Discussion: High top orienteering shoes

I am looking at VJ Integrator High 5 Orienteering Shoes. If I can't find them in my size in stock anyplace what other high top shoes do you suggest?

Why do you want high top shoes? If it's just for ankle protection there are other solutions that work with regular shoes and allow you the freedom to choose a shoe that fits your feet.

I have 2 sets of European orienteering gaiters. I have two sets of loose fitting hiking garters and a set of salomon gaiters low. I also have a set of orienteering pants. I have not found anything that I find comfortable that keeps out grass seed. My last event I ended up using duct tape. That worked fairly well. I like the idea of the support of the VJ Integrator High 5 Orienteering Shoes and have teamed with someone who swears on them.

I am thinking that with a high top and the oland gaiters or my Fjall raven pants with synching leg bottoms I will not have to stop and pull grass seed from my shoes.

Also I had a bunch of foot issues about a year and a half ago and would like to protect my feet / ankles a bit more. That is one of the reasons I like the High 5's.

Also I am ready to get new shoes.

Yeah, those particular shoes are like having an ActiveAnkle built into the shoe. I know who Sage is referring to here, he says those shoes changed his life. No idea how they would interact with grass seed, that's not an issue at all in many places (like most of the places I orienteer).

The high top shoes are the only solution of many that I have tried that do not cut, chaff or blister my ankles (other than a basic vet wrap which doesn't provide enough support in rocky terrain). And the high tops are quite effective for stopping most of the spear grass seeds that are found across the plains from Texas to Manitoba. If you've ever orienteered in spear grass area, you know what a pain they can be.

Hmm, straight from VJ? Not sure if that’s the ‘5’, but it’s their latest version, I assume. Big €!!

I'm wondering if the '5' is a wide option, where the normal shoe is either a '1' or a '3' (I don't quite understand what the website is saying in that regard).

I have a question to the VJ on the 1, 2, 3 question. My information so far is that all there shoes come in size C. I have purchased a shoe stretcher just to widen them out. Currently waiting for a response from VJ if they have my size in Europe. Also have a question with them about the difference between the "High" and "High 5".

High 5 comes in more colours.