Boots: light and fast or heavy and bomb proof?

[Marbles]

I use both. Approach shoes for some things, true mountaineering boots for others. Part of the reason I have stuck with hard sold mountaineering boots is I have planter fibromatosis, and one theory is tht injuries to the planter fascia have hypertrophic healing, not wanting to have my planter fascia stripped out, I decided stone bruising was unacceptable and on rocky ground with a heavy pack I go full retard on the boots.

I also find the hard sold handles steep slops better as it cuts into snor or alpine plants rather than molding to it.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Oil your boots

I have nixwax for the schnees per their suggestion. I’ve always used obernaufs on the Solomon’s but they have more fabric than leather, so I’m not sure it made much of a difference.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Stiff hiking boots haven’t been shown to reduce injury in the big picture. You’re trading protection in one area for decreased mobility in another.

There’s a reason that backpackers hiking for three months straight in varied terrain hike in trail runners (generally speaking).

For me it just depends on brush and wetness. If there is going to be a lot of brush to get into the shoe, or tear up the shoe, then maybe a flexible mid height with more durable material. If it’s pretty open terrain then maybe a trail runner. If it’s going to be sopping wet then maybe a flexible mid height that is more water resistant etc.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I have nixwax for the schnees per their suggestion. I’ve always used obernaufs on the Solomon’s but they have more fabric than leather, so I’m not sure it made much of a difference.

These will work better and keep
Leather more supple

Premium Leather Conditioner

Keep leather boots and goods in top condition with our Premium Leather Conditioner. This 4 oz. formula offers breathable, waterproof protection without harmful animal byproducts or silicone. Ideal for saddles, chaps, gloves, and more.

schnees.com

Or

HANWAG SHOE WAX​

Or

Cobbler's Choice Co. Finest Quality All-Natural Leather Restorer Conditioner​

 

[LongWayAround]

There’s a reason that backpackers hiking for three months straight in varied terrain hike in trail runners (generally speaking).

Generally speaking, they're on trails carrying the lightest possible loads.

 

[sndmn11]

Flexible! I feel clumsy and restrained in stiff boots on slopes. The only time I appreciate them is on cloddy flat ground.

 

[CaliWoodsman]

I’m firmly in team “light and fast” for now.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I never go extremely light and flexible, simply because of the terrain I hunt in.

I have a pair of Hoffman Explorers (fairly stiff) that I wear for a lot of my hunting in very inclement weather conditions. I find the stiffness helps a lot when sidehilling.

I just bought a pair of Hoffman Borahs to replace the Summits. The Summits were a great early season boot and one for not as challenging terrain and not as heavy loads.

I only wear all leather boots because anything else won’t last more than a year in the basalt rocks.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Generally speaking, they're on trails carrying the lightest possible loads.

Lighter loads or heavier loads, stiff heavy hiking boots haven’t been shown to reduce injury or prevent injury for otherwise healthy feet and ankles.

Not to mention that your average backpacker is still carrying 20-30lbs on their back with food and water. You can absolutely get lower than that with cottage company gear, but that’s still more than many hunters are carrying if they’re coming back to camp each night.

Either way, wear what’s comfortable!

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I prefer to go lighter but stiff, such as the hanwag Ferrata or zamberlan baltoro. I have Tibet Lowas but rarely use them anymore. Full grain leather doesn’t give me what I need.

 

[butcherboy]

Usually go with something lighter and stiff or more like an in between for the stiffness. I like a solid leather boot for pretty much all hunting. I’ve used Meindl boots exclusively for close to 20 years now. My new pair this year are the Vakuum hikers. Full leather, 7 3/4”. Boots are rated for stiffness from A-D and these ones are a B possibly borderline C. Meindl has also come out recently with lighter hikers as well. Solid leather will save your feet when hunting high desert areas with all the cactus and stickers. I might use a lighter hiker with leather and fabric panels for turkey hunting but even then I try not to. I hunt turkeys in desert terrain or higher mountains with the elk.

 

[realunlucky]

The beartooths are the lite and fast boot in Schnee line up.

I like a stiff boot I think you get less foot fatigue but not having your foot flex with every step does take some getting use too.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[Maverick1]

I prefer the lightest boot possible that provides adequate support.

No way I’d intentionally go with a heavier boot.

Would you strap one pound ankle weights on each leg and go for a hike in the mountains?

 

[Bump79]

I like what is essentially the same boot - one with a lot of fabric to breath for warmer and flatter conditions and the other full leather for wet, cold, side hill, shale slides, snow shoeing, and mud or snow requiring crampons.

I’ve been very happy with this combination for construction, hiking, backpacking and hunting - worn out well over a dozen pairs of the lighter one and half dozen of the full leather model. I can remember what a pain in the buttt it was to find the make and model that worked with my feet, or boots that were too light or too heavy, so hang in there and find what works for you.
View attachment 768179View attachment 768180

I've had good luck with Asolo as well. Reasonably priced too.

Salewa is great for the money too.

 

[Bump79]

After 10 years of soft soled hiking boot, I’ll be testing and comparing the Schnee Beartooth V3 to my Solomon 4d gtx.

There are things I really liked about my “hippie hikers”: weight, comfort, price, and a couple of aspects that have really ground my gears: durability and lack of waterproofness.

I spent 7 days in the Colorado Rockies, muzzle loader elk hunting, wearing the beartooth, and while I have a couple more months of hunts to test and compare, my gears are already turning about my future boot choice.

For anyone who has transitioned from stiff to flexible or flexible to stiff, I’d like to hear your thought process. Does anyone use both, depending on the hunt, weather forecast, and terrain?

Here’s a thread I started out of frustration a few months ago.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/i-think-im-finally-done-with-salomon.356417/

A couple of pictures from my elk hunt. The weather was great but area was WET! I found one of the coolest wallows I’ve ever seen. It was formed when a huge fir tree uprooted and fell over The elk were hitting it daily.View attachment 768089View attachment 768098View attachment 768096

I like the middle of the road for most hunts. GoHunt Flex 2-3. I don't find the flex 2 to be any less stealthy than the tennis shoe style flex 1 but more supportive. The flex 3 I like for elk as well and often wear those in steeper terrain.

I like a mid cut boot to save the weight and then use gaiters if needed. The high top is what adds a pile of weight often. But that's just personal preference.

 

[Cannonball]

I've had good luck with Asolo as well. Reasonably priced too.

Salewa is great for the money too.

Fugituve GTX is pretty light while still being supportive

 

[Bump79]

Fugituve GTX is pretty light while still being supportive

I was just looking at those the other day. Seeming them around for $150

 

[TaperPin]

I've had good luck with Asolo as well. Reasonably priced too.

Salewa is great for the money too.

My foot width is slightly narrow, not enough for a narrow boot, so most brands have too much extra room. I can see how most guys with a D width foot won’t like Asolo. I’ve never tried Salewa, but will when I come across one.

 

[Bump79]

My foot width is slightly narrow, not enough for a narrow boot, so most brands have too much extra room. I can see how most guys with a D width foot won’t like Asolo. I’ve never tried Salewa, but will when I come across one.

They are a little narrow as well. I have to size up 1/2" in Salewa over Asolo.

 

[robby denning]

Thanks for taking this on Gian.

and for any wondering, these boots were comped with the understanding that Gian can say what he wants, like all our reviews.