Questions regarding quality boots.

[blackhorn]

Decided to pull the trigger this year and get some quality boots.  Thinking about getting either Asolo 520's or Lowa Rangers, both boots felt great but have a couple questions about this type of boot and hoping I can be enlightened by those that have these or similar. 
The first question- The boots are full leather and have a Gor-Tex liner and I noticed they were getting pretty warm in the store, since I am hunting Sept. will my feet burst into flames if I go this route?

Second question- These boots are "backpacking" boots and have a pretty rigid shank, does this hinder ones ability to stalk critters?

Third question- Is there a good stalking, hiking, backbacking, waterproof, breathable, durable boot out there?  Also, if it comes in camo that would be Excellent!   Please do not say Danners!

[blackveltbowhunter]

 The simple answer to your questions is 1) Yes. 2) Yes. 3) No

 I have no firsthand experience with either of the boots you mentioned, but have used alot of similar products. Of various brands and manufacturers. Both brands you mentioned are solid performers. Here is my input FWIW: First evaluate what is most important to you based on your needs. No boot will do everything the best. So decide what is most important to you and your feet. Are you stalking alot and hiking a little? Vice/ Versa? Extended trips or lotsa day hunts? Are they just early season boots or with they also double as late season? Do you have weak or sloppy ankles that require more support? Rugged terrain? Will you be packing a heavy pack alot?

    The boots you have described will be warmer, less flexible, and heavier than other options. The trade off is they will offer great structural support, weather protections and durability. If your hunting rugged terrain, in inclement weather, and want your boots to last they may fill the bill.

   

   

   

[JLS]

A do it all boot is a tough order to fill.  I like non-insulated and non-goretex for my bowhunting boots because the weather can be warm.  I also do double duty as a backpacking boot, so I look for as stiffer shank with a little more stability.

The Lowa Rangers look like nice boots.  I opted for the Baffin for several reasons.  No goretex.  Little taller height (for chukar hunting keeps cheat grass out).  Better backpacking boot for getting critters out.

The stiff shank doesn't see to be much hinderance for stalking.  I take them off if I'm stalking bedded muleys.  Elk hunting I leave them on and go slow.

[jechicdr]

I have hunted past 2 seasons with Kenetrek Mountain Extreme (400 gm thinsulate) with 10 inch upper (worked nice when the puddles were a little deep).  At a slow hunting pace the heat was not bad.  Nothing ever fit my feet as well.  Not a single blister, ever.  When I hiked off the mountain, I wore my tennis shoes for speed.  I wanted to lighten up this year, so I got the Asolo Power Matic 200, which in the store felt similar to the embrace I felt when I put on the Kenetreks.  Have not yet put the new boots to the test.  I will probably bring both boots up the mountain with me, the Asolo for the hike and the Kenetrek for the hunt, unless I love the Asolo's.

[Alchase]

I have had both the Asolo FN95 and now the Moran GTX, both by far the best boots I have ever owned. I blew out two pairs of Danners, and a pair of Vasqes before I bought these.
REI has some great deals on them right now.
 
http://www.asolo.com/eng/prod_det.php?area=3&catid=16&itemid=126

[pianoman9701]

So I read your post and went online looking for the Lowa Ranger GTX Hi - Men's - Sepia. I found a pair of size 12 on EBay for 179.95, offered 149.00 and got 'em. Every year I've bought cost savers and they behave that way. This'll be my first pair of really nice boots. I'm psyched.

[hawksfan75]

Pardon the threadjack, there seems to be some smart people in this thread. Has anybody ever come across good boots in a size 18? I currently have to use a pair of New Balance hiking boots for all seasons, simply because they are the only ones I've found in my size...

[Curly]

Pardon the threadjack, there seems to be some smart people in this thread. Has anybody ever come across good boots in a size 18? I currently have to use a pair of New Balance hiking boots for all seasons, simply because they are the only ones I've found in my size...

If I had feet the size of snowshoes  , I'd look into custom made boots.

[blackhorn]

Thanks for the replies, still on the fence though.  I would love to jump up to the kennys but they are just a bit to much for me at this time, maybe someday when I am super rich and my wife...... well you get the idea.  I am going to try on some more tommorow. I keep you all posted.

[7mag.]

Thanks for the replies, still on the fence though.  I would love to jump up to the kennys but they are just a bit to much for me at this time, maybe someday when I am super rich and my wife...... well you get the idea.  I am going to try on some more tommorow. I keep you all posted.

I bought the Kenetrek's, didn't tell my wife. She got real pissed, got over it, and I now have Kenetrek's and love them. First time I ever did that, I don't suggest it. She was mad for a while.

[halflife65]

Pardon the threadjack, there seems to be some smart people in this thread. Has anybody ever come across good boots in a size 18? I currently have to use a pair of New Balance hiking boots for all seasons, simply because they are the only ones I've found in my size...

Are you serious?  When I was young and single I would've been showing those things off at the bar...

I ended up with two pairs of boots - a pair of Meindls and a pair of some cheap Cabelas brand boots that had a real soft sole for stalking.  I wore the cheap brand a couple of times and they were quiet but so stupidly uncomfortable over long distances that I just gave them to someone.

Go try a bunch on and buy the best you can afford.  You absolutely depend on your feet (at least I do for the type of hunting I like to do) so treat them right.  I screwed up an arch in my left foot wearing cheesy boots and it took me 6 months to heal it right and it still twinges once a in while.  Lots of good brands mentioned: Asolo, Kennetreck, Lowa, Zamberlans, etc.  Just find the one that fits the best.

Camo on boots is completely unnecessary.  If the color of your boots is blowing your stalk you're doing something wrong, anyway.  Plus, you can use them for something other than hunting.

I wasn't thinking about this until now but I have a pair of Asolo 520 GTX that I just couldn't make work for my feet.  I still have the original, unworn inserts (I put Superfeet in my boots) and I wore the boots maybe half a dozen times.  Great boots but just not for me.  Size 11.  Someone wants them let me know.  I'm sure we can come up with a fair price.  $275 brand new, by the way.

http://www.rei.com/product/693828/asolo-tps-520-gv-hiking-boots-mens

[6x6in6]

Thanks for the replies, still on the fence though.  I would love to jump up to the kennys but they are just a bit to much for me at this time, maybe someday when I am super rich and my wife...... well you get the idea.  I am going to try on some more tommorow. I keep you all posted.

Do like I did.
Round up the family and have everybody pitch in on a group gift and go get your Kenne's.  Early birthday or X-mas present type thing.
Making that purchase was the best thing I ever did, boot wise.  35 years of screwing with Rocky's, Danners, etc and pissing money away on a temporary boot are over with.

[257 Wby Mag]

Another vote for Kennetrek. Great boots...

[time2hunt]

I have destroyed 100's of pairs of boots over the years and by far the best boot I have had are the lowa if they fit YOUR FEET every boot fits different. My sugestion is to decide what your main needs are, I have found that for my personel needs I have 3 pairs of boots one for each season and weather and I try to rotate and buy a newer pair every couple years and yes there are some great deal on E-bay, Monstermuleys classifieds, alot of people buy over the internet and they don't fit and they sell them cheaper just to get rid of them.

[couesbitten]

Pardon the threadjack, there seems to be some smart people in this thread. Has anybody ever come across good boots in a size 18? I currently have to use a pair of New Balance hiking boots for all seasons, simply because they are the only ones I've found in my size...

Have a look at Russell Moccasin boots  http://www.russellmoccasin.com/index.html I've got a pair of the High country Hunters, and I love them.  If you take good care of them, they'll last you for years.  It's $36 dollars extra for a size 18 boot.

[blackhorn]

[Camo on boots is completely unnecessary.  If the color of your boots is blowing your stalk you're doing something wrong, anyway.  Plus, you can use them for something other than hunting.]

I was trying to be funny!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I must tell ya after all the boots I ever owned their is only one boot that I guarantee you is hands down and the best and thats BROWNING ...10 yrs of having the same boot and I mean NEVER EVER EVER had wet feet plus soft soles for stalking .. total predator with these boots on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Alchase]

Like Halflife65 mentioned, everyones feet are different. I could never buy a pair of boot off the internet without first trying them on in person somewhere. Until just recently I could not wear Merrels. They just did not fit my feet well. I just bought a pair of Merrel Refuge Core Mid Ventilator Waterproof hiking boots for everyday use, and these fit my feet incredibly.
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22759M/50075/Brindle-Harvest-Pumpkin/J50989?dimensions=0
For years Merrel sizing just did not fit my feet. And they make very good boots.
If you have not done it yet go to some place like REI (others do this as well) and have a knowledgeable salesperson fit your feet. It really makes a world of difference when you can narrow the field down to what your specific feet like and do not like.

[halflife65]

[Camo on boots is completely unnecessary.  If the color of your boots is blowing your stalk you're doing something wrong, anyway.  Plus, you can use them for something other than hunting.]

I was trying to be funny!

   No worries.  That reply probably sounded a little harsher than I intended it to be.

[blackhorn]

Ordered the Lowa Tibets, found them on sale for $220 and could not resist the price.  Hope they fit like the other Lowas I tried on.   Fingers crossed!  If anyone else is intrested I found them here http://www.pacificnorthwestoutfitters.com/servlet/the-All-BRANDS-cln-LOWA-Boots/Categories

[blackhorn]

I recieved a promo code with my confirmation for anyone intrested Promo Code 0511Promo5 . It is good for 10% off.

[pianoman9701]

I just got my Awesome Lowa boots that I bought on EBay for 149.00. They're a bit tight. Does these loosen up after they've broken in?