How to decide a boot for mountain hunting/hiking?

[Bearcat06]

What factors do you look at when deciding a boot? Seems tough to get anywhere to try on the top tier brands. In a bit of a “don’t know what I don’t know” situation. I am not prone to ankle injury but plan to be in some pretty unforgiving terrain at times. Boots would be used mainly in warm to moderate weather. TIA for any advice on how to navigate the process without wasting/spending a ton of extra money.

 

[7millie]

Tough question to answer, my feet are extremely picky some peoples aren’t. Iv been through a few different brands. Sometimes just trying them on around the house/yard they feel comfortable but then eat your feet up in the mountains. Iv settled on Schnee and have krestels for light duty and beartooth for steeper stuff. I’d wait for them to have a sale you can get a really good deal sometimes. I haven’t had to send them back for anything but I think they are pretty accommodating for returns. I’d call them and tell them what you plan to use them for see what they recommend. Also every pair of sneakers I own is 9 1/2 but Iv moved to a 9 for my hunting boots and let my feet press into them as they break in. If I get any loose space I’ll get blisters so I want them slightly too snug when new. Again that’s just what my feet like.

 

[FuddRucker]

Fit, stiffness, weight, material, height preference. Gohunt has a pretty good sizing protocol.

I'm currently undergoing the same process. Looking for a stiffer boot after my feet were pretty sore in some lightweight Salomon's. I have retail stores around me but sizing makes trying on in stores pretty tough. Most recommend ordering several pairs online and returning what you don't like.

Hanwag is pretty reputable and running a 50% sale right now.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Everyone's foot is different so what works for one person may not work for the other. I will give you some suggestions that have worked for me over the years and you can do as you may with them....

Hanwag - Alaska GTX, Alverstone II GTX, Makra Trek GTX
Crispi - Summit GTX, Idaho GTX
Kenetrek - Mountain Extreme Non-insulated

Others I have used but wouldn't recommend for serious hunting -
Danner Pronghorns, Whites Lace to To Smokejumpers, Hanwag Makra Combi, Scarpa.

All of my boots have Green Superfeet insoles, having the same insole helps your feet transition between boots easily without much fatigue.

If I had to have only 1 boot it would be the Hanwag Alaska GTX.

 

[justinspicher]

I like stiff boots, so I went with a mountaineering boot. I use Scarpa boots all year. They are narrow so if you have wide feet they won’t work as well as you’d like. Boots are a very personal choice and it’s only a choice you can make. I wouldn’t over look a mountaineering or hiking specific boot for hunting.

 

[rickyw]

I tried on as many as I could in the store and went to multiple stores. Finally landed on hanwag. If the store has stairs try the boots on the stairs. I’m glad I did that. If you don’t love the feel in the store you will probably really not like it on the mountain

 

[Truck24hr]

What factors do you look at when deciding a boot?

Mainly pack weight for me. If I'm just hiking for pleasure, no matter the terrain, I wear trail runners. Usually never over 35lbs.

Hunting I wear boots.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I will never buy a hunting specific boot again. They are super uncomfortable compared to hiking boots. My next boots are going to be hokas.

 

[Davyalabama]

Feet are different, you know that. Me, I’m not going smaller with a boot, feet swell throughout the day. Good insoles as someone else mentioned. Tough soles, I tried those light hiking, flexible type boots based on recommendations from hikers on the internet, uuuggghhhhh, all their feet are different from mine. I’ve tried to use them just for work around the farm and camp, my feet are sore by the end of the day. Tennis shoes are better than xero boots for support on the bottom of my feet. They felt great in the house, don’t step on a rock with them. I have worn tac boots in the past, they will hold up for sure, Oakley made a great one, so did Altima. My 60 year old legs sure know when I’ve been in them for a long ruck. 60 lbs of weights, those boots will hold up.

 

[Poser]

For me at least, there has definitely been some required experimentation to figure out what I don't want and what I do want out of a boot for the terrain I spend time in.

 

[Mish-pop]

I'm lucky in that my feet and ankles are solid and I have not had any issues with 'cheap' Danners. That said I do plan to upgrade to a more robust brand next time. I'm looking at Kenetreks as in store they seemed to fit my foot like a glove. If the terrain is unforgiving then I would look at top ankle support boots.

 

[Lathrop and Sons Boots]

What factors do you look at when deciding a boot? Seems tough to get anywhere to try on the top tier brands. In a bit of a “don’t know what I don’t know” situation. I am not prone to ankle injury but plan to be in some pretty unforgiving terrain at times. Boots would be used mainly in warm to moderate weather. TIA for any advice on how to navigate the process without wasting/spending a ton of extra money.

You have a starting point on this forum. The thing is that selecting the boot that works for you is part of fit. The size, last shape selection is also a big part. Point is you can hit a lot of road blocks going down the road. I'm going to send you a DM for help if you want.