Hunting Boots or Hiking Boots

[jbeaumont21]

I am in the market for some new kicks and I'm a little frustrated and overwhelmed with options. First off I have weak ankles so I need something with lots of extra support. Second I would prefer something lightweight without cheap soles.  Over the years I have gone through Rocky' s, Irish Setters, Danner's, Salomon's, Under Armour Ridge Reapers, and most recently a pair of Kenetreks which were a huge disappointment. The leather became soft, malleable and unsupportive even with regular treatment of the manufacturers leather treatment wax. Since the Kenetreks I am now very leery of buying any boots with leather for fear of the same thing happening. That would eliminate Crispi, Schnee's and a whole list of high end boots. Also, every boot I try on at Fishermans, Dicks, Sportsman's (Wholesale Sports), Cabelas and any other box store is total crap.  So I guess this leaves me with shopping online for some sort of synthetic style hiking or hunting boot? I am willing to pay how ever much it costs to have quality boots so would love to hear some good recommendations. Sorry for the rant and thanks for your help.

[mfswallace]

White's Smokejumper !! $400 but worth it!! They aren't insulated and take some time to break in but I've only gone through 2 pairs over the last 10 years. They are Wenatchee built and if you go there they'll measure your feet and build them to your feet, also very easy to get them resold. White bite is only drawback I've had but not a big problem after a few times

[hughjorgan]

Have you gone to REI and looked at what they have to offer? You don't have to buy from them but they have a big selection to look at and try different boots on.

A couple years ago I switched from some danner hunting boots to some back packing boots made by asolo, they are very comfortable, have great support and have some good vibram soles to get good traction on those steep hills. They're also affordable at around 200 dollars.

[jbeaumont21]

White's Smokejumper !! $400 but worth it!! They aren't insulated and take some time to break in but I've only gone through 2 pairs over the last 10 years. They are Wenatchee built and if you go there they'll measure your feet and build them to your feet, also very easy to get them resold. White bite is only drawback I've had but not a big problem after a few times

Thanks for the feedback!  I checked out the White's Smokejumpers and they look real nice but I am concerned that they will get soft and plyable in the ankles since they are leather.  Have you had that experience with yours? I may have to check them out though. Thanks again.

[jbeaumont21]

Have you gone to REI and looked at what they have to offer? You don't have to buy from them but they have a big selection to look at and try different boots on.

A couple years ago I switched from some danner hunting boots to some back packing boots made by asolo, they are very comfortable, have great support and have some good vibram soles to get good traction on those steep hills. They're also affordable at around 200 dollars.

I did go to REI a couple weeks ago and tried on some Zamberlan's and Asolo's which felt very sturdy with solid vibram soles but they don't seem to go up high enough to give me the ankle support I need.  I may have to rethink that and check some out again. Thanks for the tip!

[Jingles]

My experience with the Whites is totally favorable I got a pair when I was a wildland fire firghter and the only thing that I have had any problem with was the heels and soles but that was after 5 years of wearing them in the hot zones. A less expensive alternative would be a pair of RedWings

[hughjorgan]

Have you gone to REI and looked at what they have to offer? You don't have to buy from them but they have a big selection to look at and try different boots on.

A couple years ago I switched from some danner hunting boots to some back packing boots made by asolo, they are very comfortable, have great support and have some good vibram soles to get good traction on those steep hills. They're also affordable at around 200 dollars.

I did go to REI a couple weeks ago and tried on some Zamberlan's and Asolo's which felt very sturdy with solid vibram soles but they don't seem to go up high enough to give me the ankle support I need.  I may have to rethink that and check some out again. Thanks for the tip!

The Asolos I wear have plenty of ankle support, a lot sturdier than my danners.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/asolo-sasslong-gore-tex-backpacking-boots-waterproof-nubuck-for-men~p~83043/

[Hill]

Lowa Vajolet

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[JPhelps]

The leather works fine for me but I asked my buddy who does more mountain climbing than I do.  He wears some La Sportiva Men's Trango boots.  Here were some of his other recommendations depending on how they fit your foot.

Lowa Men's Cevedale GTX Trekking Boot
Scarpa Men's Rebel GTX Carbon Mountaineering Boot

[BK Dave]

Have you gone to REI and looked at what they have to offer? You don't have to buy from them but they have a big selection to look at and try different boots on.

A couple years ago I switched from some danner hunting boots to some back packing boots made by asolo, they are very comfortable, have great support and have some good vibram soles to get good traction on those steep hills. They're also affordable at around 200 dollars.

I did go to REI a couple weeks ago and tried on some Zamberlan's and Asolo's which felt very sturdy with solid vibram soles but they don't seem to go up high enough to give me the ankle support I need.  I may have to rethink that and check some out again. Thanks for the tip!

The Asolos I wear have plenty of ankle support, a lot sturdier than my danners.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/asolo-sasslong-gore-tex-backpacking-boots-waterproof-nubuck-for-men~p~83043/

I probably hike 1000-1500 miles a year not counting hunting, I blow through 2 pairs of Danners or like boots, and usually wear a heavy Filson boot in deer /Elk season.
Then I bought the Full Leather Asolos.  Solid! 100% water proof!  And I mean Field tested by Me!  I will chew through boots and shoes faster than most.
I headed out for a little 5mile jaunt this morning in solid downpour, every stitch of me was soaked through and through, exempt my Feet.   

[KFhunter]

It sounds like you may have had some pretty serious ankle sprains in the past, you'll stretch or tear the tendions and your ankle will wobble. I learned a bunch with my wife's recent ankle sprain with Avulsion. A really good foot doctor took a lot of time to explain things and some of it clicked with me as I've sprained my ankles a few times (each) and consider myself to have "weak ankles", but really it is injury.




The boots I'm using now are underarmor speed freaks, I wore them for a week straight in the rain/snow mixed conditions up to about 4-5 inches of snow and was pleased and had dry feet.  They are a lower rise hiker style boot and seems to have better ankle support than a mid rise or higher boot.
My wife says I have a shoe fetish, I do like to take care of my feet and have a lot of boots at home
Most all of my boots have large flat wide vibram soles and almost none of them have a heel.

I did use a boot dryer each and every night though and high quality wool socks.

I can't wear stuff with a higher heal or my ankles will roll. 

[Huntbear]

All those ideas sound great.. but I need an EXTRA wide boot.. my Redwings are 2E and are just to narrow.. as much as I love them.  They do pinch my toes and make me limp after a couple of days... 

[CAMPMEAT]

White's Smokejumper !! $400 but worth it!! They aren't insulated and take some time to break in but I've only gone through 2 pairs over the last 10 years. They are Wenatchee built and if you go there they'll measure your feet and build them to your feet, also very easy to get them resold. White bite is only drawback I've had but not a big problem after a few times

Whites are made in Spokane. That's where mine were built, unless they moved the facility to Wenatchee this year. Mine were $ 465 delivered to my house.

[nw_bowhunter]

i bought some Asolos and they are excellent. Also wearing miendi air cabs which so far are excellent. check rei out. Im moving away from hunting boots.

[jbeaumont21]

The leather works fine for me but I asked my buddy who does more mountain climbing than I do.  He wears some La Sportiva Men's Trango boots.  Here were some of his other recommendations depending on how they fit your foot.

Lowa Men's Cevedale GTX Trekking Boot
Scarpa Men's Rebel GTX Carbon Mountaineering Boot

Thanks Jason, These are some great ideas.  Exactly what I am looking for, hiking boots that come up high on the ankle.  Going to have to see if I can try some on some where in Portland.