adding ankle support to approach shoes

Hi all:

Was hoping to save both some weight and some money by using approach shoes for the walk in on a wilderness climbing trip (Wind Rivers). Was thinking of trying something like the Aircast Airsport ( stores.nextag.com/store/479…) to stabilize my ankles while wearing a heavy pack to/from "basecamp". I'll be using trekking poles either way. I don't have weak ankles and have never broken or sprained either of them. Overkill? Useless? Great idea? Something else?

Cheers,
David

Hi David,
I would consider approach shoes that have ankle support. It's always a trade off. My 5.10 Exum Guides are great for carrying a light weekend load of around 40lbs. My scarpa low tops are more suited for day trips where stiffer soles are needed for low class 5 climbing.

How much weight will be in your pack going in?

BTW, your link doesn't work so I'm not sure what product you are looking at.

Jake Jones wrote:I say with trekking poles you're fine with regular approach shoes. If you're in the backcountry, maybe consider a pair of hiking boots? That's my rule of thumb: Trail = approach shoes, no trail = hiking boots.

Yeah, I'm trying to skate around the hiking boot option, because I'd have very little use for hiking boots in everyday life...pretty much exclusively use approach shoes because the last time I overnighted in the backcountry was like...decades ago. 'Course, this trip may change that!

Get the lightest thing you can find with a stable platform for the feet (stiff soles). Flexible soles don't work well on extreme terrain. The less weight on your feet, the better. FiveTen Guide Tennie would work. Don't worry about ankle support. Even with a semi-heavy pack you'll be fine. I only use hiking boots for cold conditions. Without a pack, I use running shoes. Works fine.

randy88fj62 wrote:Hi David, I would consider approach shoes that have ankle support. It's always a trade off. My 5.10 Exum Guides are great for carrying a light weekend load of around 40lbs. My scarpa low tops are more suited for day trips where stiffer soles are needed for low class 5 climbing. How much weight will be in your pack going in? BTW, your link doesn't work so I'm not sure what product you are looking at.

Sorry about the link, maybe this one'll work?
betterbraces.com/aircast-ai…

I'm guessing packs will be in the 70-80# range...rack, tent, rope, week of food, etc. Really like having approach shoes that are light enough that I'm happy enough carrying on a climb, which to me means a low-top. Just picked up a pair of Guide Tennies which many folks seem to like.

You could always just tape your ankles for the hike in/out.

aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to…

If you don't have weak ankles and have never had problems, I think you'll be fine with lowtops. Or tape your ankle.

Also, I noticed La Sportiva makes a mid-top version of the approach shoe I own.

sportiva.com/products/footw…

hey dave,

you will (most likely) be just fine in approach shoes.

that is all i ever wear in the winds (aug/sept time.)

trekking poles help.

the trail is well worn and mostly easy hiking along the way.

good luck on your trip!

cor

ps: only a few routes require any snow travel for approach even...

Eric Fjellanger wrote:If you don't have weak ankles and have never had problems, I think you'll be fine with lowtops. Or tape your ankle. Also, I noticed La Sportiva makes a mid-top version of the approach shoe I own. sportiva.com/products/footw…

yeah, and they're awesome! i recc a pair asap, kinda an improvement too, as they added goretex to the mid tops!