A common question we hear from people considering a TayCo Brace over-the-shoe ankle support is:
“Does the strap under the shoe get in the way?”
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, playing sports, managing chronic instability, or looking for extra support during daily activities, it’s a valid concern. After all, no one wants added discomfort, or to feel like their brace is disrupting how they move.
The good news? Thanks to pressure mapping technology and insights from gait analysis, we can confidently say: the underfoot stirrup strap doesn’t interfere with walking or balance at all. Here’s why.
How the Foot Moves: The Gait Cycle Explained
Every step you take follows a natural pattern known as the gait cycle—where weight shifts smoothly from the heel, through the arch, and onto the toes. This process is the same whether you’re walking around the house, going to the grocery store, running down the court, or moving through physical therapy.
Here’s how pressure loads across the foot during each phase:
As shown in the curve above:
- The heel absorbs initial contact
- The forefoot handles push-off
- The midfoot (or arch) experiences the least pressure
And that’s exactly where TayCo Brace’s underfoot sitrrup strap is placed—across the midfoot, not the heel or forefoot.
These insights are supported by research into pressure mapping and gait mechanics, such as the article by Tekscan, “How Pressure Mapping Complements Force Measurement in Gait Analysis”.
Step-by-Step: Visualizing Your Movement
To better understand how the strap avoids interfering with walking, here’s a simple diagram that breaks down the progression of each step:
- Heel Strike: Your heel touches down first
- Midfoot Float: The arch area glides over the ground, rarely making strong contact
- Toe-Off: The ball of your foot and toes push you forward
The underfoot stirrup strap is located in the blue-shaded “TayCo Brace Strap Zone”, which stays elevated and pressure-free during all three phases.
Designed for Stability, Without Disruption
Every TayCo Brace over-the-shoe ankle brace—from the AthleticX Brace to the RecoverX Brace and prescription-only braces—uses the same core principle:
- Lateral stability
- Low-profile underfoot strap
- Midfoot placement that avoids pressure zones
Whether you’re getting back on your feet after a sprain, navigating uneven ground, or simply looking for more ankle support as you go about winning the day—you won’t feel the strap underfoot. If you do, you may have the wrong size brace.
Confidence in Every Step
From housework to hiking trails, from post-surgery recovery to everyday errands, TayCo Brace over-the-shoe ankle supports are built to move with you, not against you.
The underfoot stirrup strap is engineered to stay off the ground and out of your way, so you can walk naturally—with the support you need.
- No added pressure
- No gait interference
- Just comfort, stability, and the freedom to stay active
