New Boots

[Elkonthebrain]

Looking into getting some new boots this year. I was wondering if any of you have tried out the Zamberlan 519 DAKOTA BOOT GT RR, 164 Elk Gtx or Kenetrek KE-420-NI Men's Mountain Extreme Non-Insulated. If there's any others that you guys recommend let me know these are just what i came up with after some research.

[LckyTylr]

I'm a Meindl fan, the Denali Fit IQ for early season and the Perfekt Hunter for fall and winter.

I LOVE my Perfekt Hunters.

[MTLongdraw]

I have the Kennetreks. Wasn't a fan for the first few weeks but absolutely love them now. Put 200 miles on them this year and no blisters or anything. I wear a cotton work sock and wool socks over them. Work awesome. Kept my feet plenty warm and dry. Good customer service too.

[Elkonthebrain]

I've heard the break in period for kenetrek can be brutal.

[Indian Summer]

Yeah Josh... Kenetreks make you wonder if you made the right choice... until you put about 50 miles or so on them. After that they are like a best friend. Love my Mountain Extremes!

[Olydog09]

Crispi Kanada's

[Elkduds]

Any experience finding B width hunting boots? Do tell.

[wapitibowman]

I am looking at the Lowa Tibet GTX Hi (non-insulated) & the Kenetreks (non-insulated). Leaning heavily towards the Lowa's.

Wapitibowman

[Broken arrow]

I love my lowa renegades. Even after 8 days of wet feet with liner and smart wool socks, not even close to a blister. I have well over 100 miles on them and they still look great feel great and haven't let me down.
Got them from shoebuy.com they have free return shipping if you're not satisfied.

[ctdad]

Hanwag mountain light. Was in wet grass, rain, snow and had to cross creeks all day while hunting this year. Never leaked. Very comfortable right out of the box. Also have some asolo boots and a pair of kennetreks. Both are ok. Hanwags are better

[flystrait]

Here is a tip for the Kenetreks. As soon as you get them take out the factory insoles and replace them with something else like super feet. They make a great boot and it helps with that break in period. Everyones feet are a little different so try several on if you can. I really liked the Lowa Tibets but the fit for me is not the best. My go to are the Kenetreks Hardscabber

[ElkNut1]

Good idea! I like the idea of better foot soles too!

ElkNut1

[Still Hunter]

I was lucky to get 1-2 years from boots until switching to Meindl Perfekt boots. I've gotten 7 years on the pair I have now, and I do tons of scouting, hiking, and hunting with them. I even use them for daily wear. I don't baby them either. Best boots i've ever owned.

[SilverDollars]

Howdy. Well, I can't help you with those choices but I followed Mike Eastman's advice (from http://www.eastmans.com -> their hunting magazine) and got myself a pair of Schnees. I bought the Hunter II pac boots in the 13 inch. They are great!!! There is no way you can ever get a blister in these comfortable boots.

[pointysticks]

when i was boot shopping, i think i read 100 post about them.

like everything else, EVERYONE has an opinion. there is no argument that there are some awesome (and expensive) boots out there..i looked at everything. i knew i wanted a lighter (less warm) boot than a 400 gr thinsulate boot..so i got the Schnee's insulated Beartooths. 200gr. the boots were so comfy!! minor blistering on my little toe that grew back goofy after i think i broke it..so i cannot blame the boot. ALL boots blister that toe.

after several brutal hikes..once climbing hours and hours of dead-fall in idaho, i thought my boots were broken in. nope. my last hunt in california put me in hiking hell. crazy downhills, and the most insane sidehilling EVER. my feet almost bled. they were so torn up!!

what did i learn? nobody has feet like anyone else. one man's dream boot will be the iron maiden torture device on another man's feet. even one man's proven dream boot can be made to fail..in another scenario.

buying boots is a solo sport. i hate it.

good luck.

[Texasdan]

Pointysticks, what socks are you using? Nails clipped and filed?

Drymax socks with some body glide on friction spots and a good trim and file on the nails and blisters should disappear.

[Got2fishsd]

I used to work on a hand crew as a firefighter and hiked everyday all day. One trick I learned is to put a pair of nylon dress socks on under normal cotton socks. The cotton will slide on your dress socks and not your foot. Once I switched to this system I never got blisters.

[pointysticks]

Pointysticks, what socks are you using? Nails clipped and filed?

Drymax socks with some body glide on friction spots and a good trim and file on the nails and blisters should disappear.

I thought I was good anyways thanks for reminder. Going after hogs in the morning. Gonna try dress socks. I haven't bought liners yet.