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Farren
08-06-2014, 15:18
Ive never bothered to buy fancy hiking shoes before because I usually olny do day hikes so I end up running around in walmart tennis shoes. Ive sprained by ankle a couple of times and have a tendency to roll/land on my ankles as well (my entire family is like this! Its fun to watch them play sports.) I was wondering whether or not to get boots or trail runners because of my ankles being all noodly.

leaftye
08-06-2014, 15:35
Are you doing ankle strengthening exercises?

tarditi
08-06-2014, 15:45
I was a dedicated boot-er, recently converted to shoes. My feet are happier now.

johnnybgood
08-06-2014, 16:10
First and foremost wear what is comfortable for your feet. In order to know what that is go to an outfitter that sells hiking shoes and boots. Get your feet " mapped out" so the staff can then recommend what insole works best for you. From this point it's trial & error. Buy the best feeling boot and trail runner and then save the receipt

Google search techniques to stengthen the muscle/ ligaments that help stabilize the ankles.

Traveler
08-06-2014, 16:18
I started rolling ankles about a decade or so ago when i was wearing trail shoes and moved into high top boots snugly laced. Since then a lot of close calls, but no sprains or stingers. You can get decent boots for the same cost as a good pair of hiking shoes.

Farren
08-06-2014, 16:32
Are you doing ankle strengthening exercises?Thats a thing?!

Farren
08-06-2014, 16:33
First and foremost wear what is comfortable for your feet. In order to know what that is go to an outfitter that sells hiking shoes and boots. Get your feet " mapped out" so the staff can then recommend what insole works best for you. From this point it's trial & error. Buy the best feeling boot and trail runner and then save the receipt

Google search techniques to stengthen the muscle/ ligaments that help stabilize the ankles. Does REI do that because thats the nearest store to me.

KillerKarma
08-06-2014, 17:26
I typically work and hike in light hikers that were originally bought for hiking in hot/wet climates (rain forest). They are still comfy, but the insoles are starting to separate. I'm leaning toward another pair of those (Solomons) or something similar. I do roll my ankles on occasion, but will be working to strengthen them over the coming months. I haven't ruled out trail runners, but have to test some out first. My foot comfort and health is my number one concern for this hike. If my feet ain't happy, I ain't happy.

AmputeeHiker
08-06-2014, 20:28
I was going to do trail runners until talking to my doctor today. I am a leg amputee so my left leg/foot does ALL the work really.. and I have trouble with that heal so he suggested I go with at least a mid cut boot.. that way I can wear my orthotics in there as well to soften the blow to my heal.

rocketsocks
08-06-2014, 20:47
Honestly...sometimes I wear trail runners, and sometimes I wear the boots, depends on what and wear I'm hikin'

TrippLite
08-06-2014, 20:57
Here's an old thread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?104713-Floppy-ankles&highlight=floppy) on ankle strenghening exercises

OCDave
08-06-2014, 21:23
Honestly...sometimes I wear trail runners, and sometimes I wear the boots, depends on what and wear I'm hiking'

rocketsocks,

I am hiking The Minong Ridge trail of Isle Royale NP in a couple weeks. I am struggling with leaving my boots behind. Was there ever a time you've hiked in trail runners and wish you'd have brought boots?

Thanks

Venchka
08-06-2014, 21:49
I thought that talk of real leather one piece upper boots was a Banning Offense around here? I own 2 pair of boots. I wish I had the time to wear them out so that I could move on to some fancy Approach/Trail Running footwear.

Wayne

rocketsocks
08-06-2014, 22:31
rocketsocks,

I am hiking The Minong Ridge trail of Isle Royale NP in a couple weeks. I am struggling with leaving my boots behind. Was there ever a time you've hiked in trail runners and wish you'd have brought boots?

Thanks
Yes, this winter, snow about two inches, and a icy puddle through a swampy area had me wishing (flooded my shoe and froze ma toes)...and the PA rocks I think I'd have enjoyed more with a little more support, cause I certainly wasn't concerned with making time, so a slow stroll a little more sure footed may have kept me from one, a face plant, and two driven into the ground on my knee with the weight of the pack laughin' at me all the while. All this said, in the summer when it's real hot, I'm liking my Brooks cicadas, there an earlier generation, forget which just now, maybe 6's, but they vent well, are quick to dry, and have a rock plate in the forefoot which helps to spare the metatarsals a bit. I'm not a big hiker like many here, just learned from askin' and watchin' and tryin' different things...still tryin to figure it all out.

rocketsocks
08-06-2014, 22:32
I thought that talk of real leather one piece upper boots was a Banning Offense around here? I own 2 pair of boots. I wish I had the time to wear them out so that I could move on to some fancy Approach/Trail Running footwear.

WayneI understand this concept well, hehe, too funny.

leaftye
08-06-2014, 22:34
Thats a thing?!

Why wouldn't it be? Exercising even strengthens your bones. There's a lot of examples on youtube. There are some old threads here too. All I want to add is not to over do it. If you can't feel that point, one way to tell is by trying to balance on one foot. If you can only do it for a few seconds when you can normally do it for a minute or more, it's time to stop.

rocketsocks
08-06-2014, 22:35
Yes, this winter, snow about two inches, and a icy puddle through a swampy area had me wishing (flooded my shoe and froze ma toes)...and the PA rocks I think I'd have enjoyed more with a little more support, cause I certainly wasn't concerned with making time, so a slow stroll a little more sure footed may have kept me from one, a face plant, and two driven into the ground on my knee with the weight of the pack laughin' at me all the while. All this said, in the summer when it's real hot, I'm liking my Brooks cicadas, there an earlier generation, forget which just now, maybe 6's, but they vent well, are quick to dry, and have a rock plate in the forefoot which helps to spare the metatarsals a bit. I'm not a big hiker like many here, just learned from askin' and watchin' and tryin' different things...still tryin to figure it all out.
I should add...after I got home from that 3 day PA rocks trek, my feet were trashed and for a week straight I was hobbled and not doin much but chillin' out.

Farren
08-07-2014, 15:39
Why wouldn't it be? Exercising even strengthens your bones. There's a lot of examples on youtube. There are some old threads here too. All I want to add is not to over do it. If you can't feel that point, one way to tell is by trying to balance on one foot. If you can only do it for a few seconds when you can normally do it for a minute or more, it's time to stop.
I looked it up online a decided to get a balance board which I'll be doing every day for 20min. along with walking 8 miles, pilates and swimming. When ever I can manage the time I'll also be hiking at the local state park which is really small and the trails are all flat. Hopefully with a all this work I'll be able to get into decent shape before the hike. The hike will be difficult either way but I am hell bent on reducing my risk of injury.

Wandering Deer
08-07-2014, 16:04
Trail shoes. You'll regret wearing boots after awhile.

squeezebox
08-07-2014, 16:53
I need a very stiff sole because of a nerve injury in my left foot. My Lowa renagade boots fit well and enough support for my bum foot. 1 lb heavier than many trail runners per pair. Is there a stiff enough trail runner I might consider?

ChefATLTCT
08-07-2014, 17:25
boot guy, on my GA to ME hike I went thru three pairs of Vasque Clarion boots, later switched to Vasque wasatch for ten years, great boot for me, I now wear Vasque St Johns? hiked about 100 miles in them so far, very happy with them

Another Kevin
08-07-2014, 21:41
Yes, this winter, snow about two inches, and a icy puddle through a swampy area had me wishing (flooded my shoe and froze ma toes).

You too? Let me guess -- Beechy Bottom, where we discovered that the snow was lying on top of a quarter inch of ice on top of sucking mud?

Anyway, as I said on another thread, "hiking boots" don't usually do it for me. By the time conditions are bad enough that I'm no longer in trail runners, I want the protection of full leather boots, not to mention a stable platform to anchor traction gear. And I hike in what most people around here would call pretty extreme conditions. (I'm slow, and can't do big miles, but I go practically anywhere.)

rocketsocks
08-08-2014, 00:19
You too? Let me guess -- Beechy Bottom, where we discovered that the snow was lying on top of a quarter inch of ice on top of sucking mud?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

where we discovered that the snow was lying on top of a quarter inch of ice on top of sucking mud? Yes, and that your car was about a ten minute walk down a lovely bridle path :D

rocketsocks
08-08-2014, 00:22
...funny how even when it's 18 degrees out, one can still be smoked.

rocketsocks
08-08-2014, 00:29
Yes, this winter, snow about two inches, and a icy puddle through a swampy area had me wishing (flooded my shoe and froze ma toes)...and the PA rocks I think I'd have enjoyed more with a little more support, cause I certainly wasn't concerned with making time, so a slow stroll a little more sure footed may have kept me from one, a face plant, and two driven into the ground on my knee with the weight of the pack laughin' at me all the while. All this said, in the summer when it's real hot, I'm liking my Brooks cicadas, there an earlier generation, forget which just now, maybe 6's, but they vent well, are quick to dry, and have a rock plate in the forefoot which helps to spare the metatarsals a bit. I'm not a big hiker like many here, just learned from askin' and watchin' and tryin' different things...still tryin to figure it all out.


You too? Let me guess -- Beechy Bottom, where we discovered that the snow was lying on top of a quarter inch of ice on top of sucking mud?

Anyway, as I said on another thread, "hiking boots" don't usually do it for me. By the time conditions are bad enough that I'm no longer in trail runners, I want the protection of full leather boots, not to mention a stable platform to anchor traction gear. And I hike in what most people around here would call pretty extreme conditions. (I'm slow, and can't do big miles, but I go practically anywhere.)


Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

where we discovered that the snow was lying on top of a quarter inch of ice on top of sucking mud? Yes, and that your car was about a ten minute walk down a lovely bridle path :D

location of offending puddle, hikers beware.
http://kbk.is-a-geek.net/catskills/tiles/14/4823/6125.png

Damn Yankee
08-08-2014, 07:40
Humans feet were not meant to wear shoes as they push your toes together throwing out your natural gate. Boots are worse as they tend to make ankles week because of the extra support. Buying a cross-over pair of hiking shoes(between boots and minimal footwear)will help strengthen your stabilization muscles in your ankle along with strengthening exercises, slowly working your way to minimal footwear. Another important thing to look for is a zero drop sole and good arch support.

rocketsocks
08-08-2014, 07:43
Humans feet were not meant to wear shoes as they push your toes together throwing out your natural gate. Boots are worse as they tend to make ankles week because of the extra support. Buying a cross-over pair of hiking shoes(between boots and minimal footwear)will help strengthen your stabilization muscles in your ankle along with strengthening exercises, slowly working your way to minimal footwear. Another important thing to look for is a zero drop sole and good arch support.Why zero drop?

OCDave
08-08-2014, 10:55
Humans feet were not meant to wear shoes as they push your toes together throwing out your natural gate. Boots are worse as they tend to make ankles week because of the extra support. Buying a cross-over pair of hiking shoes(between boots and minimal footwear)will help strengthen your stabilization muscles in your ankle along with strengthening exercises, slowly working your way to minimal footwear. Another important thing to look for is a zero drop sole and good arch support.

Humans live longer today than ever before. Is it because we have developed technologies, boots for example, to reduce the cumulative burden on our bodies?

Is minimal footwear still advantageous once you've added 30, 40 or 50lbs it the form of a backpack?

Aren't minimal or zero drop footwear and good arch support mutually exclusive?

I am not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to find answers. If I hike long, rocky, hilly terrain for week will I regret taking my boots or leaving them behind? Are running shoes adequate if my pack weight is a bit heavier than Ultralight?

I have Luna Oso sandals and Asolo TPS 520 boots so I am prepared for either extreme. I leave for the Minong Ridge trail , Isle Royale NP in 4 days.

rocketsocks
08-08-2014, 11:13
Humans live longer today than ever before. Is it because we have developed technologies, boots for example, to reduce the cumulative burden on our bodies?

Is minimal footwear still advantageous once you've added 30, 40 or 50lbs it the form of a backpack?

Aren't minimal or zero drop footwear and good arch support mutually exclusive?

I am not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to find answers. If I hike long, rocky, hilly terrain for week will I regret taking my boots or leaving them behind? Are running shoes adequate if my pack weight is a bit heavier than Ultralight?

I have Luna Oso sandals and Asolo TPS 520 boots so I am prepared for either extreme. I leave for the Minong Ridge trail , Isle Royale NP in 4 days.ah, I understand now where your coming from...I've heard some say here, and I'll paraphrase it. Is it not better to wear trail runners for 80% of the trip than to bring boots for the 20% there actually needed because of the conditions...er something like that. Hey good luck on your trip Dave, whatever you decide have a great hike.