Best boots

[emac]

I know this has been discussed before, but wanna discuss it again.  What are the most light weight versatile hunting boots.  I am fortunate to get a new pair of boots every year.  I have always been a fan off danners and they have been my go to boot.  The last couple years I have gotten the crispi Colorado and the lowa renagade.  I am a huge fan of both the boots but the renagades seem to have shrunk and are tight when I put them on then loosen up once i hike about a half mile.  I have been looking at the hoka kaha gtx.  A couple people I know are wearing them and love them.  So let's here your guys thoughts.

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[jrebel]

Zamberlain are my go to hunting boots.   Absolutely love them.  I wear the heavy duty ones so they are not lightweight but they do make many different styles.   

I have also enjoyed the asolo brand in a more lightweight hiking boot.   They run a little more narrow so as I have aged and feet have flattened, I changed to the zambelain.

[HooknoseHunter]

Danner Sierra’s. I’ve owned the Danner Grouse before and the lugs in the soles seem to hold more mud in my experience.

[bigdub257]

Lowa Tibets are pretty comfy, although they're not full height.  I like Crispi Summits also.

[Timberstalker]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

[ShaneTyTrey]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

[Sandberm]

If you can afford to get new boots EVERY year then continue to get danners.

My Danners were $150, and are VERY comfortable, but seem to be falling apart after a few years. Maybe thats reasonable for $150 boots?

If your swimmin in money keep buying whats comfortable

[emac]

If you can afford to get new boots EVERY year then continue to get danners.

My Danners were $150, and are VERY comfortable, but seem to be falling apart after a few years. Maybe thats reasonable for $150 boots?

If your swimmin in money keep buying whats comfortable

Not swimming in money.  They are work boots that  I get about this time of year break them in hunting and then wear them out at work the next season.

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[emac]

I am looking all these up to make a decision

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[Alchase]

 My two go to boots are Asolo GTXs and Merrill Ice and Snow 6”.

[trophyhunt]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

ok, I’d agree w this but have to ask, how long do you expect the waterproofness to last w kennetrek?  I’ve owned mine since 2019, put a few miles on them, cleaned and oiled them once. This past week, I had water sloshing around in my boots, very wet west side huckleberry brush.  Should I hate my boots, or after 3 years are they done?

[Rainier10]

For me it’s Irish setter elk hunters. I buy a new pair every year. I keep the previous years boot s as a back up. The two year old boots get used for work around the cabin.

[emac]

For me it’s Irish setter elk hunters. I buy a new pair every year. I keep the previous years boot s as a back up. The two year old boots get used for work around the cabin.

I have always looked at the Irish setters but you never hear anyone talk about them.  I will look into them again.

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[emac]

My two go to boots are Asolo GTXs and Merrill Ice and Snow 6”.

Never heard of the asolo boots will check them out

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[fowl smacker]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

I HATED my mountain extremes.  Went to the Lowa Tibet gtx a couple years ago and they've been great for me.

[jackelope]

The best boots are the ones that agree with your feet.
I’ve been wearing Meindl’s for several years. Just had a pair rebuilt because I like them so much. Also because $100 is a heck of a lot less expensive than a new pair of boots.

[Magnum_Willys]

Get Kennetrek Mountain Extremes and Lowa Tibets.  Keep the one that works.  If Kennetreks blister you go with tibets.

[Sandberm]

Besides the very comfortable but falling apart Danners...

I'm on my second pair of Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, $180. Love em, fit well, wear well and i plan on buying a 3rd pair when needed. The pair Im wearing now is going on 2 years of lots of wear and figure I'll need the next pair some time after the first of the year.

[bkaech]

[/quote]ok, I’d agree w this but have to ask, how long do you expect the waterproofness to last w kennetrek?  I’ve owned mine since 2019, put a few miles on them, cleaned and oiled them once. This past week, I had water sloshing around in my boots, very wet west side huckleberry brush.  Should I hate my boots, or after 3 years are they done?
[/quote]

At that price point I would expect them to be waterproof for many many years. Both my hunting partners have been wearing Kenetreks for years and they say the have always stayed waterproof. One of them puts a ton of miles on them each year. If I were you I would return them/ask about a warranty refund.

[hughjorgan]

If lowa fit your feet well and you want a light weight boot get a pair of the lowa baldo gtx. If weight isn’t a concern then go with the lowa tibets.

[ShaneTyTrey]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

ok, I’d agree w this but have to ask, how long do you expect the waterproofness to last w kennetrek?  I’ve owned mine since 2019, put a few miles on them, cleaned and oiled them once. This past week, I had water sloshing around in my boots, very wet west side huckleberry brush.  Should I hate my boots, or after 3 years are they done?

You should be doing that a couple times a season at least Jerry.  I got 9 years out of my last pair.  Just bought a new pair this summer.

[Mtnwalker]

Agree with those who say it's more about what fits your foot than the brand. What one guy loves the next will hate, and in general I don't think a lot of guys put enough time into figuring out what boots actually fit their feet, or whether they're even wearing the correct size so they chalk it up to "these boots suck". Lots of things to consider, how do you hunt? Do you wear a heavy pack? Do you like the support of a stiffer midsole or do you want a flexible day-hiker type boot? Wide forefoot or narrow? You see what I'm getting at here. In general, Lowa's tend to run a hair smaller than the other alpha brands, while Kenetrek runs a little longer. You should also contact the mfg about recommended sizing if you're ordering online as it can differ between models, and some companies use multiple different last styles. Kenetrek recommends going a half size smaller in their Corrie hikers than they do with their Hardscrabbles or ME's. I'd also throw Hanwag in the mix for brands to look at, and their website has a good explanation of their different last shapes. https://www.hanwag.com/us/en-us/our-story/the-hanwag-fit

[MeepDog]

Crispi has some great videos explaining all their different boot options. Summit is lightweight less support, Colorado weighs more but has better support.

[Stein]

I agree, get something that works for you.  If you have good mobility and ankle strength you can use much less boot.  Up until the snow flies, I wear Altra Lone Peaks that come in at 11 oz.  Some of the boots mentioned here will weigh up to four pounds.  Based on Army research 3+ extra pounds on your feet is the equivalent of 18-20 extra pounds on your back.

My theory is to wear as little boot as possible, but that's what works for me.  I just got back from MT and ran all over the mountains covering every kind of terrain and never wished I had more boot.  My feet were never sore and I didn't need to pack camp shoes, crocks or any extra weight.  I can absolutely cover more territory faster and in greater comfort with light hikers than I can with stiff, heavy boots.

I do the same in winter, wear as little boot as I can and keep my feet warm and as dry as practical.

I wouldn't suggest what I do to everyone or even most people, but I think it highlights the differences in what works for people can be very different person to person.

[Sandberm]

I agree, get something that works for you.  If you have good mobility and ankle strength you can use much less boot.  Up until the snow flies, I wear Altra Lone Peaks that come in at 11 oz.  Some of the boots mentioned here will weigh up to four pounds.  Based on Army research 3+ extra pounds on your feet is the equivalent of 18-20 extra pounds on your back.

My theory is to wear as little boot as possible, but that's what works for me.  I just got back from MT and ran all over the mountains covering every kind of terrain and never wished I had more boot.  My feet were never sore and I didn't need to pack camp shoes, crocks or any extra weight.  I can absolutely cover more territory faster and in greater comfort with light hikers than I can with stiff, heavy boots.

I do the same in winter, wear as little boot as I can and keep my feet warm and as dry as practical.

I wouldn't suggest what I do to everyone or even most people, but I think it highlights the differences in what works for people can be very different person to person.

I came around to that theory yesterday.

Been wearing regular hiking shoes all summer, broke the big hunting boots out yesterday to go on a hike and i could feel the weight and stiffness.

 The lighter the better, the more agile I am the better. 

[thinkingman]

Agree with the post above...I don't have foot/ankle issues and wear as little boot as you can get away with.

I just posted on Rokslide about great success with Vasque Bitterroot hikers and my newer Zamberlan 960 GTX.
More in the hiking boot category but really well made and comfortable.

If you haven't had your foot measured in a while, you might try a size smaller in a wide size.

Socks are also an important part of the equation.

After owning three pairs (two Chineeee and one US), Danner are no longer on my list.

[pickardjw]

Schnees Timberlines have been the answer for my feet. I'm probably over 200 miles in them with superfeet trailblazer insoles and they're barely showing wear. Most comfortable boot I've ever owned. Irish setter elk trackers are my work boot. Wore them hiking/hunting a couple times and that was a mistake.

[Mossy]

Meindl for my feet.

[Mr.B]

My vote...
https://lathropandsons.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpqCZBhAbEiwAa7pXeYXdtr_S0iG7UxivGJvmoiNK6Qsq4xndSW1fPXvKe5vlanqIA0AStxoC9pgQAvD_BwE

[JWBINX]

 

[spin05]

Hoffman explorers i have both the insulated and un insulated

[Duckslayer89]

I had Lowa Tibet GTX HI. They were bullet proof. Put hundreds of miles on them. Finally wore them out and tried on the Crispi Guides. Never had a boot fit me so good. I love them. We will see if they last as long as the tibets. They aren’t as stiff

[boneaddict]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

I HATED my mountain extremes.  Went to the Lowa Tibet gtx a couple years ago and they've been great for me.

Funny, sorta like Ford versus chevy maybe.  I love them (mountain extremes)and think they are the best lol

[jackelope]

People will naturally not like all boots.  All feet don’t work well with all boots.

My wife bought me a pair of the Salomon quest 4D GTX’s for my birthday. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about them after wearing 10” leather boots all these years but they’re pretty awesome, and comfortable right out of the box. I was doing anywhere from 5-9 miles a day elk hunting last week and had no hot spots, blisters, nothing. Very nice boots.

[Fidelk]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

ok, I’d agree w this but have to ask, how long do you expect the waterproofness to last w kennetrek?  I’ve owned mine since 2019, put a few miles on them, cleaned and oiled them once. This past week, I had water sloshing around in my boots, very wet west side huckleberry brush.  Should I hate my boots, or after 3 years are they done?

The oil might have destroyed the waterproof barrier if it's Gore-Tex or similar.

[Stein]

The membrane is on the inside of the boots, highly unlikely it was exposed to oil.  It is likely leaking from where all boots eventually leak, the seams or stitching.

[Mtnwalker]

I water tested a new pair of kenetreks and they leaked from multiple eyelets down near the toe almost immediately. When I dried them and tried to repeat the test on video they didn't leak the 2nd time, almost like the leather swelled up enough to seal or something. I never expect to get more than a season or two out of goretex type membranes

[craigapphunt]

Hanwag Tatra top GTX have been great so far.

[jackelope]

Kennetreks. Can’t beat them in my opinion.

I agree, at least compared to Lowa and Crispi, the 3 brands I own, I think both the guide and mountain extreme are great.

ok, I’d agree w this but have to ask, how long do you expect the waterproofness to last w kennetrek?  I’ve owned mine since 2019, put a few miles on them, cleaned and oiled them once. This past week, I had water sloshing around in my boots, very wet west side huckleberry brush.  Should I hate my boots, or after 3 years are they done?

Are you wearing gaiters? Are you sure it’s not water wicking down your socks? Gaiters will help prevent that.

[BigGoonTuna]

I’ll be on my 4th season with my kenetrek mountain extremes. I put off buying them for a long time because I’d always heard they took forever to break in. Not the case for me, they were comfortable almost as soon as I started wearing them. I really like the ankle support that they have. Main drawback for me is that the soles are really stiff which makes it harder to be sneaky. I’ve taken to wearing rubber knee high boots most of the time now when I don’t plan on covering a ton of distance.

I always hear bad things about danners but they always seem to be the cheaper made in china models. My last pair lasted me 8 years, but mine were a US made model. Since most of my hunting is in the lowlands the soles last a long time but the uppers take a beating from blackberries and other brush. I do agree that the bob soles pick up a ton of mud when you’re walking on slippery clay. The other downside for me is that with the traditional stitch down construction, you have a “lip” all around your foot where the outsole sticks outI can’t even count all the times I’ve hung that upon trailing blackberries when taking a step and nearly ate dirt.