Best boots for early archery hunt

tdcour · Jan 24, 2016

I love my lows tibets. They still get a little hot in the really early season but I don't know what boot doesn't really. I have zero complaints with the traction and take them off when stalking in close if I feel the need. Sometimes I do sometimes I don't. It really just depends what I'm stepping on and how hard the wind is blowing.

Slugz · Jan 24, 2016

W264,
Last 5 years we have been wearing Kenetrek Bridger highs for the archery muzzleloader hunts. I personally like the cross training/med ankle height type boots for the hunts that cold isn't an issue. I put a lot of miles in em and packed out a fair number of elk and they performed well in all terrain up in NW Colorado.

Matthoek21 · Jan 24, 2016

Lowa Tibets for me as well. I recommend you try several different brands and find the one that fits your particular foot the best. I have also had a pair of Asolo's before that I really liked. Go to a store if you can and talk to the experts. R.E.I. Is a good one to at least listen to what the hiker guys can tell you. As for stalking I don't think any boot with stiff soles(good hiking boot) would be great for stalking in, unless like tdcour said it's windy or soft grass or something. These boots are designed to limit foot fatigue in steep terrain, along with good traction, so when getting in close you may want to slip them off and go in with socks only.
The soles on the Tibets are really aggressive and don't slip in my experience. Good boots!

300bee · Jan 24, 2016

tdcour said:
I love my lows tibets. They still get a little hot in the really early season but I don't know what boot doesn't really. I have zero complaints with the traction and take them off when stalking in close if I feel the need. Sometimes I do sometimes I don't. It really just depends what I'm stepping on and how hard the wind is blowing.

I have pulled my boots off more than once over the years to get closer and it can be tough on your feet some times.
Here is an alternative you might consider.
Check out the link below.

https://www.crookedhorn.com/store/archery-accessories/safari-sneakers-detail.html

highcountryhoy · Jan 24, 2016

I wear the same boots for hunting that I wear for work, because it's not uncommon for me to put 30 miles on a pair in a week doing backcountry power pole inspections. I SWEAR by Merrells. They aren't known so much by the big hunting folks, but I've yet to find a boot that matches them in weight, grip, water resistance and breathability. I'll never use another boot for any type of hiking.

Awise1 · Jan 25, 2016

highcountryhoy said:
I wear the same boots for hunting that I wear for work, because it's not uncommon for me to put 30 miles on a pair in a week doing backcountry power pole inspections. I SWEAR by Merrells. They aren't known so much by the big hunting folks, but I've yet to find a boot that matches them in weight, grip, water resistance and breathability. I'll never use another boot for any type of hiking.

Which Merrell is your choice; is it the Moab hiker?

Murdy · Jan 25, 2016

I own a pair of Lowa Hunter Extremes, which I believe is the tall version of the Tibet?, and I love them, but picked up a pair of Hanwag Hikers for early season, which are super comfortable and light, either these or very similar (earlier model maybe) to these:

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Hanwag-Men-s-Banks-GTX-Boot_10230491_10208_10000001_-1_

Obviously, they don't have the support of the Lowa's, but they have their place.

(Sierra had them a bit cheaper at the time)

sodaksooner · Jan 25, 2016

Salomon 4d2 GTX are on my list this year. Brother has them and loves them as do a lot of guys on other forums. Just another one to think about.

Hunteastwest · Jan 25, 2016

Check out the Merrell Capra hikers. They aren't the greatest for ankle support, but are light and have good traction. I wore mine on many hunts in several states and have no complaints

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

buckbull · Jan 25, 2016

i have lowa tibets as well but don't consider them "early season". They are a half size bigger in order to accomodate sock liner and heavy wool socks. I have lowa renegades that I wear for antelope hunting or just hiking in general.

buckbull · Jan 25, 2016

win264 said:
I'm thinking along the line of light and quiet for early, how are the renegades for walking on sharp rocks etc?

I think Lowa's are excellent boots. I have the tibets, low renegades and mid calf renegades. The Lowa's fit me very well and I know what kind of fit i'm going to get staying with the same brand. I have actually hunted in the low renegades but I mostly use them for hiking and I actually wear them to work when snow is on the ground (as opposed to a casual shoe). The renegades should hold up well in rocks or scree. Thinking more about it; I might wear my tibets if I was on an above timberline hunt or lots of scree. You might also look at the lowa ranger. Its a boot that sits between the tibets and renegades.

WapitiBob · Jan 25, 2016

Lowa renegades are a soft boot. Very nice for hunting the forest or areas of dirt and sticks. They don't come close to a stiff sole boot like a cevedale or Tibet on rocks. I recently went thru 2 pair of renegades and a pair of Salomon quests. After a cpl miles in rocky antelope country in eastern Oregon I swapped out the quests for cevedale. No comparison. The cevedale pro have an upper that is more flexible than a Tibet but a solid sole.
If you want a hiker the renegade or quest are great but all mine leaked like a screen door. The cevedale pros were a much better boot for support but leaked faster than the renegades.

Fink · Jan 25, 2016

I can't say enough good things about Hanwag Alaska GTX's. They are a solid boot, that allow me to pack a very heavy load, while at the same time, they aren't so heavy or bulky that my feet get hot in them. They don't leak, and the breath pretty well.
I'd love to be able to wear a ultra lite boot for early season hunts, but I value the ankle support of a heavier boot too much.
My favorite part about them though, is how easy they are to slide on/off. I hate struggling to jam my feet into boots, and I hate pulling muscles, trying to pry boots of my feet. None of that ever seems easy in a tiny tent, when it's cold and everything around you is wet.

CoHiCntry · Jan 26, 2016

All the boots mentioned in this thread are probably good ones. Like a lot of things, you really need to try different ones out to see what fits YOUR foot and not go off a recommendation. Case in point... I really wanted to try some Lowas since they come highly recommended but for whatever reason they do not fit my feet right so I won't be buying any, ever. Kenetrek & Asolo are my boots of choice right now but thats because they fit good and I've had time to put some miles on them confirming they are the right boot for me. I have a high arch and high instep. Long skinny boney feet, LOL! If you find a few that fit well, then you can get some good recommendations about how they perform in the field.

NHK9 · Jan 30, 2016

I love love love my Asolo Fugitive GTX!!!!!!

Velvet muley · Jan 30, 2016

I have tried quite a few pairs of boots and most of the ones mentioned above. The best, hands down I have found for early season are the Crispi Idaho's. Light, SUPER comfortable and breathable. Do yourself a favor and at least check them out.

DRUSS · Jan 31, 2016

I have the lowa renegades and asolo fugitive gtx both boots work well for me if its going to be more rocky or if I plan on packing more weight I usually choose the asolo. but when not packing much or just hiking the renegades are whats on that day. like wapitibob did say I did have a pair of renegades that leaked badly,i returned them got another pair and this pair still good after 3 seasons. REI told me for some reason it seems that lowa had some bad runs on the renegades

Best boots for early archery hunt

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