I recently had an ankle strain, so I needed some support to help it heal. The classic method of the elastic bandages was getting a bit tiresome because of the time it took to put them on and off each time, plus the constant maintenance. To my surprise, I discovered this "Futuro" line of support systems from 3M, and it looked tempting enough to give it a try. However, l was a bit confused when it came down to pick the product, as just for ankles only, I found there were four different variations of Futuro options. So, I decided to go the guinea-pig way with it, and get and try the four of them. After wearing and using them each of them for several days, I came to the following conclusions from my experience: All of them do a great job at what they're supposed to do, and provide really good support, acting as a real complement to the tendons/ligaments that might be inured, so relieving them from having to carry with all the force as you need to move. Also, the four of them live up to the expectation of the legacy of the 3M brand, and their respective velcro-based sticking/binding components fasten the wraps with flying colors and the pieces remain in their place perfectly not moving at all. (great advantage over self-sticking elastic bandages, that after a couple of uses they wear out and need to be replaced) There are differences between them, and these could be stated according to two key variables common to the four of them: "comfort" versus "rigidness". In this sense, the better that one product performs at one of those, the more it lacks on the other end. So, picking one becomes a matter of which of the two is more important, and then go for the option the suits better for the case. And so, from my experience, I could rank and classify the four like this: 1) Futuro "Infinity" Precision Fit Ankle SupportFuturo Quick Strap Ankle Support Adj. Moderate Support : This "Infinity" line is definitely the one that fits and feels most comfortable, and it's also very slick and thin, and doesn't almost add any bulk to the foot. So it's ideal if for instance if you have to wear them at work, and you'll need to wear shoes all day long. It provides the "weakest" level of support, but again, still satisfactory enough to provide comfort and help healing all day long, as long as you're not planning to do any rough movements with your joint. 2) In second place, I would rank these two together: * Futuro Sport Adjustable Ankle SupportFuturo Sport Adjustable Ankle, Moderate Support, Adjustable (Pack of 2) * Futuro Sport Moisture Control Ankle SupportFuturo Sport Moisture Control Ankle Support, Adjustable Both are in the "Sport" line, and basically the trick is that they're made of a neoprene-like material. So, these two start becoming a little "bulkier" on the foot, but at the same time, they provide a much stronger and more solid level of support. I found these the best to use for any sports activity. While they still fit quiet well inside sneakers (it wouldn't be the case with dressing shoes); they also provided a bulletproof and safe support during the activity (I used them in 3 different crossfit workouts, and never felt a single pain from my tendon). The difference between the two is their shape and wrapping form. While the "Futuro Sport Adjustable Ankle Support" is a replica of the "Infinity" one (a single wrap-around band), but in a thicker material; the *Futuro Sport Moisture Control Ankle Support" is more of a "little boot" that just covers all around the ankle and tights it with two separate straps. This latter one claims to have the "moisture" control property, but being the other one also built of a neoprene-blend material, I would consider the two of them are equally "moisture compatible." So, it's more a matter of which one of the two you like better. In my experience, the first one was easier to put on and off, so more practical; but with the second one I felt my ankle held even tighter and with more precision. 4) Futuro "Quick Strap" Ankle SupportFuturo Infinity Precision Fit Ankle Support, Adjustable : I'd place this one in the final place, as it was the bulkiest of the four. The "Quick Strap" feature may be a bit debatable, as it was the one that took me the longer to put on and off and adjust properly. It's kind of a "corset" system, but for the foot. On the other end, its greatest advantage is that when fastened really tight, it felt almost like having a cast on. The immobilization of the joint was almost total. I'd say to go for this one for those cases of really bad injuries, when you know yo can stay at home all day to recover and don't mind wearing something that looks horrible and kind of freaky on the foot, but that will keep your joint completely movement-free without risks. On a final note, the four of them are "size adjustable," so it's one-size-fits-all and no need to worry about guessing correct sizes and choosing between small, medium or large options. Hope this helps to choose the best option for each one.
