**NOTE My Comments on Mueller Adj Ankle Stabilizer are from product as purchased December, 2012. Some more recent reviews (Fall 2014) indicate product changes/variances -- not for the better. Please see newer reviews for any newer issues with this item.** I ordered SEVEN different Ankle Supports and Stabilizers; three were in the Futuro product line. A few of them seemed suitable only for arch support, and not ankle issues, so I gave those to a friend suffering from a Plantar Fasciitis, and at least one of them did help last time I checked. The Futuro Quick Strap "Ankle Support", Adjustable Moderate Support, was so worthless, it didn't help anything; not the ankle and not as an arch support. One of the three Mueller brand products I ordered [Mueller Adjustable Ankle Stabilizer, Black, One Size] was the only item among all seven different supports I ordered that worked! Strengths - A.) Wrap around my foot without having to slide into anything first, B.) Fits well on my Mens size 11.5 D foot, C.) Doesn't make my skin/foot sweat and get clammy, D.) Has semi-hard side stays built in, E.) Is easily applied/adjustable, F.) Actually supports the ankle against side-to-side torsion [which is what I found to give me all-day relief as my left foot does double duty while I'm off of my post-surgical right foot], G.) Is comfortable enough to wear all day, and H.) Can be worn inside my athletic shoe with ease. *NOTE: Over time, the semi-hard stays become more pliable and provide less lateral support than they do at first. - A year later - After using the Mueller Adjustable Ankle Stabilizer with good immediate results, an MRI revealed a high-grade chronic ATL sprain in my L ankle, and continuing issues in my R ankle. I was directed to get braced. My podiatrist ordered a DonJoy Velocity -- it was awful, so painful I couldn't walk 40 feet. My orthotist tried a different make and model on me, the DeRoyal Element Sport Powered by Boa; there was no immediate discomfort. I found them online for about $72.00 each, and ordered one for each ankle (you must order R or L ankle). When I got them and put one on to test it out, the support frame seemed overbuilt and after adjusting, it lacked good support to my ankle. Worst of all, I was in pain within two hours. Back they went. I then tried another brand/style my orthotist suggested, a lace-up with figure-8 straps by Ossur.Ossur Form Fit Ankle Brace - Medium with Figure 8 Straps . My troublesome, post-op rt foot/ankle won't tolerate it due to the semi-rigid side support system, but it works like a charm to support my left ankle (with high-grade chronic ATL sprain). The good news is, even though I ordered two, thinking I'd wear them bilaterally, these are universal for the right or left ankle, so I can just save the extra one to use later. The Ossur has an integrated stirrup that secures your foot and ankle just by lacing up. It acts like a light, thin, plastic exo-skeleton for support. The Ossur laces-up through four lower eyelets, then three quick-lace plastic cleats, then cross and wrap the support straps onto the sides. My athletic shoe slides on easily over it. I've also been able to fit my foot, with the Ossur brace on, into a hiking boot (a spot of Moleskin on the lateral Malleolus keeps the pressure from the side stays at bay; I got a nice friction burn once). Eventually, in an effort to brace that nettlesome post-op rt foot, I "formed" the Ossur to accommodate my foot, stuffed a rigid insole inside, and then stuffed an ace bandage wrapped around a tennis ball on top of the insole, to mimic a foot inside the brace -- it worked! Got the brace broken-in so my rt foot wasn't getting pinched. I often have to rotate my ankle supports, and the Mueller Adjustable Ankle Stabilizer is still my "go to" brace for the right ankle. And when its soft support stays are too much for my foot to tolerate, I use the Mueller Adjustable Ankle SupportMueller Adjustable Ankle Support, Black, One Size , which is similarly styled, but with no side stays, and features shorter, less elastic cross-straps which provide firm support and stability. Only trouble, it's neoprene so it runs HOT and can't be used in warm weather. For warm weather, I then have to switch to the Bracoo Breathable Neoprene braceBracoo Breathable Neoprene Ankle Support, One Size, Black . It offers an open design that wraps around the foot/ankle, cross-straps for added ankle support, provides some stability and keeps the ankle warm without "roasting it" so my socks stay dry.
