Boot Woes - Need Advice

[Cobbhunts]

So I have a bit of a problem. I'm on my 2nd set of boots and we are coming down to the wire. The first pair I just wasn't happy with. They were SO comfortable right out of the box. Width seem to fit well which is usually my problem, length maybe a tad long which I believe caused the issue im about to describe. Oh, and they were really light which I Loved. But.....they made a flip flop type sound at every step. I put 10-12 miles on them thinking they'd break in and it would stop. Didn't happen. Under Armor Brow Tines - Uninsulated.

Exchanged them and they'd just had a huge boot sale. So they literally only had 1 pair of boots left in my size (13). My luck!! They were the Danner High Ground non-insl. I tried them on and they felt good and seemed to fit well all around. I took them. That was Friday.

Now that you've read all of that.....here's my concern! I've put maybe 5 miles on them. 1.5 miles of relatively steep grade today. I can feel my left heel slip ever so slightly, like 1/8" or maybe less. I'm wearing wool socks with them. So far I've not had a hot spot, but I'm worried that I may have to exchange these as well which I just hate to do. But I can't seem to just walk in the store, try a boot on, and know that it fits without doing some hiking of some sort. So.....since I've not developed any hotspots in my limited use of these boots, do you all think they will be alright? Or should I just trade these in as well? I'm torn on this.....

Do I need to get a tighter fitting boot? I can't stand for my "little" toes to be scrunched up at all. Not on the length, the width.

I almost feel like I should just get me some new combat boots. I've put 100s of miles on a couple of pairs of Corcoran II jump boots. With no issues.

Any input is appreciated for sure!! Thanks

 

[okielite]

Might try some different socks and/or insoles. Some boots you can try different lacing patterns as well.

 

[WapitiBob]

Always wear thin liners next to skin. Heel lift is not a good thing either.

 

[az.mountain runner]

My feet has always given me fits since they don't make shoes in America any more,I can't afford the private boot makers that charge 5 to 6 hundred dollars a pair of boots.every yeari spend 300 on boots wear them a month or two and have too give them away because they start hurting my feet, but last year I bought a pair of Irish setters, and was able to wear them the whole season, no problems, but they are 250.00 a pair, but still cheaper than 300.00 On two pair and have nothing at the end of the season, my boot size is 12.5eee with most 13 teens I get the sloppy foot move ment, and most of the 4e's are too wide, I can't wear two pairs of Sox my feet sweat to much.

 

[tttoadman]

I messed with lightweight boots my whole life thinking it was the way to go. I upgraded to a pair of lowas with the lacing lock. This allows the foot box to be loose while holding the heel back. Find the "lacing techniques" post from Mark(25contender). It have about 40-50 miles on these lowas, and it is night and day difference. If you still want to run a little lighter weight, look at the Lowa Caminos. I can tell you the Lowas seem to run a little narrow.

A boot that eliminates slip is more valuable than a broke in boot if you are pressed for time.

 

[Cobbhunts]

I'm def thinking about taking these back. My local sources for hiking/hunting boots are just so limited. And with my sizing issues I'd really hate to order a pair. With the weeks dwindling down especially. I'm going to find that lacing thread. I believe I subscribed to it when it was active, just so I could reference back. I may give that a try and put another mile or two on these first. I'll also go get a good liner and maybe try an insole while I'm at it. $250-$300 is about my limit on boots. As much as I'd like to have an American made pair, I just can't do it at this time. Dang daycare is eating me alive at $12k per year!!!!!!!

 

[Cobbhunts]

Oh....and as far as weight is concerned. That's not really a factor. I was just impressed with how light they both were since I've always worn heavy boots. Even in the office I worked in for years we had to wear steel toes.

 

[Timberstalker]

Try the liners and lacing techniques first, they may fix the problem for you.

 

[tdcour]

Definitely work on lacing. I had the same issue you are talking about. Same foot and same amount of movement. By doing the lacing technique called the Sherpas knot I was able to snug up my heel. I don't so mine exactly like the video but I would definitely encourage you to look at lacing techniques if you are happy with everything else on the boots. I also put lathrop and sons insoles in the boots and that also helped some.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Much appreciated!!

 

[tdcour]

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/7195-***Boot-Lacing-Techniques****

In case you couldnt find it. 25 did a great job with the video, but I only do the knot right around the ankle rather than doing it all the way up. I also wrap laces behind my leg just above my ankle to help keep it locked in.

 

[mnhunter]

A boot with heel lock lacing is a must for me, if you can find some boots with this, it should help with heel lift. Do you have an REI local? They have a great selection of hiking boots, and ussually some people working there that do alot of hiking (probably don't ask about hunting though).

Last year, I started doing alot of hunting in Saloman hiking boots (Quest 4d GTX), and they have been awesome. They are similar to the mountain boots I used in AFG. Now I only go to my Meindls when it is pretty cold out. If you do switch to a lower hiking style boot, definately get a good set of gaitors to keep things dry in dew and water crossings. I hiked through some pretty significant snow and and crossed some streams this last spring bear hunting in MT and my feet stayed good and dry.

 

[Cobbhunts]

We don't have an REI that I'm aware of. I just found out that there's a good "hiking" outfitter in the city north of me. I'm going to check them out this weekend hopefully. Maybe they will have an answer. Thanks MN!!

 

[Sawfish]

There are some good lacing videos on You Tube

 

[Musket Man]

I almost feel like I should just get me some new combat boots. I've put 100s of miles on a couple of pairs of Corcoran II jump boots. With no issues.

Good Idea! Most of my hunting since I was in has been in my combat boots.

 

[11C50]

I saw someone else mention Irish Setter boots, I own a pair of Irish Setter Elk Tracker in 600 gram for my cold weather, or heavy snow cover boot and absolutely love them. Much more comfortable than the Danner Pronghorns I own, which tore me up pretty good last year on a pack out. Lost a toe nail due to them, but than may be due to the fact they are 1/2 a size smaller than the Irsih Setters.
Check out the Irish Setter web site, the Elk Trackers run 0,200,600 and 1000 grams and run about $250 a pair. Their sizes and width seems to run true to size. I will defintely buy another pair when these wear out.

 

[Cobbhunts]

I saw someone else mention Irish Setter boots, I own a pair of Irish Setter Elk Tracker in 600 gram for my cold weather, or heavy snow cover boot and absolutely love them. Much more comfortable than the Danner Pronghorns I own, which tore me up pretty good last year on a pack out. Lost a toe nail due to them, but than may be due to the fact they are 1/2 a size smaller than the Irsih Setters.
Check out the Irish Setter web site, the Elk Trackers run 0,200,600 and 1000 grams and run about $250 a pair. Their sizes and width seems to run true to size. I will defintely buy another pair when these wear out.

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely check those out. Times up for this year so I'm keeping the Danners. I went and purchased some good liners and all problems seem to have been taking care of. I've probably got close to 50 miles on them now with no problems. Good wool socks and good liners. Thanks for all of the help everyone!!

 

[mnhoundman]

I've had four pairs of the Elk Trackers 1000 gram for winter here and love them. I tried something different last year and got the 800 gram Pronghorns, nice and light, but they don't fit real well. Got some Kenetreks for my muley hunt this year and all I can say is WOW! Awesome boots so far, probably gonna get a pair for work next year!