Boots: light and fast or heavy and bomb proof?

[Tahoe1305]

I debate this a lot. I did something a tad different this season with Crispi altitudes (light) and briksdals (heavy).

I find the altitudes a tad more comfy so I wore them the majority of the time (20 miles or so). Once we got an elk down I hauled out with the altitudes to the wall tent. But then switched those out for the briskdals. Not only where they dry but I do feel the last 5 miles in those felt more supported over the deadfall.

The plan worked out pretty well if you don’t mind carrying two pairs to the trail head.

 

[dgfavor]

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

I wear the Vasque Torres paired with a tall gaiter.

 

[beforethehunt]

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

What boot/trail shoe do you recommend?

 

[beforethehunt]

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

What boot/trail shoe do you wear?

 

[sndmn11]

What boot/trail shoe do you wear?

Vivo magna esc (60%), inov8 roclite345 (10%), hanwag alverstone wide (15%), Hoffman mountaineer (15%)

 

[dgfavor]

Vivo magna esc (60%), inov8 roclite345 (10%), hanwag alverstone wide (15%), Hoffman mountaineer (15%)

I'm surprised you wear the hanwags and Hoffmans at all given how light and flexible your other footwear is...Ive gotten to the point I just can't stand anything that stiff and clunky - they feel like they totally change my gait and restrict the motion where I'm supposed to have motion (foot/ankle) and demand motion come from upstream places that should be strong and stable (calves/knees/hips).
Admittedly Ima bit of an old man freakin' nutjob weirdo though :

 

[TSAMP]

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

I have the schnees beartooth 2's. Had them since 2018 with many seasons of chasing roosters. The 3s look slimmer in profile, which is one of my complaints on the 2. They still remain waterproof with treatment and OPs comments on the gaiters mirror my own experience.

I appreciate the stiffer boot and its ankle support when I'm watching dogs and not wear I put my feet. The weight doesn't bother me but I also wear a lightweight Solomon on occasion if I know an area to be dry.

I had one lace eyelet pull out and they offered to repair it if I shipped it. I found a local leather shop that did the repair for 5 bucks so went that route.

 

[sndmn11]

I'm surprised you wear the hanwags and Hoffmans at all given how light and flexible your other footwear is...Ive gotten to the point I just can't stand anything that stiff and clunky - they feel like they totally change my gait and restrict the motion where I'm supposed to have motion (foot/ankle) and demand motion come from upstream places that should be strong and stable (calves/knees/hips).
Admittedly Ima bit of an old man freakin' nutjob weirdo though :
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The Hoffman's are pac boots and very very roomy. When it's rifle season they are an easy choice for sitting to glass and are more than capable of packing meat or hiking when glassing turns to killing or hiking to glass is needed.

The Alverstones are very athletic and wear more like a low top. The upper is textile with the portion above the ankle being nearly unstructured.


I wear them when I know I will need gore tex or if I am heading in to specifically move meat and I know it will be multiple quarters getting close to 100lbs. I actually have two pair because I've tried several more traditional full leather boots but they've all felt like ski boots. So I wanted to make sure I had multiples. The soles have broken in well.

I also have 2x or the Vivo Magna's and 2x of the Inov8.

 

[CaliWoodsman]

What boot/trail shoe do you recommend?

I switched to the Crispi Lapponia III this year and have been happy with it so far.

 

[2-Stix]

I backpacked, alpine climbed and peak bagged for 10 years in the Soloman...did half the CA 14eers. They suck for waterproof but last a lot of miles and are comfortable and warm enough. I hunting in Lapponia I early season for deer in the 60-100 degrees dry, Nevadas in 30-70 cold and wet, and Wildrocks in snow late season...I leave this week to hunt elk in the snow for 2 weeks.

 

[BlaserF3]

I prefer something more in the middle but leaning towards the heavy and stiff category. An example for me would be a Scarpa Kenisis Gortex.

Although I like stiff boots, they are such a pain on normal trails.