High quality boots or high quality pack?

[Corvus Corax]

Good footwear first. Then backpack. Won’t have much use for a backpack if your feet hurt too bad to get after it.

 

[Titan_Bow]

Wow, surprised at how different I must be from everyone else. I would definitely say backpack. A good quality pack from Kifaru, EXO, Stone Glacier or Mystery Ranch is going to last you a long, long time and allow you to pack out game, carry heavy loads, with the least amount of misery possible. I get it on the boots, but I will tell you a secret. Look up minimalist footwear, barefoot shoes, etc. if you go down the path of actually conditioning your feet, legs, body to go barefoot, then boots really don't matter all that much as long as aren't impeding your natural gait and stance. I've packed out elk and deer from some gnarly Colorado high country, in a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves, Altra Lone Peaks and Bellvue Mini-Mil boots. Once your body is used to and conditioned to be walking and carrying loads basically barefoot, boots don't matter near as much.
I suffered from plantar fascitus years ago, and read some articles on how barefoot style shoes could help. I went down that road, and have been pain free in my feet ever since. When it came to packing out heavy loads, I remember seeing a pic of a sherpa on Everest, wearing bedroom slippers, and carrying a HUGE pack on his back. I started weening myself off thicker sole supportive boots, and never looked back.
I do understand that this isnt for everyone, and it takes time to really condition your body to it. So, if you are used to supportive boots then, a really great pair like Crispi's, Han Wags, etc. are probably worth their weight in gold!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I agree that boots are more important than a pack as well. That doesn't mean I would go spend $500 on boots and use a garbage pack. I think there are a lot of boot options that will perform well for you at a lower price. The main difference in my experience is how long they will last.

 

[caesAR15]

Hmmm... I feel like we are beginning see the start of a consensus...

 

[jmez]

Boots.

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[HuntHarder]

Boots for the win... Honestly I consider my Kifaru packs a luxory, not a necessity. Before I had a Kifaru, I packed many animals with badlands, eberlestock and I am sure a few even lower quality packs. Kifaru's just make it more comfortable.

 

[_Scooter_]

If your feet are unhappy nothing else really matters.

Miserable feet mean that the trip is over. You cant concentrate, you'll slow everyone down, you won't have fun. I haven't done any hunting yet, but I've done quite a bit of ice and alpine climbing out west and some New England and upstate New York. Happy, comfy feet mean you'll be enjoying what you're doing.

Kind of like having a nice vehicle with bald tires. Doesn't matter how valuable the rest of the car/truck is worth or how precious the cargo is inside, if you can't get to where you want to go, what's inside doesn't matter.

That doesn't mean you have to spend a small fortune on acceptable boots. Right now there are quite a few sales going on for Memorial Day. Backcountry.com has some decent discounts on boats currently. And dont think you have to get the most expensive/whatever everyone else is raving about. Get a NOS pair that is a season or two old thats discounted. Maybe get something a little cheaper that may not last as long, but will still keep your feet happy, even if they only last a season, as long as it gets you out there and enjoying yourself.

 

[Rob5589]

Depends on what kind of money you have to spend. You may be able to do both. Boots > pack if you have to choose.

 

[idahohikker]

Find a good deal on both. For example, MR Terraframe on sale for $200 through REI is a killer deal for a new pack.

 

[snowtoy83]

Definitely boots. Can’t do much if your feet are tore up. You can usually suffer through packing out with a cheap pack frame

 

[Azone]

Boots! Blisters, hotspots and bruised toenails will ruin the day! During the summer out here in CA I’m at the point I will even wear running shoes or tennis shoes when hunting. Comfort is king, hard to hunt if your feet are butchered.

 

[Topo_trekker]

I’d like to hear yalls opinion on something. Would you rather have a phenomenal pair of boots with a sub par pack or a phenomenal pack with sub par boots?

Thanks


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Backpack if you don’t have experience with high priced boots. Is that your definition of phenomenal? High price? I’d choose boots myself but I know exactly what I like and make sure fit is perfect.

I’ve heard of too many guys not experienced with top tier boots buying the wrong pair and it ends up ruining a hunt after a couple days. High quality boots require you to have a in-depth understanding of what works for you, what you want out of a boot for the terrain you hunt, and the precise fit you like. This takes a couple pairs to figure out. Plenty of great boots out there that won’t break the bank or your feet to help dial preferences in. I assume you are just using sub-par to suggest lower price range, this doesn’t mean they give you blisters or don’t fit. In general most lower priced boots are meant to fit and work for more types of feet. They won’t be as durable but they will get you through a couple seasons and at least you won’t have wasted a bunch of money on a pair of boots you’re not satisfied with.

Top rated packs fit great given you are correctly using it, come with a lifetime warranty, and resale is good. Some things to consider. Boots not so much..a phenomenal fitting boot matters most regardless of price.


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[Joe_81]

So if boots are the consensus, what boots are we recommending?

 

[Topo_trekker]

So if boots are the consensus, what boots are we recommending?

It completely depends on the shape of his foot, hunting terrain, game, season, etc. So many factors and preferences to consider when it comes to buying top end boots. Generally it’s a good consensus but if you don’t know what you like then it’s a total crap shoot.


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[Joe_81]

It completely depends on the shape of his foot, hunting terrain, game, season, etc. So many factors and preferences to consider when it comes to buying top end boots. Generally it’s a good consensus but if you don’t know what you like then it’s a total crap shoot.


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Where would you start for something like a western elk hunt? I literally hunt deer in Texas in Wellington boots, but id never try that out west, yet don’t know where I’d start.

 

[Topo_trekker]

Where would you start for something like a western elk hunt? I literally hunt deer in Texas in Wellington boots, but id never try that out west, yet don’t know where I’d start.

Rifle or archery season?


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[Joe_81]

Rifle or archery season?


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I’m pretty much a archery only guy

 

[Topo_trekker]

I’m pretty much a archery only guy

Cool. I’ll pm you as to not take over this thread.


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[ridgefire]

Boots are the most important for me. I would recommend something with alot of ankle support for side hilling and heavy loads. I like a beefy boot that is waterproof and has a rubber rand around it to protect from rocks. I personally like Hanwag Alaska GTX but that is a whole nother topic.

 

[Rokbar]

Boots! Take care of your feet and they will get you there.