Article Last Updated: Sat, December 1, 2024
Whenever an injury takes place, the most ideal thing to do is to rest until it heals.
However, if it’s your foot that’s injured, how will you be able to let it rest and carry out your day to day activities?
What you need is a walking boot.
It’ll allow your injured foot to rest without limiting your mobility so that you can continue carrying out your normal daily activities without restriction.
You may think that you need to spend a few hundred dollars on a walking boot from a clinic, but you really don’t.
You can get a quality boot for less than a hundred bucks online.
But if you don’t know exactly what to look for, finding those quality yet affordable walking boots can be hard.
But don’t worry, today, we’ll be revealing our picks for the best walking boot for a sprained ankle.
Promotes Natural Walking – Rocker sole and shock-absorbing insole promote more natural walking during use
Rigid, polymer plastic reinforced shell provides protection and support on both sides of your foot and ankle.
A semi-rigid shell to provide the protection formerly expected only from a cast
5 Best Walking Boot for Sprained Ankle
1. United Ortho Short Air Cam Walker Fracture Boot
PROS
- It helps minimize swelling and relieve pain
- Offers adjustable support and compression
- Boasts a lightweight yet long-lasting design
- Available at a highly affordable price point
CONS
- The straps tend to come loose occasionally
- It does the job but it gets squeaky at times
United Ortho is one of the most renowned brands in this category of products, and the Short Air Cam Walker is a testament to the brilliance of its products.
If you do a little bit of research about the most recommended walking boots for people that broke their foot or that suffer from a static fracture, you’ll probably find this product at the top of everyone’s list.
The reason why this walking boot is on this list is that it boasts all the components that are needed in a boot that’s designed for ankle injuries. Case in point, this boot boasts a rocker sole.
If you’re someone that finds it hard to walk due to a swelling in your foot, then you should surely give this walking book a shot, as it will help you walk with a natural and comfortable gait.
It’s also worth noting that this is one of the best walking boots available in the market as far as the build quality.
It features reinforced plastic uprights and shell that help provide the protection and support needed to keep your feet in good condition.
In addition, this boot has a universal design, which means that you can utilize it for your right or left foot alike.
The boot also houses air bladders that offer adjustable compression, which in return means that you can adjust the degree of support and comfort to your liking. As far as sizing, we recommend you refer to the sizing chart offered by the manufacturer.
All things considered, the United Ortho Short Air Cam Walker is an ideal product for people suffering from fractures or ankle sprains.
2. BraceAbility Short Broken Toe Boot/Walker
PROS
- Arguably the best boot for broken foot recovery
- Provides great support and stability for your foot
- The product is lab-tested and clinically-approved
- Features a low profile that provides a natural gait
CONS
- Could’ve used more padding to surround the foot
- The heel area in the back is too low for some users
The BraceAbility Short Broken Toe Boot is designed primarily for people that suffer from broken toes, ankle sprains, and other foot injuries in general.
This is also an ideal boot when it comes to offering protection for an injured foot or sprained ankle. If you’re not fond of adjusting straps and you’re just looking for a boot you can slip your foot into right away, this is your best bet.
The boot has a universal design so you can wear it on your left or right foot. The boot is featured in a wide range of sizes. The sizes that are available for men range from 8.5 to 10.5 while those that are available for women range from 9.5-11.5.
Before you buy one of these boots, it’s crucial that you check out the manufacturer’s sizing chart to get the right fit for your foot.
You don’t have to worry about getting poor results from wearing this walking boot because it’s a lab-tested product.
It won’t only offer protection for your injured foot, it will also reduce the stress falling on it so that it can heal properly without being taxed as you carry on your daily activities.
This book is also great because it features a low profile that allows for a natural step.
The BraceAbility Short Broken Toe Boot features a comfortable liner on the base which grants it great support.
In addition, it features a foam grip that helps keep your foot stable without limiting your mobility as you walk.
It’s also equipped with Velcro straps that you can use to customize its level of compression so that you get ideal pain relief without discomfort.
3. Aircast SP (Short Pneumatic) Walking Boot
PROS
- Features a hand pump for adjustable compression
- Provides great support without limiting your mobility
- More walker-friendly than the rest of Aircast’s lineup
- Comfortable while offering great room for dressings
CONS
- Not the best option for people with serious injuries
- User reports indicate that this boot is a little noisy
The Aircast SP is designed for people with slighter foot injuries that are looking to speed up their recovery process.
It offers a great deal of protection and support for your foot and ankle without limiting your mobility, allowing your injury to heal ideally.
Keep in mind that this is a short walking brace, so you should expect it to be more walker-appropriate than the AirSelect.
One of the main reasons why the Aircast SP is so beloved by many is because it offers plenty of room for your foot. This means that you can wear whatever you want in terms of attire without it causing any problems.
And just because it provides plenty of room doesn’t mean that your foot won’t be supported. On the contrary, it’ll immobilize your foot without limiting your mobility.
The component that further adds the stability that this boot provides is the low rocker sole which you can also find in the Aircast Airselect. The sole helps promote a natural gait without stepping on mobility.
The SP also features a removable cast that with air cell cushion which helps provide the support that your injured limb requires. The boot is ideal for acute and chronic conditions.
The thing that makes the Aircast SP stand out from the rest of its competition is the fact that the package includes a hand pump that you can use to adjust the degree of compression that the pads provide.
As a result, you get to be in control of both the comfort and support factors. We’d recommend this boot for people that have stable fractures of the foot and severe ankle sprains.
4. Aircast AirSelect Walker Brace
PROS
- Lightweight construction with a natural gait
- Effectively absorbs and dissipates shocks
- Provides full-shell protection for your foot
- Has an open-frame design for breathability
CONS
- The valve connector can be a bit annoying
- The fold-over flap for the toes is too long
The Aircast AirSelect is a lab-tested walking brace/boot that boasts a natural gait which allows it to reduce the pressure falling on your injured leg, which in return allows it to heal properly.
Also, the AirSelect features support limb layers that are convenient for those that have just gotten out of surgery because it provides full-shell protection for your injured foot.
This walking boot features the SoftStrike technology which does a great job of absorbing shocks and protecting your foot.
If you’re wondering how the manufacturer managed to grant this boot a natural gait, it’s predominantly the combination of the boot’s lightness in terms of weight and the use of a rocker sole.
The boot is available in 3 different models and 5 different sizes.
The AirSelect offers a universal fit, meaning that you can wear it on the right or left foot similarly.
You also don’t need to worry about your foot sweating or overheating while wearing it because it features an open-frame design which grants it proper ventilation.
Great breathability also means that you don’t need to concern yourself with funky odors any longer.
You’ll also love the level of stability and longer wear that this boot provides, thanks to the use of a skid-resistant, non-marking rubber tread.
Last but definitely not least, the Aircast AirSelect has overlapping Duplex air cells that line its protective shell, which offers the person wearing it great pneumatic compression, which in return puts an end to swelling and speeds up the recovery.
5. Mars Wellness Premium Short Air Cam Walker
PROS
- An ideal pick for grade 2 and 3 ankle sprains
- Lightweight yet extremely sturdy construction
- Allows for an adjustable fit and compression
- Available at a surprisingly affordable price tag
CONS
- The air release key can be pushed accidentally
- More padding is needed at the back of the foot
Things to Consider Before Buying a Walking Boot
When shopping for a walking boot, it’s important to keep the following factors into consideration:
Cast Size
Walking casts come in a wide range of sizes which tend to be in correspondence with the size of the boot itself.
We highly advise referring to the sizing chart that’s provided by the manufacturer in order to find the ideal size for your measurements.
Anti-Shock
There’s no way around having a walking boot that features some sort of anti-shock technology if you suffer from a serious foot injury.
And don’t confuse boots that cushion impacts with the ones that actually diminish it completely.
Cast Liners
It’s important to examine the materials from which the liners inside the walking cast of your boot are made from. You want to make sure that these liners are soft and comfortable while offering a great deal of support.
You also want to make sure that replacement lining is available just in case the current one gets worn out.
Strap Types
Most walking boots tend to feature Velcro straps, while there are others that use clasps or other types of straps that aren’t Velcro-based.
You should invest in a walking boot that boasts the type of straps that suit your preference and that are practical for your condition.
Final Words
There are plenty of other high-quality walking boots available on the market, but as far as which ones are the best for sprained ankles, the above-mentioned products have no rivals.
Please let us know which one of the walking boots reviewed above you think is the best for you.
