Boot recommendation for bad ankles

[Doc Holliday]

After 9 years, it’s time to retire my Kenetrek everstep. They’ve been great but want to try something different and possibly a little less clunky. Got a goat hunt in late October. Ankles tend to give out on me so need something with good support there. Any recommendations for that? I’m in Florida so can’t go into a store like a lot of you and try multiple things on

 

[timberlinehunter]

I would suggest taking a look at the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme. I have bad ankles too and they were the only boot I found that offered the support I needed while still being comfortable. They are a little heavy but I will pay that price everyday knowing my ankles will make it through my hunt.


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[Cbubq]

Schnee, Russel Moccasin Backcounty, vivobarefoot forest esc. The vivo are like flat and not much support, but I’ve found that I twist my ankles less in a low stack zero drop flat shoe.

 

[yfarm]

Try an internal hinged brace with a lighter boot. Generally the non metal containing neoprene braces are not as effective. Pair with a schnees beartooth.

 

[dtrkyman]

Work on your ankles!

Low stack height and stiff otherwise I guess. Though I have not even come close to rolling an ankle in a barefoot type shoe or boot!

 

[dgfavor]

Work on your ankles!

I'm never really sure what people mean when they say their ankles always give out on them...?? Are they suddenly, repeatedly stranded on a mountain somewhere getting flown out on the regular??

Ditto working on your ankles... and feet...good fun and good for ya'!! Can be done even in Florida!

Lily pad -> angled rock -> squishy moss -> rolly log

I'll probably break my freakin' ankle tomorrow stepping off a curb!

 

[Lathrop and Sons Boots]

After 9 years, it’s time to retire my Kenetrek everstep. They’ve been great but want to try something different and possibly a little less clunky. Got a goat hunt in late October. Ankles tend to give out on me so need something with good support there. Any recommendations for that? I’m in Florida so can’t go into a store like a lot of you and try multiple things on

We spent our whole life working in a podiatric office... Our boots are built with the level of support that we would recommend...

If you like to visit over the phone, we could probably point you in the right direction..

618 544 8782

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I like my zamberlan Wasatches. They’re tall and don’t have a substantial heel to trip over. My right ankle has been broke and rolled several times. These boots are a must now…

 

[Andouille]

After 9 years, it’s time to retire my Kenetrek everstep. They’ve been great but want to try something different and possibly a little less clunky. Got a goat hunt in late October. Ankles tend to give out on me so need something with good support there. Any recommendations for that? I’m in Florida so can’t go into a store like a lot of you and try multiple things on

I have a few exercise suggestions based on my goat hunt experience and current training. Goat terrain is "3D" and most training overemphasizes "2D" movements in the sagital (front-back) plane, doing nothing for ankle stability. An ankle protecting boot becomes less critical if you can build strong ankles with functional training.

To train for sidehilling and improve ankle strength, I suggest doing sets of crossover steps on an inclined treadmill while wearing flexible shooes, alternating with walking backwards. The crossovers will strengthen your ankles in both rotation and adduction and abduction (side to side), plus you train tibial rotation, which improves ankle stability. Also, you are training in the usually undertrained lateral plane, which is where ankle sprains often happen, rather than in the sagital plane. And you'll strengthen smaller foot muscles and even your hip adduction and abductors. These all add up to improved lower leg stability and agility.

Walking backwards will strengthen your ankles in an extended position, plus it will train your legs without any impact or knee stress; you can go hard on this exercise. Crank up the speed and incline and you'll get some cardio in at the same time.

After a few months of looking like a weirdo on a treadmill, my ankles feel super strong and im doing training hikes in lighter boots or even running shoes. Ill still wear 9" Hanwag leather boots for the hunt, but they will be only secondary insurance against ankle sprains because of my training.

 

[Andouille]

As for boots, look for a lower stack height as some mention above, and also a boot with a tread that is as wide as the foot box. Hamwag Ancash II "extra fit" is a good example (what I use) and the Lowa Tibet is similar. Schnees have relatively narrow soles relative to the toebox, as well as crispi Briksdal/lapponia, and non-wide for Zamberlans.

The trade-off to a wider sole is that the boot is more difficult to edge on sidehills due to decreased leverage foe your foot on the edge of the sole. Similarly, a lower stack height puts more steain on the achilles tendon while hiking uphill, and increases knee stress walking downhill. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, foot shape, and ankle strength considered in the context of your hunt terrain.

 

[Jdeck09]

Schnee Beartooths have been really good to me with my poor ankles. I havent taken them into to super rugged sheep country but Ive hunted and hiked in NM, MT, VA, and CO with no issues.