Boots: light and fast or heavy and bomb proof?

[Ucsdryder]

I went on an antelope hunt last night, then chased elk this morning. I wore the salomons on the antelope hunt and the schnees on the elk hunt. Those salomons sure are comfortable! It’s hard to describe, but it feels like my foot is wrapped in pillows, like my feet were swaddled just right!

Lacing up the schnees I feel like I’m Iron Man putting on my “shit’s gonna get real” boots.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Spent a week chasing moose in Colorado. I learned 3 things.

1. A full leather, mid-high top, fully waterproof boot, paired with good gaiters, is mandatory for stomping around in willow choked meadows and bogs.

2. Moose should be shot next to the road.

3. Rubber buck shot doesn’t work on moose!

 

[robby denning]

Spent a week chasing moose in Colorado. I learned 3 things.

1. A full leather, mid-high top, fully waterproof boot, paired with good gaiters, is mandatory for stomping around in willow choked meadows and bogs.

2. Moose should be shot next to the road.

3. Rubber buck shot doesn’t work on moose!

View attachment 772702View attachment 772703

all points taken but you gotta explain the rubber buckshot!

 

[TrailDog]

I'm really surprised nobody has referenced this video yet:

The Best Hunting Boot (Isn’t What You Think It Is) – The Experience Project

the-experience-project.com

Personally, I'm on my 5th or 6th pair of Scarpa Fuegos...arguably one of the heaviest and stiffest mountain boots out there. But as I get older I'm trying to transition to lighter and faster, can't find something I like better than the Fuegos yet but I keep looking. Currently hunt archery in a pair of Salomon ultra-mids and the rest of the year I'm in Fuegos.

 

[fngTony]

I went on an antelope hunt last night, then chased elk this morning. I wore the salomons on the antelope hunt and the schnees on the elk hunt. Those salomons sure are comfortable! It’s hard to describe, but it feels like my foot is wrapped in pillows, like my feet were swaddled just right!

Lacing up the schnees I feel like I’m Iron Man putting on my “shit’s gonna get real” boots.

Exactly how I feel with my Merrell’s and Hanwags. Think the hanwags will be reserved for harsh abrasion and really wet conditions.

 

[timberbuck]

Something that will do it all. There is a lot of wisdom in the statement that you should not sacrifice comfort and weight for the five or ten percent of your hunt when you may be packing out an animal and need a heavy boot. I've gone midweight. I don't care if I need to replace every 3 years or so because of reduced waterproofness or wear. The Salomons are too fragile. The Crispi Nevada I own is too much. I have found my ideal in the Zamberlan Baltoro Lite.

 

[fngTony]

Any updates?

 

[Ucsdryder]

Any updates?

I’m sold on these boots. I think the next stage is seeing how they hold up to multiple years of abuse. They’ve been on multiple elk hunts, a moose hunt, and an antelope hunt.

They’re overkill for antelope and I’ve moved to Solomon’s for antelope, but they earned their keep on the moose hunt. Paired with my OR crocodile gaiters, it’s a bulletproof setup. I was able to walk across creeks that were 6-8” deep with no issues, and when I tried to cross a bog while moose hunting and was sinking almost to my knees I made it out dry. Tall grass covered in morning dew is a real test for waterproof boots, but so far there have been no issues.

Starting this weekend the hunting will ramp up until December, but I don’t see my feelings changing unless I have durability issues. I’m excited to get some snow on the ground and see how they do in sub 0 weather.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

This is a good thread topic. While boots are a very personal fit thing, they type of boot, materials, stiffness are all something to dial in.

I’ve had really good luck with my beartooths and likely will try this v3 version once mine die. I’ve generally preferred light/fast synthetic style until we’re deep into snow, but I’ve had durability issues with most pairs, and fit has been tough. The crispi briksdal mtn gtx series has been incredible for fit and waterproofness, but they just aren’t tough for deadfall and timber etc. While a style of boot like the beartooth is heavier…..they seem to have their place for off trail, nastier, and wet work. The beartooths walk a nice line of comfort, capability, waterproofness, durability and stiffness.

 

[jrl80]

My choice depends on the terrain. Light for open country and a stiffer taller boot for steep mountain stuff.

 

[sndmn11]

I’m sold on these boots. View attachment 778933

Did you grease them yet, and have you been wearing them for roosters?

 

[BuckSmasher]

I’m sold on these boots. I think the next stage is seeing how they hold up to multiple years of abuse. They’ve been on multiple elk hunts, a moose hunt, and an antelope hunt.

They’re overkill for antelope and I’ve moved to Solomon’s for antelope, but they earned their keep on the moose hunt. Paired with my OR crocodile gaiters, it’s a bulletproof setup. I was able to walk across creeks that were 6-8” deep with no issues, and when I tried to cross a bog while moose hunting and was sinking almost to my knees I made it out dry. Tall grass covered in morning dew is a real test for waterproof boots, but so far there have been no issues.

Starting this weekend the hunting will ramp up until December, but I don’t see my feelings changing unless I have durability issues. I’m excited to get some snow on the ground and see how they do in sub 0 weather.


View attachment 778930View attachment 778932View attachment 778933

I too have been wearing Salomon GTX's for years. Love them really. I had some stiff boots long ago and hated how if I stepped on something wrong they would twist my ankle. Also, didn't like how heavy they were. Tried on some kenetreks and crispis last night at the store, felt like a Dutch boy wearing wooden shoes. Are you still liking these? Will they flex while i am walking?

 

[Ucsdryder]

I too have been wearing Salomon GTX's for years. Love them really. I had some stiff boots long ago and hated how if I stepped on something wrong they would twist my ankle. Also, didn't like how heavy they were. Tried on some kenetreks and crispis last night at the store, felt like a Dutch boy wearing wooden shoes. Are you still liking these? Will they flex while i am walking?

So far I’m loving them. They look like the day I took the out of the box after more than 100 miles on them.

I don’t think they can replace a Solomon type boot for hot weather though. I haven’t decided which way to go, but a NON-goretex hiking boot seems like the way to go for antelope and early season deer. Goretex inhibits the breathability and increases cost, and let’s be honest, they aren’t waterproof anyway!

I have 6 tags left to fill this year and I don’t think a single one will have the lows over 15 degrees. The beartooths are uninsulated and I’m curious to see how they do in cold weather and deep snow!

 

[Harvey_NW]

I haven’t decided which way to go, but a NON-goretex hiking boot seems like the way to go for antelope and early season deer. Goretex inhibits the breathability and increases cost, and let’s be honest, they aren’t waterproof anyway!

If you find a good one let me know, I've been looking for something like that. I have sweaty feet issues and the leather gore-tex boots offer no advantage because my feet will be wet anyway. I had to break down and buy a set mid season because my old ones completely split, so I bought a pair of Crispi Summit II's and they seem like they're a little more breathable but I know they won't be as durable with the hybrid synthetic material.

 

[The Ri Guy]

The timberlines (more flexible version of the Beartooth basically) are about the stiffest boot I can tolerate, and only with a cushy insole.

Vivo ESC's have ruined all other boots for me, light and fast all the way.

 

[Ucsdryder]

The timberlines (more flexible version of the Beartooth basically) are about the stiffest boot I can tolerate, and only with a cushy insole.

Vivo ESC's have ruined all other boots for me, light and fast all the way.

What don’t you like about a “stiff” boot? The only thing I noticed was that break in took longer. Break in consisted of a 6 day back country elk hunt at 12000 feet so maybe not your typical break in that most people think about.

 

[eamyrick]

My favorite boot is a Crispi Lapponia. I’ve wore them in Colorado and all over Texas chasing turkey and Mule Deer. Just wore them for 9 days in Alaska and I did get a pretty tender foot side hilling across tundra but my hips/knees hate heavy boots and they felt fine. For me I think they are the compromise.

 

[dgfavor]

Light, flexible, as minimal as possible for me...I'd say fast but I'm a month from 60 and built like a sasquatch so who am I kidding...

Topo Athletic Terraventures with a scree gaiter have been my go to for the dry - super lightweight and breathable. So breatheable my toes are usually pretty dirty at end of the day. 3 seasons on one pair big game and ridiculous amount of chukar hunting. Cactus is their nemesis:

They did sheep duty no problem:


Elk duty, no problem:

Rucked/trained all summer in a pair of Xero Ridgeways and really liked them. I started out on my sheep hunt with them but the tread just didn't have the bite on the rocks like the Topos so they got relegated to closet duty.

When it gets snowy and wet I've been wearing Vasque Torres for 3 years also. Light for sure...a little too stiff for my liking but I just don't lace them to top - usually just go to first hook and pair with an appropriate gaiter for the conditions.

While I'm at it...my everyday wear/work shoes:

I use Run 619 zero drop insoles in all my shoes also.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Light, flexible, as minimal as possible for me...I'd say fast but I'm a month from 60 and built like a sasquatch so who am I kidding...

Topo Athletic Terraventures with a scree gaiter have been my go to for the dry - super lightweight and breathable. So breatheable my toes are usually pretty dirty at end of the day. 3 seasons on one pair big game and ridiculous amount of chukar hunting. Cactus is their nemesis:

They did sheep duty no problem:
View attachment 789256

Elk duty, no problem:

Rucked/trained all summer in a pair of Xero Ridgeways and really liked them. I started out on my sheep hunt with them but the tread just didn't have the bite on the rocks like the Topos so they got relegated to closet duty.

When it gets snowy and wet I've been wearing Vasque Torres for 3 years also. Light for sure...a little too stiff for my liking but I just don't lace them to top - usually just go to first hook and pair with an appropriate gaiter for the conditions.

While I'm at it...my everyday wear/work shoes:

I use Run 619 zero drop insoles in all my shoes also.

You took fast and light to another level! What do you do in rain or snow?

 

[Ucsdryder]

Another hunt in the books. Lows were in the single digits. Schnees did great, but without insulation they were definitely chilly when sitting and glassing. They were 100% waterproof and the soles do a great job on slippery snow and rocks.