With the frequent talk on Rokslide about finding good boots for the backcountry, several themes keep reappearing:
1. Durable boots aren't that comfortable.
2. Comfortable boots aren't that durable.
I have noticed much the same. I think back on the thousands of greenbacks that have gone out the door to boot retailers, and figure there has got to be a better way.
Right now, my go-to boot for most of the year is the Salomon Quest 4D GTX. This boot fits my narrow heel/ wide forefoot feet, and saves me from blisters right out of the box. It performs great in the woods with awesome traction under most conditions. The problems?
1. Eventually they leak.
2. They wear out in about a year and a half, and I have to buy another pair.
For the snowy parts of the year, I go to my Danner Canadians. This is a leather, insulated, stitch-down boot. They are comfortable after break in, and have a bob outsole that does well in the snow. I have found them to be more durable than the Salomons, but the leather isn't top quality, and the soles seem to wear or separate earlier than I like. They have held up well over the last 4 years, but I only use them when the snow gets deep.
I got to thinking about boots I have had that were both comfortable and durable. In fact, I DO have boots like that. In the late 90's I started fighting fire, and purchased some White's Smokejumpers. These are custom all-leather boots designed for heavy duty. Heavy duty is what I got out of them too. I have gone 1000s of miles in them. They have been pushed through mud, ash, water, snow, and horseapples. I keep them cleaned and oiled, and they just keep taking more abuse. Break in took some work, but once the leather formed to my feet, they have been like slippers. To this day, I can slip into them without the thought of foot pain. If they weren't a little clunky in the woods for hunting, I might just run them all the time.
Additionally, I have some Hathorn Packers, also made by Whites. Same story, after a determined break in, they have been like slippers ever since.
So I checked out Whites' website for a boot that might work for general hunting duty, and be both comfortable and durable. What I found was the Dri-Foot Outdoorsman. It has a waterproof/breathable barrier, stitchdown construction, and choice of soles. It seems to have the features that I like out of the Canadian, but with the quality leathers and break-in fit of the White's I have.
I contacted Whites Boots in Spokane, and will be getting the Outdoorsmans for review. I will keep Roksliders updated on this thread with the progress.
Stay tuned!
1. Durable boots aren't that comfortable.
2. Comfortable boots aren't that durable.
I have noticed much the same. I think back on the thousands of greenbacks that have gone out the door to boot retailers, and figure there has got to be a better way.
Right now, my go-to boot for most of the year is the Salomon Quest 4D GTX. This boot fits my narrow heel/ wide forefoot feet, and saves me from blisters right out of the box. It performs great in the woods with awesome traction under most conditions. The problems?
1. Eventually they leak.
2. They wear out in about a year and a half, and I have to buy another pair.
For the snowy parts of the year, I go to my Danner Canadians. This is a leather, insulated, stitch-down boot. They are comfortable after break in, and have a bob outsole that does well in the snow. I have found them to be more durable than the Salomons, but the leather isn't top quality, and the soles seem to wear or separate earlier than I like. They have held up well over the last 4 years, but I only use them when the snow gets deep.
I got to thinking about boots I have had that were both comfortable and durable. In fact, I DO have boots like that. In the late 90's I started fighting fire, and purchased some White's Smokejumpers. These are custom all-leather boots designed for heavy duty. Heavy duty is what I got out of them too. I have gone 1000s of miles in them. They have been pushed through mud, ash, water, snow, and horseapples. I keep them cleaned and oiled, and they just keep taking more abuse. Break in took some work, but once the leather formed to my feet, they have been like slippers. To this day, I can slip into them without the thought of foot pain. If they weren't a little clunky in the woods for hunting, I might just run them all the time.
Additionally, I have some Hathorn Packers, also made by Whites. Same story, after a determined break in, they have been like slippers ever since.
So I checked out Whites' website for a boot that might work for general hunting duty, and be both comfortable and durable. What I found was the Dri-Foot Outdoorsman. It has a waterproof/breathable barrier, stitchdown construction, and choice of soles. It seems to have the features that I like out of the Canadian, but with the quality leathers and break-in fit of the White's I have.
I contacted Whites Boots in Spokane, and will be getting the Outdoorsmans for review. I will keep Roksliders updated on this thread with the progress.
Stay tuned!
