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

[mike31154]

A few years ago I caved & got a pair of Meindl to replace boots that I owned for decades, Dachstein I think. Nice, but not sure they'll last as long as the ones they replaced. But that's ok, I prolly won't last for 3 more decades either hehe...
https://dsm01pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mXNIj4nHLsmH-p7EEFUYoVADJ1z8ofDZnKnVgM8y7r298VMx6OqndARQW4Cm9GP G50PPesKQqkgrkM6wPXmFik_g_tb0WnjYf1gqTtYzdT_N9bVJP R-xo9g0cZfvHfTxbfrY8ufSSp-8LbVwgJJ8Mj4wT0BU6gx40kJ30syVjJQE4xdEMWssAisQf9Wqo MGpt?width=1024&height=1024&cropmode=none

[whitlers]

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

VPO has a good selection of Hanwags and I believe they carry Scarpa as well.

[Jamesonm]

Another vote for Scarpa -- hard to beat for the price. I've had mine for over a decade (multi-day hikes and hunts, search and rescue, work).

[stoneramhunter]

Ive been using la Sportiva evo mountaineering boots for the past several years and albeit they are heavier I find them to be the ideal boot for sheep hunting. super stiff shank so on the steep terrain its like you have built in platforms to rest, completely waterproof. I have yet to get blisters in them. Your feet are firmly set in them no chance of driving your toes into the front of the boot when you are doing alot of steep downhill travel. use can also use them with xcountry skis and or crampons. I'm also a fan of scarpas have a pair for hunts other than my sheep hunts. As well I hear good things about crispi and kenetrek from my sheep hunting buddies but not a fan of meindl boots

[eatram]

I have tried them all and I HATE them all. No matter what I do to reason with my boots, they don't listen. They drag me, against my will, up and over mountains. Into riverbottoms and drainages choked full of alder. Then back up the steep slopes to where the sheep and goats call home.

Do yourself a favour and don't buy any boots.

[35rem]

My Scarpas were very comfortable right from the start, but the soles lasted only 2 years hiking +/- 2 hours/day. With the new glued on soles resoling them is expensive and probably not worth it. They were also not waterproof in spite of the Goretex. Any water over the gusset and my feet would get wet. My Asolos and Dachsteins lasted much longer. I now use CF Mark IV wet weather combat boots (without the steel nose). They are a bit higher, surprisingly comfortable to walk on, waterproof, tough and inexpensive.

[ytlogger]

I have Hanwag feet, but lots of good boots mentioned here. My advice; get out and try on as many as you can to find what feels good to you.

[swampthing]

Many good brands as mentioned. Finding the ones that fit your feet is key. But, keep in mind a decent boot is in the $500.00 - $750.00 range.

[RiverOtter]

If you go to VPO and like the Hanwags, phone Fisher's Hardware in Vernon and order them up. You'll save a bunch of money. They handle Meindls too, but not sure if there are any dealers in the Lower Wasteland to try on.

[Citori54]

Another vote for Scarpa. Six years and going strong.

[BRvalley]

Kenetrek's have been great for my feet....they build their boots to the brannock scale too, reassuring for fit if you order online

[ACB]

If you go to VPO and like the Hanwags, phone Fisher's Hardware in Vernon and order them up. You'll save a bunch of money. They handle Meindls too, but not sure if there are any dealers in the Lower Wasteland to try on.
Alpine Start Outfitters on West Broadway deal in Meindl Boots.

[M1SF1T]

Hanwag Alaska's are solid boots when I have any amount of load in my pack. Fast and light I've been running Lowa Renegade Lo-tops.

[2tins]

Lowa boots.

[twoSevenO]

I have Lowa Tibet GTX and they leak (Purchased in 2017. Sprung a leak in 2020/21).

Has anyone moved on from Lowa to something else that comment on the sizing? Did you have to go up, down or stay the same size as with the lowas?

(Been thinking of ordering online)

Thanks!

[Squamch]

I have Lowa Tibet GTX and they leak (Purchased in 2017. Sprung a leak in 2020/21).

Has anyone moved on from Lowa to something else that comment on the sizing? Did you have to go up, down or stay the same size as with the lowas?

(Been thinking of ordering online)

Thanks!

I'd love an answer on this too. My Tibet GTX fit great, but I'd like something softer for non-extreme hiking hunts.

[beadblaster]

Anyone want some hanwag tatra gtx boots,they are on sale at trueoutdoors in kamloops for 195 with free shipping.

[Troutbum]

I’m looking at buying my first pair of hunting boots, but it’s proving difficult with size 9.5 EEE feet..
irish setter 9.5EE or 10/10.5 EE are not wide enough and anything they make in a 3E is on a year back order.
Does anyone have experience with Hanwag Alaska gtx,Wide boots? Or any recommendations?
with not a lot of local dealers stocking hunting boots in the first place. It’s really tough to find a wide boot.

[BRvalley]

I have Lowa Tibet GTX and they leak (Purchased in 2017. Sprung a leak in 2020/21).

Has anyone moved on from Lowa to something else that comment on the sizing? Did you have to go up, down or stay the same size as with the lowas?

(Been thinking of ordering online)

Thanks!

I went through two pairs of Lowa's....the first pair the size of the toe box shrunk dramatically, Lowa said it was my fault, I must have exposed to direct heat and I didnt use their brand of leather products

So i ordered half size larger, and wide foot size, purchased lowa boot products to clean and waterpoof....same thing happened, and they leaked badly....Lowa said it's due to driving with boots on, direct heat being blown on them lol....and for leaking problem i need to file complaint with Goretex

I said **** that, never buy a lowa product again.....I purchased the same size in Kenetrek and they fit true to size, no shrinkage, and much more waterproof...the canadian distributor for Kenetrek is in PG, great people to talk to and visit, if you measure your foot on a brannock device, they can give you accurate sizing advice

another buddy went from lowa to hanwag, also much happier now, but no direct experience with hanwag myself

edit: to clarify on sizing, I felt lowa's fit good at first, but both pairs shrunk over time....the kenetreks fit true to size, and i likely didn't need to stay with half size larger/wide boot...once this pair of kenetreks wears out, i'll go back to regular size, half size smaller, probably not wide foot but will wait till i try them on to decide

[Keta1969]

I have Hanwag feet, but lots of good boots mentioned here. My advice; get out and try on as many as you can to find what feels good to you.

I like this answer because I have meindl feet. They are the best for MY feet and have stood up well. I tried Kenetreks and they were as durable as the meindl's but just not quite the same fit. So try lots on and wear them inside for a bit and make sure the store will take them back if you are not happy. Hard to judge a boot after a few minutes in a store.

[Smokeeater]

Meindl feet here!! Everybodies feet are definitely different.
I tried different brands that required a lot of break in and some blisters. I found that meindl's worked best for my feet. Minor break in and extremely comfortable for me, right out of the box.

[lovemywinchester]

I've had my Irish Setters for 10 years. Lots of km's on them hiking around Kamloops in the fall to spring. No hard alpine hiking. I just rebuilt them again with shoe goo. Mink oil and shoe goo have kept them working the last few years despite a big hole that formed this fall on the side behind the big toe. They are still very comfortable. I went to the Big Boot Inn in Kamloops last week to look at new elk trackers and they had none from size 8 to 12. No idea when they might see the 10's I wanted.




Many good brands as mentioned. Finding the ones that fit your feet is key. But, keep in mind a decent boot is in the $500.00 - $750.00 range.

The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles. But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet. This was the Captain Samuel Vimes "Boots" theory of socioeconomic unfairness.