Boots!

[dtrkyman]

Asolo have been my got to. Tried Saloman, trashed in under a year, they did warranty them, Cabelas same thing. Had a good pair of Merrell back in the day but after a hit or miss strek with their running shoes I have not bought any more.

Crispi did not work at all for me!

Have a pair of Asolo 520s that are going on ten years old, still waterproof and the soles look new, leather is beat up but there is zero structural damage! Little heavier than I prefer but l always use em in wet or rugged conditions.

 

[Cspraggins]

Zamberlan 2092’s and lathrop and sons mountain extreme’s both treat me well. I alternate which I wear based on the difficulty of the terrain. Both are stiff, but the zamberlans are the stiffer of the two and the ones I feel better about in the really nasty stuff.

I used to run danners when their quality was better.

 

[Coveyleader]

I just picked two pair of vasques up so no issues until 2027.

 

[Dave0317]

I’ve had Danner’s last a very long time (10 years, more if you aren’t too rough on them) Haven’t played with too many other high end boots than that. I think stiched is usually better than glue for longevity and real polishable leather is better than synthetics.

However the trade off is a stiffer overall feel (which can be a good thing too, but many don’t like it or don’t want to learn to adapt to it) and higher overall weight.

I’ll say there is a big advantage in at least going to a $200ish boot. But I can’t say I’d buy a $400+ boot for just a couple weeks a year as a recreational hunter. As a guide or a hunter that spends 30 or more days in the mountains, you would see some advantages for sure.

My favorite sub $200 boots right now are Garmont T8 bifidas. Good supportive sole but also lightweight and breathable which I like for early season stuff and for year round in the south. Important to note, these are not waterproof, but that is an intentionally selected feature for me.

 

[Chambers4]

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?

I have some underarmor boots that have lasted me 4 years so far but are definitely for shorter hikes with not a lot of altitude change. I love my Kenetreks in the mountains. This will just be my second season with this set but well worth the price in my opinion.

 

[SuspiciousFish]

I have the Irish Setter Elk Trackers and they are great boots. I had to get Tuff Toe applied to them but now they are tanks and extremely comfortable. The traction is the best on any boots I have ever worn. Especially on rocks, you just kind of stick to the surface like a gecko.

 

[bozeman]

I'll '3rd' the Hoffman's........the Explorers have performed well for 2 years now.....believe I'll get 5 or more out of them.

 

[ElkNut1]

For me #-1 Kennetrek Mtn Extremes. #-2 Crispi 11" HTG GTX

ElkNut

 

[justins71]

Lowa Tibet's here too - though the factory insole sucked for me so I switched our for Superfeet Green's. After that they were AMAZING! I actually strained / lightly sprained my ankle a little over one week before my CO hunt last year, and the boots had great support to where I barely noticed an injury. I really like the stud on the tongue to lock it too, I have a horrible time with tongues sliding to the outside.

 

[butcherboy]

I’m always looking for a good hunting boot and hiking boot. My favorite has been a pair of the old Cabela’s Meindl perfekt hikers. My problem is that most toe boxes are too narrow for me. My 2nd-4th toes are just as long or slightly longer than my big toe. Most toe boxes start their curve way too soon. This makes the boot rub really bad on my 3rd and 4th toe. I have to get a whole size bigger which causes other problems. A wide boot works in the toe box but it’s too wide for the rest of the boot. I’m leaning towards another pair of Meindl boots.

 

[Tyler Holderby]

Kenetrek's, but I had ease into them or they would have tore me up.

 

[dkracer45]

Running Crispi's this season. They seem to have more of break in period compared to my Danners.

 

[Fishmaster196]

Kenetrek’s, I’ve been putting the miles on them and haven’t had an issue yet. They are stiff at the start but when you get by that, all good.

 

[Luked]

I havw Lowa right now.
They fit well but I will probably go to a more synthetic type boot next year

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

I have a pair of Zamberlans that started leaking on me at the end of last season, only lasted me 3 years, but i get to hunt about 40 days a year. Still in good shape but keeping water out is important to me. I live by the Hoffman's factory so I just picked up a pair of their explorers and I think I like them better than the Zamberlans already.

 

[bozeman]

Running Crispi's this season. They seem to have more of break in period compared to my Danners.

I would not recommend 'running' in hunting boots.

 

[Winnie]

My Schnees Beartooth are circa 2008, so I guess this will be year 15. I average 40-45 days per year in them elk, antelope, whitetail, duck, turkey, and pheasant hunting. They are still going strong and waterproof. But I do take good care of the leather. I won't even hesitate to buy another pair.

 

[prm]

Wore Salomon Quests for many years. Then tried Crispi, Hanwag, and Salewa. I’ve concluded the Salomons are the best mountain boot for me. One pair lasted many years, six seasons in addition to regular wear? The others have been fine after a year of hunting, hiking and local weighted pack walks on the mountain at my house. I do need to add some very cold, wet weather boots. Want to try Schnees Hunter IIs. A warm boot, the Salomons, and my Altra runners would cover all my needs.

 

[trophyhill]

Meindl's for me

 

[PaBone]

Just got a new pair of hiking boots, Meindl Meran Comfort Fit Light Hiker. Only have about 20 miles on them but what a great hiking boot. Super comfortable right out of the box.