I know my ankles have gotten much stronger since I ditched boots. I now pretty much hike only in low top shoes/ runners. Merrill ventilators are awesome for me, but as Lori stated the soles are flimsy. I get about 3 months of use, even if the shoes look fine, my feet start hurting. That's when I know they are done, for hiking. I still use them for around the house chores. The exception is deer hunting for 2 weeks with heavy pack, rifle, bow, butcher tools, 10-15 miles a day, snow,ice, I then love love love my Kentric desert hikers.