Hunting boot suggestions

[papabearxx]

Hi everyone,

I am relatively new to this forum. I have been lurking for a while but have not posted much. I have been hunting the westerns states for the last 30 years. I started off hunting coastal Blacktails in California. I now live in Nevada. I have been on several elk hunts over the last 10 years in Montana, Idaho, and Nevada. I have always had a problem with boots. No matter what boots I try and how much breaking in I do, they always tear my feet up when I am packing out an animal. This year I killed my biggest bull elk to date. He is not huge by most perspectives but a solid bull. I had to pack him out in three trips that ended up being nearly 4 miles round trip. My feet got destroyed. I had a two inch blister that tore all of the skin off the back of my left foot. The boots that I was wearing were Kenetreks Mountain Guides. I had worn these boots for three years prior with no significant problems. But I had not pack out any elk. The problem is that my feet are different sizes. So my left boot does not fit quite right. At this point I have decided that I need a custom fit pair of hunting boots. The problem is that I cannot find a whole lot of companies that build custom fit boots. Russell Moccasins and ?? My friend wears Russell's and swears by them, but are there other options? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[WapitiBob]

A soft boot like a Renegade, Quest 4D, or Pronghorn will conform to your feet much better than a stiff boot. Unfortunately, those soft soles will conform to every nook, cranny, and rock if you have much weight on them. Of those more flexible boots I would go with the Quest 4 d's. They will be flexible enough to allow for lacing techniques to prevent the heel lift you're getting. They're also stiffer than the other two I mentioned but not a stiff boot like the Kenetreks, Tibets, or Cevedale pro's. I have packed Elk with all three of the flexible boots I mentioned. None of them were waterproof for more than a few miles however.
The Cevedale Pro was the best boot I have worn to date but it is a stiff lower half with a flexible upper. You might have the same problem with them or Tibets as you do with the Kenetreks.

 

[Matthoek21]

Have you ever tried preventive measures for blisters? I use Leukotape and tape the blister prone areas. This also helps a lot. Another custom foot option may be Lathrop and Sons. Not sure if you've tried them yet or not.

 

[go_deep]

So apparently I totally missed the last paragraph. You could try a thicker wool sock on the smaller foot, may take up the space? Then you wouldn't be out $ on a custom pair.

 

[roknHS]

White's Shoe Shop in Spokane, Wa has made custom boots for loggers, construction workers, firefighters, smoke jumpers and hunters for at least 70 years that I know of. They are famous with people that work and play in the Western states. Google them and take a look. I've worn their boots for 40 years. The most comfortable boot I have ever worn and they last for decades if you take care of them. They are also rebuildable. I've had mine rebuilt once. Not cheap boots but they are truly a work of art.

 

[Gr8bawana]

So apparently I totally missed the last paragraph. You could try a thicker wool sock on the smaller foot, may take up the space? Then you wouldn't be out $ on a custom pair.

Yes, I would certainly try different sock options first. There should be very little movement of your foot inside the boots. The fact that you have worn those boots for 3 years already means they are already broken in and must be fairly comfortable.
Perhaps a thicker wool sock like was already mentioned with a thin liner sock. Hopefully any friction would occur between the two socks.

 

[sneakypete]

I wear a liner and thicker sock. I found like others said sock options were critical in fitting my Kenetrek mountain extremes! That said good luck.

 

[papabearxx]

Thank you for all of the reply's. After reading through them I realized that I did use a different sock on this hunt than I have used in the past. So maybe that is the problem. Before I buy new boots I will try new socks and try out the liners.

As far as Whites go, I did talk to them last week. The girl on the phone said that they no longer build custom fit hunting boots. They take measurements and find a stock boot that is as close as possible. Which really surprised me. I had a pair of Whites for years when I was in my 20's. They were custom fit.

I have never tried Lathrops. I will take a look at them.

Again thanks for the reply's!

 

[sneakypete]

Paperbearxx, I don't know if there's an REI store close to where you live if so where your boots there and try on different combinations of socks and liners! That's what I did!

 

[tdcour]

Lathrop and sons, like mentioned, is where I would go if you need a custom pair, but I'd definitely try socks first. Much cheaper. Lathrop can build custom boots to each of your foot. Expensive, but I'm betting you won't have an issue with fit after that.

 

[papabearxx]

I do have a REI here in Reno. I will give that a shot. Thanks

 

[papabearxx]

I checked out Lathrop and Sons. That looks like a great way to go for my next pair of boots. Hopefully a new sock combo will help me get another year out of my Kenetrek's.

 

[hoshour]

Lathrop & Sons is a great option. I have been really happy with my Meindl Denalis. Very solid support and no break in.

 

[11C50]

I also have a sizing problem, my left foot is a full half size larger than my right. I have lost several toe nails and got many blisters due to this. This year I bit the bullet, swallowed hard at the price, and got a pair of custom fit Lowa EVX Hunter extremes from Lathrop and sons, along with their recommended sock combo package. OMG why I did not do it sooner is beyond me. Yes it was expensive, but worth EVERY penny. Eight days in the Big Horns this year and my feet never survived better than this year. I think the sock package was a big help as well.

 

[luckynv]

Hey Papabearxx, I dont know if you have talked to Kenetrek yet? I also had problems with their boots and it turned out to be my feet. They have installed a heel cup in my left boot as I have a narrow heel that slips around. Made all the difference. Good luck and God bless

 

[tttoadman]

I didn't see where anyone else mentioned this, but consider a slightly thicker footbed to make up the difference. A sock is still a giant sponge. A solid footbed will actually take up volume. It may as simple as leaving the factory footbed in the smaller foot and not in the other.

 

[buckbull]

All good suggestions thus far. You also may want to experiment with the way you are lacing your boots. A good read from the forum is here:

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/7195-***Boot-Lacing-Techniques****?highlight=boot+laces

 

[amoor983]

I have the salomon quest 4d gtx. Extremely comfortable and capable in nearly all situations, however, I have been on a warranty pair, which will probably also not last a year. They may be worth it though. Also, I would recommend kt tape the night before you hike on blister prone areas. Could you wear a thicker sock on the smaller foot? if you get blisters on your toes, try injinji toe socks (or at least a good wool/polyester blend sock). I also use an expensive insole in my boot that was selected for my feet by a professional. Not custom fit, but close. I would suggest going to lots of different stores and trying on lots of boots, and finding the one best fit for your foot. outdoor gear lab has been useful for me. http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hiking-Boots-Reviews. Leather boots last a long time, but are very heavy and take time to break in. If I have a long approach on a well worn trail, I carry running shoes, and then switch to boots for off trail hiking.

 

[6mm Remington]

White's Shoe Shop in Spokane, Wa has made custom boots for loggers, construction workers, firefighters, smoke jumpers and hunters for at least 70 years that I know of. They are famous with people that work and play in the Western states. Google them and take a look. I've worn their boots for 40 years. The most comfortable boot I have ever worn and they last for decades if you take care of them. They are also rebuildable. I've had mine rebuilt once. Not cheap boots but they are truly a work of art.

I second WHITES BOOTS ! Excellent company and they will make them to fit you!! They make a fine rebuildable insulated and non-insulated leather hunting boot as well as really good leather top rubber bottom pack boots! You cannot go wrong with them. I would suggest going to a reputable boot business where you are and having them take measurements of your feet so they are precise. You might contact White's first to see exactly what they need. I believe they have a foot form so it can be filled out.

David

PS- Hope this helps.

Their Insulated Outdoorsman boot. I am going to get a pair of these for myself. They are built very well. Get the airbob sole!!

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30651

For cold, snowy, wet conditions these pack boots are the cats meow!!

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29863

 

[laxwyo]

What does everyone use to oil or grease their leather boots?