High Sierra Topix

KrazyKolb wrote:I'm intrigued by his footwear suggestions. He makes the claim that "boots don’t help protect your ankles. Studies have shown that they could be the cause of some ankle related problems"

Is this commonly accepted, or is that just a suggestion because he's dealing with younger kids and doesn't want to spend a lot of money on gear that will be outgrown?

What about shoe selection when doing a non-technical summit like Mt Cotter? It's on my plans for this August and for this reason alone was going to bring my boots. My fear is that scree fields and lots of loose rock could be bad news for low top hikers. No?

My fear is that scree fields and lots of loose rock could be bad news for low top hikers. No?

Used my regular La Sportiva Ultra Raptors on the Minaret trip, did a lot of class 3-4, and some short 5 sections near Ritter Pass, and another location near Catherine Lake, they worked great for me. With that said, I do train year round so my feet, ankles, and calves can be strong enough to wear such footwear. Also knowing how to negotiate up/down a steep scree field or loose rock effectively by foot placement and technique is important, including knowing the limitations of your footwear.

I concur with using low top trail shoes when possible and doing exercises that keep ankles strong and general fitness high. Look up proprioreception exercises. I used to occassionally sprain my ankle about a decade ago as I first transitioned into trail running, but that stopped with time on trail and various agility exercises. Time in class 2 terrain helps with agility and strength as well. I broke my ankle two years ago when I made a bad decision with a poorly balanced boulder, but would have done so regardless of footwear. The good news is I learned even more proprioreception, leg strength, and core exercises, and became more disciplined about doing them consistently. My ankle may never quite be 100% post-injury & surgery, but after rehab, training, and shedding a bit of weight, I now hike farther, with better balance, and with no ankle sprain or other issues like I had when I first became a trail running and endurance hiking enthusiast.

I actually wished I had worn trail runners on Shasta last weekend. I got nasty heel blisters wearing boots I hadn't worn for 2-3 years. Unless conditions are extremely cold, highly technical involving extensive crampon use, or I am at high risk of being out in wet cold overnight, trail runners and extra socks are my preferred footwear. Plus, I can usually pick up high quality pairs of La Sportiva, Montrail, etc. trail running shoes at Sierra Trading Post for $30-$50 per pair with online coupon deals.

I think a lot of footwear is personal preference. I always use lightweight mid-height full leather boots with a steel shank and "superfeet" insoles when hiking/backpacking in the Sierra. They provide enough stiffness for balancing on sharp rocks going through talus fields (or even many sierra trails that are full of rocks); help protect me from scuffing and banging the side of foot against the rocks; and I don't trust gore-tex liners to be truly waterproof, so I can use Nikwax periodically on the leather. But if I were hiking on easy dirt or duff trails, I would appreciate lighter shoes.
-Phil