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Ankle protection FTW. Decked it once in the city on a streak of diesel at walking pace down a hill, pannier rack sent my ankle the wrong way. Broke one small bone and a sprain but bothered me for ages and that was with wearing reasonable boots, if I was wearing touring boots it would have been a proper break for sure.
BrickMan-
On the way to Cheddar earlier this year, I'd only had the Blackbird a week or so and I hit neutral. Unfortunately, I hit neutral while shifting from 2nd down to 1st, at the top of a fairly steep hill, turning right onto a back lane.
As I remember, I was wearing my RST Tractech Evo 'proper' road boots.
I'd like to thank muscle memory from green lanes, but as the bike was just teetering on that infinity-weight point I managed to stomp the ground enough to regain my balance as I kicked it into first and revved through it with a wobble.
Although I was very proud of myself that I didn't need to pick up a 250kg CBR1100XX on an incline, but my ankle/shin ached for weeks.
Having crashed that DR350 at speed last year and the bruise stretching from the arch of my foot to the pocket of my knee, I'd gladly keep ankle protection where possible. That time was brand new stiff enduro boots (not MX) so I think they earned their ticket price in a single short journey.
pdlouche
Buy the ones that give the best protection. Ankles are hard to rebuild. Take trainers if you want to walk.
But unless you're riding Enduro just get some adv boots.
I have some Sidi crossfire for off road. They've earnt their cost several times when I've dropped the bike on my ankle. If you're riding off road, you will come off.
Boots will also last a long long time, so the upfront cost will even out quickly.
Edit: actually maybe my comment isn't very helpful. Go try a bunch on and see how they feel and move. I do like goretex though, dry feet are nice.