Boot advice for October Mountain Goat

[Superdutch]

Hello, I am planning a Kodiak Island October Mountain Goat hunt for next year and would like some advice on boots. I haven't done a lot of mountain hunting, and none where cold weather was an issue. It seems that I am going to want a boot with some insulation. Am I right about that? Most of the boots that strike me as appropriate for the terrain aren't insulated and the few that I find that are have rather light insulation. I suppose that too much insulation would get too hot while climbing. Any advice or boot recommendations would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[6mm Remington]

I used the Danner Trophy boot for my goat hunt here in Montana in 2011. I wore it from early fall clear up until late November. The Trophy and Canadian are both solid leather with insulation. They worked very well for me. I could not find the Trophy on their site. Possibly they don't make that one any longer. The Canadian is extremely similar though and is a fine boot.

http://www.danner.com/product/hunt/canadian-10-brown-600g.html

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30651

Whites boots in Spokane builds an awesome boot! The insulated Outdoorsman with the Claws sole is what my next pair of leather boots will be.

If the weather is going to be cold and snowy for extended periods, I really like my Schnee's leather top and rubber soled Hunter II pack boots. I have the 13" height and like those for the extra ankle and leg support. They have great traction with the air-bob sole and are very comfortabel.

When it got wet, slick, and icy I put these on and I love them. I use them for all of my hunting when the snow comes. Even a couple inches and it's worth it 100 times over to wear these. You do not slip and fall, and you use a lot less energy because of that fact. Love these!!

http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/

These also look to be excellent and I like the addition of the strap across the top of the foot to help hold them in place.

http://hillsound.com/hillsound-product/trail-crampon

There are lots of guys with a lot more mountain goat experience than me and they will chime in here soon. Best of luck on your hunt!

David

 

[Stid2677]

I have done several Kodiak goat hunts and use Lowa Men's Tibet GTX Trekking Boots. You need extra ankle support for both the steep, rocky terrain as well as packing a goat out.

I will 2nd the need for steel on your feet, I almost died hunting goats on Kodiak from an slip and tumble with a Billy on my back. Was extremely lucky to survive and another in my party suffered a broke leg and was rescued and flown out. More people die goat hunting than about any other type of hunting.

Microspikes and Ice/trekking axe to arrest a fall is required equipment IMHO.

 

[Superdutch]

Great advice. Thanks Guys, I really appreciate it! I will check out the Danner - I have used their lightweight hiker in Africa with good success. Are the Tibets insulated? I will definitely get the crampons and pole/axe.

 

[Stid2677]

Great advice. Thanks Guys, I really appreciate it! I will check out the Danner - I have used their lightweight hiker in Africa with good success. Are the Tibets insulated? I will definitely get the crampons and pole/axe.

They have 400 of thinsulate I believe. I have never found them to be too warm.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I don't think you should concern yourself too much with insulated boots. I've goat hunted Kodiak in October every year now for the last 5 years, twice last year (October and late December, and not counting this year because I went a little earlier in September), and my go to mountain boots are Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX's. Plenty of ankle support, rigid enough for steep approaches but not so much that you feel like you're walking in a ski boot, and minimal insulation. I've never even thought about my feet being cold (Kodiak's not really known for having cold winters anyway, and especially not so much in October). Go with a quality mountaineering boot that fits you best and, like Steve said, I would also highly recommend some sort of microspike /crampons. If for no other reason than for the steep, wet, grassy slopes that you will more than likely encounter.

 

[jherald]

Lowa Bighorn Hunter GTX is another good option. I've worn them for two seasons for everything from flatland to alpine. spikes or crampons are a must for the steep and slick grassy slopes.

 

[jmden]

I used the Danner Trophy boot for my goat hunt here in Montana in 2011. I wore it from early fall clear up until late November. The Trophy and Canadian are both solid leather with insulation. They worked very well for me. I could not find the Trophy on their site. Possibly they don't make that one any longer. The Canadian is extremely similar though and is a fine boot.

http://www.danner.com/product/hunt/canadian-10-brown-600g.html

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30651

Whites boots in Spokane builds an awesome boot! The insulated Outdoorsman with the Claws sole is what my next pair of leather boots will be.

If the weather is going to be cold and snowy for extended periods, I really like my Schnee's leather top and rubber soled Hunter II pack boots. I have the 13" height and like those for the extra ankle and leg support. They have great traction with the air-bob sole and are very comfortabel.

When it got wet, slick, and icy I put these on and I love them. I use them for all of my hunting when the snow comes. Even a couple inches and it's worth it 100 times over to wear these. You do not slip and fall, and you use a lot less energy because of that fact. Love these!!

http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/

These also look to be excellent and I like the addition of the strap across the top of the foot to help hold them in place.

http://hillsound.com/hillsound-product/trail-crampon

There are lots of guys with a lot more mountain goat experience than me and they will chime in here soon. Best of luck on your hunt!

David

Danner is planning on bringing the Trophy back in 2016 or 17...apparently having trouble finding the right leather is what I was told.

 

[6mm Remington]

Good to know because I really like the Trophy boot the best out of all of the Danner boots. jmden you need to actually feel and see those Whites boots in person. They really make a solid boot and they can be completely rebuilt.
DAvid

 

[kodiakfly]

Don't sweat the insulation. It's 42* here right now. I wear Sportiva Lhotses for goat. I wear Karakorums for deer, but they'd do for goat too. Thinking about trying a pair of Trangos next year. Any solid mountaineering boot with ankle support that you can toe edges and kick steps will be good. Find one that fits.

I'm not a big micro spike fan, but they do have their place. They are not a replacement for crampons and you need to watch them balling up in wet snow and grass.

I've never almost died goat hunting, but I did tear up my knee in a fall last year. Be careful and never get complacent in your surroundings.

 

[Yellowknife]

I hunted Kodiak in November this year. That's a bit late for Kodiak goat, and we caught the leading edge of winter:



I used La Sportiva Nepals, which are lightly insulated, and had zero issues. My partner had uninsulated Triolets I believe... he didn't complain either that I recall.

Biggest issue was ankle support. We did a lot of sidehilling in crampons with heavy packs, and stiff mountain boots were key for that.



Last year I did an October hunt in the Chugach, which is higher, colder country and wore Kenetrek Mountain Guides (400g) with no issues:



I'd worry far more about fit, a good break-in, and ankle support than being significantly insulated. Particularly in October.

Yk

 

[Nick Muche]

Goats are fun, hope you have a great time! Stay safe and good luck.