[SMKS]

As it gets later into the 24-week mountaineering training plan, it says to start wearing your mountaineering boots on some of the training hikes.  I don’t have boots yet, but even if I did I’d be wary to start bringing out my very expensive boots into the rugged desert to get destroyed.

Would wearing ankle weights (like this) be an acceptable alternative to get the body more used to the weight of boots+crampons in every step?  I realize this will not get my body used to the rigidity of the boots and the different muscles involved when climbing with those.  But would this be a good compromise?

Anyone else have experience training with these?

[Scott Johnston]

The reason we suggest wearing stiff mountain boots for some of your training is because of the rigidity and lack of ankle flexion as compared to running shoes or light hiking boots.  The weight is a much smaller factor. Hiking in stiff boots is far less economical than in shoes that bend like your foot does.  You do not need to wear $800 Everest boots in your training. Just something stiff like a summer mountaineering boot.

Scott

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