JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 13, 2015 5:34:23 GMT -8
I need some suggestions for boots and places to get them for a almost nine year old girl. She'll mostly be on trail with some rock scrambling so heavy boots aren't required but something better than her sneakers.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 13, 2015 17:28:57 GMT -8
Hmm...I know your trails back there are pretty rough and rocky, but even so I wonder if boots are really needed. Maybe some heavier running shoes or trail shoes? Even as teens, our boys trekked Peru last summer for 24 days in what amounted to trail runners, or maybe slightly heavier than that. Light bodies don't need so much support from below
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JiminMD
Trail Wise!
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Post by JiminMD on Jul 14, 2015 1:33:15 GMT -8
The only reason for boots in my mind is for some ankle protection. Some of these trails are pretty easy to twist an ankle on and I'm hoping the extra stability will be an asset. The extra weight of a boot might however make it less desirable over all.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jul 14, 2015 2:06:14 GMT -8
Unless they're stiff and she laces them uncomfortably tight I doubt that she'll get much protection from sprained ankles. I want to protect my grandson (!?) from all of the evils in the world, both large and small, but I don't have any issue with him wearing ordinary running shoes or whatever when he gets to hiking age.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 23, 2015 21:31:41 GMT -8
Agree with reubenstump. Bear in mind, too, that little kids don't have as much weight, and are thus much less likely to sprain something when they turn an ankle a bit. I have also concluded (I use a mid-height boot) that a boot would have to be very high to offer much protection--more like the old boots from the 50s (For several I wore a pair of those I inherited from my Mom. They were actually pretty nice).
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Post by bikehikefish on Jul 24, 2015 5:46:12 GMT -8
A few years ago a former regular contributor to the forum (I won't name names TNB), who was very knowledgeable about footwear, maintained that it was a myth that boots provided ankle support. Protection from turned ankles was better provided by a proper fitting shoe with a last appropriate for the individual's foot, thus providing a level, stable platform.
I tend to agree with this. A few years ago I switched from traditional leather hiking boots to low hikers, and my frequency of turning an ankle on the trail has decreased. This could possibly result from less fatigue because the shoe is lighter, I don't know for sure.
Another comment about boot/shoe selection -- While taking kids to Philmont Scout ranch I saw lots of different boots and a lot of blister problems. Some scouts with expensive big name boots, that were properly fitted (in theory), and had blister problems, while I saw kids with $29 K-Mart boots without issues. I wouldn't be afraid to put an inexpensive boot on a 9 year old, especially considering that he/she will outgrow it in short time.
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