Ankle problems, looking for stiffer boots for everyday wear

[dbarrett4053]

So I have had loose ankle joints my whole life and roll my ankles a lot. I even roll them on uneven cracks in the sidewalk. I have some kenetreks for hunting and those work well as long as I tie them tight. I'm looking for some stiffer boots for everyday wear. Something that are breathable so they aren't too hot in the warmer months. These would be just for daily wear since when I'm hiking/hunting I wear my kenetreks.

I've had some solomans but every pair I've had wear out really quickly. So I'm not looking to waist my money on any of those. Does anyone have suggestions?

 

[Formidilosus]

So I have had loose ankle joints my whole life and roll my ankles a lot. I even roll them on uneven cracks in the sidewalk. I have some kenetreks for hunting and those work well as long as I tie them tight. I'm looking for some stiffer boots for everyday wear. Something that are breathable so they aren't too hot in the warmer months. These would be just for daily wear since when I'm hiking/hunting I wear my kenetreks.

I've had some solomans but every pair I've had wear out really quickly. So I'm not looking to waist my money on any of those. Does anyone have suggestions?

You need to strengthen your feet, ankles, and legs to correct the rolling. Not continue putting your feet in caskets and ensuring they just keep getting weaker.

 

[Dobermann]

I used to roll my ankles a bit hiking. Paid an insane amount of money to see a podiatrist who then charged even more for some custom orthotics - which didn't last long, and didn't fix the issues.

Switched to barefoot running shoes about 20 years ago and ran over loose rocks and gravel, downed trees, etc every day to build up strength. No rolled ankles since.

If you do go this route, it's important to start slow and not cause more issues - my wife switched to barefoot shoes about 6 years ago, loved it, but went ultra minimalist too quickly, and now has some foot issues.

To put more contexts to Form's post above, here's some advice he gave in the Vivo Tracker ESC thread:

To all as a public service- if you are not already wildly conditioned to minimalist shoes, take it very easy and slow if you try these or any minimal. Conventional shoes are casts and your feet are weak as a result- you can hurt yourself quickly if you just jump straight to a minimal shoe especially under weight on broken terrain without conditioning first. Minimal shoes are awesome and your body will thank you if you slowly and methodically build your feet up.

There are some other good posts here, and a lot of other information online, including instructional videos from barefoot shoe companies (eg Vivo Barefoot) and barefoot proponents (Katy Bowman is just one ... no doubt there are hiking-specific people as well).

This post my @Mtnmilsurp has a good video: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/vivo-forest-tracker-esc-durability.283540/page-3#post-2796382

Many of us here wear Vivo Tracker ESCs (not the plain Trackers, which don't have as good a tread)..

Not sure if more of the 'barefoot crowd' want to chime in here - @HighUintas, @BBob, @fwafwow, @Titan_Bow, @Stu, @Jimbee, @Hoodie. @Bowfinn, @R boar, @packgoatguy, @mxgsfmdpx @Speaks, @ztc92, @yeky83 ... feel free to tag in others you know of - I just scrolled through the first and last pages of the ESC thread.

And to @dbarrett4053 - us barefoot guys can come across as a bit proselytizing ... if we seem to speak in absolutes, know that many of us have experienced similar issues and are just wanting to help ... but we're not you and we're not literally walking in your shoes. If barefoot remediation does seem like something you want to try, I but a bunch of us would be happy to answer questions. Good luck!

 

[ElPollo]

Agree with both the above posts. Stiff supportive boots tend to make issues like yours worse, not better. A daily regimen of calf raises and knee-over-toe calf raises, and calf raises with a wedge under your toes will help. Also you can look up something called a Mobo Board and the exercises they recommend on their website. Getting out of stiff shoes and walking also really helps rebuild your foot strength.

I will also echo what @Dobermann said. I have not rolled an ankle since switching to barefoot shoes. Part of this is due to increasing foot, ankle, and calf strength. Part of it is due to increased stability due lower stack height of the sole under your feet.