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How important is ankle support in a hiking boot?

Are you looking for a new hiking boot and wondering about the importance of ankle support? During hiking, you will often navigate a variety of terrains, including rocky mountain trails with uneven terrain. However, many hikers suffer ankle injuries from cuts and scratches to twists and sprains. Not only can this ruin your hike, but it can also leave you out of action for some time or even cause you to face long-term issues. Good ankle support in the form of men's or women's hiking boots can help you avoid these injuries. You can just focus on putting your best foot forward and having a great time.

What is the importance of ankle support when hiking?

The difference between having ankle support and not can mean avoiding significant pain during a hike. If you're just walking on fairly flat, well-maintained terrain, you're unlikely to experience serious ankle problems. This is especially true if you don't have any pre-existing ankle injury. However, venturing onto uneven or unstable ground, sudden change of direction or wearing a backpack can cause your foot to roll or twist. Good ankle support helps stabilise the joint, reducing excessive movement or overextension, which can lead to injury.

Ankle support in the shape of mountain shoes or boots also helps evenly distribute weight over your foot. This is especially helpful when stepping over rocks or carrying a heavier backpack as the strain on your body increases. It helps to relieve stress on tendons, muscles and ligaments around the joint.

The support hiking shoes provide can reduce discomfort and fatigue and help you keep hiking longer. It also helps improve stability and balance to navigate more challenging trails safely. Wearing high-cut mountain hiking shoes will ensure a safer and more enjoyable hike if you have a history of weak ankles or previous injuries.

How do hiking boots support ankles?

The design and structure of men's and women's hiking shoes provide essential support by stabilising the ankle and foot. These boots are often designed with a high-cut style that protects and supports the foot’s entire structure. Alongside firm rubber soles, it limits excessive ankle movement to reduce rolling or twisting, which are common injuries from hiking on slippery or rocky surfaces. Plus, leather hiking boots rigid structure and extra weight provide extra protection. It ensures the ankle remains neutral and supported even when carrying a heavier backpack.

Many boots also have thick, cushioned insoles and padded collars for additional comfort and support. The lacing of your comfortable hiking shoes also plays a key role in supporting your ankles. It enables you to adjust the boot's tightness around your ankle for tailored support. Thanks to the combination of protection, stability and tailored fit, your outdoor footwear helps reduce fatigue on long hikes and ankle sprains on challenging terrain.

If you don’t need something quite as much heavy-duty ankle support, a lightweight, low hiking shoe can still provide good foot protection and reduce discomfort and fatigue. This option might be more suitable for shorter hikes or less demanding trails and won’t require as much breaking in time.

How should a hiking boot fit for good ankle support?

A hiking boot is only as good as its fit, especially when looking for ankle support. Hight-cut walking shoes that are too tight will likely cause discomfort and potentially cause blisters. On the other hand (or foot), a boot that's too loose won't provide sufficient stability to protect your ankle. Your high-cut all-terrain shoes should fit snugly around your ankle and foot without being restrictive. It should also have a lacing system that enables you to adjust the fit according to your needs to provide stability without compromising comfort. Check out our size guide to ensure the perfect fit.

Don’t forget: when trying on a pair of high-cut winter shoes or waterproof shoes for men, don the hiking socks you’ll wear on the trails.

At Columbia Sportswear®, we are all about helping people get the most out of their outdoor adventures. And that starts with great footwear. We have footwear for every outdoor activity, from hiking sandals for men to lightweight, fast hiking shoes and waterproof hiking shoes. And once you’ve got your footwear tied up, check out our range of hiking clothes for women and men. Whether you want a new hiking jacket, trousers, tops or hats, we’ve got everything you need to make your adventures in the great outdoors even greater.