Best Mountain Boot

[Wilhelm]

I tried on several boots and went with the Salomon 4d GTX for my first elk hunt this fall. Had them out in Colorado last week scouting, and they worked really well. Stable, not too heavy, stiff sole. One downside is they do not come in wide, so if that is needed then these boots won't work for you. I have wider feet, and the toe box fits me well. The heel is narrow, and I wasn't sure how I would like that but heel width has not been a problem once I put them in use.

 

[B&C Blacktails]

I've had the Salomon gtx boots for four years. I've gone through keens, asolo, vasque and merrel boots for my early season hunting boots. I've recently made a personal decision not to buy Chinese made products. It just so happens the Salomon boots are Chinese made. These boots have been so good to me over the years I am going to go back on my word and buy another pair of Salomon boots.

I wear kenetrek mountain extremes later in the year. Their warranty service is outstanding, their warranty claims if you need your boot to be resoled send them in and they will do it for $75. Well they just mailed me brand new boots! With service like that why choose another company.

 

[raekit]

I ended up order a bunch of the boots mentioned and really like many of them, but it came down to fit and comfort. I would try them on walk around the house, go up and down my stairs, etc. and see how they felt...many didn't fit quite right or would bend and flex in the wrong area for my and my feet, so I would return them. It was a pain and took 3 months of exchanging, trying on, etc. Then I got in a pair of Scarpa - Kinesis Pro GTX boots. From the first moment of trying them on they fit great and worked with my feet. I took them out this past week on a 4 day backpacking mule deer hunt in the high country of the Sierras and they did great. Best boots I have had yet. Although I highly recommend these, try them all on and decided which is best.

https://www.scarpa.com/kinesis-pro-gtx

 

[FlyPatch]

I've gone through a couple of Danner Pronghorns, had great experience right out of box. However, didn't perform on side of mountains...too loose. Had one paris of Scarpa's...wore them out, great fits and experience. One pair of Zamberlan Sherpa Pro, had to retire after two seasons, started to leak after the stitching holding the webbing/leather together gave out. Zamberlan declined my claim, I offer proof of defect...they offered a coupon, never again.

Lessons learned, look at manufacture warranty, buy all leather, firmer the better...but expect to put in some trail miles during breakin, days not hours. I'm on the fence insulated vs uninsulated, this is where its good to have two boots for the conditions.