Early season boots

[Pac8541]

I know this has been discussed numerous times and believe me, I've searched and read quite a bit from previous threads. I have yet to find real answers regarding what exactly to look for in early season boots in hot climates. I live and hunt in AZ and the early season is Sept when it's still well over 100 in the central part of the state. The areas I expect to hunt in will be probably in the 5000' el neighborhood and sept is at the end of the monsoon season here. I'm confused as to how stiff/supportive a boot needs to be balanced against weight and comfort (non oven like).

If I'm planning a 5-7 day backpacking style hunt should I be looking at heavy duty, stiff hiking boots? Or would a lighter weight but robust light hiker be more appropriate? Where is the balance between the 2 and if I err, should it be to the more supportive side or the lighter weight. How much is too much?

I get a good deal on Scarpa products so I've been looking at their line up more closely. There are several "backpacking" boots that range from 1lb 9ozs to 1lb 14ozs. They look pretty stiff and while I'm tempted to pull the trigger on them, I'm concerned about their ability to be quiet or soft on the ground when I need them to be. The Himavan model looks good and is slightly lighter weight but will something like that not work well with a heavy load?

Need help folks, looking forward to you responses. Thanks.

[ferris bugler]

I used the Kailash GTX over the last three seasons and was pretty happy with it in the steeps of Colorado. It wasn't ever over 100 but I used it on some hot days. Some times I wished it had a little more support, and I pack a pretty lite lode. Usually around 35 lbs. The sole on the Kailash is a Vibram Hi Trail lite and it's a lot more quiet than most other Vibram soles that I have seen. Not exactly sure on the the boot you are looking at. It's a different Vibram

[Pac8541]

Thanks Ferris. One of the models I'm looking closely at is very similar to the Kailash. My hesitation though comes from the fear of them not being enough, if that makes sense. Your experience seems to say that they will be so thanks for the info.

[pointysticks]

Pac. you live in one of my favorite states.

i used to traipse all over your great state in Schnee Beartooth insulateds. a wonderful boot, and i could run up mountains safely.

just this past jan, i tried it again.. but wearing light boots. i wore Lowa Renegades. holy..i was so much faster, and by letting my feet flex with the terrain, i slipped less.

kicking a rock in frustration when i missed a deer with my first arrow flung at a desert mulie..i wish i had the heavier boots. next time, i will choose a smaller rock..

where do you live? my favorite bowshop is Bull Basin in tuscon..i like those guys there..if i get a hoyt, i am flying there..

[Pac8541]

Mr Pointysticks, sir;

I live in the east end of the Phoenix valley so I'm probably 2 hrs north of Tucson. I'd love to visit Bull Basin and Summit Hut, both of which are down that way but haven't made the drive yet. I've decided to take an experimental but ultimately useful approach to this whole issue since feedback is very general and subjective. Of course, what works for one may not work for another, and vice versa. So I've purchased a heavier, stiffer boot now thinking that I'll need the extra time to break them in and if I find that they're not ideal, I can buy a lighter weight pair later that doesn't require quite as much time. I can always save the heavier pair for the time I venture into sheep hunting, which I'm dying to do also. It's really win/win other than the initial up front cost but again, I have time to play with it without feeling like I'm wasting money.

Thanks for your experience. Please get a hold of me if you find yourself in the area.

[pointysticks]

yea..i do a Cracker Barrel run everytime i come out of the desert. nothing shakes off camp food like a plate of meatloaf..hahah.

i hunt east of tuscon...i really want to pack into unit 27 to try to arrow a Merriems turkey, but my friends are losers. they dont think a bird is worth the effort. what??!!! a Merriems! seems like a fun thing to try.

i might bribe my brother. my friend that works at Bull Basin offered to go with me..but he is like a marathon speed hiker. i dont think it would be fun for either of us.

i've done two seasons with a heavy boot. my brother still run his Kenetreks.. big brutal boots. he is tough to stay with..there is really something to be said about wrapping your feet in armor and courage. if you have great feet and strong legs..go for it. EVERYTHING in AZ wants to open up your skin. either by stabbing, cutting, or rubbing. my last day, i almost pulled out the Beartooths. my feet were beat!

[husky390]

Check out the Cabela's Meindl ultralightweight hunters. I tried them on in the store and loved them. I'm trying to break in some Lowa Baltorro's, otherwise I would have bought them. If you get a hard soled boot, it's going to take you longer to break them in but they'll last longer hiking through all the rocks in Az. Downside is they'll be noisier.
I don't remember what pair of boots I had on but was archery hunting in Kaibab one year and I swear the deer could hear me from 5 miles away. One day I was set up in some timber and spotted two guy's walking in but couldn't hear them. Later on I caught up to them and found out they were wearing tennis shoes. Not a bad idea since they were hunting from their truck. I think the last pair of boots I was using before I moved were Merrell Moab Hikers that seemed to do allright but they're not waterproof. Maybe the Under Armour speedfreaks would work to.

[Pac8541]

Yup, love me some Cracker Barrel too. True comfort food. Turkey sounds like fun, never done that but its got me intrigued. I've heard its addicting, as if damn near every other kind of hunting isn't addictive enough...

I'll look at the Meindl boots also, been hearing a lot about them and a buddy of mine loves his. A bunch of guys at work wear the black version of the UA Speed Freak every day and they sure look light and comfortable. I've heard good things about the Solomon Quest also. I PT in their low top trail runners and those are awesome so I'd imagine the Quest would be great too. I just get a fairly decent deal on Scarpas and I've got 4 pairs of other boots/shoes from them so I'm kinda looking specifically at that brand. They fit me great and are really well built.

I wen't ahead and ordered the Kinesis boot from them, probably the beefiest of their backpacking line but not by much. The SL Active was not in stock in my size and although that model's lack of gore tex is viewed by some as an advantage, I'd prefer the more maintenance LESS intensive benefit of having it. I also wanted a higher cuffed boot and the Kinesis appears to hold that over the Zanskar model, another one I was looking at. I know I'm guaranteed to have a stiff, burly boot in this one but I feel good about it and know that regardless of whether or not it is THE boot, it'll be great somewhere down the road. With any luck, I'll be showing off in them with bulls AND rams!

When they come in I'll put something up here in case others are interested in it. Thanks gents.

[Lefty]

I like Cabelas Arizona Hikers: these boots work real well for me.

Im 250 lbs and hunt lava beds,in the deserts of Idaho I think Im one of the few a lot of boots seem to give me the right fit and wear

Most people need good support and ankle support, Which I dont seem to need as much

[Pac8541]

Got the Kinesis boot in today and wearing them around the house now. Ridiculously comfortable straight out of the box which really doesn't surprise me as every pair of Scarpas have felt that way (this is #5). They don't feel that heavy, pretty much the same as the work boots I wear everyday but I'm not humping a ruck in the mountains everyday either...

WAY too early to make any kind of judgement but they're damn comfortable and they fit exceptionally well.