Early Season Mule Deer Boots

[ScottEinsmann]

I am planning on a high country mule deer hunt at the end of August in southern Colorado. This would be a backpack hunt and I would have to support a heavy pack out...hopefully

What recommendations do you have for boots that are ideal for steep terrain during the early season?

Thank you for the help,

Scott

 

[couesbitten]

LOTS of options, it's really going to come down to your budget and what fits your foot. Have a look at the boots over at Lathrop & Sons, the Hanwag Mountain Light would be a good choice.

 

[ScottEinsmann]

There are a ton of options and I guess I'm having a hard time figuring out how much boot I really need. Like do I go with a Kenetrek Mountain Extreme or Lowa Tibet? Or do I do with something lighter.

I had a budget in mind but it has drastically changed once I found out how much these boots actually cost. I don't want to sacrifice my feet to save a few dollars.

 

[Jason Snyder]

That's kind of a question only you can answer. I wore Crispi Idaho's for a bowhunt in Nevada. They were fine for navigating lots of rocks and heavy pack out, most of it on trail.

I now wear Lowa Rangers and have beat the heck out of them in the chukar hills. I think they would probably suffice for my needs on a high country backpack hunt.

YMMV.

 

[280twoeighty]

May also want to take a look at Zamberlan as well.

 

[durangobrad]

If you do a search here for boots you will find everyone likes something different and thats because it comes down to what fits you best. For what its worth Ive been picking up Asolo boots off Sierra Trading Post for a few years now with great results. Join their newsletter / email thing and they send out codes for extra 20-30% off, free shipping etc and you can score $300 boots for under $150. They have a good return policy as well if they dont fit.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/as...ing=s~asolo-mens-hiking-boots/&colorFamily=01

 

[kingfisher]

As everyone has said, fit. I was set on buying a specific pair of boots this winter, La Sportiva Makalus, a great boot. They gave me horrible blisters after a mile. Great boot, but not a great boot for me. After that, I spent this $3500 buying and returning boots, before I found the right ones. Keep in mind the climate, remember the limitations of goretex in warm/hot environments. Mountaineering boots are often hot, but provide great support for heavy packs. Backcountry.com as a good return policy FYI.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I just re-read my post and realized it wasn't very clear what I was trying to say.

Kennetrek's have a 7mm nylon insert. That's why they are so hard to break in, they are damned stiff. Lowa Tibets have a full 5mm nylon insert. When you get into hiking and trekking boots they may have a 3mm/5mm insert, or only a 3/4 insert. These make the boot more flexible, but at the cost of support.

How much support you want/need is the personal question. Some guys backpack hunt wearing Salomon Quest boots, which are basically a beefed up running shoe without a full insert. They are comfy, flexible, and don't offer a lot of support. That's why not everyone wears them. In contrast, a Lowa Tibet has a full 5mm insert that makes it stiff. This makes them noisier to walk in and heavier, but you'll be hard pressed to find more lateral support in rugged country.

So, not only do you have to find a brand that fits your foot well, you also have to determine how much support you want at the cost of being heavier and harder to sneak around in. Life is about trade offs.

 

[PathFinder]

Don't get caught up in the different brand name too much. Boots are much like vehicles; lots of different companies making slightly different offerings that fill the same niche. Figure out what features you want, and then compare what each company makes that fits the bill. Personally, I like a pretty stiff boot. I've relegated my Hanwag Alaska GTX (like the Mountain Light but all leather) to scouting, fishing and predator hunting because I didn't feel they were stiff enough. A stiff sole helps a lot when climbing steep country, sidehilling, and with any kind of heavy load. Early season mule deer hunts and shed hunting make up 80% of the miles I put on a boot. I went with the Lowa/L&S Cevedale Tech Lite Hunter. They have a great stiff sole, and are very supportive in the footbed. The microfiber material makes them a bit cooler, lighter, and breathe better. They are finicky to lace up just right, and have less side to side ankle support, but as a whole I'm loving them so far.

 

[GKPrice]

same boots one would wear for earlier season elk hunts with thinner wool socks

 

[ScottEinsmann]

Thank you all for your insight and helping me navigate through all the different boot options.

I bought a pair of Lowa Tibets on sale and got a great deal. I have pretty weak ankles so I decided to start with a boot with plenty of support and see how they do.