How long are your boots lasting?

[5MilesBack]

I'm still using a pair of Zamberlan Dakota 7" high boots that I got in early 2013, so four seasons use now. I don't normally check my mileage in a season, but in 2015 I used my GPS to track every mile. It was over 200 miles for the season at 20+ days hunted. That season was pretty much average for the previous two as well so I figure over 600 miles on them through those three seasons. This season wasn't quite as much as those but I figure the boots have over 700 miles on them now. I'll keep wearing them as long as they hold up because they are by far the most comfortable hunting boots I've worn, and they've been discontinued so I can't replace them with the same thing. I have a pair of this version in a 10" boot, but I much prefer the 7". The best thing about them is they only cost me $86 on clearance......because they were being discontinued....last pair of 13's.

This must be an AI poster......ban it.

I made this post 9 years ago, and somehow it shows now as "Xperimental" posting it here 9 years later. I see that this poster also has some stuff for sale on here........beware.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I bought a pair of white loggers in 1981. They are starting to crack along the top of the toe caps so I use them on dry days. I bought another pair in 2005 and have had to have them resoled once. I need some stiching redone in the back but they ought to be good for another 10-15 years.

 

[streamerfish]

Whites smoke jumpers...heavy, but daily wear when in construction and hunting i would need to have them resoled and maybe new lower leather every 4-5yrs or so.

Now that im more white collar/office and they are just worn for hunting and weekend stuff....probably last forever.

They are heavy, and squeaky though...so I am considering something else.

Im a bigger/hefty guy, so I wear out boots faster then other people. But for myself, A mid weight, leather boot like a lowa ranger I can wear for a few years hunting only before they die.

Anything that I have tried that's really any lighter weight last months only....

Soo...generally speaking, I lean towards wearing heavy duty leather boots. In the long run they are cheaper, and reliable.

 

[IAM_TONTO]

Lacrosse 1600g rubber boots going on 5 years they still look brand new mind you I only wear them deer hunting long treestand sits to keep my feet warm lol

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

6 years and counting on my Schnees Beartooth, they still look great. If im spending $300+ on a pair of boots, durability and longevity are non-negotiable.

 

[Nushagak]

Almost 6 years on my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes. I figure I average 120+ days in them a year. Will be due for a resole soon.

 

[freezerfull]

Very much dependent on what I use the boot for.

Late season 1000 gram insulated boots that get work 20-30 days a year get me 5+ years if well taken care of. Current boots filling this roll are Kenetrek mountain extremes that went into rotation in 2021 and probably have another few season in them.

I anticipate annual replacement with the uninsulated boots I hunt and train with the rest of the year. Generally run lowa tibets but I’ve had Kenetrek mountain guides in the mix at times. Realistically they drag out 1.5-2 years before I throw them away, but won’t use for hunts or anything that isn’t close to home. For me lifespan of these is typically around 1500 miles and 500k of elevation when cleaned and oiled up atleast every few weeks. Add some all day snow conditions, sharp rock scrambles and what not and upper life can reduce drastically.

 

[coiloil37]

My current Hanwag Alaskans are 14 years old and the upper is still in excellent condition. I wore the soles out about two years ago and had them resoled. The repair left them stiffer toe to heel and I find the reduced flex hard on my shins so I just replaced them. I’ll blame it on the cobbler as they’re still waterproof and in great shape overall, just uncomfortable now.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just depends, when I’m focused on backpack hunts and training g appropriately for them, a few seasons is about all.

When I’m focused on float hunts and doing less hiking they last a lot longer.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I tag team my 3 main pairs of boots depending on the season/conditions. All are over 10 years old.

 

[dtrkyman]

I haver a pair of Asolo 520s, they finally have the sole separating after 10 years, they were too heavy for most of my use but still have some miles and are still waterproof, I would resole them but I have switched to bare foot.

Got two seasons on a pair of Vivo, and wore them for training and daily things as well.

Technically they are still usable but the treads are no good in any kind of terrain, but fine for wearing around or at the 3d course.

 

[JK47]

1 1/2-2 years out of Kenetrek Mountain Guides. I wear the crap out of those boots. I wear them 6, sometimes 7 days a week.

I work in rugged mountain terrain, wear them climbing poles or in the bucket(lineman by trade). So I’m pretty rough on them. I see guys getting 4 or 5 years out of a pair in this thread, not I. But with the punishment my boots take, I’m super happy with them and their performance.

I start breaking a new pair in every other spring for the upcoming season. I do clean and wax them every 3 months or so.

 

[Nushagak]

1 1/2-2 years out of Kenetrek Mountain Guides. I wear the crap out of those boots. I wear them 6, sometimes 7 days a week.

I work in rugged mountain terrain, wear them climbing poles or in the bucket(lineman by trade). So I’m pretty rough on them. I see guys getting 4 or 5 years out of a pair in this thread, not I. But with the punishment my boots take, I’m super happy with them and their performance.

I’m mostly using them for bird/deer across South Dakota and for camp work in Alaska. Mostly felling trees, carpentry, etc. Prairie hunting and tundra hikes don’t put much wear on the soles but they’re broken in really well at this point. Just starting to wear down some of the lugs on the heel this spring.

 

[eidsvolling]

This photo was from this morning. I got this pair of Raichle Montagnas in late 1993 or early 1994 and used them on a hike across the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in March 1994. I only hiked in them part of the trip as we skied about a quarter of the way. They had a lot of use the first few years. I usually use lighter boots now.

View attachment 1051350

Damn, you’re old. ;-)

Wore Montagnas as a SAR dog handler in WA and AK. They were number three on my all-time favorite list, after Pivetta 8 and Limmer Standard. Nothing beats the serenity that comes from putting your foot down in the dark and having it stay put until YOU decide to move it again.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Lighter synthetic boots- 1-2 years (ex. Thors)
Lighter leather hybrid with rubber rand- 2-3 (ex. Briskdal)
Heavier duty leather- 5+ (Beartooths/Granites)

 

[BAKPAKR]

Damn, you’re old. ;-)

Wore Montagnas as a SAR dog handler in WA and AK. They were number three on my all-time favorite list, after Pivetta 8 and Limmer Standard. Nothing beats the serenity that comes from putting your foot down in the dark and having it stay put until YOU decide to move it again.

I am definitely old.

 

[TargetPanik]

How many months are yall getting out of your boots?
I really like the feel of my Lowa Renegades. However, my first pair lasted less than 12 months before stitching in the toe started ripping out. REI warrantied them on 2/5/25 and I ended up with the newer model “evo” version. I just got home from a turkey hunt and the leather behind the toe box has a 1/2” rip all the way through the leather. I’m not the easiest on boots but I’m also not wearing them every day or climbing the Rockies every weekend. I treat the leather when it starts looking like it needs it (3-4 times on this particular pair). I guess I’m just wondering if my expectations are too high for these boots?

For me it seems like buying an F150 some last forever, like my first pair of Kenetrek Mtn Extremes. While others, like my second pair of Mtn Extremes, last 1 year. I'm not running cripis and they are proving to hold up quite well. little soft on super steep sidehill for my taste though