"supportive" riding footwear

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On the Hunters wellies thread several people mention that they don't find Hunters supportive enough. Could someone explain what they mean by this? I started riding a long time ago and whilst it was all very formal for lessons when I got home to my own pony it was more often than not bareback, and very often barefoot - me not the horse - even if I had bothered with the saddle. So what and where are the boots supporting - and is this a good or bad thing
 
Can you not feel the difference between riding in proper quality boots meant for riding, and wellies?

The sole is not built for riding, your foot is all floppy in the stirrup ( and you run the risk of getting a wide welly stuck in the stirrup) and the ankle has no support......plus I find wellies slip on the stirrup tread.
 
I find in wellies that my leg and foot feels very loose and I cannot keep as good a leg position as I can in my riding boots.

I only plod round the block in my hunters though (2 days running now, bad habit forming!!), would never school in them.
 
i plod about in dubarrys or aigle neoprene wellies and find them cumbersom and inflexible... much prefer my joddie boots and gaiters (or my long boots - but they are saved for best
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Now you see that's where you've got me - "the ankle has no support". Why should your ankle be needing support? I don't think my leg position is too bad but why should I want my ankle strapped into position?

As for proper quality boots, well no, I've never had expensive boots, I suppose the Bromonts are the nearest thing.

I do make sure my stirrup size is appropriate for the tread size of my footwear.
 
Nobody said your ankle had to be strapped into position- then you would be inflexible.

Your ankle needs some support the same as it would do in any sport or *in theory* you could invert/evert your ankle and put strain on your medial and lateral ligaments.

Its not the law though is it? If you are happy riding in wellies or whatever, thats up to you....do what you personally feel most comfortable/happy with......I just find them too floppy (ooh-err missus
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if I am just going for a hack then I ride in my Ariat wellies which are quite comfy however if I am having a lesson I need to wear my short boots and chaps because my ankles are better supported, as in my lessons (usually jumping) I spend a lot of time in a two point seat. And anyone who has suffered an ankle injury in the past (break or a sprain) I have had both, if I don't wear wear my short boots with my chaps then after about 5 minutes my ankles kill me, so for me it is comfort and not spending my lessons having to stop every couple of minutes
 
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