Boot Dilemma - any input would be fantastic!

[tfitter]

Hey guys and gals,

I am new to elk hunting and am wanting to purchase a good mountain boot for hunting in the west. I currently live in the flat-lander region of the Midwest.

Lowa GTX: I purchased these on shoebuy and they were just delivered to me. I have been trying to walk around the house and stairs in them. I notice very slight heel slip in both feet. Today I am going out to get superfeet insoles to try and see if that will help any with the slip. I love the boots in all other regards, but if there is still slip they will be going back.

Meindle Denalis: I have tried these on at cabelas and thought they were a great boot. I hesitated in buying them while I was there, because they were the first boot I had tried. Nearest cabelas is three hours away, but I am actually traveling by one this weekend and plan to stop and try them again.

I know there are other boots out there to try, but the nearest REI is also 3 hours away. Other than that, there is only the Danner Pronghorn within reach to try on at this point.


Any opinions or guidance? I am new to these types of boots, so I am not sure on break-in period or how they should feel when wearing them around the house/stairs. I am hoping the insole helps the Lowa's, then my boot quest can be over!

Thanks for any discussion,

Tyler

 

[5MilesBack]

Other than that, there is only the Danner Pronghorn within reach to try on at this point.

Don't bother with the Pronghorns, there's a reason why they aren't called "the wapiti's".

Shoebuy may be your friend. Free shipping and free returns. Look for sales, they have them throughout the year at 20-30% off different boots that you could try and return if they don't work.

 

[weedwacker42]

I was in the same boat as you last year. Another thing to look at is lacing techniques. Make sure you are getting your heal far back in the boot and locking it in with the laces. There are some videos on YouTube regarding this. Just something to try while the boots are in your possession. Not saying it will correct anything, but worth a try!

 

[Jason Snyder]

Agreed on Shoebuy, for sure. Especially when they have their sales.

Yes, you can do some good stuff with lacing techniques. Pretty hard to explain, but do a search for heel slip lacing techniques and you'll find some options. A little slip isn't bad when they are brand new. However, for a first time buyer telling what "a little" is vs. too much can be hard to differentiate.

They should feel stiff when new. Heck, they'll feel stiff when they're not new (assuming these are the Tibet?). Pronghorns would feel like a Chuck Taylor Converse compared to the Tibets. Your foot from the heel to the midfoot should feel very secure. You want some room in the toebox also. Make sure you try them on after a long day at work when your feet are a little hot and swollen.

 

[gelton]

I would say that if you notice any slip at home you will certainly notice it on the mountain. You may check out Schnees. I have also heard that Meindls are actually a better boot than some give them credit for. Dont forget Zamberlan and Hanwag. As with everything what works for one might not work for antoher.

 

[tfitter]

Thanks for the info guys, it is much appreciated.

I bought the orange superfeet insoles today and wore the Tibets to the gym and walked 1.5 miles on the steepest incline to get a feel for them. I think the insoles helped a lot. I will definitely look up some lacing techniques. I still plan on trying on the denalis at cabelas on Sat. And heck, I will probably bring the tibets into the store to compare feel.

My poor wife thinks I am crazy (didn't want to be seen with me at the local YMCA). I told her the old adage "ya buy once and cry once"

Can't say what a blessing this site has been for newbie!

 

[GotDraw?]

I respectfully disagree with the prior poster, "gelton". While it is possible that your foot shape is not optimal for the boot, odds are higher that you are just experiencing the normal break in period. I own and use Tibets and Caminos. You did not mention which model of GTX you bought, but if they are the more stiff Tibet style or perhaps even the Caminos, these soles are very stiff until broken in and the vamp's crease across the metatarsals will not fully form until broken in. Thus, you can expect some heel lift until that crease fully formed and the lacing area of the upper boot breaks in so you can get the heel lock to fully work..

You bought real mountain boots, not Keens. Expect to have a real "break in" period.

If you've ever owned a quality pair of Western boots, it's kind of the same. There's a little heel slip until they break in.

JL

 

[Muttly]

Was assuming Hunter GTX, if so, you might also try SOLE insoles. Had an issue with my toes hitting the end of the boot on down hills, thought my feet had gotten bigger. Put in a set of SOLE insoles, with my feet, they lift the arch, which sorta shortens the foot, and cup the heel, which reduces the foot moving forward on down hills.

 

[GotDraw?]

***This^^^^

They will lock your foot big time on downhills. I use that brand too and highly recommend them.

 

[tipsntails7]

I respectfully disagree with the prior poster, "gelton". While it is possible that your foot shape is not optimal for the boot, odds are higher that you are just experiencing the normal break in period. I own and use Tibets and Caminos. You did not mention which model of GTX you bought, but if they are the more stiff Tibet style or perhaps even the Caminos, these soles are very stiff until broken in and the vamp's crease across the metatarsals will not fully form until broken in. Thus, you can expect some heel lift until that crease fully formed and the lacing area of the upper boot breaks in so you can get the heel lock to fully work..

You bought real mountain boots, not Keens. Expect to have a real "break in" period.

If you've ever owned a quality pair of Western boots, it's kind of the same. There's a little heel slip until they break in.

JL

Ya I'm gonna disagree. From day one of my Tibets, or my cevadales, which are a hell of a lot stiffer I've never had heel slip. IF they don't fit they don't fit, different inserts may help your heel sit in the cup better but heel cups don't "break in". The boot may break in and flex more allowing less pressure to be excreted on the heel and spread through the entire length of the shoe, but that doesn't mean they fit any better.

I can wear kenetreks form day one to day 300 and I will still get heel slip.

 

[tipsntails7]

Thanks for the info guys, it is much appreciated.

I bought the orange superfeet insoles today and wore the Tibets to the gym and walked 1.5 miles on the steepest incline to get a feel for them. I think the insoles helped a lot. I will definitely look up some lacing techniques. I still plan on trying on the denalis at cabelas on Sat. And heck, I will probably bring the tibets into the store to compare feel.

My poor wife thinks I am crazy (didn't want to be seen with me at the local YMCA). I told her the old adage "ya buy once and cry once"

Can't say what a blessing this site has been for newbie!

You need to figure out what volume footbed is right for you. For me my heel needs to be in the perfect place.

Low- lathrop and son synergys. I've never used them longer than a few miles as I've always needed more volume then they provide but guys absolutely swear by them.

Medium- super feet green/ orange for a slight bump. Both great, I use them in all my work boots.

High - spenco red. These are in both sets of Lowas that I have, and make the boot fit perfect.

Good luck, i don't think there is anything more important than your boots, they can make a fun hunt absolutely unbearable.

 

[5MilesBack]

My poor wife thinks I am crazy (didn't want to be seen with me at the local YMCA).

That's OK. I've been known to play several rounds of golf in new hunting boots to help break them in for September. You should see some of the looks I get. But I shot a 78 one time with brand new boots on. You just do what you gotta do.

 

[wasatchcomm]

i have the caminos ( $208 @amazon) and have about 40 miles on them now
they took some time to break in for sure (30 miles) they get better every time i wear them now
i read somewhere that the lowa insoles are terrible, and i agree with this
i put a aftermarket insole in boot and it changed it completely for the better...
also the boot is now broke in some and it is super comfy

personally, i think with full shank boots their WILL be a break in...
i have tibets coming today with the full lathrop and sons treatment and insoles
will be interesting to compare the differences with what i have for 30$ insole and their insole which is very expensive
lots of great boots
good luck

 

[Schnee's]

Give our boots a look. The Granite or Beartooth would be a good choice, with the Granite being the stiffest. As for fitment, you can measure your foot at any store with a metal Brannick device(the metal foot measurer). All of our boot sizing is based off that. Order a pair or 2 to try on and walk around your house in them. Send them back if they don't work out.

Matt

Hey guys and gals,

I am new to elk hunting and am wanting to purchase a good mountain boot for hunting in the west.

Tyler