(And Why TayCo Brace Is Checking All the Right Boxes)
When it comes to protecting athletes from ankle injuries, not all braces are created equal. Athletic trainers (ATCs) play a critical role in evaluating which type of brace best meets the demands of each athlete—and their decisions go far beyond brand names or marketing claims.
We recently gathered feedback from seasoned ATCs to better understand what criteria they actually use to make brace recommendations. The results offer valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and even parents looking to ensure peak performance and injury prevention.
It’s Not Just About Performance — It’s About Protection
ATCs agree that the primary goal is simple: preventing inversion and plantar flexion—the two most common movement patterns associated with ankle sprains. If a brace doesn’t support that fundamental function, it’s off the list.
But beyond that, ATCs weigh a range of practical and psychological factors that often go unnoticed by the average athlete.
Top Criteria Athletic Trainers Use When Choosing an Ankle Brace:
Injury Risk Reduction
"Does it reduce injury risk?" — this is the cornerstone of any brace decision. Trainers want to be sure the device is effective in keeping the athlete safer than if they weren’t wearing it at all.
Improved Sense of Stability
Even if the brace doesn’t physically alter performance, feeling stable matters. A brace that enhances proprioception and gives athletes confidence can play a big role in preventing re-injury.
Fear Reduction
The psychological aspect is huge. Many athletes returning from injury deal with fear of reinjury—and a brace that provides mental reassurance is invaluable.
Comfort Matters
“Is it comfortable? Meaning, it does not result in hot spots or blisters over time.”
Discomfort leads to distraction, poor compliance, and sometimes even worse biomechanics. A brace should feel like a natural extension of the athlete’s gear.
No Impact on Performance
Surprisingly, trainers aren’t necessarily looking for a brace that improves performance—they just want to ensure it doesn't hinder it. If wearing a brace doesn’t reduce functionality compared to not wearing one, that’s considered a success.
Ease of Use
Can the athlete put it on independently? Can they adjust it mid-game or mid-practice without help? A brace that’s complicated to apply loses favor quickly.
Consistency Over Time
Trainers ask: Does the brace maintain its effectiveness throughout a full game or practice? If it loosens or shifts, it may become more of a liability than protection.
Brace vs. Tape
Trainers often weigh whether a brace is more efficient and effective than applying tape—which takes time, requires a skilled application, and wears off quickly.
What About Tactile Stimulation?
Some braces seem to offer better tactile stimulation, which contributes to athletes feeling more stable. But as one ATC noted:
“Unfortunately, no objective measure exists to quantify tactile stimulation. We rely on subjective reports of instability before and after wearing the brace.”
In short: if athletes feel more secure, that's often the best metric available.
Where TayCo Brace Stands Out
TayCo Brace is increasingly becoming a top choice among athletic trainers because it directly addresses many of the core concerns outlined above:
- Injury Risk Reduction — The TayCo AthleticX Brace provides a rigid lateral support structure that helps prevent common mechanisms of ankle sprains (inversion and plantar flexion), keeping athletes safer on the field or court.
- Enhanced Stability & Confidence — The AthleticX Brace delivers a firm but natural feel that boosts confidence without limiting mobility, giving athletes the peace of mind they need to move freely.
- No Hot Spots, No Blisters — Since the AthleticX Brace attaches over the athlete’s existing footwear, it minimizes skin irritation and pressure points associated with traditional braces.
- No Gait Disruption During Rehab — Unlike many bulky braces or walking boots, the TayCo RecoverX Brace does not alter leg length or natural biomechanics, meaning athletes move comfortably during rehab versus being stuck in a walking boot.
- Game-Long Consistency — The AthleticX Brace stays secure and effective through the duration of games and practices, with easy mid-activity adjustability if needed.
- Cost-Effective Alternative to Tape — Over time, using the AthleticX Brace can prove to be more affordable and more consistent than the repeated cost and labor of taping ankles.
- Fits Any Sport, Any Position — Whether it's a lineman, point guard, or midfielder, the AthleticX Brace offers a universal fit that adapts to the unique movement demands of each sport.
Final Thoughts
Athletic trainers are the unsung heroes of injury prevention and recovery—and their brace decisions aren’t random. From injury reduction and comfort to functionality and affordability, they carefully evaluate what will keep athletes safe without holding them back.
And that’s exactly where TayCo Brace delivers.
If you’re an athlete, coach, or trainer looking for a brace that checks every box — it might be time to rethink what’s possible beyond traditional options.
