Leather Boots and Heel Movement

[GunsAreFun]

So...I have been trying on a TON of boots in my search for my first real pair of high quality backpacking/hunting boots. I’ve tried on several Zamberlans, several Crispis, a Kenetrek, a couple Asolo’s, a couple Lowa’s, Vasque, Echo, and a couple others I’m probably forgetting. For good measure, I also tried on Salamon Quest 4D 3 GTX.

Basically all of the leather boots have a slight bit of heel lift (or whatever you call it). It’s not enough to bother me or even be too noticeable walking around the house except that I’m ultra sensitive to it now. I feel like it could be a problem in the field though with the friction of thousands of steps. The Salamons had basically no heel creep but squeezed my toes so they are out. I have a couple other pairs of lower end Merrell MOAB and similar style hiking boots with no slip.

I’m starting to wonder if the leather boots slipping is simply because they are stiff and not broken in. Essentially, they are too stiff to “wrap” around my foot and lower leg and this is causing the movement. Is this even a thing? Is it something that could get better if the boots were broken in? I’m just a bit nervous about committing to break in ~$300 boots only to find out they give me heel or ankle blisters.

At this point, my top choice is the Zamberlan Lynx.

BTW. These boots are not for elk hunting as I don’t have anything planned in the immediate future. These will be for day hikes, weekend backpacking, regular (static) deer hunting, and backpack deer hunts in the Ozarks.

 

[Davebuech]

Hi Gunsarefun. Yes they are!

All boots are built a little different and you are doing the right thing by trying out different brands and styles. I don't think it is because they are made of leather or they are not broken in yet (although a break in helps with some brands & styles). A different insert can help a lot. I had a tad heel slip in my Crispis and Lowa Mountain hunters but changing the insoles eliminated it for me in both pairs. A good shop should have different insoles you can try as well.

Good luck with your purchase

 

[jmden]

What sox are you wearing? A thin inner layer and thicker outer layer? Same sox you'd wear on a hunt?

 

[GunsAreFun]

What sox are you wearing? A thin inner layer and thicker outer layer? Same sox you'd wear on a hunt?

I am trying them all on with the same two pairs of socks that I hunt and hike with. One is Smartwool mid weights and the other is a heavy wool Cabelas sock for colder temps.

 

[willfrye027]

I was having a similar issue. Loved my Solomon’s, but needed a stiffer mountain boot. Got some Asolo hunter GV which fit well but do have some heel movement. I got a blister wearing them turkey hunting with thin socks. After breaking them in and getting the lacing down better, they now fit like a dream and do not rub. I would suggest two things in addition to breaking them in and getting decent socks. First, loosen the toe box laces up. It might help your foot get into a better position and rub less at the heel. That was a contributing factor for me. Next, work on different lacing techniques to lock in the heel better. It took some playing around with but now these baby’s are my new favorite boot.

In the end, a stiff mountain boot is going to take a little more work than your Solomon’s to get comfortable. But it can be done.

 

[bmf0713]

I had the same problem with the zamberlan cougar, asolo neutron and lowa bighorn. The bighorn actually got worse the more i tried to break them in. Thank god for midway usa 90 day return policy otherwise i would be stuck with them. I just got a pair of crispi thors and they are probably the most comfortable boot Ive tried on out of the box. I tried all of them on with a pair of darn tough full cushion hiker. I also have the moab with no problems either. So maybe you have the same type of foot as mine. I do recommend the thors if you are interested in that type of boot. I also think the Wyomings/Idaho fit similar to the thors from the research ive done.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I was having a similar issue. Loved my Solomon’s, but needed a stiffer mountain boot. Got some Asolo hunter GV which fit well but do have some heel movement. I got a blister wearing them turkey hunting with thin socks. After breaking them in and getting the lacing down better, they now fit like a dream and do not rub. I would suggest two things in addition to breaking them in and getting decent socks. First, loosen the toe box laces up. It might help your foot get into a better position and rub less at the heel. That was a contributing factor for me. Next, work on different lacing techniques to lock in the heel better. It took some playing around with but now these baby’s are my new favorite boot.

In the end, a stiff mountain boot is going to take a little more work than your Solomon’s to get comfortable. But it can be done.

I have the Asolo Hunters and Tribe models at my house right now to try on. We’ll see.

Agree on the lacing technique. I tried one method I know but there are probably others I need to research.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I had the same problem with the zamberlan cougar, asolo neutron and lowa bighorn. The bighorn actually got worse the more i tried to break them in. Thank god for midway usa 90 day return policy otherwise i would be stuck with them. I just got a pair of crispi thors and they are probably the most comfortable boot Ive tried on out of the box. I tried all of them on with a pair of darn tough full cushion hiker. I also have the moab with no problems either. So maybe you have the same type of foot as mine. I do recommend the thors if you are interested in that type of boot. I also think the Wyomings/Idaho fit similar to the thors from the research ive done.

I tried the Thors. They had this weird heel shape that was pressing against my Achilles’ tendon.

Funny you mentioned Midways return policy, they tried to refuse my returns because the boots had been “worn”. They never left my kitchen, and some were put on and immediately taken off. One of the orders I tried on in their pickup office since I live near their location. Had to politely argue with three people. They still haven’t closed the full return. About to call my credit card company to dispute the charge.

 

[bmf0713]

Hmmm. I haven’t had a problem with midway USA. I bought both the zamberlan cougars and lowas from there and returned them. I actually wore the lowas outside a few times and just cleaned them up good before sending back. Well I wish you luck on your boot journey because I was just going through the same thing you were until I found the Thor’s. I was about to give up and just wear my cheaper boots. I like my danner pronghorns but they didn’t hold up very well and the Moab’s don’t have the kind of support I want for the hunting I want to do. I actually considered just buying another pair of keen work boots because that’s what I wear at work all day long and they are super comfy.

 

[willfrye027]

I feel like a stiff boot is hard to commit to because they just don’t feel quite right until broken in. I panicked a little after I got that blister but after loosening the toe box and allowing them to break in more I’m glad I stuck it out. I think you have to get a “close enough” fit to start with and then see what happens from there.

 

[bmf0713]

^^^This is what i noticed most of all. Ive never had a stiff boot before so all of them were strange to me. But man those thors and darn tough socks is like wearing a stiff running shoe. I dont think im even gonna try a different insole. I tried different insoles and also insoles out of my other boots that i like and still couldnt get the other ones to work for me.

 

[Tauntohawk]

Stiff boots just seem to always feel bad until broken in, but how do you know what a $300-400 boot is going to break in like without committing.

maybe leather lined boots, they seem to mold the foot well. I have some lowa baffin Pros that are just too heavy and stiff for most my hunting but the leather line does conform well to the foot

 

[jmez]

May be worth a call to Lathrop and Sons. I spent my first three mountain hunts with so much tape on my feet I really didn't need socks. I called Lathrop's and they recommended a Hanwag for me. Right out of the box they fit well and didn't require any break in period. I've not taped my feet again since switching to them.

Fit is the most important thing with boots. They were able to make a recommendation based on what type and size of shoe I would normally wear, how the bottoms of my shoes wear, etc.