Boots!

[dixiemagnum80]

I bought a pair of Crispi Thor GTX last year. I broke them in preparing for an elk hunt. I had cold wet feet in Colorado for the 5 day hunt. Those boots leaked worse than any boot I’ve ever owned. I’ll be looking for something other than Crispis next time. Just my experience.

 

[MtnMike]

I run the Zamberlan GTX Hunters, awesome boots! I've had them for 5 or 6 seasons and are still holding strong. They are a bit heavier of a boot as they are insulated and run about 9-10' up the calf but are bulletproof. I found mine on sale at sierra trading post for a steal. Good luck on your search!

 

[Franger]

The Scarpa Rebel 8 K HD collaboration with Kuiu was a revelation for me. I’ve worn them all and for whatever reason, the combo of sole stiffness, upper flexibility, sock fit, and no leather (ever again!) has been a game changer. Lowa Tibet’s and Crispi Hunter’s are a distant second/third.

 

[ColoradoBowhunter]

I bought a pair of Crispi Thor GTX last year. I broke them in preparing for an elk hunt. I had cold wet feet in Colorado for the 5 day hunt. Those boots leaked worse than any boot I’ve ever owned. I’ll be looking for something other than Crispis next time. Just my experience.

I've heard that about the Thors. I have Crispi Summits and I love them. Was looking at the Thor too but this is exactly what kept me away.

If I'm not in boot territory then I also like using my Salomon trail running shoes. I tend to go more minimalist with my footwear than others though. Outside of hunting I never wear any sort of boots, just trail running shoes.

 

[barkingtreed505]

Boots are the hardest things for someone to recommend, everyone's foot is different. I have had good luck with Salomon, Salewa and Crispis. All of the ones I have used have been non-insulated, can't speak to the insulated boots.

 

[trekinit]

Danner fan here. Most recent pair of pronghorns have been on my feet for about 4 years now. I apply Sno-Seal 1-2x per year and they have held up very nicely. Comfortable and tough boots.

 

[ColoradoBowhunter]

I have not had luck with Danner - the boots themselves are fine maybe but I've had multiple failures of the lace eyelets which can be (and was) a huge problem in the field. The upper and lower of the boot were fine but it was the rest of the construction that was giving out/failing. FWIW I also have a low-volume shoe last and that didn't work well in the Danners, they seemed to stretch out more than others I have had. Given that - Salomon and Crispi work best for me.

 

[SoloWilderness]

Had good luck with Danner Gilas, which of course they discontinued. Have a pair of their insulated Santiams (all leather), love them, but when I took them in to re-sole, they pointed to some minor scuffing on the leather and said they were "damaged" and couldn't be re-soled. So wearing those out until they fall apart for late rifle seasons. Danner doesn't have anything currently that is comparable to the Gilas (had a pair of pronghorns years ago and didn't like how they fit (kind of sloppy) for the steep and technical terrain we hunt in typically. Going with a set of LaSportiva Makalus this year, with a set of Vivobarefoots in my pack for stalking. The Sportivas are bombproof, but are definitely a mountaineering boot, and are super stiff. Trading off ankle support, edging/climbing capability on rock, and toughness for a less nimble, clunkier boot. If I can find something similar to the Gilas I will go back to a softer boot (Full wrap HEAVY rand, not a rubber beauty strip) so looking into the Scarpas, Kenetreks and few others.

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

I decided to give the Schnees Beartooth a try and have been very happy. It took conditioner and all of 50 miles to break them in but now they're very comfortable now and feel bombproof.

 

[roosiebull]

I've been wearing the same brand boots for 20 years (Vasque), they just fit me like a glove, and are under me dang near year around. I want to stress I don't treat them nicely. More times than not they're soaked and getting walked dry. Question for guys with the next level up type boots, what type of life are you getting out of them? Average cost?

I figure over the years I have $1,500 worth of busted boots (a pile in the garage) and I was curious what you guys are getting?

Waterproofness is what kills boots for me on the coast, they all will start leaking before the boots are wore out… coast kills boots pretty fast, thorny brush and lots of moisture.

I would say that the average price that I actually pay would be 300$ (I like a lighter flexible boot, and they are usually cheaper but also give up some durability) I would say at this point, trying a pile of different boots, I am decent at avoiding crappy boots, and best case I get about 1.5 years out of an individual pair of boots, and if they are a more primary/favorite boot, I would put close to 1k miles on them in that time.

The toughest boots I have found are zamberlan and surprisingly asolo, they are both reliably long lasting boots… everything else has been hit and miss at best.

My favorite boots last year were more shoe than boots (zamberlan salathe gtx,) and with that neoprene tongue they lasted longer than I expected, I wore them a bunch all last year and they finally started leaking in April while turkey hunting… I wish they just had a leather tongue… this year I’m going to try the trail lite evo, hoping they are as good in technical terrain but stay dry a little longer

 

[Katoom27]

Crispi Wild Rock GTX

 

[Coveyleader]

If anyone has a line into Vasque, or is a super internet searcher, I'm in dire need for a pair of Breeze GTX III size 13. They recently changed there GTX line, and they are not the same.

I wish I would have bought 3 pair on the close out.

 

[CAelk]

Love my Crispis. No long break-in period required!

 

[Katoom27]

Love my crispis as well. I have a pair of crispi Wild Rock GTX 11.5 I can’t return. Ended up having to buy the 11.5EE’s due to my wide foot. Thought the regular 11.5’s would’ve been fine. After about 3 miles walking in them I realized I was screwed. Expensive mistake I’ll only make once. Hit me up if you’re looking for basically a brand new boot that’s been worn for 3 miles.