Minimalist Footwear: Is ankle support necessary?

[keen_image]

Have a lot of miles now on Vivo's, shitty terrain often, slippery mud you name it, can't think of a time I came close to rolling an ankle?

I am wearing the Magna leather non esc soles, so as little of support as you can get most likely!

With virtually no stack height your feet are planted on the ground and not likely to have issues. I wore my old Asolo 520s a few times when it rained, like wearing bricks on my feet, and despite the stiff nature of that boot the sole design always seemed tippy as far as rolling an ankle, though I never did likely due to the stiff boot, but they were much less stable!

I've read the ESC soles were more durable. How did the non-ESC sole hold up in the woods?

 

[dgfavor]

The thing that I dislike about Topos and Altras is the stack height. In my opinion, the two things that make people want more ankle support is stack height and weak ankles. The former leads to instability and promotes ankle rolling. Wearing heavy ankle support just makes your ankles weaker. I wore wildland fire boots and stiff mountain boots daily for 25ish years and it left my feet and ankles a mess. I’m two years out of that and I can’t remember the last time I rolled an ankle. The Tracker ESCs that I largely wear now are ankle high. But I don’t lace them tightly so it’s not for support. It’s just to reduce the amount of debris that gets into them.

I personally have not had any problems with the stack heights - my Topos especially seems so wide I'm not sure I could tip 'em over! When I first got my previous Trailventures I felt like they were pretty "marshmellowy" and like the stack might be too much re. groundfeel, but I ended up really, really liking them - the grip was nuts. My current Trailventures have a bit less stack, definitely much firmer, and don't seem to grab onto the ground as well. Noticed yesterday they are starting to breakdown (well into 2nd year) on the uppers where my toes flex...like has happened quickly on all my Altras.

 

[dtrkyman]

I've read the ESC soles were more durable. How did the non-ESC sole hold up in the woods?

They are holding up really well, I have some separation along the toes but nothing major, they are taking abuse better than expected! I have worn them on asphalt trails a fair amount as well, I really like the boot and will likely get another pair, maybe with ESC soles?

The grip is better than expected as well.

 

[ElPollo]

I personally have not had any problems with the stack heights - my Topos especially seems so wide I'm not sure I could tip 'em over! When I first got my previous Trailventures I felt like they were pretty "marshmellowy" and like the stack might be too much re. groundfeel, but I ended up really, really liking them - the grip was nuts. My current Trailventures have a bit less stack, definitely much firmer, and don't seem to grab onto the ground as well. Noticed yesterday they are starting to breakdown (well into 2nd year) on the uppers where my toes flex...like has happened quickly on all my Altras.

I think the reason the stack height was an issue for me is that I cannot lace shoes tightly anymore. Had a nerve injury. If I lace them tightly, my foot goes numb. When I ran the Topos loose like that, the instability came from my foot sliding back and forth from edge to edge. It’s likely a me thing.

 

[dtrkyman]

I tried Hoka running shoes on a mule deer hunt a while back, worst thing I ever wore for side hilling, soft outsoles and high stack height equal a big no!

 

[okcaveman]

I've been wearing barefoot shoes more and more over the years. I used to have terrible ankle issues. These days, no issues, and I can never remember straining an ankle while wearing barefoot shoes. Unless im working, and have to wear a durable leather boot, or im on a long backpack hunt, im probably wearing barefoot. Need to try them on a more extensive hunt after reading this thread

 

[nphunter]

Thanks for confirming what my plan already was, I have quite a few pairs of lowtop altras and Topos- so I think I’ll be ditching the boots at home until it gets cold or wet. I have never had an issue with low tops, but I haven’t made a habit of sidehilling with them and a heavy pack either.

Would love to hear additional info that anyone may have.

I’ve been running Altra Lone peaks for the last few years. I have regulars, hikers and hiker gtx. I mostly hunt in the hikers because they slide around less and keep cheat grass and other debris out of my shoe. I’m often walking in dirt, ash or brush and it’s nice to have the couple extra inches there.

I’ve packed out 5 bulls and a few deer in them. With a heavy load side hilling I feel like I could damn near slide right out of my low tops. I don’t see me switching anytime soon from the lone peaks, I’ve put them through hell and they do great. I typically replace them annually but keep the old ones for days when I’m drying out, scouting or whatever.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I’ve been running Altra Lone peaks for the last few years. I have regulars, hikers and hiker gtx. I mostly hunt in the hikers because they slide around less and keep cheat grass and other debris out of my shoe. I’m often walking in dirt, ash or brush and it’s nice to have the couple extra inches there.

I’ve packed out 5 bulls and a few deer in them. With a heavy load side hilling I feel like I could damn near slide right out of my low tops. I don’t see me switching anytime soon from the lone peaks, I’ve put them through hell and they do great. I typically replace them annually but keep the old ones for days when I’m drying out, scouting or whatever.

Which Lone peak hikers do you have? They seem to get mixed reviews