Elk hunting in Altra boots (zero drop / lightweight)?

[dgfavor]

I own many many boots, as many of us do. If it's dry and I'm not packing anything out or in vertical scree, I'm wearing Altra hikers every time. They feel like I have my light running shoes on. They are essentially worthless in much wet or snow but that's why we have mid season and late season boots right? I blow 2 pair of Altra boots every year is the downside. I usually just buy several pair of previous year model when the new one's come out. Half price. Kills me when I see guys wearing lug insulated 4 pound boots on an 80 degree archery hunt or a 65 degree rifle deer hunt. Silk based and wool socks every season, no matter the boot. Happy feet means more miles and happy hunting.

Give a pair of Topos a try...very similar feel to Altras but more durable IME.
0mm:
3mm:

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Tried the Terraventure above. Arrived with a hardy glued eyelet. Popped after two loops around the inside of a very small house. Returned.

Sample Set of 1

 

[dgfavor]

Tried the Terraventure above. Arrived with a hardy glued eyelet. Popped after two loops around the inside of a very small house. Returned.

Sample Set of 1

Dang! Hopefully a one-off! Mine have been bomber!

 

[mtnbound]

After almost 300 miles in my Vivo ESC, I switched to the Altra Lone Peak Hiker because I started developing pain in the ball of my right foot. With the Lone Peak hikers having more padding, the pain has not come back. I want to try a thicker insole for the Vivos, but haven't found one that I like with them. Traction is better with the LP Hiker.

 

[dgfavor]

After almost 300 miles in my Vivo ESC, I switched to the Altra Lone Peak Hiker because I started developing pain in the ball of my right foot. With the Lone Peak hikers having more padding, the pain has not come back. I want to try a thicker insole for the Vivos, but haven't found one that I like with them. Traction is better with the LP Hiker.

Not sure what you like in an insole but I like the Run 619 insoles - basically just zero drop flat in varying thickness's - I think from like 2mm up to 6mm.

Run 619

 

[mtwarden]

Trail runners are great for backpacking; pretty much all I wear.

With 70+ lbs of meat and steep side hilling off trail— not so much.

Lightweight shoes/boots simply fold over in those conditions—not comfortable is an understatement. Two months out of the year I wear “real” boots, ten months I wear lightweight shoes/boots.

 

[fngTony]

The warden makes good points.
I have found some middle ground boots. They aren’t for high country scree and side hilling (backpacking yes, hunting no), they can be great for subalpine moderate temps. Also depends on what you’re potentially packing out. What I’m wearing this year for mule deer might not be ideal for elk in the same terrain. I might actually pack my more serious boots around and swap into them should an elk go down. For deer I have no concerns shy of a freak early snowstorm.

I’m using Altra running shoes for hiking the Colorado high country this summer. Never would consider them or Topos for that terrain off trail. Both brands make a gtx mid that might be ok for day hunting in ideal conditions but the Asolo Falcon boots I’m using are just significantly more robust and still only weigh 18oz each for a size 13.

 

[mtnbound]

Not sure what you like in an insole but I like the Run 619 insoles - basically just zero drop flat in varying thickness's - I think from like 2mm up to 6mm.

Run 619

Thanks, I will check them out.

 

[mtnbound]

Trail runners are great for backpacking; pretty much all I wear.

With 70+ lbs of meat and steep side hilling off trail— not so much.

Lightweight shoes/boots simply fold over in those conditions—not comfortable is an understatement. Two months out of the year I wear “real” boots, ten months I wear lightweight shoes/boots.

I agree, I'm not getting rid of my Crispis.