I was looking to upgrade my summer boots. I really like my heavy duty Keen boots, but wanted something that still has some ankle support, good traction, but something that dries quickly. I was looking at the Hoka One One Arkali as an option. Does anyone have experience with these?

I didn't find any data providing that shoes with ankle support provide higher defense from ankle injury for people with healthy ankles. For instance, here's a serious study on this matter. In my own experience toning muscles is probably much more important than a choice of shoes. Astral TR1 Merge shoes look very good for wet-foot portaging.

EddyTurn: "I didn't find any data providing that shoes with ankle support provide higher defense from ankle injury for people with healthy ankles. For instance, here's a serious study on this matter. In my own experience toning muscles is probably much more important than a choice of shoes. Astral TR1 Merge shoes look very good for wet-foot portaging.
"

"Ankle support" is borderline myth if not thoroughly debunked already--quite a lot of investigation into this subject out there for those interested in finding and reading it all. The human foot didn't evolve to be babysat and supported by shoes with tapered toe boxes, arch-supporting insoles, stiff outsoles, high leathery sides... I wear Astral Loyaks, and such minimalistic shoes are great. To go straight from wearing restrictive footwear to minimal cold-turkey is probably a bad idea since one has to strengthen all this atrophied muscles first, but I made the switch over time and am so glad. I feel less safe/sure-footed in my muck boots then I do in my Loyaks in rugged terrain.

There are even segments of the military, including the SEALs who have ditched boots for footwear more like trail runners, and I'm pretty sure most serious hikers are using trail runners if not more minimalistic shoes rather than boots these days. Now, in snake country I might go for boots for the bite protection, but I think there are gaiters that would do that job and allow me to keep my shoes, so I'd go that route if it exists.

All that having been said, I assume that if someone is asking for advice on a "supportive" boot, that's what they want. They're on the same internet we all are with access to the same search engines and info on what different kinds of footwear do and do not actually accomplish. If they want a boot, then they want a boot for whatever their reasons are. I don't have any recommendations to share there, though.

So no experience with the Hoka One One Arkali shoes then?

I prefer ankle high boots - not for ankle support, but because they are more secure in boot-sucking mud. They do also provide some additional protection to ankle bones from rocks etc.

I have no experience with the Arkali brotherbear, but have a pair of Hoka One One shoes I have used for walking. I have liked those.

boonie: "I prefer ankle high boots - not for ankle support, but because they are more secure in boot-sucking mud. They do also provide some additional protection to ankle bones from rocks etc."

Exactly my sentiment. Light shoes, like Astral could be great on easier trails, but portaging heavy load on a rough terrain, through mud and rocks requires some extra protection - at my age it takes really long time to grow new toenails. High shoes also protect from sand and debris at the landings when wet-footing. Sorry for taking the topic away from Hoka, no experience with them.

After listening to some opinions from distance hikers, I've changed my tune on ankle support. Healthy and strong joints are key, if you slip and your ankle is supported that torque will be transferred to other areas like your knees. Strong ankle act as shock absorbers to prevent other injuries.

Lightweight shoes like the Hokas should perform well for a short time but environments like the BWCA tend to eat them up quickly. Rocks, sand, wet can be pretty harsh on those lightweight synthetic fabrics and glues.

My 2 cents.

I picked up a pair of these for me and my son, lower-cut ones for my wife. Took them out fishing once, love love love them. Looking forward to testing them on the portages this summer.
Astral TR1 Merge

scotttimm: "I picked up a pair of these for me and my son, lower-cut ones for my wife. Took them out fishing once, love love love them. Looking forward to testing them on the portages this summer.
Astral TR1 Merge "

This was another pair I was interested in. Let me know how it goes after your trip!

fadersup: "After listening to some opinions from distance hikers, I've changed my tune on ankle support. Healthy and strong joints are key, if you slip and your ankle is supported that torque will be transferred to other areas like your knees. Strong ankle act as shock absorbers to prevent other injuries.


Lightweight shoes like the Hokas should perform well for a short time but environments like the BWCA tend to eat them up quickly. Rocks, sand, wet can be pretty harsh on those lightweight synthetic fabrics and glues.


My 2 cents."

Thanks! Very good point about the uppers! I was thinking about outsoles but not taking into account how the uppers are bonded together.

brotherbear: "

scotttimm: "I picked up a pair of these for me and my son, lower-cut ones for my wife. Took them out fishing once, love love love them. Looking forward to testing them on the portages this summer.
Astral TR1 Merge "

This was another pair I was interested in. Let me know how it goes after your trip!"

I've done my last two trips wet footing in these. Best wet footing shoe I've found thus far. Excellent grip and support when negotiating footing at rocky landings. Quick draining, quick-drying. Not too heavy. I highly recommend them!

Danner Tachyon

++ on the TR1 Merge. Been using them happily the past two seasons. It's been covered/reviewed on several threads in the Gear Forum....just search on TR1 Merge for more info.

portagedog09: "++ on the TR1 Merge. Been using them happily the past two seasons. It's been covered/reviewed on several threads in the Gear Forum....just search on TR1 Merge for more info."

I also see that they have a new shoe the Pisgah Pisgah. It looks very similar to the TR1 Merge, but is a waterproof canvas material on the upper. It also is advertising it as "quick-drying" like the TR1.

I always thought of my mid height boots as more stable because the boot won't shift on me as I step on a rock. A softer shoe that isn't built like a boot always feels like it is going to have significantly more give or slippage. So in my mind it's not the height of the boot that secures the ankle, it's the firm sole that's braced by the ankle that doesn't fail me when I step on a rock.

I only ever wear boots for warmth or in the bwca though, so maybe the strong ankle argument doesn't apply to me.

I know you mentioned keen. Have you looked at the Voyager. Light weight, great drainage and comes in mid and low .