The 10 Best Shoulder Braces

For most sore shoulders, the Fightech Aid Pro is a sensible place to start. It comes in four sizes, picked by measuring your chest and bicep, so it fits closer than a one-size wrap. One strap crosses the chest and another cinches the upper arm, and it works on either side. A pocket holds a gel pack for icing, though the pack costs extra. It can feel tight on the arm, and it's awkward to put on alone.

The Bauerfeind OmoTrain S trades neoprene for a thin, stretchy knit that slips under a shirt. The German maker aims it at people with arthritis or tendon pain who want support all day. Two silicone pads inside are meant to massage the joint as you move, and a soft strap runs across the chest. It's sized by the bicep and made in left and right versions. It's costly, and there's little owner feedback so far.

If a surgeon has ordered a sling after a rotator cuff repair, the Vive Abduction Sling holds the arm a little away from the body on a foam pillow at the waist. The pillow comes off, so it doubles as a plain sling later in recovery. Breathable mesh, a padded shoulder strap and a thumb loop help over long weeks, and Vive backs it for 60 days. It runs large for some people, and setup goes best with a helper.

Zamst, a Japanese sports-support maker, designed the Zamst Shoulder Wrap for athletes who want moderate hold without bulk. The fabric is thin and soaks up sweat, the cut follows the curve of the shoulder, and a chest strap sets the tension on either side. It can go in the washing machine inside a net bag, then hang to dry. Sizes go by the arm where it meets the body. It's pricey, and owner feedback is thin.

A low price makes the Sparthos Shoulder Brace a fair first try for mild aches from lifting, desk work or an old strain. The gray neoprene sleeve adjusts at the chest and the arm, fits either shoulder, and has a pocket for an ice pack. It comes in a regular size and a larger one. Sparthos itself says it's for mild to moderate pain, not for holding an injured joint still. Putting it on alone takes practice.

Wrestlers, grapplers and other contact athletes get a firmer, strapped hold from the Shock Doctor Rotator Cuff. Straps cross the chest, and an adjustable band on the arm stops it swinging too far. Shock Doctor puts it in its firmest support level, and vented panels let heat escape under pads or a jersey. Fit is the catch: it can slide off the shoulder on some frames and hold less than expected, so measure the chest carefully.

When a doctor wants the arm kept still after a sprain, fracture or dislocation, the Velpeau Arm Sling cradles the forearm in a padded pouch. A T-shaped strap across the back takes weight off the neck, and an extra waist strap keeps the arm from drifting during sleep. It skips neoprene and latex, which helps sensitive skin, and comes in five sizes. It only holds the arm still; it gives no support for activity.

Made by DonJoy, the Saunders Sully is aimed at shoulders that slip out of place, whether forward, backward or in more than one direction. A neoprene cape wraps the joint, and extra straps can be added to limit more motion as needed. It's sized by chest and bicep. The downsides are real: the neoprene can tear near the armpit, and getting it on usually takes a second pair of hands.

The McDavid Light Support suits a mild strain or a joint that just feels better wrapped during a workout. McDavid rates it at its lightest level, so it keeps the area warm and gives a gentle reminder rather than real restraint. The neoprene is latex-free, and one sleeve fits the left or right side. Anyone with a shoulder that slips or a fresh tear will need something firmer.

The NatraCure Hot/Cold Wrap is a therapy wrap more than a stabilizer. A ring-shaped gel pack sits over the joint, and a hand pump inflates the wrap to press the cold or warmth in. Freeze the pack or warm it in the microwave, and keep a layer of cloth between it and your skin, as NatraCure advises. One size fits most chests. It does little to steady a loose joint, and the tube and pump add fuss.