Low-cut or high-cut 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.
If you can afford two pairs of hikers, by all means, buy both, and then pick and choose. But if you are a ‘thrifty’ scout, buy high tops, which can, and will, serve in any circumstances.
Always buy the higher ones–more support for the ankles and more protection against snakes.
All of my hiking boots are high cut even though I go hiking or backpacking. Reason is to prevent dislocating my ankles.
I like 3/4 boots
a lower high cut works good at bdsr in collorado i work high cut but this was in thevfoothills of the rockys where it was hilly
In my opinion, it’s a matter of preference. I’ve ran tons of trails in cross country shoes, and have been fine. But I’ve also hiked miles and miles on high top boots. It’s just a matter of preference.
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