Boots with Ankle Hinge Design

unL33T · Jul 7, 2015

Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

I'm in the market for new boots and would like something that could help prevent over articulation of my ankle in as many directions as possible. The ankle hinge design I've seen on a few boots (some have it internal, some external) seems like it would be best for this. Ideally I'd like something with more casual style and less "Power Ranger" looking and ideally as comfortable as possible for normal walking around. Hopefully not too tall. Maybe touring or cruiser style (despite the fact that I ride I sport style bike)? Something that just looks like a hiking or work boot would be ideal. Side zip closure for easy on and off preferred.

I currently have some Sidi Vertigo Mega Gore which just have a plastic slider on the ankle and even in a low speed drop I bent my ankle in a certain way that resulted in a tiny crack.

Any suggestions for boots that have this type of protection? Any reason why this might actually be a poor design and not as protective as I may think? Seems most boots of other design just have some padding around the ankle.

Some examples of what I'm talking about (not the style I am looking for, though)...

Sidi Vertigo Corsa with external ankle hinges:

Daytona Security Evo G3 with internal ankle hinge:

Sidi Vortice with external ankle hinges:

Alpinestars Supertech R:

Jayv · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

Daytona boots.

kellen · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

TCX top model boot has it as well. At least my older ones did (have supertech rs now)

TorontoBoy · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

I'm not sure how stiff the ankle of these boots are, but excessive ankle extension forces could be transmitted up to the next higher joint, which is the knee. The force must go somewhere.

jc100 · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

TorontoBoy said:
I'm not sure how stiff the ankle of these boots are, but excessive ankle extension forces could be transmitted up to the next higher joint, which is the knee. The force must go somewhere.

^^ This is what I've read too and experienced to some degree. Skiing accidents can sometimes result in broken femurs because the feet and ankles are held so rigidly. I broke my ankle in three places playing soccer with an ankle brace on because my foot couldn't flex as much as it should have in a sliding tackle...when it needed to bend it did so with so much force I shattered both ankle bones and my heel. My own preference is for good impact protection with some flexibility. If you don't have the flexibility then they won't be comfortable for walking in anyway.

Mina · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

Jayv said:
Daytona boots.

This. I've crashed twice in mine and they did their job very well. Worth every penny, IMO. Not to mention that their outers are replaceable.

unL33T · Jul 7, 2015

unL33T · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

jc100 said:
^^ This is what I've read too and experienced to some degree. Skiing accidents can sometimes result in broken femurs because the feet and ankles are held so rigidly. I broke my ankle in three places playing soccer with an ankle brace on because my foot couldn't flex as much as it should have in a sliding tackle...when it needed to bend it did so with so much force I shattered both ankle bones and my heel. My own preference is for good impact protection with some flexibility. If you don't have the flexibility then they won't be comfortable for walking in anyway.

I always read that most gear was designed to protect the ankle and knee and transfer the force to leg bones because they are less complicated (and less numerous) and heal more easily. But that's why I made this thread, to get suggestions and discuss. So thanks for the feedback!

Roomie · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

I bought these and love them. All day long comfortable. While they may not look like hiking boots or anything, even when wearing jeans they're fairly "normal" in appearance.

jc100 · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

unL33T said:
I always read that most gear was designed to protect the ankle and knee and transfer the force to leg bones because they are less complicated (and less numerous) and heal more easily. But that's why I made this thread, to get suggestions and discuss. So thanks for the feedback!

True...and it's confusing as there's a reason why braces and boots are made the way they are but I'm very wary about totally restricting rotational movement in my own footwear now because of what happened. I want crush protection on my feet for sure and my boots have armour over the ankle bones and shins and are rigid in the toebox. I think racing boots are made the way they are as there's no walking involved and also sustained high speeds so maximum armour. All I know is that if you break your femur that's very bad news compared to an ankle, tibia, fibia or knee.

GreyGhost · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

I have BMW Transitions. Love them. Bought them after ruining my ankle in boots without great ankle support. They are not like offroad/power ranger boots that lock onto your calf. They do provide a ton of support from rolling your ankle.

ZX600 · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

I got the Daytona Security Evo and they are the perfect.

unL33T · Jul 7, 2015

List on post #7 updated to show Dainese models.

unL33T · Jul 7, 2015

Roomie said:
I bought these and love them. All day long comfortable. While they may not look like hiking boots or anything, even when wearing jeans they're fairly "normal" in appearance.

All day comfortable on the bike or do you mean you could wear them all day at work and be fine?

GreyGhost said:
I have BMW Transitions. Love them. Bought them after ruining my ankle in boots without great ankle support. They are not like offroad/power ranger boots that lock onto your calf. They do provide a ton of support from rolling your ankle.

Only complaint I could find about these boots is that they are too comfy so people wear them all day at work and wear out the soles really fast because of that, lol. A few people had minor complaints that they are a bit bulky. They look kind of thick from the pics.

unL33T · Jul 7, 2015

With Dainese boots, if you randomly swap between wearing them in or out which model is best for that? The "in" model or the "out" model?

Roomie · Jul 7, 2015

Mine are torque rs out boots. I mean I could run a marathon in them comfortable. I just did a 2400 km weekend in them and they were great. Even in the rain because the venting is in the rear of the boot I stayed dry with my rain gear on. Best boot purchase I've ever made.

Jayv · Jul 7, 2015

My Daytona's feel like slippers compared to my Dainese.

Don't think i'll ever buy another brand of boots again.

TorontoBoy · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

jc100 said:
True...and it's confusing as there's a reason why braces and boots are made the way they are but I'm very wary about totally restricting rotational movement in my own footwear now because of what happened. I want crush protection on my feet for sure and my boots have armour over the ankle bones and shins and are rigid in the toebox. I think racing boots are made the way they are as there's no walking involved and also sustained high speeds so maximum armour. All I know is that if you break your femur that's very bad news compared to an ankle, tibia, fibia or knee.

With a highly supported ankle, going up the leg, the knee is the weakest link. Your femur is the strongest bone in your body. Your hip socket is huge, and covers up enough of the ball joint that it is hard to dislodge. Your knee has 6 major ligaments stabilizing the joint. Stretch or tear them and you wobble for the rest of your life. Ligaments take a long time to bounce back.

I've made it a point to complain to the Maker about his design specification for the knee. Yes, he biased to range of motion, but really? We walk on the damn things. He could not add more support? It's not like a floppy arm. I want a redesign...

TorontoBoy · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

Roomie said:

GreyGhost said:

Both these boots allow ankle flexion/extension movement, which is probably why they are comfortable to walk in. The are designed for medial/lateral support. With flexion/extension movement both the ankle and the knee can absorb force, reducing the possibility of blowing out either.

brucewayne · Jul 7, 2015

Re: Boots with Ankle Hinge Design?

torontoboy makes good points... acl, mcl, lcl gets torn all the time in hockey, football, mma, etc. ive been down in sidi vertigos, i tweaked my knee a bit but ankles were fine. buying them i was more worried about ankles since ive torn mine a few times. now, i would try something with more ankle flexibility to avoid knee damage... i also walk around a lot in my boots though. something like the corsa or vortice look like good.

Boots with Ankle Hinge Design

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