How many of you use a stiff "mountain boot" for hunting? I am talking like a Kenetrek Mountain Extreme, Lowa Sheep Hunter etc.
If so, what model, brand and why?
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How many of you use "Mountain Boots?"
- Thread starter ScottR
- Start date
How many of you use a stiff "mountain boot" for hunting? I am talking like a Kenetrek Mountain Extreme, Lowa Sheep Hunter etc.
If so, what model, brand and why?
I have a pair of Lowa Tibets and Sheep hunters. I got a pair of Crispi GTX last year. I like them for the support the give to my weak girlish arches. I think they help with climbing rock ledges and soft steep hill sides by keeping your feet straight with the stiff soles. The Crispi have better ankle support then the Lowas IMO.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I had the Lowa Sheep Hunters for a couple seasons when they first came out. The heel cup didn't work out that great for me. Same story with the Kenetreks.
I had great luck with the Hanwag Mountain Lights, but they are more of a hybrid mountain boot.
This year I am trying the "norweigan welted" Zamberlan Latemar. So far so good with those.
I had great luck with the Hanwag Mountain Lights, but they are more of a hybrid mountain boot.
This year I am trying the "norweigan welted" Zamberlan Latemar. So far so good with those.
Kevin Root
Very Active Member
I’m not all that fond of stiff boots. So far I have not found a good one yet I suppose. I have a pair of Lowa Hunter Extremes that I will only wear in very cold conditions. I have heal issues using the boot and I have to be careful using it or I get blisters easy on my heals.
I don’t have any ankle support issues wearing a lighter mid high boot like a Cabelas Active Trail Waterproof Mid hiker. Something like that kind of boot works for me generally. The heaver pack loads, cold weather or real wet conditions do get more challenging depending on the terrain but I just prefer a lighter trail boot but that is just my preference.
I don’t have any ankle support issues wearing a lighter mid high boot like a Cabelas Active Trail Waterproof Mid hiker. Something like that kind of boot works for me generally. The heaver pack loads, cold weather or real wet conditions do get more challenging depending on the terrain but I just prefer a lighter trail boot but that is just my preference.
I will say this. You absolutely with no doubt whatsoever will need to try many boots to find the ones that fit your feet! Boots are not whats good for one are good for another.
My Lowa Sheep Hunters I've had since 2006 and have been my fav boot for years. Then a year ago for some reason started to hurt the top of my feet down the left and right of my feet under the lace loops. I tried different socks, foot beds and still they hurt. No so bad that I don't wear them for a day but no way more then that.
The Lowa Tibet's I've had since 2007 never had a problem and are still my early season boots.
Since the Sheet Hunters started to hurt I picked up the Crispi on Camofire and I freakin love them! Not as stiff as Lowa but plenty of support. I put the Lathrop and Son Synergy foot beds and made them even more comfy. I wear the heack out of them, while hunting or training before a hunt even when I just walk around the neiborhood with the wife.
I will pick up some early season Crispi when I can and hope they are as good as the other pair.
My Lowa Sheep Hunters I've had since 2006 and have been my fav boot for years. Then a year ago for some reason started to hurt the top of my feet down the left and right of my feet under the lace loops. I tried different socks, foot beds and still they hurt. No so bad that I don't wear them for a day but no way more then that.
The Lowa Tibet's I've had since 2007 never had a problem and are still my early season boots.
Since the Sheet Hunters started to hurt I picked up the Crispi on Camofire and I freakin love them! Not as stiff as Lowa but plenty of support. I put the Lathrop and Son Synergy foot beds and made them even more comfy. I wear the heack out of them, while hunting or training before a hunt even when I just walk around the neiborhood with the wife.
I will pick up some early season Crispi when I can and hope they are as good as the other pair.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
I wear the Kenetrek mountain extreme...Love them. Have had one pair for 3 seasons now...well over 180 days of use while guiding, and they are still holding up great. I also wear Kenetrek Pac Boots once the snow starts accumulating. I found my Extremes on Camofire for half-off back then...wish i would have bought a couple more pairs!
woodtick
Veteran member
I'm still running the Canadian Meindl boots and I got 2 pairs still in boxes, When Cabela's discontinued them to a $150 I couldn't pass up burning my points for boots that'll last me well into my 40's... I wear them for everything, from hunting upland game, antelope to high country elk and deer.
DryFlyGuy
Active Member
I have Kenetrek Mountain Extremes and Lowa Ranger GTX. I think the Kenetreks are more comfortable.
clacklin009
Active Member
I wear the Asolo TPS 520 GV
The reason I picked this boot was due to the support it gave without inhibiting my movement. The specs on the boot are comparable to boots that most see as heavier mountain boots however mine are roughly 6" boots. They fit around my leg just right and the arch is perfect. I don't even hike on a trail while hunting and in order to get to the spot I hunt it takes me roughly 3 hours to climb 1200 feet and travel .7 miles along the path. It is rough hiking and the boot has never failed me. I have to be careful on wet logs and rocks.
The reason I picked this boot was due to the support it gave without inhibiting my movement. The specs on the boot are comparable to boots that most see as heavier mountain boots however mine are roughly 6" boots. They fit around my leg just right and the arch is perfect. I don't even hike on a trail while hunting and in order to get to the spot I hunt it takes me roughly 3 hours to climb 1200 feet and travel .7 miles along the path. It is rough hiking and the boot has never failed me. I have to be careful on wet logs and rocks.
I will throw in my thoughts on what I look for in a boot beyond just fit:
1. The boot must not look like a waffle, it needs to be primarily made from a single piece of leather for a somewhat rigid fit.
2. I like an aggressive tread, that isn't too soft. Soft means that it will be slipping and sliding all over the place. Too hard of a sole will be even worse.
3. The lacing system must hold the strings tight. This may sound trivial but I have had brush that will pull on the laces and take them right off the hooks.
What do you guys look for?
1. The boot must not look like a waffle, it needs to be primarily made from a single piece of leather for a somewhat rigid fit.
2. I like an aggressive tread, that isn't too soft. Soft means that it will be slipping and sliding all over the place. Too hard of a sole will be even worse.
3. The lacing system must hold the strings tight. This may sound trivial but I have had brush that will pull on the laces and take them right off the hooks.
What do you guys look for?
OregonJim
Very Active Member
I say roger on all Scotts comments.
It may seem obvious but the first thing I look for is perfect arch support and a great footbed. I have suffered from plantar fasciitis for years and after walking miles and miles at steep angles a boot that fits my foot perfectly is an absolute necessity.
It may seem obvious but the first thing I look for is perfect arch support and a great footbed. I have suffered from plantar fasciitis for years and after walking miles and miles at steep angles a boot that fits my foot perfectly is an absolute necessity.
I used the Cabela's Meindle Perfekt Hunters this past year in WY. They did very well and fit my feet great. They really didn't seem to need much break in at all. Only complaint is that they can get too warm when temps are mild since they have 400 gram Thinsulate insulation. Recently bought a pair of the Lowa Tibet GTX for an uninsulated boot. Been wearing them to get them somewhat broken in. So far they seem to fit really good and are comfortable, but have only worn them on fairly flat ground.
RockChucker30
Active Member
I've got several pair of Lowa boots including the Sheep Hunters, Tibets, and Rangers. Since I've been wearing low drop and zero drop minimalist shoes for running and training though wearing boots with a lot of heel to toe drop now kills my feet.
If the weather is nice I prefer trail runners. I'd be interested in a low drop or zero drop minimalist boot though.
If the weather is nice I prefer trail runners. I'd be interested in a low drop or zero drop minimalist boot though.
woodtick
Veteran member
Several sport injuries to my lower legs have resulted in me preferring super stiff boots, especially in the ankles! I wished I could wear some trail runners but If I step in a hole wrong I'll be done for!!
25contender
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
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I bought a pair of Lowa Tibet GTX boots before last years season. I changed out the insoles to the Lanthrop insoles and love the boots with either a med or heavy weight merino wool sock. At first I really didn't care for the boots but after trying different socks and lacing techniques it all came together. I am a firm believer now that the combination of the above makes a huge difference on how the boot wears on your feet. I also learned that the way you lace your boots makes a super huge difference on how they wear.
RockChucker30
Active Member
woodtick, I definitely had to work into minimalist shoes. My feet and ankles are probably three times stronger than they used to be. The only thing that has really hurt me recently was coming off my young BIL's pogo stick and landing badly.
woodtick
Veteran member
I'm worried if I try to work into a minimalists shoe that I'd develop Plantar fasciitis like OregonJim, I had it a couple summers ago when I was really training hard to lose weight and it took me months to rid of it. I've got a pair of Salomon GTX hikers in a box that I've never worn before.