Elk Hunting Boots....

[Westside88]

I usually use a variety of boots for hunting,depending on terrain and if I’m using my mountain bike etc. of course I always have the more supportive ones for packing if I’m hunting in my lightweights. These old Danner Elk Hunters have served me well. I’ve only used them for hunting and always cleaned them up and treated with Obenauff’s when done for the season. I wish I could buy a pair just like them, they’ve lasted a long time. I can tell though they’re about done, the leather is starting to break down. My next pair with probably be Kenetrek Guides, if they last half as long as I’ve had these they’ll be well worth the money.

[syoungs]

I got lowa tibet gtx's a couple years back. Never realized how beneficial good boots were until I did.
I also have danner pronghorns, pronghorns are great for light hikes and easy terrain, but arent even close to the tibets in support, traction or comfort under load.
Id love to try some other high end boots, but wearing a size 16 really really limits me.

[WapitiTalk1]

I got lowa tibet gtx's a couple years back. Never realized how beneficial good boots were until I did.
I also have danner pronghorns, pronghorns are great for light hikes and easy terrain, but arent even close to the tibets in support, traction or comfort under load.
Id love to try some other high end boots, but wearing a size 16 really really limits me.

Great boots, I have a pair of the Lowa GTX myself. Good luck on finding some other top shelf boots to try out with those gun boat feet of yours. 

[dvolmer]

Im a big guy at 6'8" tall and 275 pounds.  So a lot of the lightweight boots don't work to well for me.  I have had great luck with the 12 inch high Redwing Elk Hunters.  I have four pairs.  one non-insulated, two pairs of the medium 200 gram, and one pair of the 600 gram.  Good Vibram soles and heavy duty build do me well.  I'm sure there are other models out there that would do the same but why make a change when what you are using are working so well for you? 

[hughjorgan]

I got lowa tibet gtx's a couple years back. Never realized how beneficial good boots were until I did.
I also have danner pronghorns, pronghorns are great for light hikes and easy terrain, but arent even close to the tibets in support, traction or comfort under load.
Id love to try some other high end boots, but wearing a size 16 really really limits me.

I run lowa Tibet gtx’s as well great boot, best I’ve tried.

FYI kenetrek mountain extreme and Schnees granites and beartooths are built to size 16...

[optic2]

Brooks cascadia GTX (gortex/waterproof) trail runners.

[smoon]

  After years of wearing Danner boots a couple buddies suggested Kenetrek mountain Extremes, so I bought a pair in early summer to get them good and broke in before my backcountry elk hunt in October. They took many miles to break in but by August they felt like fluffy bunnies on my feet. After doing a 14 mile day scouting trip I can say that my feet felt great and I was super glad I bought them until I stepped into the lake in ankle deep water only to have my right boot start to fill with water . Talk about disappointment after getting them broken in and knowing I wouldn't have enough time between that day and my hunt to break in another pair I was not a happy camper... Next day, I return them back the store of purchase and talk to the boot manager and he knew exactly what had gone wrong with the boot, he had seen it another time on the same boot in the same place and knew that it was a defect during the manufacturing process. He asked me what I wanted to do, do you want another pair? I told him I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to properly break them in before my hunt and he asked me if I had thought about the Crispi Guide GTX and I told him that I had tried them on the day I bought the Kenetreks and loved the fit and feel of the boot but I didn't care for the insole and he said I can fix that. He grabbed a pair of the Crispi's took the insoles out and put a set of Form Blue insoles in them and had me put them on, what a difference. He said wait until you heat the insoles up and mold them to your feet, it will make them even better and I can guarantee these boots will be good to go for your hunt. I wore them casually for a week and then did some small local 6 mile training trips and my feet felt like I was walking on fluffy bunnies in no time.
   Bottom line, I still like my old Danner pronghorns but stepping up to Kenetrek or Crispi boots is a game changer for your feet, at least it was for mine. I know I had an issue with the Kenetrek boot, however I know way to many guys that run them and have never had any issues with them, so I have nothing bad to say other than I just had bad luck, or was it? Because that boot leaked, it allowed (forced) me to try out another great pair of boots in the Crispi's all within a short period of time and in the same terrain. All said and done, the Crispi's did awesome, I put about 28 miles on them during the hunt and 18 of those miles was with a minimum pack load of 70# and feet felt great, no hot spots at all. Also, need to mention socks and sock liners as they are equally just as important as your boots... I like Injinji toe sock liners and I really like the Kenetrek Canada Midweight OTC socks good combo..My 

[spin05]

Hoffman exploreers. We switched about 3 years ago to these. Now have 2 pairs. Insulated and un-insulated.     https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180329/b27bc2db53844409b4f5097a9060494d.jpg

[bknilvr00]

I needed some new boots this year and agonized about what I wanted to buy. Ended up getting a pair of Irish Setter elk hunters. Could not be happier! I was previously running some Soloman quests, but got tired of wet feet. I figured treated leather boots were going to be the way to go. When I picked up my elk hunters I also bought some of the kennetrek boot wax. Much to my surprise, I had dry feet all season! The leather feels on the thin side, but has held up for a soggy western washington rifle and  late muzzleloader season with no issues. Im really happy with the soles on these boots as well. They are soft and pretty grippy for climbing and walking over wet and slick deadfall and logs. Found that out while following/climbing/crawling up a bear trail along side a creek. For me, these boots are a win already, but I cant really guess on the longevity. If I got 3 years of hard use out them, they wouldnt owe me a thing.

[msg]

Kenetreks fit my feet better than any boot I have worn, took zero break in and no leaks in at least 6 years.

[blackveltbowhunter]

   I am a firm believer in use specific boots. At least for me it helps with longevity. Having tried nearly all the " big" boot brands and a couple from the "green" side as well. If I get 2 seasons I am surprised, or didn't spend much time shed hunting. So far this season I have used the following.....

   Saleway Mountain Lite GTX
   Crispi Colorado
   Crispi Nevada
   Hanwag Ancash 2

  Tested a pair of crispi dakota but the fit wasn't great, I believe that was a sizing issue more than anything though.

   The salewa was awesome for covering ground, light fast, and not nearly as warm. But not reliable if precipitation is expected. That said it was hot and dry for me ten days in idaho and they were my go to the whole hunt.

   Colorado and Nevada, both are great "all around" boots. The colorado feels a little stiffer, and less "clunky" on my feet. Very little space in them, for extra sock and warmth. If only a September/Mid october boot its probably my first choice. Having used the Nevada a ton over the past 7 or 8 years, they are comfy, dry, easy to keep, and great boots. The ones I currently have I bought lightly used off here a couple seasons back and they are due for retirement.

   The Hanwag are new to me. I bought them a half size big and heard about the roomy toe box, my intent was a late season boot that would allow comfortable hiking with extra socks. So far they have worked good. A bit stiff initially but no pain. Very roomy toe box keeps feet much warmer during start stop treks. Wore them for a week in Montana/Idaho deer hunts, and a day late archery elk. Outta state was cold, elk here was WET. Dry and warm feet in all scenarios. The sole is a bit slick in wet stuff here in western Wa.

   I packed heavy packs in all of them. IME swap out the insoles for a good one and all of them will do fine with weight. The hanwag and colorado are clearly better in stony type ground tho if bruising for tender feet is an issue.

If forced to pick only one boot its the Crispi Nevada for me. But there are so many options these days tailoring boots to needs of specific hunt and season is the way to go.
 

[Onewhohikes]

That sounds all fine and dandy but some people are operating on a budget and have to prioritize the funds spent for hunting

[blackveltbowhunter]

Never said you had to do it that way. Just that that works best for me.

   The saleway was less than 150 new, and the Nevada I currently use was purchased lightly used on this site for 200 if memory serves.

  Lots of budget friendly options. But this was about elk boots not "budget options for elk boots".

[Onewhohikes]

With that being said if you had a choice to just pick 1 what 1 would it be?

[whacker1]

I have gone through a lot of boots over the last 15 years including ski boots.  And the number one lesson I have learned in having ski boots fitted is to spend money on the proper footbed or insert.  Why spend $400-500 on a boot and not invest in the proper footbed?  The little thin version that they put in the boots is a placeholder, and not intended for long miles or proper arch support.  some folks get lucky, but I am not one of those.  I found that SuperFeet merino work best for me, but it isn't for everyone.  lots of companies make high end arch support/footbed for $30-75.


Here is my history with boots.

Danner elk hunters and Canadians were good for awhile, but as I got into doing more miles in steeper terrain, they started braking apart and the ankle support left a lot to be desired.

I went through a set of Kennetreks that lasted really well.  I liked them so much that I had them rebuilt and bought a second pair.  Neither the rebuild or the second pair lasted very long.  I assume this comes to the volume that they do and the lack of consistency in one group to the next.

I bought a set of Crispi Idaho's that I absolutely love and provide more ankle support, but the goretex broke down as this was the 1st generation Idaho's that they had problems with goretex.

I bought a set of Crispi Guide Non-insulated and those have held up really well.  I am spending more time applying leather conditioner on these as they seem to need it more after hunting wet terrain, and I am trying to see if by providing more conditioner if they hold up longer. they have held up really well so far and I have had no issues around the rand like I did with Kennetreks.

I have liked the Crispi lineup so much that I bought a set of Crispi Colorado from a member here to see if I like them as much as the Idaho in a shorter and lower weight version along with a stiffer set up. 

I also have a set of Scarpa Chamonix GTX that are too stiff, but I like them enough, but fear that I may develop blisters if I am in them for too long due to how stiff they are. 

Given my luck with Crispi so far, I am likely going to continue to buy more of them over the coming years.