I was at REI a couple of weeks ago and purchased a pair of La Sportiva hiking boots in preparation for two hiking trips in the Sangre de Cristo range in Colorado and the Canadian Rockies. I have had many boots over the years – Vasque, Lowa, Keens – and purchased the Keens because I love their sandals (which people use for trail running, I think). The Keen hiking boots don’t really work for me – I get blood under the big toes and lose the toenails. But, I have a pair of low cut Ls Sportivas that I bought in Italyand now from REI high-cut Sportivas. I compared them against Hokas. I wanted to buy the Hokas as they are so spongy, but they just didn’t feel good on me and the reviews are that the waterproof ones aren’t really waterproof in a number of cases.
I returned tonight from Colorado and wore both low cut La Sportivas when we hike on a trail and on stones across a creek – not a tough trail – and the high cut ones. Both were great for me.
But, I would suggest going to a store that can help you find a pair that fits you. Keens or Hokas might be great for others.
Those keens are a great choice. I’ve had targhees and they fit well.
Also, depending in where he goes to college, they are a good option for boys who don’t want to wear boots in winter - a little more substantial than sneakers, but not too boot-like.
Socks socks socks. My favorite brand is darn tough.
And my experience has been just the opposite. The only times I’ve risked rolling an ankle is when I’ve been wearing a mid or high boot. FWIW, I hike about 500 miles a year so my position is founded in experience (for myself) - not “based on websites” but for anyone that might not want to take my word for it:
Lots of differing opinions in the comments - which is great!
That you’ve found what works for you is fantastic - keep doing that. I was providing an alternative view.
I love darn tough socks. Wright socks are designed to prevent blisters - two layers - and my kid always took these to sports camps. Agree that now that you have found the shoes, just make sure you have some comfy socks to go with them. (And you may want to buy ones that all look alike so that you can always make a pair as they get lost - loss of one of a unique pattern is the end of a pair!)
I hurt my ankle wearing boots as well. The boot got jammed into a rock and there was no give to get my foot out of the way. I was able to shake it off, but still occasionally get pain in that ankle. Trail runners have been amazing. (No problems with Hoka boots either, maybe because they’re so lightweight.) I’ll wear boots if I go out in winter.
Yes, winter is a different matter entirely since at that point I’m looking for something higher that will work with gaiters to keep out snow, insulated to keep the toots warm and waterproof to keep them dry.
My trail shoes have been great on both flat trails and hilly, steep trails. I used to try hiking on flat trails in sneakers, but too often there were rocks on the trail and you could really feel them jabbing your feet. The soles on the trail shoes were stiff enough to prevent that. I’ve also always found the idea that higher tops on hiking boots can better support your ankles to be a myth.
Interesting discussion about ankle stability. I’m in my mid 60’s and only do what I’d call “light hiking” and lots of urban walking while traveling. But a couple of times I’ve fallen on gravelly uneven trails, including one time in Mazatlan while on a cruise where I broke my left tibia and fibula, and another time when I tore my meniscus. I recently went to my local REI and described my experiences and said I wanted a mid-cut hiking boot for ankle support. They brought me lots of shoes to try on, including the Merrell Moab. But the Moab was too wide for my narrow foot and the 11 was too small and the 12 too big.
The REI salesman said that a mid-cut boot was more important to keep out snow and debris than it was for ankle stability, and that there were low-cut choices that had reinforcements for ankle support. He then directed me to some Hoka trail running shoes and I ended up with the Hoka Challenger 7. I’m still uncertain about the Hokas. On the plus side they’re super lightweight and grippy. The only thing that puts me off a bit is that the sole is very wide, and since I have big feet to begin with they seem gigantic. But I wore them for some “light hiking” on our recent trip to Banff and was impressed by how grippy they seemed to be.
I had my worst sprain barefoot. Stepped out of a body of water onto the edge of a hole some kid had dug and my leg went into the hole while my foot did not. Every sprain has been some variant of that - uneven turf, coming off a curb, etc. As my doctor explained, all those internal ankle supports are like rubber bands, and each time they stretch beyond where they should, they are that much less tight and the support is that much less, increasing the likelihood that there will be another incident, another stretch, etc.
For me, boots limit the amount of “roll” my many-times damaged ankle can have, but it’s far from fail-safe. I don’t know that boots would make a difference for someone with healthy ankles. DS thinks none, DH thinks some. Ymmv!
Not to mix threads, but balance and stability and strong ankles are so important. I’ve been working with a trainer for six years, and she stresses all those things. But, here’s a video about things you can do that might help. Lots of videos out there that don’t involve expensive equipment or a PT.
My problem hasn’t been injuring my ankles themselves – so far, knock on wood. My problem has been turning my foot so that I fall and injure something else (e.g. my tib/fib break, meniscus tear). During one of my many visits to physical therapy, the therapist recommended that for ankle stability I needed to improve my balance. I ordered a balance pad and periodically practice standing on it on one leg at a time to see how long I can keep balanced. I also know that I am most susceptible to falling when I’m tired and rushing. My DH always walks faster than I do and I periodically have to yell at him to slow down. https://a.co/d/3TYi9Gu
I’ve never seen that device. I like that it’s smaller than a Bosu ball, which I had considered getting.
I was so excited to work up to being able to balance on one foot with my eyes closed after years. Then my trainer introduced a new challenge – standing on one foot, eyes open, and turning your head from left to right or leaning your head left and right, from one shoulder to another. I fall over almost immediately. ARGH
I use one because I focus on balancing on one foot only, while on the balance pad. At first I’ll be really wobbly but as I practice I can hold myself steady for longer and longer periods of time.
The kid this thread was started about will be long done with his trip but we will still be talking about shoes, boots, balance tools, etc. I th8nk it’s great how we meander our way around.
