How many of you use "Mountain Boots?"

[D.Turvey Jr]

I am going to try two this year and those are the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme's and Zamberlan Skill GT's. I am also giving the Kenetrek Grizzly Pac boots a go as well. I have zero time in any of them, so I am excited to see how they perform.

 

[eye in sky]

I use Crispi Nevadas with the synergy foot bed. This is the first boot I've worn without getting heal blisters. They are a solid boot and I'm truly happy that it only took me three manufacturers boots to find the perfect fit. I'm going to try the Crispi Idahos next for early season.

 

[ColoradoV]

I use the kenetrek boots for anything at or above timberline and a lightweight boot Danner Pronghorn or addidas running shoes below timberline.

I feel that a stiff mountain boot in the terrain around here above timberline is a must in order to stay safe.

 

[DanPickar]

I don't use stiff mountain boots too often because its hard for me to stalk quietly in them. For most of my hunting I've used Danner Jackals. They are basically a glorified sneaker with ankle support. I am blessed with good feet so I can get away with a minimal footbed even with a heavy pack. I've had great success with them and will use them as much as possible this year too. If I get a little luck this year and go on a sheep or goat hunt up in the rocks, I'll be lacing up some Zamberland Guide GTX boots!

 

[1shot7mm]

I've been wearing the kenetrek Extreme ountain boot for a couple of years and they feel great. Got them about two weeks before my elk hunt and only a little break-in time but never had any issues with blisters or hot spot. Just bought a pair to Kenetrek Grizzly pacs and I think they will be great for walk in the mountains if the weather is'nt super cold. Time will tell!!

 

[hushgritting]

I think, it is required and even advisable to use mountain boots to protect anyone from rough hiking. In terms of the type, I guess , it is also recommendable to have that fits you and the one you find it comfortable to wear.

 

[Knappy]

I bought a pair of Cabela's Air Revolution Hunting Boots by Meindl (non insulated) for my elk hunt in Idaho. I tried on every pair of non insulated boot that Cabela's offered and these fit the best. I liked them and I wore them for about 4 months prior to my hunt to break them in. Now my feet sweat bad, which is why I went with non insulated boots. When I got up in the mountains, about three days into the trip, I started noticing my heels getting tender. By the end of my 8 day hunt, I could barely walk!! My feet slid and moved around in my boots enough while climbing up and down the mountains that I got NASTY, HUGE blisters on my heals of my feet. I don't know what to do to fix this problem? Is it because my feet sweat so bad? The boot really doesn't fit me well? I had them laced up tight at all times and would take them off when I was glassing to let my feet breath. Should I get a new pair and start all over or get one of the high end insert (foot soles) to put in my boots? I'm telling you.... my feet just about ruined my hunt! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[25contender]

Check out this thread. There is some great info here. Mark
http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/4825-how-to-keep-your-feet-in-good-shape

I bought a pair of Cabela's Air Revolution Hunting Boots by Meindl (non insulated) for my elk hunt in Idaho. I tried on every pair of non insulated boot that Cabela's offered and these fit the best. I liked them and I wore them for about 4 months prior to my hunt to break them in. Now my feet sweat bad, which is why I went with non insulated boots. When I got up in the mountains, about three days into the trip, I started noticing my heels getting tender. By the end of my 8 day hunt, I could barely walk!! My feet slid and moved around in my boots enough while climbing up and down the mountains that I got NASTY, HUGE blisters on my heals of my feet. I don't know what to do to fix this problem? Is it because my feet sweat so bad? The boot really doesn't fit me well? I had them laced up tight at all times and would take them off when I was glassing to let my feet breath. Should I get a new pair and start all over or get one of the high end insert (foot soles) to put in my boots? I'm telling you.... my feet just about ruined my hunt! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I bought a pair of Cabela's Air Revolution Hunting Boots by Meindl (non insulated) for my elk hunt in Idaho. I tried on every pair of non insulated boot that Cabela's offered and these fit the best. I liked them and I wore them for about 4 months prior to my hunt to break them in. Now my feet sweat bad, which is why I went with non insulated boots. When I got up in the mountains, about three days into the trip, I started noticing my heels getting tender. By the end of my 8 day hunt, I could barely walk!! My feet slid and moved around in my boots enough while climbing up and down the mountains that I got NASTY, HUGE blisters on my heals of my feet. I don't know what to do to fix this problem? Is it because my feet sweat so bad? The boot really doesn't fit me well? I had them laced up tight at all times and would take them off when I was glassing to let my feet breath. Should I get a new pair and start all over or get one of the high end insert (foot soles) to put in my boots? I'm telling you.... my feet just about ruined my hunt! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Knappy, heel blisters are the result of heel slip. So either the boots are too big, the heel cup doesn't fit right, or the uppers don't flex forward well, and your heel is lifting off the footbed. This is a common problem with stiff boots, and in my experience, it takes some hit-and-miss to find the boot that fits right to prevent heel slip. Custom fitters like Lathrop and Sons can really ease this experience.

 

[marcusvdk]

Anyone able to point me in a good direction for find boots in a size 15. Its like trying to locate bigfoot (pun intended) Danner so far is the only place that has more then one boot in a 15. I have looked at Kenentrek, Crispi, Lowa, Danner, Zamberlan, and cabelas and gande rmountain.

 

[Knappy]

25contender and Bitteroot Bulls, thanks for the help!! BB, you nailed it. My heels were definitely slipping. Once my feet were wet and the pain started being noticeable, I even realized it was slipping/rubbing even while walking on flat ground. I had those boots laced up tight thinking it would help. Should I go straight to the Lathrop and Sons Synergy footbed or get another pair of boots? I'm hoping the footbeds will fix the slip problem because those boots aren't cheap and I only wore them for one season.

 

[Timberstalker]

Heal slip was an issue for me with my Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots. I wore them for 3 months before hunting season and still had blisters on my heals the first week hunting. I wore the tread off of them within 2 seasons and they leaked the first time I wore them in wet weather. I am sending them in to get re-soled this week, they are a comfortable pair of boots now (as long as I don't wear them in wet weather) and I can't afford a new pair of boots right now. I will be looking for a different boot next time I buy.

 

[25contender]

I have the Lanthrop and Sons footbeds as well and they really make a difference. You might want to try another lacing pattern to pull your heel tight into the heel cup. Sometimes it is as simple as adding the insole. Sometimes its a combination of the sock, insole and lacing technique. Then Sometimes its just the boot being the improper size. You really need to lock in your heel and it isn't about lacing the boot as tight as possible. I had a little heel slip when I tried out my boots after I got them. I threw away the stock insole and replaced them. Tried different sock and lacing techniques and now they feel and wear perfectly. My last pair of boots never felt right no matter what I did so out they went!!

25contender and Bitteroot Bulls, thanks for the help!! BB, you nailed it. My heels were definitely slipping. Once my feet were wet and the pain started being noticeable, I even realized it was slipping/rubbing even while walking on flat ground. I had those boots laced up tight thinking it would help. Should I go straight to the Lathrop and Sons Synergy footbed or get another pair of boots? I'm hoping the footbeds will fix the slip problem because those boots aren't cheap and I only wore them for one season.

 

[Knappy]

Got it! Thanks buddy. I'll try your recommendations and see if they fit better. An Army friend of mine that I'm deployed with right now said he used nylon stockings (panty hose socks) to put on his feet, under his socks, during ruck marches. He said this really helped cut down on the abrasion and rubbing on his foot. I will have to just play with the boot, insert, and lacing to see if I can get them just right. Thank you!

 

[25contender]

Got it! Thanks buddy. I'll try your recommendations and see if they fit better. An Army friend of mine that I'm deployed with right now

Thank you for your service and be safe.

 

[Brushstomper]

I had the same issue with my Kenetreks. I took them to a boot shop and they heated up water in a crockpot (very hot water) placed the boot in a waterproof plastic bag and put the heel of the boot in the water for five minutes and then had me put the boot on and he used his hands to squeeze the heel of the boot to form around my heel. The heel cup is made of a hard plastic and then wrapped in leather so if can be formed to fit your heel. Did both boots and was amazed at the difference when I hit the mountains for deer season. Great fix if that is the issue you are dealing with. You may want to try a sock liner along with a good pair of wool socks and a new lace pattern. You can have a great pair of boots but if they don't fit you are better off in tennis shoes : ) good luck!

 

[Joseph]

I made the switch from a softer hunting boot to a much stiffer style backpacking boot(Scarpa) and wish I had done it years ago. Much better support and less fatigue.

 

[Sawfish]

For years, I wore nothing but Red Wing Mountaineers. That was in the day of triple stitched all leather construction and Vibram soles. After boot construction gravitated to nylon and other synthetic with plastic soles, I had to look elsewhere. Two years ago, I bought a pair of Alico Summits from Sierra Trading Post. I actually ordered three pair of boots, tried them all on, and kept the Alico pair. Out of the box, they were heavy and stiff, but broke in nicely. They are hand made in Italy and feature one piece construction with full leather welts and Vibram soles, which I consider to be the finest mountain tread available. Sierra had one of their famous closeouts with multiple discounts. I think the MSRP was around $400, and I would up paying $160. Very happy with these boots.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Knappy......he's correct on the panty hose assessment. I did that on a 100 mile road March and it helped tremendously. I also swear by mole skin once a blister has formed. I'll have about 3-4 sheets of it with me in WY this fall. Keep your head down and stay safe!!

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[Fink]

Anyone have any experience with the Hanwag Mountain lights or Cheyanne? I've been wearing Danner Pronghorns, with zero problems, other than getting a little wet. But, I'd like a little bit lighter boot, at over 3.5 pounds, the Danners are pretty heavy.