Boots on a budget

[rhendrix]

Ok ladies and gents, I need some help here. I've got a pair of asolo fugitive gtx and I just can't get them to fit right. I am planning on returning them to REI and trying some different brands. Specifically I was gonna look at the meindl boots at Cabelas. I'm thinking about either the Perfekt hikers or the Denali, just concerned about the Perfekt hikers not holding up well due to a lack of rand. Anyone wanna give me some feedback, maybe other suggestions around the same price point (250-300). These will be my hunting boots out west and wherever else I go, so I really need something that will hold up for awhile.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I don't have experience with those Meindel boots, but i have had several boots with and without a rand, and haven't found it to make that much of a difference in durability, except that it seems to be one of the first places to come unglued, especially if you get your boots too warm.

 

[rhendrix]

Thanks!

 

[greyghostnw]

a full rand shines when heavy use in upper alpine... pending on your style of adventure, imop your handicapped without in steep rocky terrain. a boot with full rand and a shank will allow better climbing abilities and access area with more options due to your boot allowing a more positive purchase to the terrain......

 

[Jared Lampton]

I know a super hardcore backcountry hunter that's been doing it since I was in diapers ( one of those local legend types ) who claims the perfkt hikers are among the best boots he has ever worn for mountain hunting. They have held up for a while for him FWIW...

Scrapa is on promotive if you have access to that. They make some awesome boots.

 

[Shrek]

Check out the Sierra Trading Post for quality boots at affordable prices. Join their email deal flyer and wait for 35% off and 99 cent shipping to be offered . That's about the max discount they offer that covers most boots. I just ordered some Lowa's to try for $166 tmy. They exchange but they charge you a small shipping fee. Label is in the box to return them. The return shipping is just a couple bucks.

 

[CentennialELK]

You can't go wrong with the Meindl Denali's. They are an excellent mountain boot with some flex and extremely comfortable. The break-in is short as they are comfortable out of the box. They have a great warranty. As long as they fit your foot correctly I think you would be surprised at their comfort.

 

[Stid2677]

I just bought a pair of Salomon Men's Quest 4D GTX, so far I'm very impressed with them. This is the first pair of their boots I have tried but I have worn their shoes for a while and they have been very good.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V2YFQK/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[rhendrix]

How stiff is the shank in the Denali? The Asolo shank in the Fugitive is too stiff for my liking.

 

[fulldraw1972]

I wear Salomon Quest 4D GTX as well. I love these boots. I bought them at REI for $230. I know you can get them cheaper if wanted.
I tore mine last year and REI gave me a new pair thru the Salomon warranty. They do have a very good warranty. Salomon reccomends using Nikwax on there boots as well.

 

[jpolson]

$250-$300? You can get some amazing boots in that range if you shop around a bit...I jut saw Lowa Tibets in the Schnees sale room for $250. Leftlane sports has some Zaqmberlan Dakotas for $209. Both full rand.

I am cheap...so I am always looking around. Sometimes limited sizes...but if you have time to wait, eventually your size should come around.

You might need to sign up for an account with leftlane sports to see the link?

http://www.schnees.com/product/1677/sale-room
http://www.leftlanesports.com/Product.aspx?l=00030075005900000000&p=ZAM01242
http://www.crispiusa.com/clearance.html

 

[ckleeves]

$250-$300? You can get some amazing boots in that range if you shop around a bit...I jut saw Lowa Tibets in the Schnees sale room for $250. Leftlane sports has some Zaqmberlan Dakotas for $209. Both full rand.

I am cheap...so I am always looking around. Sometimes limited sizes...but if you have time to wait, eventually your size should come around.

You might need to sign up for an account with leftlane sports to see the link?

http://www.schnees.com/product/1677/sale-room
http://www.leftlanesports.com/Product.aspx?l=00030075005900000000&p=ZAM01242
http://www.crispiusa.com/clearance.html

I think everything at Leftlane is 20% off today also.

 

[Jon Boy]

How stiff is the shank in the Denali? The Asolo shank in the Fugitive is too stiff for my liking.

If you thought the asolo was too stiff i don't think you will like the denalis all tht much in my limited experience with both.. I do think you will love the perfekts then.

 

[Bonedalien]

as a land surveyor i work in west/central colorado. pretty much the same country i hunt in. my last 3 pairs of boots have been Merrells. I am literaly in my boots from april to november,at least 5 days a week. they will last me about two years. the price range is right there with what you are looking for. just a suggestion,as ive yet had a pair let me down.

 

[LostInSpace278]

Which Merrells are you running? I'm in the market for a new pair of boots, my 12 year old Rockies have taken a beating.

 

[Bonedalien]

Which Merrells are you running? I'm in the market for a new pair of boots, my 12 year old Rockies have taken a beating.

last fall i retired a pair of Phaser Peak. well worth $160 for 2 seasons of work,and hunting. this spring i have a new model called the Mattertal. $200. they feel great out of the box,but we shall see.

 

[westrnwild]

Have the fugitives...agree way to stiff. I wear the Salomon 4D gtx now...love them..been through hell with them, still performing great and just like fulldraw I bought them from REI for the warranty aspect...no questions asked.

 

[rhendrix]

Torn between the Salomon Quest 4D and the Denali. My feet sweat like a whore in church, can anyone tell me how each of these breath?

 

[Stid2677]

Torn between the Salomon Quest 4D and the Denali. My feet sweat like a whore in church, can anyone tell me how each of these breath?

My feet sweat bad too, my Salomon's breath pretty good, not too warm, for me anyway.

On a side note,, try this for sweat control, an amazing product. I use it on my feet and I use the underarm version as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Certain-Dri-M...d=1392791971&sr=1-1&keywords=certain+dri+feet

 

[Darren Best]

I preach to everyone they should use the Peet shoe dryer, every single day, without fail.

Mine has run almost continuously since 1989, there is always a pair of shoes, boots or pac liners on them. We have three in the house, the last one we picked up at a yard sale for five dollars.

Your boots will last so much longer, be dry every morning and smell much better if you use the dryer every night.

You can also use the Peet dryer to dry a water bladder, works great for that.

$300 is a pretty good budget for boots and will get a good pair if you shop around and find a pair your feet like.

I highly suggest calling Lathrop and Sons, they have very good customer service.

The Denali's are very stiff.

The biggest problem with over sweating of feet, is getting them too warm. For years I thought I had cold feet and layered up on socks, liners and insulated boots. Cold wasn't my problem, my feet ran warm and needed less insulation, not more.