Best boots

[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]