Are there benefits of wearing low cut boots to allow for left-right bend in ankles?

[allanjeong]

I switched over to advanced EdgeTek boots about a year ago - boots with 3/4 centimeters lower cut around the ankles than my previous boots. The lack of left-right stability in the ankles has really slowed me down on my sprint starts and crossovers as I’ve lost stability, confidence, and ability to push more aggressively on the strokes and cross overs.

One of the existing threads in SkateForum explains that low cut boots allow for more forward bend in the ankles to make it easier to squat and skate lower, and thus, skate faster. I suppose that one can still get the same amount of forward bend with high cut boots, but in doing so, one presses the lower shin into the boot tongue causing the laces to loosen while you are skating.

Nevertheless, are there any benefits to be gained by wearing low cut boots to allow for more left-right bend in the ankles when speed skating and racing indoors? Are there certain times when left-right bending of the ankles is necessary to skate faster or to skate with more control?

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Follow-up: I tried skate practice tonight without wearing my EZ-fits so that my foot can sit 1mm lower into the boot and to eliminate the loose/spongy contact between my ankles and boot. I also laced the last loop at the top of the boot extra tight. I think it helped increase left-right stability on my skates - did get one sore spot below the boot tongue though.

[phicoh]

Originally Posted by allanjeong

Nevertheless, are there any benefits to be gained by wearing low cut boots to allow for more left-right bend in the ankles when speed skating and racing indoors? Are there certain times when left-right bending of the ankles is necessary to skate faster or to skate with more control?

One way to look at it is that when skating normally (i.e. not braking, etc.) with proper technique you don't need any ankle support. Boots are easier to build and are lighter without ankle support.

In my experience, the t-stop is where you do need a bit of ankle support. But not as much as provided by high boots.