Boot Recommendation

[Camo]

Howdy guys! Tell me your suggestions on a good brand of comfortable hiking boots that I can use for hunting. I have some Timberland Chocorua Gore-Tex Hikers and these have been fine but what would be a step up from these to get both comfort and light weight, along with durability. I may also need some thinsulate for warmth. I am hunting elk in western Colorado in October. Also make a suggestion on where I can order boots and get a good price.

[bnsafe]

i wont recommend a brand, only tell you to get whatever fits properly and don't skimp on money. i bought a great pair of boots from a guy that only wore them three times then got a different pair. but they are a half size to small. i walked a lot in them this year an antelope hunted without issues. i just got back from a 6 mile in 6 mile out lots of straight up an down hunting. i have a week off from work but will be wearing sandals an sittin at the house because i have toenails pushed into the beds, blood under the nails, will prob lose 2 toenails over time, and blisters all over. GET BOOTS THAT FIT.

[aron]

I agree with bnsafe about not recommending a certain brand. Each person's feet are different, what works for one might not work for the next person. Mountain boots with a full shank, stiff sole need to fit your feet. I think the real test is to try the boots with steep elevation changes to see if it is a good fit. I had a pair that felt great on flat land, but as soon as I went up a steep slope, I got heel slip and some bad blisters.

If you have stores around you, try on multiple boots and then go up/down one size for each boot. if you don't have the option to try boots on, find places like Sierra Trading Post that are very good with returns. Also, upgrading the insole in the boots can make a big difference as well.

[chrisschwarz]

I have a pair of Russell Moccasin Grand slam sheep hunters and a pair of Danner Elk ridge GTX 400gr goretex. I also have been using the Synergy footbeds from Lathrop........must have if you ask me.


More important than the boot is the sock and footbeds. Made a mistake on socks one time and it cost me big time. I go with merino wool socks now....no liners or cotton.

[Indian Summer]

Already some good advice from BnSafe and the others.

I'd say that prior to recommending something how about a few more details. First.. what kind of terrain? Some guys like myself spend a good bit of time up high where it's usually rockier and steep. I've hunted other country that some would consider steep but I don't and it was more forgiving ground... mostly timber where the duff is soft and grassy meadows. Totally different boot. Actually you can get away with most good boots there. The nastier stuff is where the steel shank mountain boots like Aron mentioned will be the better choice.

Also, in your neck of the woods and the elevations you hunt in October what do you expect for weather/temps?

Last: What kind of price range are you thinking?

Oh yeah 1 more... do you have a wide or narrow foot?

[Camo]

Great info guys. I hunt whitetails in Texas and there I use standard Timberland hiking boots and they are just fine. I have some Rocky boots that are 800 grams of thinsulate that I have used in Colorado mule deer hunting. They are way to heavy and stiff. I am looking for a good hiking/hunting boot for elk and mule deer hunting. I hunt where the elevation ranges from gently rolling to some pretty undulating stuff, but I try to stay out of the real steep stuff. The temperatures typical range from the mid-50s to the low-20s. I also walk in wet snow and some water so I need something that is truly water proof not water resistant. I understand about not wanting to recommend a brand but can you guys give me 2 to 5 brands to target. I have been told that Gander Mountain and BassPro shop have some decent boots, but I am wary of the store brand boots. I am looking for some feedback from some folks who have actually purchased certain brands and give me some real world feed-back as opposed to the hype from some store clerk. I may got o REI and see what they have. I am open to suggestions!

[Indian Summer]

Danner makes a great boot. The run a little narrow so if you have a wide foot they won't fit the best.

I like my Kenetreks. They are a quality boot and wider which is good for me. A good boot like Kenetrek takes awhile to break in so keep that in mind.

Asolo makes a really nice boot that's probably a bit lighter than the Kenes depending on which model.

I'll stop there & I'm sure others will chime in. Read the other boot/shoe thread that's active now if you haven't.

I'd shoot for at least 600 grams of Thinsulate for your colder temps. Hope that helps. Good luck!

[KMT]

I have hiking boots and higher more traditional boots. But I find myself using the hiking boots 99% of the time. Like prior posters have said, the best boot is the one that fits you. Try REI if you have one nearby. Tell them what you want to use them for, and they can make some recommendations. After trying some on, you will know which brand fits you best.

[pointysticks]

Danner makes a great boot. The run a little narrow so if you have a wide foot they won't fit the best.

!

Danner makes SOME great boots. i've had a few bad ones. they returned easy

i am hitting the Danner store this weekend. i'll be in Portland spending some mandatory "wife time". i love their USA lineup. but correct..even the lady on the phone says some of them run narrow. i am thinking of the new Danner Crater Rim. really heavy duty. hope it fits.

[bnsafe]

sierra trading post has assolo sassalongs on sale right now for like 140 bucks. a very good boot esp for that price. they run narrow though

[aron]

sierra trading post has assolo sassalongs on sale right now for like 140 bucks. a very good boot esp for that price. they run narrow though

I tried the Sasslongs and wish they could of worked for me but they didn't. At STP is great if you need to return something.

If the price of boots isn't a concern, I would call Lathrop and Sons. They carry your Lowas, Hanwags, Zamberlans. I also really like there footbed they have.

[Indian Summer]

Danner makes a great boot. The run a little narrow so if you have a wide foot they won't fit the best.

!

Danner makes SOME great boots. i've had a few bad ones. they returned easy

i am hitting the Danner store this weekend. i'll be in Portland spending some mandatory "wife time". i love their USA lineup. but correct..even the lady on the phone says some of them run narrow. i am thinking of the new Danner Crater Rim. really heavy duty. hope it fits.

Yeah I should have been more specific. I'd pass on the Pronghorns. The have two models of high leather boots that are my pick. I think they are called the Cabadian Hunter and Elk Ridge. They used to make a model call the Elk Hunter but it was exclusively for Cabelas and like everything else that sells good for Cabelas... they ditched Danner and think they can do it better. Not!

[Camo]

Are the assolo sassalongs insulated and if not what socks do you wear for cold weather use? Suggestions on sole inserts?

[aron]

Are the assolo sassalongs insulated and if not what socks do you wear for cold weather use? Suggestions on sole inserts?

Asolo Sassalongs are uninsulated. I have had good luck with Darn Tough brand socks year round, but for colder weather, I use an insulated Crispi hunter boot.

As far as sole inserts go, I would say Superfeet are some of the most populat (orange or green). I like the Lathrop ones but they are a little spendy.

[Camo]

OK guys I spent almost 2 hours at REI and I like the Solomon Quest 4d GTX and the Asolo. What do you know about these two boots? Neither of these are insulated. The Solomon is more of a hiking/back packing boot. Would I regret getting an uninsulated hiking boot for elk and mule deer hunting in Colorado in October and November? I have some Rockies with 800 grams on thinsulate but they are very bulky and stiff.

[Harmy]

I recommend Kenetrek as well. I have two pairs of Danner but they do not work for me. The soles are so soft I can feel the lugs when walking and they are just not comfortable for me. Anyone need size 9 pronghorns that are like new? Last year I bought some Kennetrek Hardscrabbles in medium width. I suffered a few blisters before the season started but they ended up working great. However, this past summer I was using them on mountain hikes after work. I ruined my boots I believe by leaving them in my car when the day time temps were up to about 105 F. The boots shrank causing the internal structures to fold and create painful pressure points above my right small toe. This occurred at about the 14 month time frame, well past warranty. I sent them back to Kenetrek and they replaced them for me. I was impressed and ended up buying a second pair this season for cold weather as I have a November cow tag and ended up with a set of Mountain Extremes 400 in wide. Now I have a pair I can use if it is really cold and snowy as well. I also tried out their socks for the first time. I went back and bought more... I use their liner and light boot socks exclusively now.

[Solitude]

I picked up a pair of Asolo Sassalongs in a wide from STP. They have a very large toe box, took no break in and are very comfortable boots for me.

Regarding inserts, I have tried Superfeet Orange, but the heel cup was too narrow for me and dug into my heal. (The cup is rigid plastic) I switched and use the New Kenetreck inserts with success.

As its been said many times before, find a boot that fits for you. Out of roughly 20 boots I have tried on and mail ordered only two were keepers for me.

[WindedBowhunter]

There are lots of great boot companies out there.

Personally, I have Asolo, Schnee's in my footlocker

But, there are some others such as Kenetrek, Solomon, Scarpa, Salewa, LaSportiva

My recommendation is to try boots with the socks that you will be wearing for the task, and try them on at the end of your day or after a long run or hike. This will provide a better idea on how the boot will fit with your feet swollen.

Also, if they have a rock or ramp to test, wear your pack with 40-50lbs and jump up and down on it to simulate your toes and heels slamming both ends of the boot.

Always add a quality footbed, as the stock ones are just for trying on the boots!

[Camo]

What about insulation? These boots I have found are uninsulated. Will I regret an uninsulated boot if I use good warm socks? I don't want to ruin my hunt with cold feet.

[WindedBowhunter]

IMO stay away from insulated boots for hiking! Just get some good merino wool socks from First Lite, Darn Tough or Smartwool.

Insulation, causes sweat, sweat + cold temps = trouble!

[Camo]

Sounds great. Thank you all for the great help. I will have my boots this weekend. I have 30 days to break them in and be out on the trail.

[Indian Summer]

If it's 20 to 50 out some insulation can't hurt. I always use a minimum of 200 grams even in early September. I find that insulated boots are more comfortable because of the padding. They also snug down nice and stay that way compared to uninsulated.

Kenetrek just released a new insole earlier this year. The bottoms of my feet got pounded last year so I bought a set and they are a dream. Someone else on here tried them and liked them as well.

[fenderhunt4]

Kenetrek seem to work best for me too. Several other guys in elk camp this year had switched to them also for the first time and really saw an improvement on how their feet felt and how they fit.

Definitely want to go with whatever fits your foot style best, but they are worth a look. They're worth the money to me on how durable they have been over the last few years and zero blisters or foot aches.

Good luck!

[Huntography]

Been using Zamberlan Guide 960 all elk season. They are tanks.

Back up light weight boot are my Inov 8 Roclite 400's. awesome for non-super heavy loads.

Job ding for the new Kuiu/ Zamberlan boots that will be available in Nov.

Rudy

[huntabsarokee]

If you get the Salomon 4D you won't need to break them in very long. I own 3 different pairs of Meindles from Cabelas that I like a lot. Just got a pair of Salomon 4D from Amazon (best price I found). I wore them around work for an afternoon to make sure they fit and then was off for Colorado. Took 3 pairs of boots. Wore the Salomon 4D every day but 1 because they were wet from a few creek crossings. Fit great for me and were much lighter than the Meindles. As far as an uninsulated boot in October guess it depends on what type of hunting you are doing. If doing mostly walking to find the elk then probably not needed. If sitting a park for the last few hours then maybe. I wouldn't over do the insulation though.