Do high-top boots actually prevent ankle sprains?

The answer is not settled. Some laboratory tests find that high-top footwear can reduce ankle inversion under specific conditions, but evidence that ordinary hiking-boot height prevents trail sprains is limited. Fit, cuff stiffness, lacing, terrain, previous injury, and the wearer all matter.

Are trail runners good enough for fell walking?

They can be, depending on the person and conditions. Trail runners are often lighter and can dry quickly; boots generally offer more protection and insulation. Fit, grip, terrain, weather, load, pace, and injury history matter more than the label.

Why do my feet get so wet even in waterproof boots?

Moisture can come from sweat, water entering over the cuff, leakage, or damage. A waterproof membrane slows liquid water entering through the upper but cannot stop sweat production, and a lined boot may dry more slowly once the inside is wet.

Do You Actually Need That?

What Do Your Feet Actually Need on the Fells?

Everyone has an opinion on boots. Waterproof or not? Ankle support or trail runners? The answer, it turns out, depends less on the mountain and more on the feet inside them — and most of us have been getting it wrong for years.

8 August 20268 min read