacement under these warranties. In order for your product to be eligible for repair or replacement under these warranties, you MUST return the enclosed Warranty Card within 15 days of purchase of the product.
The warranty information for your specific Active Ankle product is contained in the instruction literature provided with your purchase. These warranties give you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.
Medical Products
Why can’t I purchase medical products?
Medical products are only available through a licensed medical professional. Please consult with your physician.