Need Mtn. Boots With a Narrow Heel

AK Shane

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 14, 2012
Messages
278
Location
Alaska
I'm currently on the search for a new pair of sheep hunting boots. I've been running into a problem of finding any boots that fit good in the heel. My foot runs narrow in the heel and normal with in the forefoot. I've been running a pair of Scarpa Triolet's for a few years because they are a narrow last that fit well in the heel but they narrow up quicky on the outside pinky toe and cause rubbing issues 3-4 days into a hunt. Seems that most boots with a narrower heel run narrow in the forefoot as well.

Anyone know of a good stiff non-insulated mountain boot with a narrow heel but regular width forefoot?
 
Midway through 2013 Kenetrek changed the last in their mountain extremes which come insulated or uninsulated. I had a pair of the earlier ones and suffered through heel slip because I too have narrow heels. I now have an updated pair with many miles on them and no problems. I've tried Lowas, Schnees, Zamberlans and Crispis and the new Kenetreks and they are far and away the best for my feet.
 
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I just moved back to La Sportiva's for the same reason.
I went with the classic Makalu. Picked them up from MooseJaw for about $300.
Have about 50 miles on them so far...they take some wearing because they are stiff, but they are super durable and will last for years.
 
I agree with above....my Zamberlan Ibex have a narrow heel and an appropriate sized forefoot.

I actually have tried the Ibex on and they did fit pretty well and are a good stiff mountain boot. The specs on these boots say they have a Duratherm Gore-tex lining. I kind of have them on a short list of possible boots, but I'm really looking for a non-insulated. I haven't been able to dig up too much on the warmth rating of the Duratherm in these boots. I've seen other Duratherm boots list out actual ratings of -5 to -20 F. Don't know if the Ibex lining is that thick, they don't seem like it. Sheep hunting Alaska in Aug/Sept isn't that cold to require insulation. My feet sweat plenty with with no insulation and just my hiking and liner socks. So I'd be interested in how others judge the warmth rating of the Ibex as well.

Been very tempted to order the Zamberlan Guide 960 from REI (easy to return if they don't fit) and see if they have the same narrow heel as the Ibex. How stiff is the sole? The stiffer the better for me.

The only heavy backpacking/mountaineering La Sportiva's I've been able to find in Anchorge are the Nepal. They fit pretty nicely but the lateral stability in the ankle is much less than I would expect from a mounaineering boot. They flex so much lateraly that they actually dig into my ankle. Not exactly what you want for side hilling around the mountain.
 
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