Elk Huntin’ Boots.

[Wapititalk1]

When folks ask me what the most important piece of elk hunting gear is (either for newer elk hunters, or, those looking to upgrade something) I usually say "get some good boots". A close second would be a top shelf all in one pack but that's for another thread.

Allrighty, what elk huntin' boots did you use this past year, and, how did they perform? Would you recommend them to another hunter without reservation? If dissatisfied with your current boots, what are you looking at getting? OK, let's talk about elk hunting boots

 

[Mashthegas]

I ran Lowa tibet gtx and gtx talls and will run them both again, but prefer the talls.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

The soles on my trusty old Asolo Pumoris suddenly began peeling during my elk hunt last year (due to hydrolysis of the polyurethane midsole, I later learned). They survived long enough to get me through the hunt, but they're now officially retired after 7 years of service. I picked up a pair of Hanwag Alaskas during GoHunt's Black Friday sale and am liking them so far but haven't really put them to a real test yet.

 

[Gerbdog]

Meindl Denali's - Been running the same pair for years now, no blisters, no pain, just happy feet over many many miles under weight. Packing out my mule deer a couple years ago (this is a very remote spot) we had a hail storm and then heavy rain... the boots soaked through to the core with all the rain and water that was accumulated on the brush as well.... was afraid they were done at that point but they came through anyway, leather had to stretch again but packed an elk out again this year in them no worries.

 

[Mosby]

I wear tall Lowa Tibet's most of the time. If it gets really cold, I switch to a pair of insulated Zamberlain's.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

Solomon speed cross. For dry archery conditions... they were amazing.

Besides that I have kennetreks. They don’t fit me the best, but they are tough as hell! I wanna try some crispi Idaho’s next.

I got my wife some Inov8’s roclites... think the 345’s. she LOVES them. Super lightweight, waterproof but breathable and decent ankle support.

 

[mtnobsessed]

I ended up doing the whole foot mapping system and custom boots from Lathrop and Sons. I went with the Hunter Elite and I can say these boots are great! They are a bit stiffer than what I was used to but I hunt in the San Juans. Great for side hilling. They are 90% for hunting and I could see them lasting 10 years easy.

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[Elkhntr08]

Love my Kenetreks, Mountain Extreme. I have a narrow foot and can get them in B width. No slipping or sliding around. Stiff boot with plenty of ankle support.

 

[justinspicher]

Ive had a pair of Meindl Denalis for about 15 years now. Still going strong. Once the snow gets deep, over a foot, I switch to my Scarpa mountaineering boots.

 

[cnelk]

Crispi Cuide GTX

I hunted elk for 27 days between Colorado and Wyoming - hiked over 100 miles.

Tremendous boot

 

[805Bowhunter]

Ive had an awesome experience with Crispi Summits. To be fair I have not used them in anything but warmer deer/elk seasons (no later than Sept archery). They've held up well and are very comfortable for MY feet (no rubbing/hotspots etc) and I have put many many miles on them both training and hunting. I'm torn though as I have had this pair of boots for 3 years and they are approaching their end of life. Because the experience has been so positive I am thinking "stick with what you know and works well for you" and buying another pair. I've also been wanting to give the Hanwag Makra Treks a shot as they look pretty solid for similar situations.

 

[rambo2345]

Crispi Dakotas

 

[5MilesBack]

I've been using the same pair of Zamberlan Dakota's since the 2013 elk season. For me, I've never worn a better boot than these. They have well over 1000 miles on them and my next move will be to send them to the cobbler to be resoled. Unfortunately they don't make these anymore. I have a new unused pair of this same boot in their 10" version as well, but I have an old shin injury that gets really irritated with that tall of a boot. The ones I'm using now are 7" tall.

 

[Willhoffman101]

Zamberlan 980 outfitter
are the best boots I’ve ever used, comfortable and bulletproof. I’m using the 981 Wasatch currently and they are also great.

I had a bad experience with my Crispi Thor gtx boots, basically blew both boots out while shed hunting after less than 9 months of use, and they were not even my only pair of boots during that time. Contacted Crispi and they did nothing for me, just recommended a different pair of their boots. I expected more for $360 boots.

Tried a pair of salewa rapace boots last year and they were surprisingly very solid and durable boots! I really liked them for a lighter hiking option during the warmer months. I have approximately zero tread left on them after tons of miles, but aside from that they are in excellent shape. I think I picked those up for $200 during a sale... money well spent!

 

[jlaner0408]

I used Hanwag Alaskas last year and loved them- they took a while to break in to my feet (also had to swap a high arch insole in them) but once they were dialed they’ve been awesome ever since. And I hunt everything from high alpine to lowland desert so I’ve put them through their paces.

I grabbed a pair of Hanwag Tatra Lights that I’m going to test out this spring in turkey season and possibly use for the earlier season elk and deer hunts when it’s hot. But I’ll probably end up back in the Alaskas because I liked them so much.

 

[psp8ball]

I used an old pair of Under Armor Browtine boots. They should have been in the trash. Not because they are a bad boot, but they were simply worn out. I liked them a lot because they were a leather boot that was light enough to not give me blisters.

This year I'm going with Hanwag Makra Trek. Should still be lightweight. It's a little more flexible than the Makra Combi, plus they supposedly fixed the issue of the toe pulling away from the rand with this model.

 

[6mm Remington]

White's Outdoorsman boot with the Montana Claw lug sole.

Awesome boot.

 

[Montero]

Another thumbs up on Kenetrek Mountain Extremes both insulated and noninsulated. They fit my normal width foot and are plenty stiff and I prefer a taller boot. I have to pretape my ankles to avoid blisters if I'm going steep for a long haul but a little precaution for a good pair of boots.

 

[cured_ham]

I used Danner Pronghorns for Elk, Whitetail, and Bear. I wore through 2 pairs. Will not be using them again. Upgraded to Schnees Beartooth and am not looking back.

 

[CAElkhunter]

I hike a lot during Elk season and bought the Solomon Quest 4D GTX last season. Great light boot. Very comfortable.
I have a pair of Irish Setters that are very comfortable too but they are heavier. the Solomon's are great for
climbing and longer distances.

You will get a lot of opinions on this subject. It will really come down to your own feet.