Contributors to this thread:
Well, after my successful but rugged Winter lion hunt, it was obvious to me that it is time for new hunting boots. For the past few years I have been using my trusty Danners. They are still waterproof but the tread is not what it used to be so I am looking for something new. I have an Oregon Elk hunt and deer this year, moose next year, and hope to somehow get in a goat hunt if my finances and body allows. I am looking at either Kennetrek, Crispi, or Danner. Also, trying to decide on boot height (10-12 in) and insulation (400 gr/800gr), etc. Anyone have any suggestions, experiences to share, etc.? Thanks in advance all.
I’ve had Kennetrek for 8 years now and love them. Mountain Extremes. You’re gonna get a ton of different opinions. I wore danners for years. When I first put on my kennetreks I didn’t like the way they felt. Once broke in I don’t know what could be better. Never had wet feet since. Crossed a lot of water up to my knees with gaiters on.
Shane
Thanks Shane. Are you wearing insulated or non insulated Mountain Extremes?
I would look at Zamberlan's. Best and most comfortable boot out of the box I've worn. Great support for mountain hunting while not being too stiff.
Crispi's are also great too but the toe box on 2 pairs that I own don't fit me well.
Boots are such an individual thing- hard to tell another guy what's the best for him. The only "For Sure" is; The right fit is absolutely the key to this whole thing.
In fact, boots are probably THE SINGLE most important piece of gear for a hunt.
IME, all of the categories work- from Day hikers to heavy boots. The only ones that don’t work well -for me- is the plastic mountaineering boots with zero give to them. I can see using those on a Alaska sheep hunt where you are going straight up and down very steep stuff with lots of shale slides….but if you have ever tried to walk on a trail with those things it’s difficult And clunky.
Day hikers and the flexible boots are popular and I can see why. No break in, comfortable. These are great for trails….but when off trail on side hills, steep stuff….they have less support and your foot slides around in them. IME these tend to be less waterproof than well constructed boots. Personally, I have more foot issues with the day hiker type boots probably because I spend a fair amount of time off trails- essentially my feet hurt more at the end of the day. YMMV
I had a buddy on the big Island of Hawaii that hunted the uneven lava with hightop Basketball shoes. If you have Flintstone feet [I don't] that can handle anything- then day hikers will work.
I found that my feet feel better after a long day in the stiffer sole boots. To clarify, not no flex but some flex at the ball of my foot and stiff ankle support side to side. The Hoffmans [probably my favorite] and Lowa Ibex are that style. The downside is these do require a break-in, but once you do, they feel like you are putting on an old friend.
I do have some in between lighter weight boots I like. Stiff sole but some flex side to side- ankle support though not as much as the Hoffman’s. I think the reason I’d like these is fit, La Sportiva comes in a 14 1/2 size that fits my foot with a wool sock and quality insole perfectly. I just bought another of the exact boot- and on sale.
I do think it's worth buying Two if you find one that works perfect.
Waterproof; Flexing breaks down the Gore tex liner and NO BOOTS stay 100% waterproof. You can refresh the leather boots and they stay pretty WP. The Cordura boots; you can mix a silicone waterproofing [100% silicone and Paint thinner- mix to watery] that keeps this style boot waterproof for a very long time- IME, longer than the GT liner. It's a myth these good waterproof boots "Breathe" IMO.
You are casting a broad net. I will be following along as I am also looking for a new pair of boots.
I have a brand new pair of Zamberlain 1104 storm pro gtx size 12 I would part with. I wore them once on a hike and didn’t like the size. If anyone wants them, PM me. They are very nice but not made for me.
I spent a lot of money on boots over the last couple of years. My feet seem to be hard to please. I finally settled on Hanwag. REALLY like their boots and I’ve had 3 different models.
Got to go wide on most models even though I do not have a wide foot.
Don't know what Danners you have but sone styles can be re-soled if the tread is your only concern. I have a pair of the Danner Frontiers w/1000 gram thinsulate that's been re-soled and still going strong. My favorite non-insulated pair are Crispi Idaho II GTX that I got for the cost of shipping because the owner hated them. They fit my narrow D-width feet perfectly. YMMV.
After reading good reviews on this site about Crispi’s. I tried a pair of Thors. My foot is wide so, ordered the EE width in size 11 which I usually wear in boots. Took them to Colorado and New Mexico last year and after 5-6 miles of walking my feet were killing me. Finally sold them to my elk hunting partner who wears a size 9 narrow. They fit him fine. If you are considering Crispi’s and have a wide foot, remember the Italian EE is not the US EE. It’s much narrower.
I need something better than Danners. The last 3 pairs I've bought barely lasted a year.
I've got foot problems that require a stable boot, and love Lowa Tibet GTX. One pair is 12 years old, look really ugly and the soles are almost smooth, but still waterproof. I bought a pair of Hoffman Italian made 800 gram boots last fall and they are excellent. Run narrower than german boots, had to get a EE instead of a D, but very comfortable out of the box. Wore them at work every day all winter. Hoffman boots are worth looking at.
It's worth looking at Meindl USA. As mentioned all feet are different. If you need a little wider foot bed Meindl's are good. Their customer service is excellent at getting you the correct boot and size.
Boots are just tooooo personal a choice.
After reading good reviews on this site about Crispi’s. I tried a pair of Thors. My foot is wide so, ordered the EE width in size 11 which I usually wear in boots. Took them to Colorado and New Mexico last year and after 5-6 miles of walking my feet were killing me. Finally sold them to my elk hunting partner who wears a size 9 narrow. They fit him fine. If you are considering Crispi’s and have a wide foot, remember the Italian EE is not the US EE. It’s much narrower.
Ive been running Lowa, and Danners but decided to try out Kennetrek. I did some research on their models, got my foot measured properly and ordered a pair. A week later they where delivered and I open the box to find them completely different than what was pictured. I send them pictures and they told me that somehow during the manufacturing process the wrong material was used. I sent them back and they send me a replacement pair out this week and paid for the return shipping . I opened the box this week to find the same thing with this pair or boots, wrong materials used on this model of boot. Sent them pictures again and they are sending me out my 3rd pair now that they said will be correct. Sure hope they are worth the wait and hassle..............
I cringe hearing the stories of guys throwing on a brand new pair of boots and hunting. I’m sure most here know better.
Not only can you have issues with the boots but your feet have not been conditioned/ toughened.
IME, When guys first put on the sturdier boots ( heavier) they typically don’t like them as we are used to light comfortable shoes. It takes the boot timeto break in and mold to your foot…and it takes time for your body to adapt to the little bit heavier boot. Take it slow breaking them in with the socks you will wear on the hunt.
My Hoffmans feel clunky when i first put them on- yeah, I wear running shoes everyday. After wearing them for awhile- they are like putting on an old friend.
What size do you wear. I have a brand new pair of Danner Elk Hunters that I won in an elk calling contest. Never worn. Make you a good deal on them. Size 8 EE. They cost $360 new. I'm only asking $200 TYD.
Every foot is different AND EVERY boot is different. I've tried about all of them. The best are definitely the Kenetreks hands down for me. There are 2 negatives to them though as they are narrow (I assume Italians have narrower feet than us Americans?) compared to some boots and they are not notorious for warmth at all. I have insulated versions as well and they are just not equal to some boots for warmth at all although if you can get through that or just using them above your comfort zone the comfort and durability is beyond top notch.
