Boots

[TheObserver]

I started getting extremely serious with hunting last year and as a side effect have been doing a lot of scouting and hiking all year, a lot.

I am in very good physical shape year round and hike a lot, if I am shed hunting or scouting where being quiet is not much of a concern just covering ground it is not uncommon for me to cover 15-20km by noon, and I am in the bush every weekend.

I bought a pair of danner pronghorns last August (made in vietnam not us) and they are literally falling apart stitching and seams at toes, they didnt even make it 1 year before they started falling apart and I condition them and dry them properly.

What are some top of the line boots for someone who hikes a lot?

I will give them credit for extreme comfort and I never got a blister, but they are falling apart and are overall poorly made

[Ron.C]

I have hanwag alaskans and trapper tops. I love the Alaskans 90% of the time but find me feet get cold later in the season.

Done several backpack goat hunts with the alaskans. Never worried about comfort, support or dry feet.

My Alaskans are 10 years old and have been resoled 2 times after countless miles of use. Will be replacing the alakans next year as they are finally starting to leak.

The trapper tops seem warmer and a bit roomier than the alaskans giving me heavier sock options for colder weather hunts.

[Harvest the Land]

My current Scarpas are going on year 10. I replaced the insoles once. But it is almost time to buy a new pair. Will most likely get another set of Scarpas as I've been using that brand of boots for over 25 years and have never let me down. There are other great quality boots out there like Hanwag and Lowa and others I'm forgetting. But the bottom line is boots are definitely something you don't want to cheap out on, and in my experience, the more expensive the boot often means the higher quality. But its worth it because if you get a good pair, they will last many many years and they won't hurt your feet. Definitely recommend going and trying on a few different brands and see what fits best. Good luck

[oddsix]

Another vote for Scarpa. Have been using the Kinesis Pro GTX for 2 years without issue. They are quite stiff so good for steeper country and heavy packs. I believe all Scarpa's are 20% off right now at Skyview Outdoors.

[warnniklz]

Another vote for Scarpa. Have been using the Kinesis Pro GTX for 2 years without issue. They are quite stiff so good for steeper country and heavy packs. I believe all Scarpa's are 20% off right now at Skyview Outdoors.

I've been running mine since 2014

[whitlers]

Hanwag Alaska GTX for 6 years now. Three years on some Lowa Ticam 2's. I wear the Hanwags mid season and winter before I picked up some heavier insulated boots. The Lowas I wear almost every weekend hiking, training or camping.

Ruined a couple pairs of Irish Setters and Keen boots before I bought something better. I'm sure you would be happy with Hanwags, Scarpa, Meindl etc

[Bullreaper]

Boots I’ve owned over the years…

Irish setter elk tracker- comfy boot, next to no break in. Good for chasing elk and deer in moderate terrain. Not enough ankle support for the sheep hills and I don’t think they would last long in the rocks. Overall solid day to day boot that is probably mid range price

Crispi Guide boot- comfiest boot I’ve ever put on out of the box, no break in period. Good for moderate terrain chasing elk around. Did not hold up in the sheep hills, pretty much wore out the soles on one hunt in the rocks.

Scarpa Grand dru GTX- took me months to break in, almost gave up on them. Extremely stiff, small toe box. Once they were broken in, they are a decent boot. Especially in the sheep hills and with heavy loads, lots of ankle support, no foot fatigue. Last a long time if you look after them. I personally find them to stiff for an everyday boot for chasing elk around, but for sheep and goat country, excellent.

Zamberlan mountain trek- Best boot I’ve ever worn. Very comfy out of the box. Doesn’t take long to break in. Used them a couple weeks ago hunting stones, put on a ton of miles thru various terrain and they performed unbelievably. I can’t see me going to any other boot for any type of hunt after using these. That being said, I did have a lace locker come out of the boot on me while on my hunt, it did not affect anything, other than a hole where the eye was. I emailed Zamberlan as soon as I got into service, sent them pictures, they emailed me a rush delivery shipping label, sent the boots back then they overnight shipped me a brand new pair. From the time I emailed them with my problem, I had my new pair in 5 days. There customer service is phenomenal.

Everybody and every foot is different, but if you go with a high end Italian made boot, you should be pretty well off. Find a good boot, and there is always SheepFeet insoles to really make them perfect for you.

[geo guy]

I use Scarpa boots. I used them a ton when I was doing fieldwork in geology. They have lasted fantastic. They've done well in the forests and swamps of Ontarion, NB and newfoundland and great in the mountains of BC. Id recommend them to anyone. They are stiff and take a while to break in but will last as long as you condition them.

[TheObserver]

Awesome thanks guys! For those who are in the lower wasteland where do you get these boots from?

[Evanguy]

I retired my Danner high countrys when i got a pair of Crispi summit gtx. Love them. I probably put 125kms on them so far and took them on a 11 day flyin goat hunt. No break in. just work right out of the box