Mid Cut Vs. Low Cut Vs. High Ankle Hiking Boots [How To Choose]

In terms of climbing footwear, there’s a dizzying quantity of choices on the market. Inevitably, the query of whether or not it is best to go for a mid reduce, low reduce, excessive ankle boot, and even sandals will come up.

Footwear Faculties Of Thought

There are a number of faculties of thought on the subject: hardcore boot lovers will insist that the one secure choice is rugged, high-top, seemingly bombproof climbing boots. Ankle assist, they’ll inform you, is of utmost significance.

However, there’s a rising contingent of hikers who swear by low-profile path trainers, preferring the lighter and extra streamlined design.

After which, there are the sandal advocates, who discover the recent air between their toes liberating, arguing that the one actual necessity is a robust sole and cozy straps. 

So, what’s finest? Sturdy, high- or mid-cut boots which will weigh additional however may defend your susceptible bony ankles? Or maybe the smooth, light-weight path runners that may make you fly down single-tracks with ease?

First, let’s dive into the several types of footwear and ankle assist.

Excessive Ankle, Low Lower, Mid Lower Boots/Sneakers – What Are They?

Excessive Ankle

Low Lower

Mid Lower

*Disclaimer: The above accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, which means we get a small fee if you buy by way of these hyperlinks. These are simply examples of trainers in every class so that you can see and go searching. They occur to be fashions and respected manufacturers that we have now tried and had success with.

Our Course of For Serving to You Select

To assist decide what’s the most effective fashion of footwear for every state of affairs, we requested two robust cohorts of hard-core hikers: Girls of the Pacific Crest Path and Climbing Colorado Fb teams. We additionally took a have a look at footwear research (references at backside of publish), and integrated our personal common information that will help you make the most effective resolution.

Ankle Stability in Low Lower, Mid Lower, & Excessive Ankle Boots

Regardless of what chances are you’ll assume, in case you have a historical past of ankle points, these high-top boots received’t essentially save your ankles. A 2014 examine performed by the Journal of Foot and Ankle Analysis discovered that high-top sneakers may very well have a detrimental impact on ankle stability.

Within the examine, researchers discovered that the shoe collar peak didn’t affect ankle stability when members landed on a tilted floor. Excessive-top sneakers may really forestall ankle muscle tissue from participating; “…this may be detrimental to establishing and sustaining useful ankle joint stability in ankle pressure conditions,” the examine reads.

Based mostly on the examine’s findings, ankle stability needn’t be an element when selecting footwear. The true good thing about high- or mid-cut versus low-cut is in the way in which they’ll defend from the weather, to not point out pesky rocks and different particles which will attempt to sneak into your sneakers whilst you cruise down the path.

What Avid Hikers Assume

From the PCT group, a few dozen ladies responded with almost unanimous solutions: path trainers, all the way in which, they stated. Now, there are some good causes for light-weight sneakers for these doing the two,650-mile PCT: many individuals are going for enormous distances every day, which suggests they’re of the light-and-fast mentality. Additionally, they’re sometimes climbing in hotter/dryer seasons, so waterproof sneakers aren’t at all times a necessity.

Judy Flexer has been an avid hiker for over 50 years. She began section-hiking the PCT 15 years in the past, and has accomplished 2,400 miles of it together with her husband. She plans to finish her closing 274 miles this yr.

“It’s been trial and error,” Judy stated of her experimenting with footwear. She began as many do, with stiff leather-based boots. When she began section-hiking the PCT, nevertheless, she switched to path runners, and stated she wouldn’t return. Actually, she saved going lighter and lighter each few years, and ended up with a shoe so light-weight that it gave her plantar fasciitis and tendonitis in her ft. The harm hasn’t modified her emotions about path runners, however she now wears a stiffer shoe that stops her from bending at mid-foot.

One other PCT hiker Connie Westbrook agreed, saying that when she switched to path trainers, it was the primary time she didn’t get heel blisters or felt ache in her ft, even when moist.

After which there have been the minimalists, with two ladies saying sandals had been their go-to.

For thru-hikers, it’s all about pace, so it’s widespread to see most PCT hikers in light-weight footwear. Heavy climbing boots are likely to gradual you down, because the Sir Edmund Hillary adage declares, “a pound in your ft equals 5 in your again.” Actually, it has scientific backing: a examine from the US Military within the Eighties discovered that even small will increase within the weight of footwear requires increased power expenditures for walkers and runners.

So, what’s the argument for boots?

For one, in case you’re climbing in shoulder seasons or winter and know you’ll encounter some snow or colder temps, the upper the reduce, the extra safety and heat you’ll obtain. A water-resistant boot will will let you get by way of stream crossings or the occasional snow patch with much more ease and comfortability than low-cut path runners.

One other issue to contemplate is the load in your again: high- and even mid-cut boots can present extra common stability and luxury in case you’re carrying an enormous pack with every week’s price of meals and provides. Greater-cut boots are additionally sometimes made out of sturdier supplies than most path runners, so will seemingly last more.

Hikers from the Climbing Colorado group additionally weighed in, many saying they wish to have each high- and low-cut boots of their closet to allow them to costume to the situations.

“My low profile sneakers really feel extra like sneakers and weigh a lot much less, which I desire, particularly for shorter hikes on effectively groomed trails,” hiker Amber DeAnn stated. “Something not effectively groomed, snow, mud, ice, and so forth., and I throw on the boots.”

Aaron Smith stated he solely makes use of boots on snowy ascents. For a lot of the yr, he’s in path runners, particularly if he’s protecting distances over 10 miles. “A lighter pack permits for gentle footwear,” he stated.

One other group member, Kevin Munson, stated he’s a fan of the upper reduce sneakers for backpacking, having fun with the durability they supply. However, he’ll sometimes go for the path runners when he’s not climbing with a whole lot of gear on his again.

Chelsea Reese stated she extremely recommends that you just strive sneakers before you purchase, as a result of she will’t stand the texture of mid-cut sneakers on her ankles. “I went for a climbing shoe that appears like a climbing boot, however within the form of a tennis shoe,” she stated. “I really like precise boots too. That dang mid-rise although!”

Selecting The Proper Footwear For You

So, what footwear is finest for you? There are a number of components to contemplate.

Terrain: One of many first issues ought to be evaluating the terrain the place you’ll be climbing. Should you’re bush-bashing, river-crossing, or mud-mucking, you might have considered trying the sturdy safety {that a} boot can present. Although they might not do a lot for ankle stability, the high-tops may save your ankles from the weather. Nevertheless, in case you’re headed out on a summer season hike to bag 10 miles on a well-packed and flat single monitor, path runners could be a greater choice for each pace and luxury.

Flat terrain: You’ll be able to sometimes get away with low-cut sneakers on flat terrain, until you’re transferring by way of muddy, icy, or snowy situations that require extra heat and safety. Excessive-cut boots might gradual you down right here, however may present some sense of consolation if the path situations are tough.
Heavy elevation modifications: Low-cut sneakers will present the best quantity of flexion if you understand you’ll be scaling some rocky terrain and also you need to transfer shortly. Nevertheless, in case your path brings you above the snowline, ensure you have a shoe that may face up to the colder situations, with waterproof lining and durable soles for the altering panorama.
Rocky terrain: Whereas higher-cut boots might not present higher ankle stability, chances are you’ll respect the safety from bruising or cuts that might include climbing in rocky terrain. Plus, a sturdier sole will defend the underside of your ft from the uneven floor. Nevertheless, in case you’re attempting to maneuver shortly, your low-cut runners offers you essentially the most flexion and maneuverability.
Grime paths: A dust path is usually fairly low-impact on the foot, so you might be lots snug in low-cut, versatile sneakers. However in case you’re seeking to maintain your ft from getting caked in filth, go for a sturdier materials, as some path runners have thinner outer supplies, letting in finer filth particles.
Moist situations: There’s nothing worse than trench foot, so this is a crucial one. There are additionally a pair faculties of thought on this: thicker climbing boots are sometimes principally waterproof – to an extent. I as soon as did a river crossing in a brand new pair of climbing boots, which instantly stuffed with water and have become ten instances heavier. They took two days to dry, and I used to be extremely uncomfortable for the remainder of the journey. Had I been sporting path runners, they’d have been a lot lighter even when moist, and would have dried far more shortly. Nevertheless, Should you’re solely coping with rain and no main crossings, your boots will seemingly maintain you dry, however sooner or later, I’d go for lighter footwear for deeper river crossings.
Snowy situations: For any snowy terrain, go away the path runners at house. Mid- and high-cut boots will maintain you hotter, dryer, and can permit you post-hole with out feeling like your ft will flip into chunks of ice.
Snake territory, cacti areas, and tall grass: Should you’re venturing into areas the place snakes are a priority, or there’s some harsher vegetation comparable to cacti or tall, deep grass, seize the ankle-protecting sneakers. You’ll be much less prone to want your First Help Equipment or anti-venom…
Climate: Much like terrain issues, climate could be a massive influencer of shoe selection. For instance, winter climbing means you might encounter the whole lot from muddy slush puddles to sheer ice; possibly even just a little post-holing, relying on how lately it snowed. Excessive-top climbing boots will maintain you hotter, dryer, and enable you really feel just a little sturdier in your ft. However, if you understand you received’t be encountering any snow or ice, the light-weight runners may be the go-to, relying in your terrain.
Expertise: Should you’re new to climbing, you would possibly really feel extra assured with boots. The broader and thicker soles can deliver confidence to a beginner, requiring rather less agility than low-profile trial runners.
Pace: This can be a massive one, as boots can add pointless weight to your body. Somewhat additional weight whenever you’re casually meandering by way of the mountains shouldn’t make an enormous distinction to your day. However, in case you’re thru-hiking the PCT, each pound issues. Hardcore hikers will search for each alternative to slash weight, some even chopping their toothbrush all the way down to shed additional ounces. Should you’re going for mileage, discover a snug pair of path runners or lighter pair of mid-cut sneakers; you’ll seemingly choose up pace when you shed the boots.
Foot well being: Should you’ve had foot accidents prior to now (damaged toes, tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis for instance), you’ll need to think about that whenever you select footwear. This doesn’t pigeon-hole you into needing boots, however might imply it is best to go for a stiff-soled path runner, or one with structural integrity.

Conclusion

Should you’re an avid hiker seeking to expertise a various vary of trails from the backcountry to the frontcountry, it’s a good suggestion to put money into each a pair of trainers and a pair of path runners. You’ll be capable of head into any terrain or goal with extra confidence, and can seemingly come away with a higher information of your capabilities.

References

Research on weight of trainers and efficiency: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140138608968276

Research on ankle stability and high- vs low-top sneakers: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3943374/

Meghan Walker

Meghan Walker is a contract author who, when not writing concerning the outdoor, is usually climbing within the canyons dotted alongside the foothills of the Entrance Vary. Meghan has a number of yr’s expertise writing concerning the tramping (aka climbing) scene in New Zealand, the place she avidly explored the path and hut community that spreads over each the North and South Islands. As a latest transplant to Boulder, Meghan is now absorbing the plethora of out of doors alternatives in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.