2 pairs of boots? Why?

[Ag111]

Going on a 5 day elk hunt in Colorado this August. I've been told i need to bring two pairs of hiking boots. I currently have a pair of Salomon GTX 4Ds that I love.

Do I really need another pair of boots? If so should I get something similar, the same thing, or a different style?

thanks!

 

[realunlucky]

If you love your current 4D than having another pair would be great if you can afford them.
I bring two pair of boots when space and wieght aren't a concern and rotate them.
Tons of people only use a single pair all season. I went to Alaska with a single pair of boots and never worried about a failure

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[Northernpiker]

One pair is fine...a second pair in the truck doesn't hurt. If you pack in, one pair.
If you get a second pair, wear them before you go. If you like your 4D's another pair of those. Myself, I would try something different. I have the 4D's also and like them.

 

[ezmorningrebel]

the guys who came up with that rule are probably used to people showing up in an old pair of rockys and blowing the sole out on the first day.

 

[NoWiser]

I'd get another pair. Wet boots suck and if you get multiple days of rain in a row you'll wish you had another pair. When the monsoons moved in while I was hunting the Gila a few years ago I'd have gladly paid for a third pair. I don't care how waterproof they say boots are, they'll leak if they stay wet enough long enough. The Salomons are nice boots but known to leak as much as any boot. If you don't get a second pair, at least get yourself some gaitors.

If you are backpack hunting a second pair won't do you any good and if you are staying somewhere that you can dry them each night you also will not need a second pair.

 

[Chucklehead]

I'm gonna try two pairs this year.
One set of heavier more supportive Lowa tibets for my backpack in/meat packing. (probably worn most of the time)
One set of lighter, more flexable crispi summits for day hunt/truck hunt mode.
Two kinds of hunting, two different styles of boots.

 

[dotman]

I always have a second pair at the truck, they are my older more worn boots. Never had to rely on them but worth the small amount of space they take. That said if you don't have a second worn out pair I wouldn't go buy a new pair to have.

 

[Kilboars]

I bring a second brand of boots. It's just nice to not have the same boots rubbing your feet the same exact way day after day. You may find in the end you really like one boot over the other.

 

[Ag111]

Thanks for the feedback. As far as gaiters, I got the OR Endurance for Christmas but haven't used them yet. They seem durable and light but only come up to about mid-shin. They definitely are not as tall as the KUIU yukons or anything like that. Do you think these will work or should i get something taller?

 

[dotman]

Thanks for the feedback. As far as gaiters, I got the OR Endurance for Christmas but haven't used them yet. They seem durable and light but only come up to about mid-shin. They definitely are not as tall as the KUIU yukons or anything like that. Do you think these will work or should i get something taller?

My favorite gaitor and they work perfect, I wear them daily when hunting.

 

[nrh6.7]

I'd wondered about the two boot thing also. My thought was to have a lighter pair for hunting, but if you down an animal change into the heavier/more supportive boots when you pack out the first load.

Does anyone do this?

 

[5MilesBack]

For only a 5 day hunt I wouldn't even think about worrying about it. A second pair comes in handy if you're hunting for 10+ days, as it's nice to change them out even if it isn't wet out. But I've also gone the entire season 20+ days of hunting with only one pair several times.

 

[fngTony]

Thanks for the feedback. As far as gaiters, I got the OR Endurance for Christmas but haven't used them yet. They seem durable and light but only come up to about mid-shin. They definitely are not as tall as the KUIU yukons or anything like that. Do you think these will work or should i get something taller?

I run the short Cabela's. Nice to keep debris out and not so cumbersome and hot as the tall gaiters. I will probably buy taller next time but I'm not running to get them. I've been through some tall wet grass and ended up putting on my rain pants. Nice to have the full zip legs to vent in that situation.

You should be fine with what you have.

 

[HookUp]

I brought one pair of Solomon 4d boots with me to a 7 day Idaho elk hu nt this past fall. They were awesome...until it rained. I lost about 1.5 days of my hunting drying wet feet and boots. Never again will I hunt in Solomon's. I am currently running Scarpa Kennesis and am looking at grabbing some Crispi's.

 

[daron]

2 or 3 pair of boots are good enough since we don't know might come along the way.

 

[Bughalli]

What hunter doesn't have a closet full of boots? Takes forever to find the perfect boot! Joking aside, I always bring an extra pair. If hunting from a basecamp, why not. Shit happens during hunts and not having a second pair could mean the difference between hunting or a short trip. As others mentioned, one year we had rain every day. Boots just don't stay dry, so rotating them was a huge benefit. Saves your feet. Plus when the feet are wet you get wear spots on your feet, yet each boot seems to do it in slightly different spots. That can be a relief over time. So it's nice to switch them up. If hunting really steep rugged country with a pack, where a slip has serious consequences, I like stiff boots. You get solid purchase on the terrain and my ankles don't get as tired over time. Where they do get tired with the flexible Solomons. But if walking easy trails, moderate terrain or old logging roads, then the Solomons are awesome because they're so fast and light.

Backpack hunting...one pair, with a second pair left at the truck for the "shit happens" factor.

Do what you can. If you have extra an extra pair (that's broken in) then bring them. Can't hurt.

 

[oldgoat]

I carry them just in case, they stay at the truck, but I have em if I need em! Don't have to be top of the line, but if I blow a boot out some how, I don't have to drive back to town

 

[camping1601]

Always a second pair in the vehicle. Even stuff near home where I'm camping I keep a spare. You never know when it might be the day the sole falls off.

 

[wyosteve]

That's funny, but so true about the sole falling off. Hunted elk last fall with a guy who used some 20 yr. old Vasques. First day, had to duct tape sole on one boot. Next day had to duct tape the other. Luckily he got his bull the second day and could spend the rest of the time in camp. Except he still had to walk about 6 miles on the way out.

 

[realunlucky]

I had a similar experience 20 years ago. Hunted Missouri River breaks in Montana it rained for three straight days and was true gumbo driving even with chains was an ordeal. First day tore a sole from my only boots and next day tore the other nothing like duck tape skis to make a person pony up for high end boots. My feet have been happy ever since my wife not so much

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