Ankle Support and Football: How a Former Top Player Cares for His Ankles
Former top player Reidun Nilsen is still active on the football field.
Reidun Nilsen played football at the highest level in Norway. Today, she is still active, and she chooses ankle support from Wear'N'Go to take care of her ankles. In this guide, we look at what ankle support does, why active people use it for football and in everyday life, and how to choose the right ankle support for your needs.
Few know better than a former top player how much the ankles have to endure over a long football career. Today, Reidun stays active with mountain hikes, and she uses ankle support from Wear'N'Go to give her ankles compression, support, and a safer feeling in everyday life.
A good ankle support is not about being injured. It is about taking care of a joint that works hard, whether you play football, go on long hikes, or just want to feel stable on your feet. The ankle is one of the body's most vulnerable joints, and according to Skadefri.no the ankle is affected in a full 20 percent of all sports injuries.
Here we explain what ankle support does, when it is useful for football and after a sprain, and how to choose the right ankle support for your needs. We also share what real customers say.
Reidun takes Wear'N'Go with her out onto the football field.
In short
• An ankle support provides compression, side support, and confidence around the ankle, and can be used both during activity and in everyday life.
• For football and sport, it provides support during quick turns without restricting movement.
• After a sprain, Skadefri.no recommends using ankle support until you have completed at least 10 weeks of balance training.
• Wear'N'Go Ankle Support (399 kr) is FDA-approved, designed in Norway, and comes in sizes S to XL, with free shipping and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Contents
• What is an ankle support, and what does it do?
• Ankle support after a sprain
• How to choose the right ankle support
• Reidun also uses knee support
• Sources
Find the right support for your needs
Want support for football or an active everyday life?See Ankle Support (399 kr)
Need extra support for your knee?See Knee Support (599 kr)
Who is Reidun Nilsen, and why does she choose ankle support?
Reidun Nilsen is from Skjervøy in Troms and played football at the top level in Norway. She was among other things part of the Asker team that won the Norwegian Cup gold in 2005, and she played for Norway's U19 national team, where she scored during the U19 European Championship in 2002. As a striker, she was used to quick turns, duels, and many training hours.
A long life at the top level is demanding on the body. Reidun therefore chooses to take care of her ankles, and ankle support from Wear'N'Go has become a natural part of her everyday life, whether she is out hiking or staying active in other ways.
Reidun stays active with mountain hikes and takes care of her joints along the way.
What is an ankle support, and what does it do?
An ankle support is a snug garment that sits around the ankle and provides compression, support, and confidence. It is used both by active people who want to prevent injuries and by people who want a little extra stability in everyday life.
Wear'N'Go Ankle Support is knitted in a breathable material with two silicone pads that sit against the ankle bones, and it provides even compression around the joint. A good ankle support gives you three things at once: compression that helps relieve strain, better contact and stability around the joint, and light side support that gives extra confidence when you put weight on the foot. Wear'N'Go Ankle Support is FDA-approved, and it helps improve recovery and can contribute to reducing the risk of new injuries.
Wear'N'Go Ankle Support: compression, silicone pads, and light side support in one.
Want compression and light side support without locking the ankle?See Wear'N'Go Ankle Support (399 kr)
Ankle support and football: why active people choose support
Most ankle injuries happen when the foot twists inward, a so-called sprain. In football, this often happens during quick turns, landings, and duels, where the ankle is exposed to sideways stress. This is exactly where an ankle support comes into its own.
An ankle support for football provides compression and side support while keeping the mobility you need to play. For many, it is not about being afraid of injury, but about feeling that the ankle is with you when you turn, land, and accelerate again. An ankle support can be used during the activity itself, and it gives a feeling of contact around the ankle that many experience as extra confidence on the pitch. The same applies to other sports with rapid changes of direction, such as handball and basketball.
Reidun Nilsen knows how much ankles have to endure in football. Someone who has lived a life at the top level chooses to take care of her body, and ankle support is an easy way to give the ankles a little extra. Research from Skadefri.no, run by the Centre for Sports Injury Research, shows that the ankle is highly vulnerable in sport, and that proper follow-up and training can significantly reduce the risk of new injuries.
Henning uses the ankle support on runs in the forest and countryside, and describes the feeling like this:
“Comfortable to use. Gives light stability to the ankle without limiting movement in the ankle. I use the ankle support on runs in the forest and countryside.”
Henning, customer
Do you use your ankle a lot during quick turns? Wear'N'Go Ankle Support (399 kr) provides compression and support during activity and in everyday life. Free shipping on all orders.
Ankle support after a sprain
If you have sprained your ankle, you may feel that it still feels a little uncertain for some time afterwards. Many use an ankle support during this period to get compression and support while the ankle gets back on track.
According to Skadefri.no an ankle support should be used at least until an appropriate balance training program has been completed, that is, at least 10 weeks of training. The support does not replace balance training, but they work together: balance training rebuilds proprioception, while the ankle support provides confidence along the way.
Alf Egil uses the ankle support daily, and experiences it as extra reassurance:
“I use Ankle Support daily for support for an ankle that has undergone surgery after damage to the ligaments and tendons in the ankle. Ankle Support provides very good support and feels like the extra insurance a slightly vulnerable ankle needs. Recommended.”
Alf Egil, customer
If you are unsure how serious a sprain is, or if you have severe pain and swelling, you should discuss it with your GP, who can refer you to a physiotherapist. If you want to read more about how to combine support and rehabilitation, we have a separate guide on ankle support and rehabilitation after a sprain. You can also find a broader overview in our complete guide to ankle injury and rehabilitation.
How to choose the right ankle support
The best ankle support is the one that suits your ankle, your activity, and how much compression you want. Many search for the best ankle support or compare options from pharmacies, XXL, and brands like Futuro. What matters most, though, is not which support wins a test, but which one suits you best.
Needs and activity
Will you use it for football and sport, in everyday life, or after a sprain? A soft, compressive support like Wear'N'Go Ankle Support is well suited to both activity and daily use.
Fit and size
An ankle support should fit snugly, but not so tightly that it restricts blood flow. Wear'N'Go Ankle Support comes in sizes S to XL.
Material and comfort
Silicone pads and breathable knit make the support comfortable enough to wear over time.
| Type | Best suited for | Daily use and activity |
|---|---|---|
| Soft ankle support with compression | Football, sport and active everyday life, and as support after a sprain | Yes, can be worn all day and during activity |
| Rigid brace or splint | Severe instability, often for a limited period | Bulkier, less suitable for daily use |
| Sports tape | Short-term support during one session | Must be applied correctly every time and lasts only one session |
Although there are good alternatives at pharmacies and sporting goods chains, Wear'N'Go Ankle Support stands out by combining compression, silicone pads, and side support in one FDA-approved product. It is designed in Norway and developed in collaboration with professor of physiotherapy Per Morten Fredriksen, and you get free shipping on all orders and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you want to compare different types, you can read our guide: Which ankle support do you need?
Want an ankle support for football, sport, and everyday life in one?See Wear'N'Go Ankle Support (399 kr)
Reidun also uses knee support
Reidun does not only use ankle support. She also uses Wear'N'Go Knee Support, which provides compression, side support, and a silicone pad around the knee. Knees take a lot of punishment in football and on hikes, especially on the way down, and a knee support gives confidence under strain.
Wear'N'Go Knee Support provides compression and side support, here in use on a hike.
“I use this during training sessions. Works brilliantly, better than other knee supports I have paid much more for.”
Rune, customer
“Usually spend a lot of time in the mountains but have been careful lately after pain on the way down. Bought this and think it has helped a lot. I take the hike up without it, but wear it on both knees on the way down and feel much safer. Recommended!”
Malin, customer
Wear'N'Go Knee Support (599 kr) is also FDA-approved. If you want to know which knee support suits your activity, we have a separate guide on knee support for padel, running and mountain hikes.
Want stability and compression in your knee?See Wear'N'Go Knee Support (599 kr)
Frequently asked questions
When should you use ankle support?
You can use ankle support when you want extra support and compression around the ankle, for example during football and sport, in an active everyday life, or after a sprain. It provides confidence without limiting movement.
Can you play football with ankle support?
Yes. An ankle support can be used during activity, and many use it specifically for football to get compression and side support during quick turns and duels. Wear'N'Go Ankle Support gives support while you retain mobility.
How long should you use ankle support after a sprain?
According to Skadefri.no, ankle support should be used at least until you have completed a program of balance training, that is, at least 10 weeks. The support provides reassurance while proprioception is rebuilt.
Which ankle support is best?
The best ankle support is the one that suits your needs and your activity. Wear'N'Go Ankle Support combines compression, silicone pads, and side support in one, is FDA-approved, and comes in sizes S to XL.
Can you wear ankle support all day?
Yes, a soft compressive ankle support can be worn throughout the day. It should fit snugly, but not so tightly that it restricts blood flow. Remove it if you feel numbness or discomfort.
What is the difference between ankle support and knee support?
An ankle support provides compression and support around the ankle, while a knee support does the same around the knee. Both from Wear'N'Go are FDA-approved and provide confidence during activity and in everyday life.
Sources
1. Skadefri.no: Ankle and foot
2. Skadefri.no: Activity tape and ankle support
3. Store Norwegian Encyclopedia: Proprioception
4. Wear'N'Go: Interview with professor Per Morten Fredriksen
5. Customer reviews from Judge.me: Henning, Alf Egil, Rune and Malin.
Give your ankle a more stable and secure everyday life. Wear'N'Go Ankle Support (399 kr) is FDA-approved and designed in Norway, and gives you compression and support whether you play football, go hiking, or simply want to feel safer on your feet. Free shipping on all orders and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Want support for your knee too? See Wear'N'Go Knee Support (599 kr)
Written by the Wear'N'Go editorial team. Last updated: 9 June 2026.
