Lighter weight boots?

[mapman]

I have been thinking about transitioning to lighter weight boots. I still need lateral support due to many twisted ankles. Several folks have suggested Inov8 but I am not sure they would be suitable. Any suggestions?

[Kerosene]

I bought a pair of the Inov-8 Roclite 315's last year by mail order, taking a risk as they were on sale. I probably should have bought a full size up instead of half a size. I really like the light weight, and the construction seems quite good considering the construction materials. The toe box is nicely sized and would have been perfect if they were long enough (I got a black toenail after an easy 9-mile shakedown hike). I'm still using the boots for day hikes with lighter socks, but I may very well try them on my next Maine section hike because the rubber is so sticky.

[nu2hike]

I love my Inov-8 Rocklite 295's'! They're light weight, dry quickly and like someone mentioned above the rubber sticks like glue to rocks & etc! I like them so much I bought a second pair

[mapman]

I love my Inov-8 Rocklite 295's'! They're light weight, dry quickly and like someone mentioned above the rubber sticks like glue to rocks & etc! I like them so much I bought a second pair

How are they at shedding water?

[leaftye]

I have been thinking about transitioning to lighter weight boots. I still need lateral support due to many twisted ankles. Several folks have suggested Inov8 but I am not sure they would be suitable. Any suggestions?

[Kerosene]

I still need lateral support due to many twisted ankles.

Note that boots in and of themselves will not provide sufficient lateral support to avoid sprains. In fact, with extended use of an ankle brace, the ankle can get weaker. I was much better off when I strengthened my calves and ankles through exercise and developed better proprioception. No ankle sprains since then.

Also, with regard to shedding water, I've moved away from GTX boots in favor of breathable boots, at least for extended hikes. Yes, my feet can get wet, but they don't sweat nearly as much and they dry out much, much faster.

[nu2hike]

The Inov-8's aren't water proof! They're trail runners! They do dry quickly ! Much more so than Gortex boots once they've gotten wet!
No ankle support as they are just low tops!

[Kerosene]

The Inov-8's aren't water proof!

Incorrect. They have a number of GTX variants, namely in their Roclite and Terrafly lines. I still wouldn't go that route.

[Drybones]

Take a look at Tresta.

[Drybones]

Take a look at Tresta.

Make that Treksta...been happy with mine.

[Kerosene]

That's www.TrekstaUSA.com. Not as much variety as Inov-8, and generally the boots seem heavier for similar types of models.

[Magic_Mack]

I like my Saloman's

[Swordpen]

La Sportiva Wildcat trail runners. These have a sticky bottom that holds well on wet surfaces &/or rocks.

altho this isn't a "boot", the sticky bottom will halo grip & take some of the strain off your ankles.

I have sloppy ankles: the right ankle, broke it, then 20 years later, tore all ligaments & tendons in 1987.

i have also thought of taping my ankles, & might do it for some rough sections of the AT. But at home, I don't & just hike with hiking poles & let my ankles work & strengthen on their own.

[shakey_snake]

I have been thinking about transitioning to lighter weight boots. I still need lateral support due to many twisted ankles.

So you've always worn but had many twisted ankles?


It doesn't sound like the "lateral support" is doing you a whole lot of good.

[Maddog]

I've been hiking in Inov-8 Roclite 286's for years and will continue to hike in them as long Inov-8 makes them!(I prefer GTX!) Maddog

[mapman]

So you've always worn but had many twisted ankles?


It doesn't sound like the "lateral support" is doing you a whole lot of good.

Actually with the boots I have had close calls but the boot kept me from turning completely. So +1 for boots. I have had a broken leg just above the ankle. It happened on
the trail but was not due to a turned ankle. It was that flat rock hidden under moist leaves after a long day maintaining the trail.

[leaftye]

Actually with the boots I have had close calls but the boot kept me from turning completely. So +1 for boots.

You can't +1 yourself.

[leaftye]

You can't +1 yourself.

+1

[nu2hike]

I didn't mean to imply that Inov-8 didn't make Gortex boots ,just that mine are not! My preference is for the non Gortex versions!