Barefoot/Lightweight Boot Recs - Steep/Backcountry-capable

[usahntr1]

(Posting in this forum and Footwear for visibility)

I am considering buying a pair of barefoot/lighter weight boots for a backcountry archery elk hunt this fall. The area I am planning to hunt is very steep, heavily timbered, and rocky. I will likely be covering a lot of ground as the unit will be heavily pressured. I currently hunt use Meindl Comfort Fit Hunters (which I love), but I am thinking that something lighter and quieter will be better over my two week hunt. Boot features that are important to me are:

Ankle Support
Traction (I have heard that Vivos get slippery)
Quiet
Light
Waterproof
Ideally made in USA

I would appreciate any recommendations other have, especially if you hunt in conditions like I described. Thank you in advance!

 

[jgilber5]

I've used Topo Trailventure WP 2s for the last two years in everything from alpine 12k feet to PJ desert country and keep coming back to them. Lightweight, breathable (for a waterproof boot), good grip, and flexible so pretty quiet. Downside is I can get one hard summer/and archery season out of them, by late fall they are starting to fall apart. Usually around 180$ per pair, I'd estimate the old 1$/mile goal holds true for them.

I actually emailed them about a specific place that always rips first on me and sounds like they're coming out with an updated version this fall so fingers crossed

 

[dgfavor]

Dig my Topos too. My Ultraventure mids (non-WP) went over 3 years in sharp, steep rocky chukar and sheep country. (wearing them in my profile photo) Loved them. The uppers never did show wear or break down at all but finally the foam on the bottoms started cracking out. I went to the Trailventure WP's and they went one season before the uppers cracked out at the flex points - I think it's that WP material doesn't hold up to the duty cycles and fatigues/cracks...had same thing happen in WP Altras only much faster. I've been wearing the Mtn Racers rucking/running and they feel like the old Ultraventures - super, comfy, grippy, light.

Not sure they'd fully fit the bill for OP based on his description of needs though.

 

[P Carter]

not quite barefoot, and not waterproof, but I’ve used the Salomon forces speed assault 2 for several years. I came to them from trail runners. I was looking for light, good traction, Salomon rubber (I think they have the best compound), and most importantly low stack height.

They fit the bill on those factors. I did have to put new insoles in them.

I use them in the gnarliest terrain we have and they work great.

 

[Tom-D]

I have been using a pair of joe nimble boots for the past year and they have been unreal. Super light and reasonable waterproof and super comfortable. Only down side is im noticing the tread is wearing pretty fast so dont think il get very long life out of them.

 

[usahntr1]

Dig my Topos too. My Ultraventure mids (non-WP) went over 3 years in sharp, steep rocky chukar and sheep country. (wearing them in my profile photo) Loved them. The uppers never did show wear or break down at all but finally the foam on the bottoms started cracking out. I went to the Trailventure WP's and they went one season before the uppers cracked out at the flex points - I think it's that WP material doesn't hold up to the duty cycles and fatigues/cracks...had same thing happen in WP Altras only much faster. I've been wearing the Mtn Racers rucking/running and they feel like the old Ultraventures - super, comfy, grippy, light.

Not sure they'd fully fit the bill for OP based on his description of needs though.

I've used Topo Trailventure WP 2s for the last two years in everything from alpine 12k feet to PJ desert country and keep coming back to them. Lightweight, breathable (for a waterproof boot), good grip, and flexible so pretty quiet. Downside is I can get one hard summer/and archery season out of them, by late fall they are starting to fall apart. Usually around 180$ per pair, I'd estimate the old 1$/mile goal holds true for them.

I actually emailed them about a specific place that always rips first on me and sounds like they're coming out with an updated version this fall so fingers crossed

Thanks for the Topo recs. Hadn’t heard of them and they look super comfortable. Good to know that you both had some issues with durability.

 

[usahntr1]

not quite barefoot, and not waterproof, but I’ve used the Salomon forces speed assault 2 for several years. I came to them from trail runners. I was looking for light, good traction, Salomon rubber (I think they have the best compound), and most importantly low stack height.

They fit the bill on those factors. I did have to put new insoles in them.

I use them in the gnarliest terrain we have and they work great.

Love my Salomon boots and shoes for on trail hiking. For whatever reason, maybe the construction of the sole, I always roll my ankles when wearing in rough terrain, but never an issue with other footwear. Nonetheless I appreciate the rec.

 

[jgilber5]

If you have rolly ankles I'e been told "ankle support" in boots is actually way worse. It's counter intuitive, but less around your ankles will actually be better. Have seen this firsthand, my wife has terrible ankles and in her fire boots its painful to watch her walk on a rocky trail, but in trail runners she does great

 

[P Carter]

Love my Salomon boots and shoes for on trail hiking. For whatever reason, maybe the construction of the sole, I always roll my ankles when wearing in rough terrain, but never an issue with other footwear. Nonetheless I appreciate the rec.

I had this same issue with the Speedcross. Hence my search for a lower drop and lower stack height, which led me to the Speed Assault 2. I'm certainly not pushing you in that direction--I have no dog in the fight--just sharing how I ended up in with this sortof unorthodox choice.

I did the same with shoes and tumbled to the Topo Ultraventure. The shoe is really stable. I haven't tried the boot.

Edit: Topo Terraventure, not Ultraventure. Whichever one has the lowest stack height - pretty sure it's the terraventure.

 

[usahntr1]

If you have rolly ankles I'e been told "ankle support" in boots is actually way worse. It's counter intuitive, but less around your ankles will actually be better. Have seen this firsthand, my wife has terrible ankles and in her fire boots its painful to watch her walk on a rocky trail, but in trail runners she does great

Yeah, have heard that too. Definitely counter intuitive but as I have been thinking about it since the original post, the feet and ankle are designed to move and balance weight, so putting stuff around them that limits range of motion will inevitably make them less effective. Appreciate the suggestion.