UKH

Evening all.
 

So, after a lifetime of sporting ankle injuries, and currently hopping about on a sprained ankle having turned it over twice on easy ground on paths here in the alps, I looking for recommendations for a boot which….

1. Is lightweight, waterproof (given the usual caveats) but which has a reasonably stiff and thick sole (not necessarily crampon compatible)

2. Has an aggressive tread pattern for downhill rocks and mud

3. Crucially, has a high ankle, well above the ankle bone, to provide maximum lateral support 

4. good forward to backward flex, but almost no lateral flex (imagine a ski touring boot in walk mode).

All suggestions welcome, thanks for taking the time 👍👍

Lightweight and supportive are usually two metrics that don't go together, I've got la sportiva Nepal B3's that are very supportive with good ankle flex forward and back but no lateral flex. They do a B2 version the Nepal trek, they have the same cuff arrangement which has 3 ankle lace hooks as opposed to most boots 2 eyelets above the ankle so would be very supportive. Only problem is they are heavy and stiff compared to other mountain boots/walking boots. 

Best wishes max

Physio! Build strength.

Sadly, I have neither the time nor the inclination. I’m after a recommendation for a pair of boots, not an alternative strategy - but thanks anyway.

Rock and Run have a deal going on a pair of Trango Extremes at half price. Light, supportive and not too heavy for a B3. Will be very clunky going for a hike but will lock everything tight from the shins down. I'm not expert.

For your problems, I would rate ankle support way more important than lightness. 

This is a boot I've worn for the last few years.  Very stable sole and foot support  and good for load carrying on steep ground.  Also scrambling including solo Inn Pinn and I've climbed diff in them.  Perhaps not the most waterproof after a lot of hard use but I find them very light for the amount of support they give me.  I wear them with custom insoles as I suffer from plantar fasciitis that threatened to end my time in the hills a decade or so ago.

https://www.trekitt.co.uk/footwear/walking-boots/aku-pilgrim-fg-gtx-black__...

(can get brown as well)

Hey, I'd recommend going to a good outdoor retailer and explaining your problem and letting them look after you!

Are you North or South?

Good point. Yorkshire (when I’m in England), but the bootfitter where I got my Altbergs from has closed down 😢. I might try the spot in Otley where I got my ski boots fitted and see what they say, but ideally I’d like to find some here in Germany (where I also live). Keep the suggestions coming though. 👍

i think this is probably the best advice you'll get. 

Whilst lightweight certainly has it's benefits you are trying to solve a specific problem that is causing you repeated injuries. Fixing this problem probably needs to be your first priority, with other design factors taking a back seat on the decision process.

I would have thought that you will get more choice of Alpine suitable footwear on the continent than the UK. So assuming your language skills are up to it I would probably look for a specialist shop or there who can advise you on fitting.

There seems to be a debate over whether higher-than-ankle boots really provide stability to ankles - I believe the majority position is 'not really'. I've got bad ankles after twisting them badly numerous times and at the end of winter climbing day wearing stiff boots that go up to the ankle I can still go over on my ankle. I think it's tiredness as much as anything else. In summer, comfy light trainers or fabric boots BUT with two walking poles works best for me.

 If you want higher boots though, look at hunting models. Don't know about Germany but sport shops in the Nordics always have some high leg hunting boots. Decathlon sell the La Sportiva ones https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hunting-waterproof-durable-hunting-boots-la-s... but I've seen models with much higher ankles that that.

If you're in the UK and have the time it's well worth a visit to Keswick Boot Company, really great shop that can get you sorted.

Where in Germany are you based?

It’s going to be a classic UKC not-the-simple-answer-you-asked-for…

My worst ankle sprain happened when I was wearing high, stiff boots (Meindl Nepal Pro). Conversely, in twenty odd years of fell running in minimal shoes I’d never had a sprain. So I’m sceptical about how much support a high cuff offers. In fact , a walking boot needs lateral flex(even B3s) or you couldn’t place your foot accurately on uneven ground.

For me, the key is how well the boot supports the heel , and that depends on fit. La Sportiva’s narrow heels work well for me, but there’s no substitute for trying on lots of brands. Secondly, a better insole can improve the interface between your foot and the ground. It’s feel and precision that’ll protect your ankles, not some kind of boot-cum-brace.

If they fit, Sportiva Aequilibriums look as though they meet your first three requirements.

I've also mangled my ankles loads of times over the years (rugby, ground falls, fell running injuries, inexplicable sprains on easy ground, etc.)

Surprisingly, what I find works best is footwear that has very little ankle support - fell and trail running shoes. This is because the low stack height at the heel provides exceptional stability. The higher your heel is above the ground, the more likely you are to go over on it. The lighter weight and compact footprint also make it much easier to accurately place tired feet and the grip is generally far superior to anything offered by a walking or mountaineering boot.

I mostly wear various models of Inov8 shoes, which tend to have lower stack heights and avoid brands like Hoka which are the opposite. Inov8 Roclites are a good all-rounder, which I've worn when running, walking and scrambling all over Scotland in Summer and Winter (with or without micro crampons.) Obviously if climbing or conditions demand then I'll wear a proper mountaineering boot and crampons.

I don't mind wet feet, but also use a pair of goretex Inov8 Roclite boots if I do decide I want to keep my feet dry, with varying success. The boots are for the waterproofness of the high cuff rather than ankle support.

May not be ideal for yourself, but certainly works for my old knackered ankles and thought it worth suggesting as an option. Hope you find something that works 👍

In the alps at the moment, but usually in the Hannover area when I’m in Germany, or Yorkshire in England. As for the inevitable “ankle support boot or not” debate, all I can say is that I’ve never turned my ankle while wearing boots - it’s always been while wearing trainers / rock shoes / approach shoes / sandals.

I think that the strength and support of the sole, and in particular lateral stability help my ankles a lot.  That is why I opted for the AKUs, got them from the Keswick boot company mentioned above.  Poor lateral stability in the sole/heel block results in greater ankle strain (I popped my foot off in a brief dislocation on Skye a few years back (in other boots) so I have suffered, though fortunately after less than a minute it popped back on, was like a football the next day) while good stability on steep ground lessens the occasions and amount of strain.

The difference between boots I think accounts for the difficulty so many people have in descent. (people with injuries excepted)

The wife has dodgy ankles but prefers trainers to boots. She has used " active ankle" supports for years now.

These are a hinged support so you can flex but not turn your ankle. Can be used with any footwear. Shes very keen on her walking and gets a few years out of each pair, they  last longer than the trainers.

Were quite reasonably priced but new importer racked up the cost. Latest pair from another manufacturer, seem just as good.