Mountain boot with heel cup

SDHNTR

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Aug 30, 2012
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I love my Solomon 4ds. I love the heel cup that locks in my heel with zero slip. Anyone know of a heavier duty leather mountain boot with a similar heel cup? Been wearing Meindl AK hunters and mostly like them but have always had just a bit of heel slip.
 

MattB

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Sep 29, 2012
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Have you tried a slightly higher volume insole in your Meindls? Part of the equation is the fit of the heel cup, but part is also putting your heel at the right height to put it in the right position in the boot. Lacing comes into play as well.
 

kickemall

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I have the Salomons which I love and fit great. I also have a pair of Meindl Denalis that sound like they fit exactly like yours so I don't wear them as often. I also have two pairs of the newer Kenetrek mountain extremes (updated around early 2014) and get no heel slip out of them. My only knock on them is I wish the toe box fit like the Salomons but it works fine. I had a pair of the older mountain extremes and the heel slip was awful, so if you haven't you might try on the Kenetreks. Good luck.
 
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SDHNTR

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Have you tried a slightly higher volume insole in your Meindls? Part of the equation is the fit of the heel cup, but part is also putting your heel at the right height to put it in the right position in the boot. Lacing comes into play as well.

Yes, I've tried 3 or 4 different insoles and laced them every which way. Some are better than others but none perfect.
 
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SDHNTR

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Those probably aren't the boots for you then.

No dispute there, it's just the trial and error process is so costly. I know for sure the 4d's work for me, but there are hunts where I need more boot. Trying to narrow things down. I need something with a heel cup that locks the heel down like the Solomon, but with more support and rigidity.
 

Goober

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Jul 22, 2012
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If you are looking for heavy duty leather with a good heel cup, maybe look at the wild land fire boots. Whites are what I wear. People think I'm crazy though for wearing a heavy leather boot like that into the backcountry. But I'm ok with that.
 

BPB

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Jan 27, 2014
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http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/index.php?lang=en&pg=prod&idprod=187&idcat=3
Here is something to consider,
I have a pair of these from Zamberlan. I'm very impressed with the construction, support and the way the heel locks in place. They make quite a few different models in this line. They can be re-soled. I purchased these from Lathrop with their footbed, However if I had it to do again, I would order these with smart foam footbed from zamberlan for $11.00, they fit better in the boot and they are just as comfortable. The price is steep but it's only money....
 

kickemall

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Can you describe how the toe box on the Kenetrek differs from the Salomons?

Salomon Quests have a wide toe box with lots of room for my toes to move. Kenetreks have an average width toe box so it fits snug for my narrow heel, wide fore foot but works fine.
 
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SDHNTR

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I should also say, I need something crampon compatible.
 

Hootsma

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Feb 16, 2014
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Memphis, Tennessee
I love my Solomon 4ds. I love the heel cup that locks in my heel with zero slip. Anyone know of a heavier duty leather mountain boot with a similar heel cup?

I have a narrow heal and normal width forefoot which tends to expand a bit after some miles and weight. I really like the Quests, but the durability was a problem. So, I spoke to Steve Lathrop at Lathrop and Sons last week and asked him this exact same question. He suggested the Lowa Cevedale Tech Light Hunters. He also suggested getting their foot beds and having them custom cut them to fit.

I'm normally a DIY guy and I tried previously to cut a set of their Synergies to fit my Salomons and ended up ruining them. I was able to trim them to fit by essentially cutting off both the inner and outer arch flap, but I have no idea how to effectively bevel the edges, so I ended up with a sharp ridge around the edges. He mentioned that they can bevel the edges so that it transitions to the side of the boot without being lumpy and causing pressure points. So, I ended up ordering the boots and the custom cut Synergies. I haven't received them yet, so I can't tell you for sure if they are going to work, but with Steve's analysis and the rave reviews those boots have been getting here on Rokslide, I'm pretty confident they are going to work.
 
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SDHNTR

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Interesting, I need a taller boot than the Cevedale and also want full grain leather. I played with a set of L&S inserts too and, while the cushioning is nice, decided they were not for me. After bouts with plantar fasciatis, I need arch support. I'd love to see an insert with the arch support of Superfeet or similar, and the cushioning and volume filling capability of the L&S.
 

oldillini

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Feb 13, 2015
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Indiana
My heel is probably normal except that I have tight Achilles tendons which seems to make me prone to heel blisters. Have been working with Stephen @ Lathrops (I am fortunate that I live within 30 minutes of their place) to come up with the right boot and fit. I used their custom boot system with Stephen spending over 2 hours working with me. Recommended the Zamberlan Vioz. Still waiting to pick them up, but have feel very good about the selection and services of Lathrop.
 

Ryan R

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Apr 4, 2014
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Alberta
I'm breaking in a pair of Scarpa Triolet right now and they have a good heel cup.

I tried a few Meindl boots at my local cabelas and they all had heel movement. The Meindl's fit big so you have to down size. My asolo's have all been size 12 and with the meindl I was in a 11 and still had movement.
 
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