The science that equates weight in boots and how much this equal to in weight on the back came from the 1953 Everest expedition. This was at altitude, so it may not fully apply at lower places. See this
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1 ... 8608968276"indicating that it was 6·4 times more expensive to carry weight on the feet as compared to the back."
This needs to be considered regarding where the walk is going. On a good track a lighter low-cut boot will suffice, but if deep in mud country then higher cut boots with gaiters are indicated. Higher cut boots and gaiter keep out mud better than lower cut boots and gaiters.
Ankle support is a bit of a myth. Higher cut boots do not necessarily give more support than lower cut boots. The support comes from the rigidity of the sole-upper combination. The ankle part of the boots cannot give much support because if it did then the ankle would not move very easily.
I walked for about 20 years in runners, KT26, Vollies and the like. Now that I'm quite old (over 40) I need more solid footwear and want less mud inside the boots.
Does anyone have the weights for low- and high-cut boots?