Boot Recommendations

[egreen4257]

Had the Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots since 2020 doing a handful of hikes a year and hunted last October in them as well. Just did a 30 mile backpacking trip and noticed they are getting to the end of their lifespan and are leaking a tad. I wanted to upgrade to something nicer, did some research and grabbed the Crispi Briksdale Mtn GTXs.

Unfortunately I had a miserable time in them yesterday. While I initially loved how they felt underfoot, I noticed during my hike that the soles are so hard and boots so stiff that on uneven rocky terrain (rocks up to a foot wide as the trail all the way) I kept rolling my ankles because instead of forming to the contour of the terrain the boots would completely shift to the angle of the rock I was stepping on. After doing some more research, I see that they are more meant for steep alpine terrain. I am hunting Muleys and Elk in Colorado this year and I think most of my terrain will be more like this past hike than steep alpine stuff.

I'm going to return the Briksdales and I'm thinking of trying the Colorado IIs now. If all else fails, I'll grab another pair of Salomons. If I can find a similar boot to them with some more ankle support and a little hardier of a boot I would prefer them. I'd appreciate any recommendations based on any experiences you guys have.

Thanks!
-E

 

[mtnbound]

Had the Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots since 2020 doing a handful of hikes a year and hunted last October in them as well. Just did a 30 mile backpacking trip and noticed they are getting to the end of their lifespan and are leaking a tad. I wanted to upgrade to something nicer, did some research and grabbed the Crispi Briksdale Mtn GTXs.

Unfortunately I had a miserable time in them yesterday. While I initially loved how they felt underfoot, I noticed during my hike that the soles are so hard and boots so stiff that on uneven rocky terrain (rocks up to a foot wide as the trail all the way) I kept rolling my ankles because instead of forming to the contour of the terrain the boots would completely shift to the angle of the rock I was stepping on. After doing some more research, I see that they are more meant for steep alpine terrain. I am hunting Muleys and Elk in Colorado this year and I think most of my terrain will be more like this past hike than steep alpine stuff.

I'm going to return the Briksdales and I'm thinking of trying the Colorado IIs now. If all else fails, I'll grab another pair of Salomons. If I can find a similar boot to them with some more ankle support and a little hardier of a boot I would prefer them. I'd appreciate any recommendations based on any experiences you guys have.

Thanks!
-E

Look at Crispi’s Flex rating. Not really any difference in flex with the Colorados. I would look at one of the Laponia versions.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I went from the Salomon Quest 4D to the Wyoming 2s.

They are a bit stiffer and I haven't done 30 miles in them but they're working for me so far