An item of footwear such as a boot (10) includes a stiff lower part (12) that extends around part of a wearer's foot, a stiff upper part (16) that extends around the wearer's lower leg, and one or more limit elements (66,72,80,88) that extend between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16). The lower part (12) and upper part (16) are movable relative to each other when the ankle moves and the relative movement is inhibited selectively by the limit elements (66,72,80,88). The limit elements (66,72,80,88) are displaceable between a free condition in which the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) are movable relative to each other, and lock condition in which the relative movement between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) is inhibited.