Boot for midwest whitetail hunting?

[WestNE]

I grew up in that country, kind of, south of Kansas City an hour or so on the Kansas side. Hunted alot around Pittsburg while at college. To me walking miles in soft dirt is far tougher on feet that rocky trails or west. It's just that not many people in that country walk anywhere near a mile during a day in the field. Out west I've been wearing a pair of Salewa Alp Trainers for the past few years and think they would suit your situation great. Not too stiff, but can carry some weight on uneven ground. Plenty warm for the climate with good socks, not the typical tall boot which is far more comfortable for me if I'm walking, at all...

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[JCB75]

Dang, I didn't think you would need to walk more than a mile or so to a good stand location up there.

Lol That's because I'm not trying to just deer hunt I guess. Trying to roam in the process like normal which will probably change the first time I haul a deer out. Lol

 

[JCB75]

It's true that most people around here are hunters but not backpack hunters. I'm foregoing the tree stand and building a ground blind when I happen upon a spot I like.

 

[JCB75]

I grew up in that country, kind of, south of Kansas City an hour or so on the Kansas side. Hunted alot around Pittsburg while at college. To me walking miles in soft dirt is far tougher on feet that rocky trails or west. It's just that not many people in that country walk anywhere near a mile during a day in the field. Out west I've been wearing a pair of Salewa Alp Trainers for the past few years and think they would suit your situation great. Not too stiff, but can carry some weight on uneven ground. Plenty warm for the climate with good socks, not the typical tall boot which is far more comfortable for me if I'm walking, at all...

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I'll check those out. We usually walk in 3.5-4.5 miles one way. Leave Friday night. Come back Sunday evening. We used to hike in Friday night with headlamps the whole way but we seem to have trouble getting out of town the older we are. We'll throw up a quick shelter on the trailhead that doesn't get packed and hit it in the morning. Get to see more that way too. More black bear and mountain lion reports also have us thinking more about night hiking. It's probably no big deal but the Missouri Conservation Dept is tracking them and it makes you think when you can see they are there. Last hike we heard a mountain lion scream for an hour at a bunch of dogs over the ridge. First time in all my backpacking I've heard it. I carry a minimum of .357 revolver now, but for two decades I never carried anything and never had an issue. I think bear spray has a higher success rate and I will probably be adding that to my hipbelt soon.

 

[JCB75]

Keep in mind the shoe I'm looking for is for deer hunting only in case I have to pack one out. I'll probably only wear them when hunting, or coming up to it. I have shoes for all the other times. I need support and waterproof would be great for small creeks in the winter.

 

[JCB75]

I think I have a good idea of what I'm looking for though based on these examples.

 

[JCB75]

I thought I would share these. The reviews are incredibly good and the boots have been made for at least fifteen years according to one reviewer. They are the more typical boot you see here on southern Missouri hunters. The price is definitely right. Click here

 

[GKPrice]

I keep hearing Bakers Boots. I'm in Springfield, MO but I do have a friend in Salem, OR. Maybe I should make a mold of my feet and have him take them in for me. Lol

Bakers is in Eugene OR They say they specialize in internet sales (but we all know how THAT can go) Just give them a call, I'd give you the number but if you google them you will then have all the info to contact them directly and see what they can and will do for ya

 

[GKPrice]

Another thought....boot break in time. The Quests require little to no break in time while my Tibets have taken a few miles to get just right. Started out slow and built time in them. Now they fit like a glove and perfectly molded to my feet. Quests come out of the box ready to go.


molon labe

and all of my Lowa boots have taken 0 time for break-in which illustrates the "subjective" part of choosing footwear ...

 

[ofl0926]

how are the lowa trekker wxl? they have them on STP

 

[GKPrice]

how are the lowa trekker wxl? they have them on STP

I have no knowledge of the Trekker WXL model - I have put many, MANY miles and hours in ALL WIDES - 1) Rangers 2) Renegades (have a pair on as I write this) 3) Tibets (my favorite) 4) GTX 400 gram (they used to be called "sheep hunter" and I think they name them differently now-10", they're just as comfortable and warm) 0 break in time cumulatively, not the norm for me)

I'm not a world traveled hunter or any sort of scholar, a lot of what I've tried and/or learned as been from hard knox - I've been there & done that with things like "soak ur boots overnight and then wear 'em til they dry" ..... "wear liner socks" ..... "soak 'em with hydraulic oil" ... yada yada - For about the last 10-12 years FOR ME the routine has been and is still working outstandingly well to buy them a bit large and put as good an insole as you can find (it may be different for each pair or style of boot) and if they don't feel right when you walk out of the store then they never will - With the Lowa's, starting with the very first pair from Bakers Boots the salesman told me to pull the Lowa insole out as he was looking for the correct "green" to replace with (I looked at him like he was crazy as I was buying my first pair of $300+ boots!) he looked at me and said "the factory insoles in all of them are shit" .... Please remember the number ONE mantra for boots though ... "ALL FEET ARE DIFFERENT" - what works for 19 out the 20 guys standing in a room may not work for YOU - I've cited the main "rules" in my typical dissertation here but some repeated cautions are probably in order (as general rules) #1-IF the boots don't feel perfect in every possible way don't buy them no matter what the sales person tells you about "breaking in" #2-no 2 pairs of boots will fit or feel exactly the same, IF they don't feel perfect don't buy them #3- if they feel "ok" but your stride isn't right don't buy them - #4- GOOD socks make a lot of otherwise marginal stuff good, just because a certain brand of sock has one or two styles that are good doesn't mean the BRAND will be good, AND socks are much the same as boots for fit and comfort #5- don't look at the price tag ..... if they don't feel right the first time you put them on, don't buy them It's been working for me, the original sore, cold and beat up feet hunter

 

[ofl0926]

I have no knowledge of the Trekker WXL model - I have put many, MANY miles and hours in ALL WIDES - 1) Rangers 2) Renegades (have a pair on as I write this) 3) Tibets (my favorite) 4) GTX 400 gram (they used to be called "sheep hunter" and I think they name them differently now-10", they're just as comfortable and warm) 0 break in time cumulatively, not the norm for me)

I'm not a world traveled hunter or any sort of scholar, a lot of what I've tried and/or learned as been from hard knox - I've been there & done that with things like "soak ur boots overnight and then wear 'em til they dry" ..... "wear liner socks" ..... "soak 'em with hydraulic oil" ... yada yada - For about the last 10-12 years FOR ME the routine has been and is still working outstandingly well to buy them a bit large and put as good an insole as you can find (it may be different for each pair or style of boot) and if they don't feel right when you walk out of the store then they never will - With the Lowa's, starting with the very first pair from Bakers Boots the salesman told me to pull the Lowa insole out as he was looking for the correct "green" to replace with (I looked at him like he was crazy as I was buying my first pair of $300+ boots!) he looked at me and said "the factory insoles in all of them are shit" .... Please remember the number ONE mantra for boots though ... "ALL FEET ARE DIFFERENT" - what works for 19 out the 20 guys standing in a room may not work for YOU - I've cited the main "rules" in my typical dissertation here but some repeated cautions are probably in order (as general rules) #1-IF the boots don't feel perfect in every possible way don't buy them no matter what the sales person tells you about "breaking in" #2-no 2 pairs of boots will fit or feel exactly the same, IF they don't feel perfect don't buy them #3- if they feel "ok" but your stride isn't right don't buy them - #4- GOOD socks make a lot of otherwise marginal stuff good, just because a certain brand of sock has one or two styles that are good doesn't mean the BRAND will be good, AND socks are much the same as boots for fit and comfort #5- don't look at the price tag ..... if they don't feel right the first time you put them on, don't buy them It's been working for me, the original sore, cold and beat up feet hunter

great info.

 

[ofl0926]

i am unfortunate that i have to buy blind. i live in south florida. very hard to find stores like this. another issue we have is a bow shop. we have only one that is over an hour away that opens 4-7 and only sells mathews, pse and hoyt. i hate it but it is what it is. that is why i ask a lot of questions on gear.
my birthday is coming up soon and i think my wife is getting me the salomon quest 4D GTX boots. hopefully they workout

 

[GKPrice]

i am unfortunate that i have to buy blind. i live in south florida. very hard to find stores like this. another issue we have is a bow shop. we have only one that is over an hour away that opens 4-7 and only sells mathews, pse and hoyt. i hate it but it is what it is. that is why i ask a lot of questions on gear.
my birthday is coming up soon and i think my wife is getting me the salomon quest 4D GTX boots. hopefully they workout

I've seen quite a few good comments on those boots - One never knows until ya give it a try and if it doesn't work out at least you have a point to start from ..... No archery clubs or 3D courses anywhere in the area ? You can get a better and more objective idea of bows and equipment that way usually (AND quite often meet folks that may become good friends)

 

[camping1601]

My .02. I currently have those quest 4ds , tibets, lowa evo extremes, salewa hikers, and Cabela's perfect hunters. For an overall hunting boot it's hard to beat those perfect hunters. The 4ds are like high top sneakers while the tibets are to stiff for normal WT hunting. Those perfect hunters are most comfortable boot I've ever worn and I've used them to pack many WT deer and an elk.

 

[JCB75]

My .02. I currently have those quest 4ds , tibets, lowa evo extremes, salewa hikers, and Cabela's perfect hunters. For an overall hunting boot it's hard to beat those perfect hunters. The 4ds are like high top sneakers while the tibets are to stiff for normal WT hunting. Those perfect hunters are most comfortable boot I've ever worn and I've used them to pack many WT deer and an elk.

I find six pairs on Cabela's right now that have the Perfekt moniker. Which one exactly are you speaking of? There's the casual Chukka, 2 light hiker models, and a 7, 10, and extreme model.

 

[JCB75]

I have no knowledge of the Trekker WXL model - I have put many, MANY miles and hours in ALL WIDES - 1) Rangers 2) Renegades (have a pair on as I write this) 3) Tibets (my favorite) 4) GTX 400 gram (they used to be called "sheep hunter" and I think they name them differently now-10", they're just as comfortable and warm) 0 break in time cumulatively, not the norm for me)

I'm not a world traveled hunter or any sort of scholar, a lot of what I've tried and/or learned as been from hard knox - I've been there & done that with things like "soak ur boots overnight and then wear 'em til they dry" ..... "wear liner socks" ..... "soak 'em with hydraulic oil" ... yada yada - For about the last 10-12 years FOR ME the routine has been and is still working outstandingly well to buy them a bit large and put as good an insole as you can find (it may be different for each pair or style of boot) and if they don't feel right when you walk out of the store then they never will - With the Lowa's, starting with the very first pair from Bakers Boots the salesman told me to pull the Lowa insole out as he was looking for the correct "green" to replace with (I looked at him like he was crazy as I was buying my first pair of $300+ boots!) he looked at me and said "the factory insoles in all of them are shit" .... Please remember the number ONE mantra for boots though ... "ALL FEET ARE DIFFERENT" - what works for 19 out the 20 guys standing in a room may not work for YOU - I've cited the main "rules" in my typical dissertation here but some repeated cautions are probably in order (as general rules) #1-IF the boots don't feel perfect in every possible way don't buy them no matter what the sales person tells you about "breaking in" #2-no 2 pairs of boots will fit or feel exactly the same, IF they don't feel perfect don't buy them #3- if they feel "ok" but your stride isn't right don't buy them - #4- GOOD socks make a lot of otherwise marginal stuff good, just because a certain brand of sock has one or two styles that are good doesn't mean the BRAND will be good, AND socks are much the same as boots for fit and comfort #5- don't look at the price tag ..... if they don't feel right the first time you put them on, don't buy them It's been working for me, the original sore, cold and beat up feet hunter

High quality insoles are something I would like to try. I am only familiar with Superfeet. Is that what you mean by green? I wonder what else is out there and if one caters to different arch heights and other measurements whatever they may be. I wonder if a good insole can make a lighter shoe more up to the job of meat hauling.

 

[camping1601]

I find six pairs on Cabela's right now that have the Perfekt moniker. Which one exactly are you speaking of? There's the casual Chukka, 2 light hiker models, and a 7, 10, and extreme model.

10" 400gram meindle perfect hunter.

 

[maninthemaze]

I am in the same boat. I've been wearing Merrell hiking boots for the last 20 years. After a car wreck in 1995 I've felt I needed more ankle support due to a foot injury. I'm in the process of planning a 2017 Colorado elk hunt with my brother. We are slowly aquiring gear as well as training. My next purchase is boots. I live in central KY with nothing really close. Seems all the stores are an hour or two away.

I will be making a trip to Lathrop and Sons in southern Indiana. The reason I bring this up is, they offer a complete custom fit boot even through mail order. It might be something you'd be interested in.

Custom Boot Hunting Systems | Lathrop and Son's

I think Zac Griffith even did a review on YouTube about the process.

Good Luck

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