An improved ankle brace may have two relatively rigid side supports, the outer edge portion of the lower area of the side supports, adjacent to the ankle being covered with a flexible or resilient material. The flexible resilient material may be permanently secured to the side supports by bonding, mechanical interlocking, or by any other suitable arrangements. Additional resilient flexible material may be placed on the interior surface of the side supports to improve the fit and comfort of the brace around the user's lower leg. The rigid side supports may be of an open type with the resilient flexible material extending across the side supports and beyond the edges thereof. The lower area of the side supports may include a pivoting mechanism to adjustably receive heel straps. Each of the side supports may include a structural frame that surrounds but does not cover the ankle or malleolus.