Looking for a new pair of boots for hiking and hunting. What is everyone's recomendation? Been looking at Lowa boots but can't find any local to try on (York, PA) to make sure they fit right and I am leary of buying online because of that.
Looking for New Boots
- Thread starter cobra655
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I wear Lowa Camino LL for daily wear and hiking. Lowa Tibet GTX for hunting and cooler weather. They fit true to everything else i wear. Not too stiff and break in easy.
A hunting boot from Kenetrek would be just as good.
For a above the tree line stiff boot, the SCARPA Grand Dru GTX is worth a look.
I'll end this quickly. Go to Rei or similar and try on a bunch. Everyone's feet are different so you will get many, many different opinions. I wasted a lot of money by just going off what people said. It also depends what kind of hiking and hunting you are doing, i.e., terrain, weather, etc. I have Lowa, Asolo, Kennetrek, and Soloman in my closet. Depends on what I am doing. Some people love Danner, they don't fit my feet well.
Whatever you decide since ordering online make sure they have a good return policy so you can send them back if they don't fit. I personally wear asolo hanwags and crispi. I need a stiff boot for most of my high country hunts later season. You may not. I have a pair of lowa zephyr I wear some in archery season as well. Lathrop and sons boots are good guys to talk to and buy from as well. I'll also recommend a good orthodic insole as well. Decide what type of boot (stiff with or without a rubber rand or flexible) and narrow your choices down. Boots are such an individual purchase.
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I recently purchased a pair of Zamberlan Vios GTX and they are by far my favorite pair of boots to date. I have owned and put many miles on lots of different boots from various quality makers and when it comes to comfort, quality and versatility they are very hard to beat in my opinion.
That being said as nexusfire stated above, you need to try on all the boots you're considering to find what works for you.
That being said as nexusfire stated above, you need to try on all the boots you're considering to find what works for you.
Simple man here, Belleville 600 Hot Weather Combat Boot and Belleville 690 Waterproof Sage Green Flight Boot for cooler temps or wet work.
Some extra advice. figure out what socks you want to hunt in and take them. Extra layers of socks or thicker socks dont keep you warmer. They pad your bony
prominences a bit more and make you sweat, then you have damp and cold feet.
I use a medium weight basic merino wool sock. Also get better footbeds. Super-feet have both served me well for the last 15 yrs or so, ymmv.
Try hard to find their best boot guy/gal. Someone who really is passionate and knows. They will sound like a complete and absolute nerd (like rifle guys talking about ogive shapes and freebore). Thats the person you want. Read about the lasts (what kind of foot different brands are made to fit) and that should help guide you as well.
If you have a trip to Denver, go to Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder. They know a thing or two about boots.
I hunt from early archery through 4th season in the same uninsulated boots. Otherwise feet sweat and are way colder. They only get cold when i see something and stop, and then I dont notice it. Also, if cold, use KraigWY 's advice and put antiperspirant on em to prevent the sweat and freeze cycle. Helped me
a ton in mixed weather with big temp swings.
I do carry spare socks in case of emergency and have had a couple times i had to take off the boots, put my feet in my mittens to warm, and swap socks. It was around 0F and I wasnt using Kraigs idea on antiperspirant yet.
prominences a bit more and make you sweat, then you have damp and cold feet.
I use a medium weight basic merino wool sock. Also get better footbeds. Super-feet have both served me well for the last 15 yrs or so, ymmv.
Try hard to find their best boot guy/gal. Someone who really is passionate and knows. They will sound like a complete and absolute nerd (like rifle guys talking about ogive shapes and freebore). Thats the person you want. Read about the lasts (what kind of foot different brands are made to fit) and that should help guide you as well.
If you have a trip to Denver, go to Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder. They know a thing or two about boots.
I hunt from early archery through 4th season in the same uninsulated boots. Otherwise feet sweat and are way colder. They only get cold when i see something and stop, and then I dont notice it. Also, if cold, use KraigWY 's advice and put antiperspirant on em to prevent the sweat and freeze cycle. Helped me
a ton in mixed weather with big temp swings.
I do carry spare socks in case of emergency and have had a couple times i had to take off the boots, put my feet in my mittens to warm, and swap socks. It was around 0F and I wasnt using Kraigs idea on antiperspirant yet.
For hunting I would look at the Crispi line of boots. Very good quality and the importer support the hunting community. Crispiusa.com
I grew up in Cumberland County. I'm on my second pair of LL Bean Cresta hiking boots. They're definitely not a summer boot, but they're great come late November. Just make sure you take the time to break them in.
Asolo TPS 520 gv- im on my 4th pair since 2000
Irish Setter moc toe good and cheap
Vasque sundowner if you have narrow feet
Irish Setter moc toe good and cheap
Vasque sundowner if you have narrow feet
Take a trip to North Conway New Hampshire.
Visit Limmer Boot Company
http://www.limmercustomboot.com/cgi-...mBoot/index.pl
Have them fit you with what best meets your intended use light, medium, heavy.
Buy some light silk liners, get a medium wool blend outer sock.
Put boots on feet and spend an afternoon drinking/eating at Moat Mountain Brew Pub.
http://www.moatmountain.com/
Make some small hikes breaking them in. Spend the rest of your life greasing, resoling when needed and trying to kill these boots.
or just go buy some sneaker boots you will replace in 6 months.
Visit Limmer Boot Company
http://www.limmercustomboot.com/cgi-...mBoot/index.pl
Have them fit you with what best meets your intended use light, medium, heavy.
Buy some light silk liners, get a medium wool blend outer sock.
Put boots on feet and spend an afternoon drinking/eating at Moat Mountain Brew Pub.
http://www.moatmountain.com/
Make some small hikes breaking them in. Spend the rest of your life greasing, resoling when needed and trying to kill these boots.
or just go buy some sneaker boots you will replace in 6 months.
I would avoid keen, Bought a pair about 2 years ago and they were excellent. Loved them so much i went back and bought the same pair, but they are completely different. They definitely cut out features to save on money.
The best boots out there are made by the Limmer Boot Company in New Hampshire. They are custom made to fit your foot. I have mine for 25 years and still wear them every time I go hiking or hunting. They are expensive. You get what you pay for. After owning Limmer boots, every time I go into a retail store and look at boots there is just no comparison.
Bang
Bang
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I wear the Meindl ultralights and they are great. If you have a Cabelas nearby this is a good option. Had been wearing a pair for about two years and they stopped being waterproof. Took them up to Cabelas and changed them out for a new pair, no questions asked.
This^^^^
One reason I like Lowa's. They have a locking eyelet on some of their boots at the break between the foot and lower shin. Allowing the footbed to be laced snugly, while the shaft can be left looser for breathability.
I wish all their boots had this option, as well as wish other companies offered something similar...
I am stuck on my Asolo boots, for the last 10 years they have served me well. Cold or hot weather they work for me.
If you can afford it, get a pair of the Alden 404 with the lug sole, they are handmade, bombproof, will last forever (and are rebuildable). Plus, they are the same boots (the 405 model with the neo-cork sole) worn by Harrison Ford in all of the Indiana Jones movies. http://www.aldenshoe.com/DrawProducts.aspx?Action=GetDetails&CategoryID=27&ProductID=113&PageID=8
Ive been to their shop to get my work boots fitted.
Its great to see stuff made in the US.
These are more expensive than the foreign alternative but these will last you forever and than can be rebuilt if you want to leave them to someone in your will.
That whole manufacturing area, textiles and shoes, has been decimated since 1992.
Just my experience, but I've had really bad experience with Salomon customer service. Had a pair of their boots where the sole dry-rotted (the store where I had bought them subsequently went out of business). Emailed them several times (only way to get a hold of them, no phone # listed), finally heard back, they said to send pics to xyz address - I did, which promptly bounced as undeliverable. Tried emailing previous address numerous times and never heard back. I was out a $150+ pair of boots and will never buy another Salomon product again.
Get the Alden's if you're going out to dinner with your wife. In my experience, they aren't suitable for serious use. I destroyed a pair in 4 months of work. They're more like a dress shoe than they are a boot. I replaced them with a pair of danners and they had to warranty them after 6 months. The replacement pair made it another 6 months and I gave up on them. I replaced them with a set of white's hunters and couldn't be happier. Have had them for 18 months and resoled them once at the 12 month mark. Wouldn't trade them for anything.
I have a pair of Scarpa Kinesis that I picked up off of Sierra Trading Post that I'm pretty fond of. I have skinny feet and they fit well. I only have a few miles on them, but so far so good. They also have the lace locks, which is a nice feature, but takes some getting used to.
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Get the Alden's if you're going out to dinner with your wife. In my experience, they aren't suitable for serious use. I destroyed a pair in 4 months of work. They're more like a dress shoe than they are a boot. I replaced them with a pair of danners and they had to warranty them after 6 months. The replacement pair made it another 6 months and I gave up on them. I replaced them with a set of white's hunters and couldn't be happier. Have had them for 18 months and resoled them once at the 12 month mark. Wouldn't trade them for anything.
Whites makes the firefighters boots correct?
Those be like foot fortresses.
You will have to abuse them to beat them.
Since going to Salomon, I won't wear anything else. If I was doing logging on alpine hiking then I would obviously choose something else. US Made Danners are a good choice as are dozens of other brands. It really comes down to your foot, walking style and what type of activity you will be doing. Once you find someone you like, stick with them.
Lowa is the most comfortable boot I've ever had. 2 pairs so far and both have been true to size for me.
Love my Lowa boots too. I was in same boat no one carried them. Spoke to a local boot shop and they were able to order in a few sizes at no cost and I only paid for the ones I wanted. I'm on my feet 10 hours a day and a pair usually lasts me 2 solid years. Then above the heal lets go first but their still usable.
Danner Pronghorns area unit the simplest hunting boots I actually have ever owned . light-weight and therefore the four hundred Gram Thinsulate has been quite enough to stay my feet heat even once we use to own had zero degree looking days for late muzzy season.
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I’ve used lowas, oboz and Solomon’s and even still use the ol desert issue combat boots I was issued in the corps. All have held up great and excel in different uses in there own ways.
Same here - Solomon has won my business. I have beaten up some Quest 4D's for a few years and they havent skipped a beat. Spend a few more shekels and get the goretex version. combined will a solid pair of wool socks and you will never want to take them off...
Salomon 4Ds. I have a documented 100 miles in recreational backpacking trips (not much) but I have been wearing them every time I go shooting and while attending various courses for the past 2 years. Tread is still in good condition, ankle support is amazing, and even wearing them 12-14 hours a day for weeks on end, my feet are fine. I also only wear merino wool socks, which I know has helped tremendously with preventing blisters and other foot infections.
The only time Ive "cleaned" them is when I walked through streams. Never had to treat them to waterproof them and my feet have never been wet apart from sweat. Ive worn them in almost every climate so far; alpine (15 F, snow) , desert (+100 F), no jungle, which fuck the jungle.
Actually just noticed my sole is starting to separate at the ball of my foot. Haha. Nothing a little shoegoo cant fix for the time being.
And I agree, if youre not an REI member, become one. Best decision you can do when it comes to outdoor gear.
The only time Ive "cleaned" them is when I walked through streams. Never had to treat them to waterproof them and my feet have never been wet apart from sweat. Ive worn them in almost every climate so far; alpine (15 F, snow) , desert (+100 F), no jungle, which fuck the jungle.
Actually just noticed my sole is starting to separate at the ball of my foot. Haha. Nothing a little shoegoo cant fix for the time being.
And I agree, if youre not an REI member, become one. Best decision you can do when it comes to outdoor gear.
I have been wearing Danner Super Rain Forest boots every day for the last two years, these are by far the most comfortable best wearing boots I have ever owned, get the made in Oregon model they have cheaper models made overseas but USA made are way better(Danner is trying to move all their manufacturing back to Oregon) I work outside (construction) so my boots take a beating, but also wear them hunting, riding motorcycles, and general outdoor use, they are waterproof I have never had wet feet in these boots, I grease them with Obenauf's boot grease every few months and they are like new again. Have the non insulated but with heavy wool socks feet stay warm and dry unless its really cold. Cant comment on any of the brands mentioned here except Whites, these are made in my hometown and are the worst boots ever made, really expensive an absolute garbage.
I’m guessing you found some boots by now? I’m curious what you picked after getting advice on every possible type of boot out there, lol! What kind of boot to recommend depends on the hunting and hiking you do. I can give you some advice from a hunting guide’s perspective but I’d need to know what you’re doing, where you’re doing it and in what kind of weather. I wear several different boots, depending.
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I’ve used Salomon, Lowa, Kennetrek, and Danner. All are good boots and make different versions depending on your terrain and if you are carrying a heavy pack. It’s been said, but the best boot is the one that fits your feet and gives you the support you need. I also like using Superfeet insoles.
I'll add to this thread - there are only pretty much a few places that boots are made. Europe (lots of Romanian boots, Italy, Germany), China/Vietnam, and some rare USA made examples.
Don't buy any boots made in China. Thats just that.
After that, great merino wool socks, superfeet insoles, and the boot that fits you great are all a plus.
Don't buy any boots made in China. Thats just that.
After that, great merino wool socks, superfeet insoles, and the boot that fits you great are all a plus.
I have been really happy with my Lowa boots. I got the Tiagos on sale at Sierra Trading Post, which are great for work, but I probably wouldn't hunt with them as they are suede. I work on concrete and am a fairly large guy at 6' 3" and 230lbs, and I haven't had a single day of aching or hurt feet in the two months I've been wearing them. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair Lowas in any style.
I also have a pair of Salomon and they are not bad boots, but they make my feet sweat something fierce. I do agree that good merino socks are a must, and I can recommend both FITS and Darn Tough.
I also have a pair of Salomon and they are not bad boots, but they make my feet sweat something fierce. I do agree that good merino socks are a must, and I can recommend both FITS and Darn Tough.
I love my Super Rainforests. They are my go to, end of the world, shit hit the fan boot. I've used them year round in wilderness search & rescue here on the wet side of Oregon. That said, they are not my everyday boot- those are Salomon Ultra GTX mid....Midway has them on sale for $123.
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