katzurki 0 #1 December 4, 2004 I had a minor ankle injury a few months ago; the ankle still hurts in an annoying way after a long day. What footwear would be most advisable to jump with, to protect the ankle as much as possible? (my tib or fib was cracked). I am thinking an elastic bandage over the sock would be a good thing, right? What else? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #2 December 4, 2004 A discussion concerning body temperature and economics, regarding the sport over the last 30 years or so... Way back when... skydiving was much cheaper than it is now. The parachutes were round and for the most part landed harder than the newer more expensive square parachutes did. Back then, jumpers had a few extra bucks... so they all invested in some additional safety gear, we called them BOOTS. They worked well, and we thought we were really HOT! Sometime in the seventy's the sport changed direction. Costs went up... People were able to afford to either jump rounds and wear BOOTS... or jump squares and go barefoot. Society in general was changing direction as well, now it was seen to be a good thing to be 'cool' instead of 'hot'... And what better way to lower your temperature than to wear sandals or be barefoot in freefall?! Now here in this, the 21st century. Even though the parachutes are still square, some of them are back to landing hard. But... with the advent of new space age materials, you can actually buy BOOTS that are 'cool'! If you can afford them that is~ ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 37 #3 December 5, 2004 French Paraboots were good things back in the old days. There were two styles, one that had thick soles (like 1-1/2 inches thick!) and one that had thinner soles. I had the version with the thinner soles and they were very comfortable, giving lots of support. Don't know where you'd get them now."Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #4 December 5, 2004 Just keep in mind that someone you jump with might not like the idea of being kicked by your boots. Also they could be hard to run in, betcha run out every one of your hornet landings.Maybe think in terms of an ankle wrap but don't listen to me, talk to your doctor.Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #5 December 5, 2004 Quote Just keep in mind that someone you jump with might not like the idea of being kicked by your boots. Quote I've heard that rationalization a few times now... Personally, never seen it happen, had it happen to me, or kicked anyone else with my boots. If it were as big of a concern as perceived... we'd all be wearing fluffy bunny slippers on big ways! I'm not talking about steel toed work boots, or metal rimmed motocross footwear. I wear 5 inch, light weight, leather, NIKE hiking boots, they're about as flexible as basketball sneaks, but lace solidly above the ankle to give additional support. They help in preventing minor twists that may occur while 'running out' a fast landing on uneven terrain, and can be especially handy if you're recovering from an injury. Quote Also they could be hard to run in, Quote Just ask a Marine! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyhighkiy 0 #6 December 5, 2004 jump bare foot and land in the pees BE THE BUDDHA! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #7 December 5, 2004 Tennis shoes and ace wrap the ankle. As some people have already posted, they used to wear boots with rounds to protect the ankle. What they didn't tell you was that with hard landings that had forward speed (think squares here) the high stiff boots were more likely to break the tib/fib just above the boot instead of just give you a sprained ankle. That, along with the metal open loops that could snag lines, were the reasons that boots were replaced when sport skydiving was born. You want the flexibility that softer shoes have, but the support that an ace wrap, or high lace tennis shoes, can give. Better to have the stretch than the break. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idoru99 0 #8 December 5, 2004 I sprained my ankle on jump #5 and just about the time I was pretty much done healing, I sprained it again around jump 75. What I used to help protect my ankle was a lace up type brace (cost about $30) with plastic (not metal - insertion point if things go really bad) supports on each side of the ankle. They add a little bulk for a shoe to go over but fairly comfortable. You might want to give them a try, more protection than an ACE bandage, but cost more too. Hope this helps/ By the way - I wasn't wearing the damn thing when I resprained my ankle on jump 75. <><><><><><><><><><><> The greatest risk you take in life is the risk you don't take. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #9 December 5, 2004 QuoteI sprained my ankle on jump #5 and just about the time I was pretty much done healing, I sprained it again around jump 75. What I used to help protect my ankle was a lace up type brace (cost about $30) with plastic (not metal - insertion point if things go really bad) supports on each side of the ankle. They add a little bulk for a shoe to go over but fairly comfortable. You might want to give them a try, more protection than an ACE bandage, but cost more too. Hope this helps/ By the way - I wasn't wearing the damn thing when I resprained my ankle on jump 75. Yup I second this. I used to wrap my ankle with an elestic bandage, but it is a tad bulky, the ankle brace is lower profile and offers better support, I know a couple of people that wear them. Ankles take forever to get back to prime conditionYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katzurki 0 #10 December 5, 2004 Quote Ankles take forever to get back to prime condition You tell me! Thanks; now I have an idea of what to look for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3ringheathen 0 #11 December 5, 2004 It's always good to get the input of a Doc on stuff like this. Sports medicine specialist if possible. I used an Active Ankle brace for a while after my ankle surgery. It greatly restricts side to side ie rolling motion, but allows front to back motion for normal walking. I tried a few different braces/wraps, and that's the one that seemed most effective and versatile to me. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #12 December 6, 2004 QuoteAnkles take forever to get back to prime condition Blah, ain't that the truth. I wear my ankle brace when jumping. It's kinda like an ace bandage, but wider and only wraps around the bottom of the foot once, and the ankle twice and has velcro to keep it tight. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #13 December 6, 2004 Quote but wider and only wraps around the bottom Quote Kind of a bondage thing huh Sunny! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #14 December 7, 2004 I like jumping in flat soled "skate shoes", DC's or something similar. They make it easier to slide out landings and are really comfortable. As an aside, after breaking my fib/tib in October my physio has told me that i'll have to wear an ankle brace for the first few jumps when i start again in January. Talk to your doc. Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyhighkiy 0 #15 December 7, 2004 ever tried worn down high-tops? like older converse all stars? smooth on bottom for slide-age but provide more ankle support than normal skate shoes. p.s. DC's suck BE THE BUDDHA! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #16 December 8, 2004 Hey buddy, do these look familiar? Yes, they are and they only come in black now. Much better than the old ones, hard landing on asphalt, no problem. They are now called GSG9's and cost $190.00. For testing and demos they can't be beat. Sparky GSG9 Boots My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #17 December 8, 2004 You can't be too carefull, try these: http://www.actiongear.co.uk/ishop/1016/shopscr16.html P.S. that's a joke. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #18 December 8, 2004 QuoteYou can't be too carefull, try these: http://www.actiongear.co.uk/ishop/1016/shopscr16.html P.S. that's a joke. I love it, I want them for Christmas, my birthday or some shit. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #19 December 9, 2004 QuoteGSG9 Boots Those are great, Sparky! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #20 December 9, 2004 QuoteQuoteGSG9 Boots Those are great, Sparky! ltdiver Years ago, in the day, they were called Adidas Jump boots. The came in blue with white stripes or read with white stripes. The soles on the new ones are great and the boot is real comfortable. If you are interested, check this site. They have them on sale at times for $129.00. Type GSG9 Boots in search. http://botac.com/ SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark135 0 #21 December 10, 2004 I have an ankle that hurts 24/7 for the past 6 years. Wear an ankle brace._______________ "It seemed like a good idea at the time" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #22 December 10, 2004 A lot of the cool cats (operators) and a lot of wanna-be's are wearing the newish (couple of years old now) Oakley Assualt Boot instead of the old GSG9 boot. http://www.hdosport.com/hdosport/oakley/footwear/assaultboot.shtml--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #23 December 10, 2004 ...as they POURED him from his boots, And he ain't gonna jump no more! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #24 December 10, 2004 QuoteA lot of the cool cats (operators) and a lot of wanna-be's are wearing the newish (couple of years old now) Oakley Assualt Boot instead of the old GSG9 boot. http://www.hdosport.com/hdosport/oakley/footwear/assaultboot.shtml At $225.00 they are right proud of them I would say. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LiveLifeGoJump 0 #25 December 11, 2004 Quote The parachutes were round and for the most part landed harder than the newer more expensive square parachutes did. Yes but they also did not have the forward speed of the modern squares so your decent would have been more verticle. Surely a more modern form of footware that is both flexible & supports the ankle suits the modern square canopies. I know someone who landed barefoot on grass and did not hurt himself (nor did he find the wellington boots he lost on deployment). More important than what shoes/boots you wear is learning to land safely. (car analogy: forcing people to wear seatbelts ONLY helps in accidents, teaching them to drive properly is MUCH better). Get out, Land on a green bit. If you get the pull somewhere in between it would help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
