Let's Talk Boots...Good Boots.
Mule Deer
Contributors to this thread:
OK Guys, I have a hunt coming up in August on Kodiak for Blacktails. I have all gear needed but raingear now, and have settled on Impertech. I THOUGHT I was going to use my Danner boots until I found out this spring that they leak worse than a 50 year old faucet, so now I am in need of a new set of kicks.
Must be waterproof.
Must be mid length 8-10".
Must be uninsulated.
I really hope I can find some reasonably priced on top of all that. I'm 18 and still saving to pay for the AK trip itself, so while I don't want to skimp, it has to be at least plausible.
IF they turn out to be great boots, I hope to reuse them in AZ, CA, and possibly even in the mountain tops of New Zealand. I need quality, just don't know what is the standard out there.
I have Cabela's Alaska Hiker Boots by Meindl and I love them just need better insoles.Also look into Lowa Tibets are a really good boots.Keep in mind both these boots have super stiff soles its like walking with 2x4 strapped to your feet.Yes they are not cheap but they will last a long time.Mine have taken me all over the northern cali wilderness with out a problem.
Schnees/Lowa:
Schnees Sheep Hunter built by Lowa. Lowa Tibet (may not be tall enough for you but it is very close. I have been wearing them for years. The Tibets are also offered in a Pro version. Personally I have not seen them other than on the web.
Kenetrek Mountain Boots:
I believe the Kenetreks have a rebuildable bottom. I am ordering a pair of the Hardscrables soon to try them out.
Nothing ruins a hunt faster than a bad pair of boots. Seeing that you will be leaving in Aug I would get them ASAP to get the broke in a bit. Buying very soon would also allow you to return and try a different pair if needed.
check out the meindl line sold by cabelas. great boots.
I currently own Cabelas Meindl Alaskans, Lowa Tibets, Lowa Sheephunters from Schnees and Han Wag Alaskan GTX. The best of this class hands down is the Han Wags. The Sheephunters are second but are insulated, followed by the Lowa Tibets. The Meindl's aren't even close. Before I bought, I also tried on a pair of the Meindl Denali's and Kennetreks. The Kennetreks were nice, but didn't fit me right, again the Meindls just didn't stack up. The Han Wags and Sheephunters could be worn and hunted in right out of the box.
Good boots is usually relative to expense.Drop the $325 on some good European made boots and cut corners somewhere else.
I like the Han Wag Alaska GTX as well.
For some reason guys never think of it this way, but fit is *FAR* more important than brand. Buy with that in mind.
As Matt points out, fit is crucial. I've experimented and found which boots seem to fit me best and stick with them.
While I "hope" that the boots stay waterproof and perform, my feet tend to sweat a lot and no matter what boots I have or what weather conditions, my socks get damp. Changing socks frequently helps.
I've also been turned on to SealSkinz socks as an option to keep feet dry when boots inevitably get wet.
Growing up in AK, I've personally had good luck w/ the plastic mountaineering-style boots. They are waterproof to ~4" depth and because the entire inside bootie is removeable, I can keep them in my tent and dry them out.
Plastic boots are somewhat heavier than other alternatives and I originally got them for Dall sheep hunting, but began to use them for nearly all my AK hunting.
Carl
I agree with smarba. I orginally puchased Koflach mountaineering boots for a Dall Sheep hunt. If mountain hunting for Sheep or Goats I would highly recommend. I live in Kentucky so I use the same mountain boots on late season deer hunts because of the warmth. They are a little heavy, so I now have a pair of Danner Proghorns 400G that I use for warmer antelope and mule deer hunts in Wyoming/Colorado. But I still take the Koflach with me just in case. While I do not have a pair, the Meindl boots come highly recommeded from many other hunters. If I could have found a shop that had them in my area I would have looked into purchasing a pair. As others above have said, fit is the most important feature.
If the seal skinz socks are anything like their gloves, you might as well fill your boots up with water before you put them on in the morning and get it overwith right away. I like Han Wag myself
I have seen some guys on this site bash the LL Bean hunting shoot for elk hunting, but I think they are great. You can take an exta set of liners and have dry boots every day. The gum soles are much quiter than my meindls and merrells. I never get blisters with mine and they (9" boot) give me adequate support. The only down side I have with them is that you can wear out a set of soles in a long hard hunting season of stalking. I think they still replace the bottoms for a reasonable fee. Proper fit is most important with whatever you select.
The guys that said FIT hit it on the head. All manufacturers use different lasts to make footwear. That's why some boots fit your foot better than others. I like Lowa boots because they're built well and fit my feet and I can awalk forever in them. Danners and my feet don't get along. Meindl makes a great boot too but they don't fit everyone either. Whatever you're going to buy make sure you buy the boot that's fits your foot because if you don't you'll be miserable and miserable and bad feet in Alaska on kodiak isn't a good combination.
Survival tip #1 When your feet hurt it impedes your ability to run and running slower than the other guy up there can be a liability. Remember you don't have to outrun the bear just the other guy! :^)
Might check out Asolo 530s. I have wore a pair for 3 yrs. Hiked in rocky terrain, walked through creeks, and they are going strong and never a drop of water came through. REI had them on sale awhile back for $165 so I bought a second pair as a backup!
Like others have said, fit, fit, fit and then quality and brand.
The best advice I ever got was to go into an REI store and try on every pair of boots they had and walk around on the fake rock they had in the store. It took 4 to 5 hours to find THE boot but I finally settled on a pair of Asolos that to this day were the most comfortable, best boots I've owned. I'm not sure the sales person was happy with me trying on nearly every pair in the store and I did the same thing at two other stores before I found THE pair of boots.
That said I recommend you find a store that has something like the rock in the REI. It's got to allow you to feel the boot in uphill, sidehill, downhill and twisting positions. If you feel uncomfortable in the store in 5 to 10 minutes imagine what you'll feel like after a full day or week. When you find the perfect fit you and your feet will know it.
I have a pair of Cabela's 7" Outfitter boots that are 8 years old, on their third set of soles, and have been from California to Nova Scotia without leaking.
I did not see the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme uninsulated mentioned. I may have missed it. I am breaking in a new pair now and really like them. Just like the other guys said, get a good fitting boot first. If yous tick with Meindl,lowa,kenetrek,hanwag,and a few others you will have a great boot.
I have Lowa Tibets, Kenetrek Mtn Light Hikers, and Lowa Kody. The Tibets weigh 4.6 lbs, Kenetreks 3.4 lbs, and Lowa Kody 2.7 lbs. As mentioned above the Tibets are super stiff but have lots of support. I can't stand their weight and can't imagine hiking too many miles/day in them. The Kenetreks are about as heavy as I would want in a boot if I was doing a lot of hiking. They have a little more flexibility in the soles. The Kodys are extremely light and I could hike all day and night in them. They are the boots I would grab if I want to cover lots of country. I would likely get the Lowa Renegades rather than the Kody's but I got an incredible deal. Both the Kody's and Renegades have one of the quieter soles I have ever hiked with and would be great for stalking!
If you have super strong ankles I would steer clear of any boots heftier than the Tibets...they are just too heavy! I have to admit the Tibets are one of the more comfortable boots I've worn but I hate the weight and stiffness! If you are packing lots of weight on 45 degree talus they may be ok?
Lowa Sheephunter or Tibets in the Lowa line. The Sheephunters are narrow cut, even the wide size. The Mendls that Cabelas carries are supposed to be good. I've also heard good things about the Kenetreks. Be sure to get ones that fit and some of the boots with good support are heavy.
Lowa Kodys for me. As mentioned above, light weight, quiet and the most comfortable boot I've ever owned. 125 miles last Septmeber and not a single hot spot.
Meindle Hiker for me, no squeeks, light weight, good support, waterproff w Nikiwax 2X applied.
I will add that while you are shopping with fit and features in mind that there is a chance that what you want won't be in your town. Don't be afraid to buy try and return by mail order or take a drive to a good shop. I can never find what I want in town.
Huh, That's definitely a great idea about trying and returning mail order. I got all of my boots this way. I ended up returning 1 of the 4 pairs because they didn't fit. I also got about 30 to 65% off what they were asking in stores. If you shop around some of the web order stores have free shipping or a % off their regular price with a coupon code.
I have hunted Kodiak twice, once for sitka and another for goats. My SheepHunters worked just as well in the wet climate of Kodiak as they do in the mountains of Montana.
I also have a couple pair of Kenetrek Extremes, but given the choice, I would go with the Lowas. Breakin' in for the Lowa...didn't need it. Not so with the Kenetrek. Your foot may differ.
Good luck on the rock and enjoy.
Good choice on the HH Impertech.
A lot said about boots... good stuff. I hunted Kodiak last August and would recommend that you use some good gore tex gaiters to go with your new boots. One thing I wouldn't go without. Ed F
"For some reason guys never think of it this way, but fit is *FAR* more important than brand. Buy with that in mind."
Not if those great fitting boots blow up on you in the back country. Fit is very important, but so is the quality of construction, they go hand in hand. I've got an old pair of Rockies that fit like a glove, but the soles delaminated on me in while deer hunting. I still buy for fit, but now I stick with better brands/better construction to avoid hassles like this.
I have Asolo 520's (4.0lbs), Kenetrek Hardscrabbles(3.5 lbs) and Salomon Mission GTX (2.5lbs). I will be using the Salomons whenever I can. For later season colder weather and tough terrain I will wear the Kenetreks. Boots are tools, pick the right ones for the task at hand.
"Not if those great fitting boots blow up on you in the back country. Fit is very important, but so is the quality of construction,..."
Quality construction is a given in a discussion of "good boots", and I doubt anyone would suggest Rocky's fall into that category.
The point is don't buy the Lowa brand because they fit me, because they might not fit you. Too many guys on this site fall into that trap because they do not full appreciate that different boot lasts fit different shapes of feet, and no one boot will fit everyone.
I THINK ROBINSON OUTDOORS MOUNTAIN PURSUIT ARE GREAT. WORE THEM LAST YEAR IN COLORADO ELK HUNTING AND HUNTING WHITETAILS IN THE MIDWEST.GREAT BOOTS.
I wear boots everyday at my job.They are saftey toe,fit me well and are obviously broke in. I am on my feet all day and when I leave my first shift job I head to a farm and spend several hours there in the same boots. Am I a nut for thinking they would be a good choice(above 32 degrees)?.I keep them sealed against moisture (reasonable amounts, not submersion)
Ditto on finding the boots that fit for you. I have had lots of problems with my feet over the years. About ten years ago it got so bad I thought I might have to give up walking any kind of distance.
I went to a podiatrist and had and expensive inserts made. That didn't work at all.
I purchased the Meindl Perfekt Hiker Boot which has a wider area for my toes and a $16 insert from K-Mart. I'm "back".
Everyone is different. Find out what works for youl
If a guy wants something that good and built to last I would look Danner tactical or even combat boots. If a guy is going to wear boots get something that has been proven to last.
Every pair of gortex boots I have ever owned has eventually leaked. Not the first season and maybe not the second season but it will eventually happen.
I like to wear wrestling shoes when its nice out as they have excellent lateral support. However they are not suitable in all situations so I have boots that dry out quickly and I have 6 pairs of virgin wool socks as well as thin coolmax socks to wear under the wool. No blisters. Ever.
cabelas elk hunter "uninsulated" 8" $230 kinda spensive, but worth it.lace to toe for ultimate support. i have 3 or 4 pairs of the insulated elk hunters 600 grams 10" $299. love em. clean boots. never store with mud on them. dont use dish soap on gore tex boots. wear 90%+ $12-$20 a pair wool socks to keep feet cool and dry, i like to use a product called VASQUE NATURE SEAL. awesome product. pretty low odor just let them air for day before hunting. you can buy at most boot places for $6-$8 i buy gallon at time from red wing shoes for $$$ good luck.
Danner has a new one out called the Ascend that looks interesting...I use the Instigators now and really like 'em....
As said, 'fit' is everything. I can't order a boot on-line, I have to try them on...
I am sold on the Asolos and Lowas...for quality and fit... Remember..a GOOD pair of gaitors will effectively extend the height of your boot.. you can wear a 6-8 inch boot and make it waterproof to 14 inches or more... (not really for flat out wading, but quick splashes through deeper stuff...)
Good Luck..Right now I"m wearing the Tibets...weight doesn't bother me till near the end of the day!! Then ... Yeah... they get heavy...
When I went there in '07 I did wear "combat boots" because I was in the Army and already had them. They were gortex 8", fit me well, and I had gaiters.
Do you also have trekking poles? Sure helps packing down the whole deer on the steep, wet, boggy terrain.
In my opinion, most boots that are mass produced and marketed as "hunting boots" are intended for plains, foothills and lower mountain hunters. If you are looking for boots to go on a sheep or goat hunt, I would look at the backpacking-type boots. They are generally more durable and made with better support for your feet and ankles in the steep rough terrain. Many good brands have been mentioned above, mow the challenge is finding the brand and last (what the boot is shaped around) that fits your foot. I have some Asolos that I like, and they are holding up great. I looked at Lowa, Vasque, Kennetrek and Solomon, but liked the fit of the Asolos on my wide feet the best. I really want to try on a pair of the Meindels, and now that Cabelas is a little closer to me, I might get the chance. For snow and cold, i wear a pair of Schnees packs. They were the only packs I have ever tried on that gave me any support.
Don't forget to spend a little money investing in some good wool socks. No sense in spending 150-300 on a pair pf boots and having a bad time because you wanted to save 5 bucks on socks!