Boots and socks

[foxvalley]

Nothing will wreck an elk hunt faster than blisters on your feet because of your boots or socks.Your toes will be jammed in the front of your boots on the way down,and your heels will be screaming on the way up.
Mole skin is always in my pack, and the first sign of a blister off go the boots and socks and mole skin over the blister.
My choice of boots is the high country hunter by russel moccasin co.,they are custom made to your foot by tracing a pattern of your foot,and sending in the pattern to make the boot. You can also buy "off the rack" of boots that were returned.This all leather boot is 15" high and water proof to the top. It has extreme ancle support,and your choice of soles,I prefer the airbob, or gumdrop sole.
Socks are just as important as the boots, and the highest quality,moisture wicking socks should be on your feet. I wear two pair of socks at all times,the first is a sock liner, or the thinest pair, then a heavier pair.What this does, by wearing two pair, is now you have sock rubbing on sock, not sock rubbing on skin.
So what is your choice of boots and socks?

russel boots.jpg (37.08 KiB) Viewed 14644 times

[ElkNut1]

What's the website for this boot? I tried locating it but failed! (grin)

ElkNut1

[WapitiTalk1]

Found it ..

http://russellmoccasin.com/

I also use a silk sock liner and a merino wool sock in my boots. The sock liner wicks moisure, and, seems to keep the main sock from sliding down. I've been wearing Danner Pronhorns for three years and like them fine so far.

[Blake_Bartz]

My boot of choice is the Asolo TPS 520 GV boots. I've used them extensively the last two years between White-tailed ptarmigan research work and hunting and they are by far my favorite pair of boots I've tried. I've had a lot of different brands and styles of boots and they seem to have the best combination of comfort and durability. Although I've never had a custum pair of boots. It really comes down to what fits your feet and the terrain your hunting the best. A certain pair of boots may work perfectly for one person, while another person can't stand them. I would never buy a pair of boots without at least trying them on first.

I just use a thin pair of smartwool socks with my boots. I used to use the think silk and then wool combo layer, but with a proper fitting boot the single sock has worked out great for me.

[twinkieman]

I seldom hunt with a high top boot. I use Keen hiking boots, they have great fit, and do have ankle support.

[pointysticks]

Clipped those talon like toe nails too.

[pointysticks]

I've had danners, kenetreks , and schnee boots.

I've never hike as fast and as far as now. I wear much lighter and lower Lowa boots. My heavy boots are in my closet lovingly oiled.

[Fridaythe13th]

For me Red Wing Shoe TRAILBLAZER 867. It is only a 7" boot which suck for crossing creek. but I don't have ware such high socks and I stay cooler. (little bit) My last pair was Red Wing Shoe ELK TRACKER 881 I think it was a 12" boot very nice boot and might go back too. I just to tall of a boot for all my sock I bought, The leather rub my leg raw. For sock my favorite is Cabela's Ingenius® Series 10" Sock - Lightweight. I tried Smartwool PHD It was a good sock but I like the Cabelas a little better.

[Lefty]

Hunting in the open I hunt with Cabelas Arizona hikers and good socks, I often change socks once or twice a day

I must be lucky: I dont have problems getting blisters or hotspots from hiking or hunting

[LongShot]

My feet sweat at the drop of a boot , so I'm careful about my socks and the boot's insulation. What works for me in early season is a pair of Wolverine uninsulated, 7" waterproof boots with one THIN pair of 80% merino wool, 10% cotton, 10% spandex. Late season I switch to 12" Irish Setters insulated (400 g thinsulate) treated with SnoSeal and a 2nd pair of 100% light wool socks. These combos work great for me, but I've had my share of trips w/ cold feet.

[dtrkyman]

I bought a pair of asolo boots, great heavy duty mountain boot, but for me they are complete over kill for general hunting, I wear a really light weight Merrel hiker that is low cut, these are about wore out so i am switching to a hiking shoe, most do not realize the primary ankle support is in the sole of the boot. If it is really nasty or i need to haul a load I will sport the asolo.

Only issue is figuring what to bring on a bivy hunt, I guess i can wear the asolo on the way in and pack light hikers, they are well under 2lbs a pair!

[elkmtngear]

Poly Sock liners, and merino outer socks with Lowa Renegade GTX boots are working well for me these days

[stykbow67]

After wearing my Asolo 520s the last 3 years I've decided to try something a little lighter this year so I'm breaking in a pair of Keen Targhee's. So far they are really comfortable and handle my 50lb training pack without any issues unfortunately I don't have the opportunity to train in the mountains but I do workout on the dam of a local lake so I do get to do some side hilling with them. I always wear a Smartwool/blend sock and actually just ordered some from Darn Tough after reading about them on here!
Steve

[ctdad]

I used keen and loved them until I walked in dew and the Gore tex leaked like a busted dam. I used asolo one year and was happy but now wear hanwags. I like them the best. Very little break in. Water proof. Comfortable. ...

[bloodarrow]

Ive got a pair of cabelas elkhunters (danners) and a pair of timberland 'just over the ankle and much lighter' that I'll be wearing. (amazing to me that not alot of the manufacturers make BIG sizes). For sox it will be liners and merino wool sox. Id love a pair of those really light weight 'sneaker' style hikers....but usually only go up to 13

[phall]

i have horrible duck feet so after blister after blister from various boot manufacturers i went with the lathrop and sons custom boot system. been impressed so far but the real tests will come in september

[husky390]

Sock liner, merino wool sock and for this season, Cabela's Meindl Perfeckt Hikers. Uber stiff soles and my feet do not get along. It sucks that Bass Pro dropped the Irish Setter Trail blazers for they had a great boot for a great price. Mine are worn out from wearing them to work otherwise I probably would have used them for this season.

[swmoelk]

Lowa rangers are my boot choice and point 6 heavy cushion merino for the socks. I only wear one pair at a time but they breathe very well through the top and have a good cushion on the bottom. Don't skimp on socks imo why wear a $300 boot with a cheap sock. Got my whole setup on stp for under $150.

[WYO_ELK]

Asolo FSN 95 with some type of merino wool sock. They have a super stiff sole, which provides great support when walking with a weighted pack, but with the hard soles I have found they are a bit on the slippery side on damp rocks or logs.

[Stick]

Merrel hiking boots with a Lorpen light weight sock. I also have a couple of pair of UA socks that are awesome come up your calf pretty good and the footbed is great but the coolest part is the top of the foot is a see thru web like material great socks.

[AMann]

Early season I love my Inov-8 Roclite 286 GTX with some micro crew darn tough socks. If you're looking for a lightweight boot/shoe I'd recommend these. Two years of use with only minor cosmetic wear and great feel.