ankle support vs UL

It was me that introduced the phrase 'horses for courses' to the discussion. I just meant that conditions determine the best footwear for the job. Sandals or light trailrunners are fine for trekking in temperate climates on easy terrain and I use Tevas wherever possible to keep my feet cool and sweat free.

Boots are what you need in british mountain winters when you are scrambling up rock and descending scree slopes. Or walking all day through wet terrain in the english monsoon season. I find walking more than 15-20 miles with wet feet in lightweight trailshoes gives me sore feet, so I'm prepared to pay the weight penalty. I'm open to suggestions for some lighter goretex etc alternatives though, if they really do keep you dry and sweat free like good ol' leather.

The best ankle supports are strong tendons, good balance and if necessary a trekking pole. Overly tightened boots just cause more problems in my experience. Obviously for injuries like the one Alison has suffered, different strategies have to be adopted. T'ai chi practice improves range of movement and balance a lot.

> Boots are what you need in British mountain winters when you are scrambling up rock and descending scree slopes.
May I venture to disagree?
Check out the articles by Will Rieveld on using joggers in the snow, and the Spotlite on the New balance MT1110GT joggers. My wife and I wore those joggers in the snow for days while snowshoeing – nice warm dry feet. Yep, they do have a membrane.

> The best ankle supports are strong tendons, good balance
Reckon you are right here.

"Boots are what you need in british mountain winters when you are scrambling up rock and descending scree slopes. Or walking all day through wet terrain in the english monsoon season."

Boots may be preferred by most British walkers but I wouldn't say they are "what you need". I prefer shoes unless there is deep snow – and then I'm likely to be on skis. I particularly prefer shoes for rock scrambling as they allow maximum ankle flexibility. I haven't walked in the "English monsoon season" (January to December?) but I'm out in the Scottish hills year round – and this August is the wettest on record in the Highlands. By preference I hike in sandals when it's warm enough and trail shoes the rest of the time – I wore both on the TGO Challenge coast to coast crossing of the Highlands in May. I had wet feet some of the time but less than I would if wearing boots as shoes and sandals dry much faster. (On the off chance that someone might meet me wearing leather boots in the hills in August I should point out that as a gear reviewer I do test items that wouldn't be my first choice at times!).

I don't find membrane lined shoes as sweat-free as leather. In warm weather they are just too hot for me. In cold conditions they are better but they'd never be my first choice.

> MT1110GT joggers. My wife and I wore those joggers in the snow for days while snowshoeing – nice warm dry feet. Yep, they do have a membrane.

Ok, that's got wet covered. I still prefer scrambling in boots though. Call me a cissy but I just like solid strong footwear when I hit the rough rock terrain. I find moving fast over really rough ground and scree safer and steadier in sturdy boots. Toe jamming in wet crevices on climbs is easier in tough leather. I like to get off the trail and onto the crag.

Durability and value for money is an issue too. I suspect my $200 scarpas will outlast several pairs of $130 joggers.

All that said, I am going to try a pair of lighter boots now I have a well paid contract coming up. We'll see how fast I can destroy them on my preferred routes.

Another post bites the dust like a cheap pair of shoes.