Ask the Gear Guy
Low or high hiking boots?
Q. Hey Gear Guy, this question has been nagging me for so long: If I’m going backpacking should I wear boots with high ankles or ones with low ankles?
—Puzzled John, Nashville, Tenn.
A. If you’re going on a true backpacking trip and carrying a fully loaded pack, you’ll be more prone to rolling your ankle on unstable/uneven ground. So you should be wearing boots with plenty of ankle support. The higher-cut boots also protect your ankles from sharp rocks and thorns and keep you drier in wet environments. If you’re carrying a very light pack or just doing a day hike, low-top hiking shoes are fine. They are going to be lighter weight, more breathable and more comfortable.
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where can i find these boots
whats the name brands of those boots
Anything with a nice deep tread on the shoe. If you’ll be crossing streams or mud on your trip, you should get higher boots – it will keep your socks dryer (unless you’re up to your calves – then you’re out of luck).
I agree with anonymous the worst the enviorment the higher the boots so you can be completely comfortable
Low– you can’t run down a fourteener in high-cut boots. I have been hiking/running trails in CO and UT for almost 30 years and I have never worn high-cut (never had an injury either). High-cuts are way to cumbersome for me. When I get on the trail it’s all about moving…. and fast!
if you are hiking on a rocky slope or a steep incline wear high
if you are hiking a level slope wear low
high
on steep places where high
on more elvated places I say low the go fast