Secure footwork is essential for safe mountain travel.

On slopes which are of sufficient angle for a slip to become a fall or an uncontrollable slide, stiff soled boots are more secure because the side edges and toes are more effective at creating secure footsteps. Many of the hills and mountains in Scotland have slopes of these angles.

In descent, rounded heels are less secure than square-cut heels.

27% of mountain incidents involve slips. If a walker slips in winter, there is a higher chance that he or she will fall a considerable distance, than if they had fallen at any other time of the year. Hillgoers use their experience to choose what type of footwear is right for them. People who are still developing their footwork skills will be less likely to slip when wearing stiff soled boots.

"Stiff soled" does not mean fully rigid or heavy but if you can bend the sole easily in your hands then it's too soft and bendy to create secure footsteps.