Do Hiking Boots Provide Ankle Support? Feet and ankle support are essential for every footwear, whether hiking boots or general trail shoes. Hiking boots are solely made for hiking and provide enough traction to stay on rocky or rough terrains.
They are durable and can endure even harsh weather. Also, hiking boots are made comfortable by the manufacturers so that there is not much stress on the heels, and you don’t get the runner’s feet or athlete’s foot.
When hiking, if a hiker gets sprained or twists the ankle by accident, it may cause excruciating pain. You may have to leave the terrain and go back home immediately.
You can be constrained to a bed or bench for many weeks, and hiking will be prohibited. Sometimes, the problem gets serious, and you must seek medical help or stay in the hospital for a while. Some ointments can provide quick relief, but they are not a permanent solution.
While on the terrain, you must take care of the footwear you’re wearing because no matter how careful you are on the trail, you can get injured. For instance, if you’re wearing a flip-flop on rough hiking terrain, you may get your feet twisted or sprained. So, the first thing is to wear hiking boots or trail shoes if you plan to go on the hiking terrain or climb the up-hills or downhills.
Hiking boots are known for providing “ankle support,” which makes them superior to other boots or trail running shoes. But do hiking boots provide ankle support, or is it just a myth?
It is being fed to our minds that we need hiking boots that are waterproof, durable, resilient to the weather, comfortable, and provide ankle support. It is so because hiking boots support the lower body and back muscles to lift the extra backpack and your weight.
But the question is, do you need ankle support? Do hiking boots provide ankle support?
Why Do Ankle Injuries Occur?
The ankle is a joint that supports the feet and carries the body’s whole weight. Unlike the arm motion, where you can rotate the arm in any direction, the ankle does not provide that much flexibility and has a specific plane of motion.
If you move your arm in a circle, you’ll see that you can almost move it to a certain angle, but with the toes, you will be restricted and cannot form a complete circle or even a half.
So when there is a sudden change in the direction of movement of the joints altogether, the ankle gets twisted easily, causing injuries like foot sprain or fractures. Athletes are more susceptible to ankle injuries as they hike a lot or do sports more than a common person.
Sprained ankles can also happen due to a lack of ankle exercises. Whether you’re an athlete or a common person going on a hiking venture, it doesn’t matter. You have to train your muscles to get the flexibility.
Do You Need Ankle Support While Hiking?
If you are susceptible to injuries and don’t have weak muscles or joints, then you won’t need the ankle support or hiking boots that provide the ankle support. Simple trial or running shoes will be enough for you while hiking the terrains, and you’ll be all fine.
Ankle support is important for people who have weak joints and cannot bear much of the weight while on the terrain. However, no matter how strong your ankles are, don’t wear flip-flops or other slippery footwear while hiking because they can cause injuries.
Things To Focus On While Hiking
Instead of focusing solely on the “ankle support” features in the hiking boots, there are some other factors that you should consider while hiking on the terrains:
The Perfect Fit
The first thing to remember while wearing hiking boots is whether it’s a perfect fit for you. The rule of thumb is that the boot must be intact with your feet so that your foot stays in place while inside the boot, and also, there must be some room left in the toe box, so you don’t feel too tight.
And if your hiking boots are a perfect size, they will automatically provide ankle support because they are designed to be like that by the manufacturers.
Your Hiking Energy
If you’re a beginner hiker, you must go on and find hiking boots with thick soles and extra cushions inside to provide extra support to the feet and ankles. For the pro hikers, mid-soles and normal hiking boots will work best.
Also, in the beginning, your hiking energy wouldn’t be enough to keep going on for hours without breaks. That is why try to flex your muscles, train them, and then increase your stamina with time.
Type Of Terrain
While going hiking, you must also consider the terrain you’re going to hike on. For example, in the beginning, try to go to small hiking terrains so that you don’t feel tired, your feet don’t swell, and you can easily manage to come back home without any injuries or rashes.
Hiking for longer periods, initially, will cause the muscles to get sore and can also cause blisters. Pro hikers and athletes train their muscles and joints before doing the hectic activities, whether running for miles or hiking for hours. Also, in the start, keep your pace and distance low while the training is high.
Using Hiking Poles
Hiking poles are tools specially designed for hikers with weak ankles or who need extra support on the terrains. It will help you divide the weight into arms and legs so that there isn’t excessive pressure on the ankles or feet. Moreover, you can easily catch yourself up if caught up in slipping on the terrain.
Treating Ankle Injuries On Hike
- The first thing to do if you get an ankle injury is to rest. If you are hiking continuously, take a rest or a break so that the feet feel relaxed and don’t tire much.
- You can also apply ice on the ankles or in the area where there is a sprain. Or place the feet inside the cold water to stabilize the pain and injury.
- Elevating the ankles above the heart will decrease the blood flow in the leg area then the pain can become less agonizing. You can do this by placing your leg in an upward position on the tree while lying down for a few minutes.
- You can also apply ointments that provide quick relief or tighten the ankle area with a piece of cloth so you don’t feel much stress while walking.
Ankle Exercise
- Try walking on the tip toes for short intervals of seconds. It will help strengthen the ankles and provide support to the heel.
- Doing squats on Tippie’s toes will increase the strength of the legs and also will train the ankles to be stronger.
- Towel tug is another exercise that will strengthen the ankle joints. Place the towel around the toes while keeping the legs straight.
- You can flex the feet up and down and move them in a circular motion to get ankle strength.
Hiking Boots Vs. Hiking Shoes For Ankle Support
Hiking shoes are a better option for you if you don’t have any history of foot injuries or ankle injuries in the past. Hiking shoes are for the strong feet and ankles because they are lightweight and provide good traction while on the terrain. Many hikers prefer hiking shoes over hiking boots because you get the whole package and shoes that are not heavy on the feet.
Hiking boots, in contrast, are heavy-duty boots that provide full traction on the terrain and ankle support. Ankle support means that the boots limit the ankle movements, so when you minorly twist your feet, the ankles won’t get injured or fractured.
Also, there are other good reasons you should opt for hiking boots: they are water-resistant, and you can wear them in the rain or on muddy terrains without fearing wet feet.
Moreover, ankle braces are used to get additional ankle support if needed.
Final Thoughts
Hiking boots provide sufficient comfort and support, especially for people with weak joints or muscle injuries. But do hiking boots provide ankle support? Yes, they do. Hiking boots are designed to provide seamless support to the overall lower body.
Ankles and feet are protected, and their movements are restricted, so you’ll not get sprained or injured during the hike when you accidentally twist your feet or ankles.
However, if the injury occurs, you must rest immediately and wrap the area with a cloth tightly. Preventing ankle injuries depends on the type of footwear you wear and the type of terrain that you hike on. It also depends on the intensity of your hiking and whether your muscles are prepared for it or not. During the injury, apply ice, wrap a good cloth around, and elevate the legs to stabilize the pain.
If the problem is more serious and you seem unable to walk for weeks, we suggest you seek medical help.