Help, Light Hiker vs Boot

[Danimal]

Hunted last year in some light hikers (Merrell Moab's), put 6-8 miles a day on them through some intermediate terrain (Colorado elk hunt). Had a little bit of an issue with wetness one day (post giant thunderstorm), but liked the overall performance. I do a little bit of running and a lot of working out in barefoot style shoes so I like some flex and have a wide foot that seems to be getting wider as I run more in barefoot shoes. Overall I did well last year in a light hiker but I didn't kill an elk and can foresee wetness and full pack weight being a potential issue.

I wanted to upgrade to a traditional boot for better protection and weatherproofing, so after a lot of research on here and other websites I ordered some Shnee's Timberlines. They arrived and I was super excited. The craftsmanship, weight, construction, etc. looked amazing. Put them on and tried as hard as I could to love the fit and feel and just didn't work for me. I think I personally might not be good with a traditional high lace up boot. I'm sending the boots back and looking for a higher end light hiker now, but should I just force myself to get used to a conventional boot? I feel like I'm walking around like Frankenstein with the high ankle support, and even with Shnee's most flexible sole I felt like I couldn't get on to my mid foot and off my heels.

Will a good like hiker like a Salomon mid Gtx, or Crispi Pro-light be a reasonable option for packing out heavier loads? Would adding gaiters to a light hiker help reduce some of the weather burden?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[FLAK]

Keen Targhee 3's mid height for every day and 90% of my hunting.

 

[Wrench]

If the boots you had worked aside from moisture control, gaiters will solve your problem. I'd take gaiters and known good fitting boots over new boot wild card every day.

 

[MaxHenderson]

I’ve been looking at the Merrell Moab+ gaiters, that should be the ticket. Solomon makes a heck of a boot though


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[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I had almost the same experience. Absolutely love Schnee’s boots, own 2 pairs of beartooths (insulated and uninsulated), I went into their store a few months ago to try on and purchase the timberlines and they just didn’t do it for me. Ended up purchasing a pair of Crispi Thor GTXs while I was there instead. I absolutely love them. A lot lighter than the timberlines, enough support for heavy loads, and been wearing them in S FL summer and one of the most breathable gortex boots I’ve ever worn. I have a pair of Merrell Moab’s and prefer the Thor’s a lot more. Also had some Solomon mid GTXs I got at the beginning of the year, I ended up giving them away after a month of trying to like them. In my experience they were not very breathable and my foot would be drenched every time I took them off. I also live in Florida so if you don’t live in a hell hole swamp where it’s always 100 degrees and 99% humidity, it might not be as big of an issue. But the Thor’s are taking it on well.

 

[NstihL]

I really like the tennis shoe like comfort of Salomon's. The Evasion Mid GTX is my go-to boot for training hikes with light pack weights. I packed out half of a cow elk in two trips (~8 miles total) while wearing them and they did pretty well, but my feet were fatigued the following day. The waterproofing is/was almost nonexistent. I also have a pair of Salomon Quest Prime GTX which is a little taller and more supportive boot, but they're not quite a comfortable as the Evasions. I don't have any pack experience with the Quest Prime's.

I used a pair of Asolo Hunter GV for a hunt in some very rocky terrain. They held up great, were supportive, and waterproof. They're heavier than the Salomon's, but I had no foot fatigue after helping my dad pack out a bull. After that hunt, I realized that I prefer a lighter and somewhat more flexible boot, so I recently got a pair of Asolo Finder GV's. I'm still breaking these boots in, but I'm hoping that these are a good balance between being lightweight and supportive. If you 're considering Asolo boots, I would plan on replacing the cardboard-like insole with a thin cushioned insole.

 

[Danimal]

So I went and ordered some Nikwax waterproofing and some brambler gaiters from first lite. I had a gift card to FL that I was sitting on so it made sense. I'm going to try to freshen up my Moabs and train with the gaiters on with 60-70lb pack load and see if I'm liking the set up. I'm really interested in those Keen Targhees though. I've read that the quality on the Keens isn't what it used to be however so I'm hesitant to add a pair of a different hiker to the mix. Thanks to everyone who chimed in, please keep the information coming. I know these threads are a wealth of knowledge to people like me.

 

[deerkiller]

go to a serious low boot like LOWA, KENETREK, CRISPI, etc …. and change your life …..

 

[bow puller]

Will a good like hiker like a Salomon mid Gtx, or Crispi Pro-light be a reasonable option for packing out heavier loads?

Absolutely, just do some hiking off trail with weight to get your feet/ankles strengthened. I've packed elk out with saucony peregrines but prefer salomon mids over trail runners when carrying weight.

 

[bmf0713]

I just took my moabs and my crispi thors to black hills and did about 20 miles of hiking. I love my moabs but wanted to wear new thors and break in for hunting season. Wore the moabs 1 day then decided to try thors brand new no break in did 8 miles and i will probably only buy crispi boots from now on. Went through a bunch of other boots asolo, zamberlan, lowa sent them all back and ended up with the thors. Thors with darn tough merino hiker socks is about as close to running shoe feeling ive found in a boot like that.

 

[wapitibob]

I've had 3 pairs of Moabs, never again.
The Salomom Mid's are decent for easier terrain, not much more shoe than the Moabs but better built. I currently use Oboz Bridger for a mid hiker, all leather and a slightly stiffer sole than my old Lowa renegade. They'll pack Elk just fine in most western terrain. For a real boot in rocky broken up terrain I use Hanwag Alaska, full leather and stiff sole.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I just took my moabs and my crispi thors to black hills and did about 20 miles of hiking. I love my moabs but wanted to wear new thors and break in for hunting season. Wore the moabs 1 day then decided to try thors brand new no break in did 8 miles and i will probably only buy crispi boots from now on. Went through a bunch of other boots asolo, zamberlan, lowa sent them all back and ended up with the thors. Thors with darn tough merino hiker socks is about as close to running shoe feeling ive found in a boot like that.

I have worn moans for years and still own two pair. After a few foot issues I went in search of a stiffer mid hiker. Landed on crispy thors after trying a few options. I have a wide foot and the wide thors with a superfoot insole work well for me. Stiff sole without the weight of a big stomper boot.

 

[bmf0713]

Im like halfway between a wide and regular. Some shoes are fine regular, some i need wide and some wides are too wide. The crispi thors in regualr fit perfect. Thats what pushed me into looking at them, i read something saying they run a little wide. I might try a superfoot insole my heels did start to hurt a little bit towards the end of the week of wearing them.

 

[Still Hunter]

Keen Men's Mid level Targhee III (x 2)

 

[deerkiller]

Superfeet "greens" are very good and for $24.95 you might try "heel that pain" insoles, after years of greens all I wear are the Heel that Pain insoles, not for everyone I'd suppose but they sure do work great for me