Boots: light and fast or heavy and bomb proof?

[gostovp]

Even though I'm over 50, a flatlander, and have a total Dad Bod, I'm moving away from really stiff boots too...when I starting this journey for finding footwear for western hunting I thought I needed the stiff boots...got a pair of Hanwag Alaskans ... they are really nice boots for sure, but after several days of hiking (even in the Midwest here), I find my big toes goes numb...I don't get this at all in more flexible boots (I think it's a function of my personal foot anatomy and my gait)...
Plus, the weight of those heavy boots really adds up over the course of 7 days of hiking...that's 10's of thousands of steps with 6 to 8 oz more on each foot...
This past year I used Schnees Kestrels and had good luck with them (after they were broke in...took 40 miles to stop getting heel blisters), and I picked up a pair of Lowa Renegades on a recent clearance sale and really like them (knowing full well they will likely be trashed after a season or two)....
But in one of the most recent Exo Mtn Gear podcasts where they talked about footwear, they basically state that these lighter weight boots are likely a yearly consumable item, and you need to accept the fact that they will likely need to be replaced every year or every other year and that's just part of the cost of hunting.

 

[Bwalker]

Even though I'm over 50, a flatlander, and have a total Dad Bod, I'm moving away from really stiff boots too...when I starting this journey for finding footwear for western hunting I thought I needed the stiff boots...got a pair of Hanwag Alaskans ... they are really nice boots for sure, but after several days of hiking (even in the Midwest here), I find my big toes goes numb...I don't get this at all in more flexible boots (I think it's a function of my personal foot anatomy and my gait)...
Plus, the weight of those heavy boots really adds up over the course of 7 days of hiking...that's 10's of thousands of steps with 6 to 8 oz more on each foot...
This past year I used Schnees Kestrels and had good luck with them (after they were broke in...took 40 miles to stop getting heel blisters), and I picked up a pair of Lowa Renegades on a recent clearance sale and really like them (knowing full well they will likely be trashed after a season or two)....
But in one of the most recent Exo Mtn Gear podcasts where they talked about footwear, they basically state that these lighter weight boots are likely a yearly consumable item, and you need to accept the fact that they will likely need to be replaced every year or every other year and that's just part of the cost of hunting.

Stiff boots and heavy boots really wear you out much quicker and for most hunting you just don't need mountaineering boot level support.

 

[Sinistram]

Heavy(er) and bombproof. I much prefer the security and confidence that comes with a boot built for rugged terrain.

 

[rbw20]

Both is ideal but I would go heavy and stiff if I had to choose one.

 

[dgfavor]

I'm going to start doing this! looks like a great exercise for ankle and foot strength!

Oh, I'm out there man! Probably will be found dead with a head injury in my basement! In seriousness, yah, I think stuff like that really help...plus I'm an old timer and balance/falls is significant source of morbidity/mortality in my demographic which to my mind means less time in the field.

Broke my pelvis in August and just starting to feel like my right side is staying connected to my left side!

I think even if you prefer heavy/stiff boots in the field - it is really good and beneficial to work those tootsies and ankles at home, get 'em working, re-aquaint them with stimulation from the ground, etc. Most folks that transition to the less and lighter can't imagine going back to more and heavier.

From my weirdo archives - "the old man test"

 

[yellowbeard]

I'd suggest trying different things to find out what works for you.


I used to always wear a heavy boot, but last two seasons moved to a light weight La Sportiva approach shoe. Can't believe how much more I like it. Still has great grip and tread, I feel so much more nimble while walking, and better at the end of the day. They seem fine even for heavy pack outs in rough terrain. I'll still take the boots if it's going to be really cold or decent snow is forecast, but huge preference for the shoes.

 

[gostovp]

Oh, I'm out there man! Probably will be found dead with a head injury in my basement! In seriousness, yah, I think stuff like that really help...plus I'm an old timer and balance/falls is significant source of morbidity/mortality in my demographic which to my mind means less time in the field.

Broke my pelvis in August and just starting to feel like my right side is staying connected to my left side!

I think even if you prefer heavy/stiff boots in the field - it is really good and beneficial to work those tootsies and ankles at home, get 'em working, re-aquaint them with stimulation from the ground, etc. Most folks that transition to the less and lighter can't imagine going back to more and heavier.

From my weirdo archives - "the old man test"

What’s that black pad you are standing on in the first vid?

 

[dgfavor]

What’s that black pad you are standing on in the first vid?

It's a balance pad - really good for one leg balance drills. Not sure how to describe it but I have a tough time with it - the more I fight it the more it seems to want to buck me off!

 

[Blandry]

From my weirdo archives - "the old man test"

LOL it's funny how easy that was when we were young

 

[Blandry]

Stiff boots and heavy boots really wear you out much quicker and for most hunting you just don't need mountaineering boot level support.

Agreed.. I do have some Schnees Granite Pros and La Sportiva Trango Towers but lately I just don't wear them much. Even here in CO at high elevation.

 

[flathead#2]

LOL it's funny how easy that was when we were young

HA!!
I used to do that.
I recently gave up and feel lucky just to get my clothes on.

 

[dgfavor]

HA!!
I used to do that.
I recently gave up and feel lucky just to get my clothes on.

If you think about it, just putting your pants on while standing up is a decent daily metric for one legged balance, range of motion, flexibility, proprioception.

I really like the one-leg drills - pursuing elk, deer, sheep, chukar, walking, running, etc. is a linked series of one-legged balance drills over varied terrain...unless you're hopping around the woods from a position of stability like you do with deadlifts, squats, etc.

Give the old man test a try...bonus points if you can do it with mtn. hunter heavy and bomb-proof boots!

 

[flathead#2]

I used to could sit flat on my butt and stand straight up in one movement using no hands.
Havent tried that in a while either.

 

[Metal]

The old saying goes, “One pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back.” The military did research on this years ago. Not sure if there has been any recent research to refute it (sorry no source to cite ofd hand).

 

[prm]

My original (first gen) Salomon Quests were excellent. Lasted a number of years deer and elk hunting to include remaining waterproof. Really! My feet were always dry and comfortable. The later iterations of the boot, two more pairs, were a definite step down. I tried Crispi Colorados, Hanwag (Makra?), Salewas, and then Crispi Kenais. The Kenais have been excellent! Dry, comfortable feet across a wide range of western hunt conditions.

 

[shwacker]

I love some well made, heavy comfy leather boots. My old leather scarpa boots are so comfy. Also love approach shoes for lots of steep rock. And ultra stiff plastic ski or mountaineering boots for kicking endless steps in steep snow. I have stalked and killed in Crocs, which worked great! Never found a pair of barefoot shoes that fit my foot right, but I've put some miles in unlined leather climbing shoes, so can appreciate them. Big packs and light running shoes has worked for a lot of miles. In the end, hunting doesn't really require specialist footwear. Just make sure you are comfortable in them, won't get blisters, and they won't fall apart on you (get a decent brand or multiple pair). These days I wear some Hanwag heavy leather something because I got them cheap in a wide and they make me feel burly, even though I'm old and soft. If you are putting on a lot of miles, weight seems to matter more than anything...

 

[tjus]

I used to wear heavy, stiff, bomb proof leather boots. They are still in great shape, but they sit in the closet while I wear lighter, synthetic boots today.

 

[Choupique]

This was my 3rd season with beartooths. Its the first pair of "real" hunting boots I've ever owned and I love them.

Sure is a hell of a lot better than hunting in loggers.

 

[RAG]

Agreed.. I do have some Schnees Granite Pros and La Sportiva Trango Towers but lately I just don't wear them much. Even here in CO at high elevation.

Yup. I wanted to have all bases covered, so I too picked up some Schnees Granite Pros, for the burliest boots I could get my hands on...but I almost never wear them. When I'm going to be in and out of crampons on a hunt, I like to use these boots with fully automatic crampons.

Overall, since I'm a fast and nimble chukar hunter, and I don't have to pack heavy loads...I'm definitely a fast-and-nimble boot guy, with Scarpa Zodiac Pro being my most used boot.

 

[Bearwhisky]

For the guys that love their Salomons Quests but dont find the waterproofing to hold up, you might try the Forces model (for military). I think they might have a different goretex lining than the other models. The print on the goretex lining of mine is different than the other models of Salomons I have (that are non forces models) and looks identical to the lining of my Crispis. Also, the synthetic material on the boot is more burly and in theory will protect the lining better. I dont have hundreds of miles on mine yet, but have had in some nasty vegetation/thorns, heavy rains, wet hayfields etc and they are still waterproof (with gaiters on).


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