Help with Ankles

Bunkin

FNG
Joined
Sep 24, 2014
Messages
61
Hi guys, I have a perpetual problem of rolling my ankles when descending on a hike or hunt. Usually I just walk it off, but as I am looking at doing longer back country hunts I'm realizing I should look into seeing if there is something I should be doing to remedy the problem. I have not necessarily found it to be boot specific. I have found its more exaggerated when I am more tired/exhausted at the end of a trip. It usually happens on a maintained trail with un even rocks.

I currently wear Asolo Fugitive GTX boots (pictured below) and they are about worn out, so this would be a good time to try to find a new boot that may perhaps work better for this than others.

I was discussing this situation with my brother recently and mentioned that I thought I may try a higher cut boot to address more ankle support, but he mentioned that he had learned from a sports physical therapist that lower cut boots with an ankle brace may be better but its been years since that conversation.

Anyone have experience in this area?


WOBK.jpg
 
Joined
May 10, 2017
Messages
2,160
I had rolled ankles here and there but nothing too bad except a stretch where I just kept rolling them and had a bad sprain at 15 or 16. For 2-3 months it was a real issue for me.

I tried braces, different shoes, all kinds of things. Those are just bandaids in my opinion and not failsafes. I worked hard with our athletic trainers and did a bunch of ankle strengthening exercises. It solved the problem and now I can wear whatever shoes and not really worry about it. I even wear low tops playing basketball. I’m not an md but my opinion and what I’ve been told is focus on ankle strengthening and resolving the issue. I think a physical therapist could be real helpful where you likely wouldn’t have an athletic training staff at your disposal.
 
Last edited:

aroyak

FNG
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Messages
3
Location
Anchorage, Alaska
I see this is an old post, and my first post but I'll chime-in. Based on my experience I completely agree with @idahohikker on this one. After rolling my ankles in sports, and suffering a sever ankle sprain packing a goat out in Kodiak, left me convinced I needed ankle braces and taller boots (I sprained my ankle in my 10" Crispi Briksdals) for my weak ankles. To your actual question about boots, I own the same pair of Asolos, they're great boots but I don't feel they're supportive enough to pack an animal out of the backcountry. And even with a taller stiffer boot I still sustained an ankle sprain under heavy weight.

I sought out a sports physical therapist for the 2020 Fall season and it changed my life and outlook on my "weak ankles". I'm not a physical therapist so please take my experience with a grain of salt.

I thought my sprain in Kodiak was the result of weak ankles and needing taller boots and a brace, in reality my ankles were prone to rolling because I had weak hip abductors and glutes. After seeing my PT for a month and diligently strengthening the supportive muscles in my legs, addressed my ankle issues. I hike with a weighted pack throughout the Summer and was surprised to learn that my glutes/hips were underdeveloped compared to my quads and hip flexors. Making these small changes completely changed my balance and endurance and allowed me to pack out 2 animals solo this year.

I also highly recommend using trekking poles.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:

LukiLanda

FNG
Joined
Dec 16, 2021
Messages
17
Hi guys, I have a perpetual problem of rolling my ankles when descending on a hike or hunt. Usually I just walk it off, but as I am looking at doing longer back country hunts I'm realizing I should look into seeing if there is something I should be doing to remedy the problem. I have not necessarily found it to be boot specific. I have found its more exaggerated when I am more tired/exhausted at the end of a trip. It usually happens on a maintained trail with un even rocks.

I currently wear Asolo Fugitive GTX boots (pictured below) and they are about worn out, so this would be a good time to try to find a new boot that may perhaps work better for this than others.

I was discussing this situation with my brother recently and mentioned that I thought I may try a higher cut boot to address more ankle support, but he mentioned that he had learned from a sports physical therapist that lower cut boots with an ankle brace may be better but its been years since that conversation.

Anyone have experience in this area?


WOBK.jpg
I have the exact same issues. Did you find a solution? Boots?
 
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