Boot recommendation for elk

[butcherboy]

No, they don’t curve like that. Seems like a distorted picture. Here’s mine. Elk blood stains as well.

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

No, they don’t curve like that. Seems like a distorted picture. Here’s mine. Elk blood stains as well.

Nice! Perspective is a funny thing.

 

[Customweld]

Don’t buy Meindl’s from Cabela’s. Buy them direct from Meindl USA.

The Meindl's I have are tough as nails and outlasted my Hoffmans by far. Either buy from Meindl's website or Hoffman's website.

 

[Weldor]

I never wore boots for backpacking and am loath to use heavy boots now either. Vivo barefoot seem to be a great compromise especially if you are used to low or zero drop shoes.

I bought Salomon gtx boots, about the lightest conventional hiking boots, and my feet are more tired after a 2mile test hike with my toddler than after 6miles in trail runners WITH a pack or 4 miles in Vivo ans very heavy pack.. Just don't get the stiff sole boots appeal...

Vivo barefoot work well for wetter terrain bc of higher rise. With gaiters even deep snow should be fine but haven't tried it myself.

I envy your tough feet , those thin shoes would tear me up in the southern az mtns. They look like a great shoe/ boot for everyday wear.

 

[Weldor]

I envy your tough feet , those thin shoes would tear me up in the southern az mtns. They look like a great shoe/ boot for everyday wear.

Oh yea, I'm with you on the weight. Theres day feels like the old cement shoes. LOL.

 

[WaWox]

I envy your tough feet , those thin shoes would tear me up in the southern az mtns. They look like a great shoe/ boot for everyday wear.

I think its a combination of getting used to it and where i hike.

I have been wearing ultra minimalist (barefoot sole, zero drop etc) trail runners as my everyday shoe (office, normal walks, chores around the yard, short hikes, shopping etc) for years and the very beginning sure takes some transition time to get used to it but now i feel i cant go back to anything heavier anymore!

The other side of it is that i hike mostly in wet pacific northwest forests. There are trail sections that are on granite or skree but usually less than 50% of total trail length. Often less than 10%. The rest is soft needles and soil.

I am sure if i hiked on 100% granite (like i used to in the sierra), id go back to slightly sturdier but still lightweight shoes. Maybe altra trail runners or salomon trail runners.

 

[currdog]

I wear wide toe box shoes most of the time like vivo's, altra and lems and I have never seen a boot with a toe box shaped like the Meindl boots you mentioned. Do they really curve like that?

View attachment 766893

The vaccum hunter is built on what meindl call their straight last thats different to the comfort fit line they sell.I found them to be a narrower fit and feel compared to the roomier fitting comfort fit boots.I like the comfort fit boots better.I have a new pair of the comfort fit extremes im liking.But they are not what your looking for.Maybe the comfort fit hikers.Meindl boots are hard to beat and ive worn about all the best brands. I had good luck with the ones Cabelas sold.Dont see why people are down on them.

 

[Bump79]

My vote goes to Asolo and Salwea. Neither have let me down over 10 years and they are reasonably priced.

For lighter go with the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite or a little heavier duty the Mountain Trainer. Solid boots.

 

[butcherboy]

The vaccum hunter is built on what meindl call their straight last thats different to the comfort fit line they sell.I found them to be a narrower fit and feel compared to the roomier fitting comfort fit boots.I like the comfort fit boots better.I have a new pair of the comfort fit extremes im liking.But they are not what your looking for.Maybe the comfort fit hikers.Meindl boots are hard to beat and ive worn about all the best brands. I had good luck with the ones Cabelas sold.Dont see why people are down on them.

I bought a new pair of the comfort fit hunters in 2023. Fantastic boot but I found that it was too wide for me. I had my wife meet my dad halfway between my hunt and our house since he was dropping my son off to go back home. Had her bring my old Meindl Perfekt hikers so I could hunt the next 6 days without any foot problems. I went 3 days with the other ones. Most shoes and boots don’t fit me well because my 2nd and 3rd toe are as long or longer than my big toe. 4th toe is coming in fast as well. I called Meindl and talked to one of the guys and explained my situation. I ended up with a 9.5 in their regular last with the Vakuum hiker. Love this boot! I need to buy another pair and also some of their new hiker series for everyday wear.

Another positive is my son is only 1/2 size down from me. I’ll buy him a nice pair of
Boots when he hits my size and then they will
Be mine when he outgrows them. He is 13 and went from a size 7 in June this year to a 9 this past August!

 

[TradArcher]

Crispi Lapponia...try them inside first so you can send them back if need be. Have a couple different insoles on hand too as that can dramatically affect boot fit.