This is my review of the best thumb braces for basketball in 2022.
Basketball is an active sport that involves a lot of high-impact movement. And you need your hands to play the game for at least 95 percent of your time on the court.
More importantly are your thumbs, which you use in supporting and grasping the ball along with other fingers during play.
But wait a minute! Can you imagine playing basketball without the use of your thumbs? Yeah right! Frustrating and stressful? Of course! We thought so too.
We don’t emphasize the importance of your thumbs. But, what about a thumb brace? How important is it to you while you’re playing on the court?
The answer is simple! You need thumb braces if you’re prone to having thumb injuries during play. Or perhaps you don’t want to throw caution to the wind.
Thus, you use them to provide extra support while playing and protect your thumbs from getting injured.
Well, we’ve got you covered—as this article will be giving you a comprehensive buying guide to choosing the best thumb braces for basketball in the market.
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Who Should Get This
For you to be safe, it’s advisable to consult your team physiotherapist before buying a thumb brace. Apart from aesthetics and durability, you need the right thumb brace for your thumb condition. Here’s why.
For Fractured Thumb Bones
You can prevent your thumbs from getting fractured or even treating them with the ideal thumb brace. Thus, you’ll need a brace thumb with extra-padding for this use. It will protect your thumb from sustaining fractures during play.
After a Surgery
After undergoing surgery, your physio will advise you to take a break from the court till your thumb gets proper healing. At this time, you’d have to wear a brace that will protect your thumb from further impressions—as it heals.
Having Continuous Strain Injuries While You Play
If you’re prone to sustaining strain injuries on your thumbs each time you play, then you need a specialized thumb brace that will protect your thumb. You can get thumb braces that will prevent your thumb from moving.
That way, you speed up your recovery time and prevent pain.
Best Basketball Thumb Braces: Top Picks 2022
Here are my top picks of the best thumb braces for basketball, along with detailed review of each item so you get to know its pros and cons.
If you’re looking for the ideal thumb brace for partial immobilization, the Mueller will come in handy. It’s a perfect option for basketball players that suffer from sprains and tendinitis. But, you wouldn’t like this one if you have a thumb fracture.
If you need extra comfort and relief from pain, the brace provides sufficient heat in your joint and thumb area. It comes with a great support system that prevents sudden movement. So, you can rest assured that bouncing, shooting, or receiving the ball won’t hurt.
That’s not all. Wearing a thumb brace has never been easier, thanks to its velcro fastener. You’d not need to get extra help to wear it.
What more? The manufacturer made it with breathable material—which means you can avoid excess sweating and smells.
What We Like:
Easy to wear and use
Possesses antimicrobial treatment for reducing odors
You can use it with both hands
Breathable material
What We Don’t Like:
It absorbs a lot of debris after using for a few months
Look no further, if you desire a thumb brace that supports basketball players with injured thumbs. How? It comes with a metal insert that automatically acclimatizes to your thumb shape—giving you a super snug fit.
The manufacturer paid great attention to its breathable material—which makes your hands stay cool and odorless through a game. They also boasted of the brace providing relief for a ton of conditions that causes pains in the thumb as well as its durability.
What We Like:
It’s light
Great Sturdiness
Simple to Wear
It’s machine washable
What We Don’t Like:
It’s pretty pricey
Not suitable for players with thumb deformities
It’s a fantastic choice for players looking for support on both their thumb and wrist joints. Its breathable material allows your skin to stay fresh throughout a game without feeling numbness or experiencing excessive sweat.
It comes with three velcro straps—one on the thumb and two on the wrist. The good news; the manufacturer designed the velcro straps to fit your various needs. Plus, they allow you to wear the braces with ease.
What We Like:
It comes with three sturdy velcro straps
It has a lightweight
Breathable material
It’s simple to wear
What We Don’t Like:
It’s expensive
Only supports lower thumb joint
Best Thumb Braces for Basketball: What to Consider 2022
Making the ideal choice for a thumb brace can be overwhelming sometimes, as you’d love to go for products that work. But, we’ve listed these factors to help you look before leaping to buy one.
The Fit
Getting a well-fitted brace isn’t negotiable, especially if you’re wearing them for pain relief or healing. Therefore, ensure to check the product’s size chart and take a measurement of your thumb to know which of the sizes best fits. You can go for a one-size-fits-all if you’re not sure.
Adjustability Level
You can’t negotiate this feature if you’ll be shooting a lot of 3 or 2-point on the court—with your injured thumb. Without adjustable straps, your hand can swell and bring a lot of pain to your thumb while playing.
Material
To avoid excess sweat and smell on your hands during a game, you should go for a thumb brace with a soft and breathable material. You will enjoy the durability with a stiffer material, although some people find it uncomfortable to use.
Maintenance
The braces can get smelly and dirty quickly. Therefore, you don’t want to go for a thumb brace that is difficult to wipe or wash. If possible, look out for braces that are machine washable.
Flexibility and Rigidity
You’ll get more support when you use thumb braces that are rigid and stiff, especially if you will be doing a lot of dribbling, screen defending or slam dunking on the court. You need the ideal braces that will give your thumb all the support it needs while making those high-impact moves on the court.
Useful Tips
It’s crucial to bear in mind the following tips when selecting a thumb brace for protection and support.
Ensure to relax your thumb as much as you can.
Apply an ice pack to the swollen joints for about fifteen minutes before entering the court to play.
Apart from playing basketball, avoid unnecessary activates that can aggravate more pain for your thumb.
Consult your physio, to get the ideal anti-inflammatory drugs for your pain.
Final Words
Now that you’re aware of what to look out for when buying the best thumb brace for basketball, it’s time to take the next step. Buy the ideal brace that’s suitable for you. Moreover, you can make your decision from the recommended options listed in this article.
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