All leather boots vs cordura leather

[Stephen Lathrop]

Do you guys think the 1/4# saving's going with the Cordura and leather boot is really that much of an advantage?
I'm talking about a backcountry Elk or Mule deer hunt?
Or do you think the leather boot would be a better all round choice and why?

 

[fillthefreezer]

all leather because thats what you told me when i called

 

[Rolo]

For the weight savings alone, no, that much of an advantage. Especially when longevity is considered.

But, when combined with other things, fit, comfort, stiffness, or lack of it, yes, maybe. All individual of course, and determined, at least for me, based on where and what I am hunting. That's why I have both...

 

[kickemall]

No, I don't think the weight savings is an advantage. Maybe if your on relatively flat ground and don't get them wet. I've worn partially cordura boots for a long time after wearing full leather logging boots and now wear full leather (Kennetreks and Meindls) and there is no comparison when you get in rough ground, especially side hill and get them wet, which mine are most of the time. The Cordura seems to loose its support and become sloppy as compared to leather that seems to maintain most of its. No comparison in my experience but everyone is different in their likes and use.

 

[wyodan]

All leather is more comfortable in the long run. I do have cordura as well, but don't think they fit quite as well.

 

[Stephen Lathrop]

I agree with you guys the leather does provide more support then the blended upper and offers more support.
The benefit to the Cordura and leather. If treated properly will dry faster and tends to be a little lighter.
Wouldn't it be great if we could have the best of both world's! We just might get it.

 

[huntography]

I have Innov8 Roclite 400's which are pretty awesome for a super lightweight all leather goretex boot.

But, I still am looking for a taller all leather boot for the backcountry.

I'll need them for my next all archery elk hunting film.

Rudy

 

[Rizzy]

I don't think its enough of a weight advantage to be feasible. Personally, I steer clear of the cordura/leather combo because the seams always fail at some point. The full leather boots with minimal seams hold up the best in the long run and are a better overall design for keeping your feet dry.

 

[Sunspot]

I don't like Cordura around cactus.

 

[Matt W.]

PRO GUIDE MAN by Salewa

I think it really depends on the application / use of the boot. I used to think I could do all my hunting in one good pair of boots.. I now have two good pairs of solid leather boots that have their purpose. However, after a hunt where I put a ton of time in sidehilling I am about ready to jump on the plastic boot craze that a lot of Alaskan sheep hunters swear by. I've tried a few different plastic boots and just can not quite fathom the hike in with a plastic boot..... The goal is to have a boot with a tremendous amount of torsional rigidity yet still be comfortable to walk in. I think Jason at KUIU is trying something like this with his new boot. It will be interesting to see where that boot goes.

In my searching I came across this boot:
http://www.salewa.us/product/mountaineering/ms+pro+guide+performance+fit-1
It is called the PRO GUIDE MAN by Salewa.
The ability to adjust the boot via the FLEX SYSTEM is very intriguing. This seems like the best blend of plastic mountaineering and leather that I have seen. I'd love to give a pair of these a whirl.. I think Barney's here in Anchorage is a Salewa dealer so I will have to swing by and see if they carry this boot.

For hardcore high country rugged terrain hunting I think this boot is good one to check out..... I don't know of another boot out there like this one.. ???

 

[Matt W.]

No thoughts on the Salewa boot? Curious what others thought of Salewa. I don't know much about the company. ??

 

[Yukondog]

I agree with you guys the leather does provide more support then the blended upper and offers more support.
The benefit to the Cordura and leather. If treated properly will dry faster and tends to be a little lighter.
Wouldn't it be great if we could have the best of both world's! We just might get it.

Stephen - best of both worlds....... what do you have up your sleeve?

Matt

 

[HockeyDad]

I used to prefer leather, but even un-insulated boots my feet get hot and sweat enough that my feet look like white prunes at the end of the day (Hanwag Alaskans). Over the summers I wear 6" hikers when training, and my feet never really got that hot - so when I had issues with my Alaskans last fall, I hunted with the summer boots and gaiters. Feet were dry(er) and much happier during the season. So I am trying out the Soloman Quest's this year and an happy with them so far.

 

[ohhiitznik]

I have saloman quest 4d's that I love. Used them two seasons so far and holding up well.

 

[Lawnboi]

I prefer leather, with as little stiching as possible. They stay drier longer than cordura boots that I have used. A good leather treatment and waxing usually repels most water for a day or so longer.

 

[Shrek]

All leather . Leather lined and no sweattex of any kind. SHTF , the ultradry is what is cooking you feet. Might try the Lowa Tibet Leather lined. I'm betting your feet will feel much cooler and dryer. I have been wearing goretex lined boots for the last 20 years until this past winter. I picked up some Hanwag Yukons on a closeout and I was amazed at how much better they breath. As a kid I had all leather boots that I treated with snoseal and were more waterproof than my goretex boots have been. Most goretex boots I have owned didn't last a season before they leaked. If you stay on the treatment of high quality leather boots they will keep you dry.

 

[bobhunts]

I am wondering too as to what "Yukondog" suggested. I had the same thought before he posted it. Bob.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I am wondering too as to what "Yukondog" suggested. I had the same thought before he posted it. Bob.

Lathrop has some pretty cool stuff they've been working on.....(designing/ testing and so on).

Basically trying to find one boot that'll cover 90% of hunters and hunting situations.

 

[Randle]

I have been interested in a non insulated , non water proof boot made of a fast drying material. Looking at a similar approach to what Luke and Becca are doing with
trailrunner shoes , just let your feet get wet and dry them later. I won't be trudging thru bogs like they do but will sometimes get wet and just want to try this and see how it works with my feet.

 

[luke moffat]

Lathrop has some pretty cool stuff they've been working on.....(designing/ testing and so on).

Basically trying to find one boot that'll cover 90% of hunters and hunting situations.

Well lets hope its better than the "90% jacket" which I think it was meant to mean it wasn't useful 90% of the time.

Just kidding if Stephen and his brother are working on a boot I have no doubt it's gonna be a great boot!!!! Look forward to seeing what they come up with. I'm still hoping for a ridged sort of boot like a Hanwag Mnt Lite but with no GTX or anything. That way it'll dry much faster than any GTX boot out there.