Trail shoes for hunting

[7mmfan]

I've always been a boot guy, but last year I started having some heel and Achilles problems, so I've had to be more conscious of my footwear. Right now I'm running Pronghorns despite my bad luck with them because they fit so well and are comfortable. However, I've done a lot more bear hunting this year and I'm realizing that theres no reason I couldn't wear a good pair of trail running shoes or light hikers. I have no experience with footwear like this so I'm curious if anyone here uses stuff like this and has any tips or advice, brands or specific shoes that you like?

[Rider]

Get in touch with a podiatrist. They may be able to make orthotics that could help.

I prefer boots for the ankle support and easier to tuck pants legs into.

[bknilvr00]

I've always been a boot guy, but last year I started having some heel and Achilles problems, so I've had to be more conscious of my footwear. Right now I'm running Pronghorns despite my bad luck with them because they fit so well and are comfortable. However, I've done a lot more bear hunting this year and I'm realizing that theres no reason I couldn't wear a good pair of trail running shoes or light hikers. I have no experience with footwear like this so I'm curious if anyone here uses stuff like this and has any tips or advice, brands or specific shoes that you like?

I just bought a pair of Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX'S for my hunting boots. My feet are pretty sensitive when it comes to footwear, and these are hands down the best shoes I've ever bought. They are super light compared to boots I've bought in the past, have more structure than regular hikers, and are COMFORTABLE. Lucked out and got them on sale at REI, but you should check them out.

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[7mmfan]

Get in touch with a podiatrist. They may be able to make orthotics that could help.

I prefer boots for the ankle support and easier to tuck pants legs into.

This has always been my deal, plus it keeps junk from getting into them when in the brush. I'm just finding the more athletic fit footwear is easier on my feet.

[Bob33]

Get in touch with a podiatrist. They may be able to make orthotics that could help.

I prefer boots for the ankle support and easier to tuck pants legs into.

This has always been my deal, plus it keeps junk from getting into them when in the brush. I'm just finding the more athletic fit footwear is easier on my feet.

Gaiters can keep junk out. I often wearing running shoes or very lightweight, low height hikers.

[7mmfan]

I actually just ordered a pair of gators just for this reason. Plus it may keep my legs from looking like I got shredded by the neighbors cat every time I bear hunt in shorts.

[Moe the Sleaze]

Hey 7, for light hiking boots try some KEEN Targhees or Detroits.  I've hiked, climbed, and hunted extensively for over 40 years.  I always fought foot pain and always searched for the right boot to alleviate it.  No luck until I found KEENS.  Wonder of all wonders, like magic...last year I hiked 32 miles in Yellowstone with a 55lb pack and....NO PAIN AT ALL!  I couldn''t believe it.  KEEN boots are a godsend for me.  Well-built too; they are holding up very well.  They are also good hunting boots in that they are lightweight and very quiet.  Much like pacs, actually.  I can sneak around the rocky canyons of Clemans mountain very quietly, with plenty of support and NO pain.  They are also perfect for fishing off the rocks of the North Jetty in Ilwaco. Try those KEENS I mentioned; I'm betting you won't regret it.

[fishngamereaper]

I just dealt with this delema this year. Wanted light weight boots for early season
 Normally wear meindels and like the height and ankle support but didn't need the 400 grm insulation.  Bought Keen's and loved them for the first 20 miles. Then I realized my heel wasn't being pulled back enough into the boot.  Wore the skin off my upper heal damn near to the bone. I think I'm so used to wearing a high boot that secures around my whole foot/ ankle / calf that I didn't realize a mid height boot would wear so bad without the extra support of being able to lace up to my calf.  Hopefully its an isolated incident but it something to keep in mind.

[jbeaumont21]

Check these out at REI.  https://www.rei.com/product/887910/hoka-one-one-tor-summit-mid-waterproof-hiking-boots-mens

They are super light and feel like your walking on cushiony pillows.  I wear them hiking and riding my bike on the logging roads and then strap on my hunting boots that I carry in my bike bag when I'm ready to dive down into the thick stuff.

[buglebrush]

Hey 7, for light hiking boots try some KEEN Targhees or Detroits.  I've hiked, climbed, and hunted extensively for over 40 years.  I always fought foot pain and always searched for the right boot to alleviate it.  No luck until I found KEENS.  Wonder of all wonders, like magic...last year I hiked 32 miles in Yellowstone with a 55lb pack and....NO PAIN AT ALL!  I couldn''t believe it.  KEEN boots are a godsend for me.  Well-built too; they are holding up very well.  They are also good hunting boots in that they are lightweight and very quiet.  Much like pacs, actually.  I can sneak around the rocky canyons of Clemans mountain very quietly, with plenty of support and NO pain.  They are also perfect for fishing off the rocks of the North Jetty in Ilwaco. Try those KEENS I mentioned; I'm betting you won't regret it.

This just goes to show how everyone's feet are different.  I HATE KEENS!!!!  I totally shredded a pair of Targhees in 3 weeks of bow season.  My toes were literally sticking out the side!     I took them back to Cabela's and got a new pair which I again shredded.  They felt great on trail, but start sidehilling in the steep stuff, and they were awful!   

IME if you are hiking trails / roads athletic type shoes are great, but if you are pounding brush and deadfall while sidehililng steep slopes all day you need a stiff boot.   

[j_h_nimrod]

I love Keens for the overall fit and feel but me and a few other buddies that have used them found the traction to be less than a lot of our other boots and shy away from them if we are going steep or off-trail. This was for 4 different models with three distinctly different tread designs. I'm not sure what it is because they get high marks otherwise but the tread designs just seem a bit mild.

[Bob33]

When not wearing running shoes, these are my "heavy duty"  boots:

https://www.rei.com/product/881782/salomon-x-ultra-mid-ii-gtx-hiking-boots-mens

[MtnMuley]

I've often thought about a high end trail shoe as well for the summer months , but after completely blowing out an ankle, have been too leary on the fact that I won't have adequate ankle support if I step wrong. Not worth the risk to me to be out for any extended period of time.

[JimmyHoffa]

I switched over to some shoes for the earlier part of bear season.  The boots were getting too hot for me.  Nice about the shoes is you can jog your way down the logging roads if you feel like it.  But you have trade offs, the shoes can't support as aggressive of a tread or keep your ankle steady as mentioned.  But other things like if you step on a rock with a boot feel it/stumble differently, really have to be more aware with the shoe.  I just got some basic $20 shoes from big5 called bear-paws and they've been working pretty good, much better than I expected.

[shootem]

Love my Merrell's.

[Pathfinder101]

I have never owned a pair until this year, but I bought a pair of Keen's this summer (out of the bargain cave at Cabelas).  I love them.  Broke them in on a scouting trip in July, then took my 9 year old on a steep 12 mile hiking/fishing trip into the Wenaha in August.  No blisters and they still are in great shape.  Today is casual Friday at work and I have them on right now...
Regarding Gaiters, I bought a set of Kuiu's last season.  Not really to keep water out (I live and hunt on the east side), but to keep the cheat grass, star thistle and burrs off me.  I wear them almost religiously now.  Just returned from a caribou hunting trip to Alaska and they kept my Kenetreks dry for all 5 days.

[7mmfan]

My Yukon Gators just showed up in the mail yesterday, I'm excited to break them in. Looks like I need to make a trip down to Cabelas and REI to try on some shoes.

I've been doing a lot more bike hunting this year and it looks like something I'm going to continue to do more of so the 8" boots aren't as necessary as they once were. Thanks for all the input guys, I appreciate it.

[JimmyHoffa]

I didn't like gaiters except for in snow.  Where I go, there is a lot of slash and limbs on the ground--much of it being thick enough to get into the gaiter from underneath and not snap off, so was creating a real trip hazard.