Low-Drop, High Support - any options?

[Hoofing It]

I walk and run in almost all zero- or near-zero drop shoes, mostly by Altra. It's not really a lifestyle thing, it's just what was most comfortable for my foot shape and natural stride.

Right now I hunt in La Sportiva Nucleo II's, but they absolutely kill my heels and I'm guessing a big part of that is because the high drop forces me to change my gait. But I'm having a lot of trouble finding low-drop boots that also provide enough ankle support to side-hill and help stabilize heavy loads on rocky terrain. The La Sportiva's are about right in terms of how much support I want.

I've been looking at the (Rokslide-popular) Vivobarefoot Trackers ESC but they're a little too thin and have questionable support. Lems Boulder Summits look right in terms of height but I don't see any reviews on how supportive they are for the particular instances I want support for. I haven't been a big fan of Altra's boots in the past so I'm counting those out.

Anyone know of any other options that would be good?

 

[Radford]

I’ve been searching for a boot like that for a long time.

 

[dtrkyman]

Have not tried them but look at Bahe, there is another one I am not recalling the name of?

 

[rm06]

Not sure if 5mm qualifies as low enough but I am happy with the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2. I like them for the wide toe box and less so the drop. With a flat sole, be warned gaiter selection... isn't good.

 

[nphunter]

Why not just use Altras? I’ve been hunting in lone peaks the last couple years and love them. They’ve been in some nasty country and have done great. I packed out 3 bulls last fall in them, one bull was 3.5 miles one was in steep rocky terrain and two of us got him out in two trips.

I use to hunt in lowa, miendl and Scarpas, doubt I’ll go back. Love my lone peaks they are all I wear anymore, I have their shoes for daily wear, mid hikers for most hunting and gtx if it’s going to be raining or snowing.

 

[Hoofing It]

Why not just use Altras? I’ve been hunting in lone peaks the last couple years and love them. They’ve been in some nasty country and have done great. I packed out 3 bulls last fall in them, one bull was 3.5 miles one was in steep rocky terrain and two of us got him out in two trips.

I use to hunt in lowa, miendl and Scarpas, doubt I’ll go back. Love my lone peaks they are all I wear anymore, I have their shoes for daily wear, mid hikers for most hunting and gtx if it’s going to be raining or snowing.

Admittedly I have not tried the new generation of hikers, but the old ones were the only boots I've ever worn to give me painful blisters. Stiff leather boots give me hot spots but never blisters. I think it's because the "boot" section would collapse under even moderate load, causing the area under it to go inward and scrape against my feet. If they've fixed that problem I'll give them another try.

 

[ztc92]

You could check out Inov8, they have some good options that are a bit more robust than Altra or Vivo.

 

[nphunter]

Admittedly I have not tried the new generation of hikers, but the old ones were the only boots I've ever worn to give me painful blisters. Stiff leather boots give me hot spots but never blisters. I think it's because the "boot" section would collapse under even moderate load, causing the area under it to go inward and scrape against my feet. If they've fixed that problem I'll give them another try.

I would rate their stiffness a 0/10, they flex with your foot and mold to the ground and rocks. I’ve gotten hot spots from stiff boots from my foot rubbing but never an Altra.

 

[Hoofing It]

I would rate their stiffness a 0/10, they flex with your foot and mold to the ground and rocks. I’ve gotten hot spots from stiff boots from my foot rubbing but never an Altra.

Do they still provide some degree of ankle support for side-hilling?

You could check out Inov8, they have some good options that are a bit more robust than Altra or Vivo.

6mm drop - a lot less than other boots. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll see if I find a place to try some on.

 

[nphunter]

Do they still provide some degree of ankle support for side-hilling?

Very little ankle support with the Lone Peaks, I've never found it to be an issue but someone with ankle issues may.

 

[eamyrick]

I put a superfeet green in my Altra Lone Peak Hikers. Love them.

 

[ztc92]

Do they still provide some degree of ankle support for side-hilling?

6mm drop - a lot less than other boots. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll see if I find a place to try some on.

I have these because the sale price was too good to pass up. I do NOT recommend them. The “grommets” for laces are just more lace material and I know 2 people that had it tear with normal use. Mine are doing okay but I don’t trust them for big trips as a result.

https://www.amazon.com/Inov-8-Mens-Roclite-345-GTX/dp/B07ZHD6GWR/ref=asc_df_B07ZHD6GWR?mcid=3448bd7c7af03a64ab8a2b6a760a2b9b&hvocijid=10002860084372763422-B07ZHD6GWR-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10002860084372763422&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029351&hvtargid=pla-2281435177338&psc=1

I just went on their website and looks like all their boots have normal lacing holes now. The pro version even has metal grommets more like a heavy use leather boot. I’d probably buy the pro for backcountry trips and a lighter version for day trips and rucking.