Schnee Absoroka

[austinphps]

Pro's/Cons from a first time user on this specific boot? Wanting it for elk hunting CO, and as a daily hiker. Does the 6" give enough ankle support? Typically in the past I have run and 8" or taller boot.
Break in time?
Durable?

Any and all feedback welcome

 

[austinphps]

No one has worn them?

 

[mitchellbk]

I have the absoroka high (9") which they don't make anymore, but I think they will make the granite in non-insulated. That's what the guy said in the store fall of 2015. So if you like a taller boot I'd hold out for that or get the beartooth.

I originally bought the beartooth but had a pinch point at the crease in my right boot, so I went to the store and exchanged it. Apparently this happens rarely. While there I tried on the absoroka highs and liked them much better than beartooths. The soles were stiffer and I prefer that. I walked out with the absorokas. Im lucky to be able to drive to schnees and try on what I want. Even though it's 3 hours away, it's still worth it.

For me, break in time was not needed.

Previously I wore asolo 520 and the fit was similar. But I didn't like how short they were. Good luck

 

[austinphps]

Thanks Mitchell. So I ordered the Absoraka, and they just came in last night. I know a review is on here but I'll give some of my first impressions.

Fit was perfect, I printed off a paper version of the Braddock Scale(?), the metal device in shoe stores that Schnee claims all their sizing is based on....Well it is! My foot on the paper came to just a little over 9.5, so that's the size i ordered. Did all the initial testing that I have read about; unlaced, shoved my toe all the way forward and could get 1 finger width in the back by the heel. If I would have went with the size 9 like i was leaning towards, I think they would have been too small. Tried the boots on with a liner and all my usual smart wool socks, some thicker than others and the shoes still felt comfortable - could wiggle my toes some and no pinch points as of now.

The boot is really well made, you can tell just by picking it up, sturdy - slightly heavy, and stiff. For me, the 6" high came about 1.5" above my ankle bone so I think it will provide plenty of ankle support and help keep from rolling an ankle. In the past i usually get an 8 or 9" tall boot so was slightly worried about the smaller height, but I think they are just what i was looking for in terms of a backpacking/archery hunting boot.

The roller ball system down around the toe box is pretty cool, just pull and it tightens it all up at once, and then you can lock that tightness in with the first eyelet. I laced them a few different ways, and then just left them on for a good 20 minutes, chasing my dog around the house and just bending, walking, going down some stairs (toes just nudged the front of the shoe when doing this), and they still felt great. I do believe there will be some break-in required for them as the are fairly stiff - or maybe just more so than I am used to. Either way, I tend to love shoes in the store and then 5 miles in, I'm not as impressed as I thought.

Next test before even stepping outside with these is to get on a treadmill, and walk about a mile at an incline and see how they still feel after that. If anyone is interested I will post what I think after that.

I can say, that they seem like a solid made boot; I'm hoping they are finally THE boot for me.

 

[Schnee's]

Thanks Mitchell. So I ordered the Absoraka, and they just came in last night. I know a review is on here but I'll give some of my first impressions.

Fit was perfect, I printed off a paper version of the Braddock Scale(?), the metal device in shoe stores that Schnee claims all their sizing is based on....Well it is! My foot on the paper came to just a little over 9.5, so that's the size i ordered. Did all the initial testing that I have read about; unlaced, shoved my toe all the way forward and could get 1 finger width in the back by the heel. If I would have went with the size 9 like i was leaning towards, I think they would have been too small. Tried the boots on with a liner and all my usual smart wool socks, some thicker than others and the shoes still felt comfortable - could wiggle my toes some and no pinch points as of now.

The boot is really well made, you can tell just by picking it up, sturdy - slightly heavy, and stiff. For me, the 6" high came about 1.5" above my ankle bone so I think it will provide plenty of ankle support and help keep from rolling an ankle. In the past i usually get an 8 or 9" tall boot so was slightly worried about the smaller height, but I think they are just what i was looking for in terms of a backpacking/archery hunting boot.

The roller ball system down around the toe box is pretty cool, just pull and it tightens it all up at once, and then you can lock that tightness in with the first eyelet. I laced them a few different ways, and then just left them on for a good 20 minutes, chasing my dog around the house and just bending, walking, going down some stairs (toes just nudged the front of the shoe when doing this), and they still felt great. I do believe there will be some break-in required for them as the are fairly stiff - or maybe just more so than I am used to. Either way, I tend to love shoes in the store and then 5 miles in, I'm not as impressed as I thought.

Next test before even stepping outside with these is to get on a treadmill, and walk about a mile at an incline and see how they still feel after that. If anyone is interested I will post what I think after that.

I can say, that they seem like a solid made boot; I'm hoping they are finally THE boot for me.

Thank you for your business Austinphps! I hope you get many great hunts out of your Absarokas. If you're up for it, we'd love some pics of you in them out in the field!

thanks again
Matt

 

[Tjenkins202]

I've had the Absoroka's since March '20 and have ~70 mountain miles on them including one bear pack out. The following list of boots are what I have to compare them to:
- Lowa Renegade (archery)
- Lowa Rangers (archery/rifle)
- Lowa GTX hunter evo extreme (late rifle)
In general, I like to have a pair of boots that are appropriate for the conditions I am hunting and as some may glean from my list, the inventory spans from more casual hiker (renegades) to more intense insulation/stiffness (GTX hunters). The pair sandwiched between gets the most use and that was my old Lowa Rangers that have since been replaced by the Schnee's Absoroka. I got 5 seasons and many packouts out of the older model Rangers and I did love them. After I finally blew out the heel I knew i needed to replace them with something of like or better caliber and did not like the new style of the Lowa Ranger. So I went with Schnee's and so far, I think the Absoroka will surpass those Rangers with a higher quality rand and overall build at the expense of a little added weight. They definitely took ~20 miles to break in (Lowa has short to no break in time) but now they are comfortable as all get out and I am happy with the purchase. They also fit true to size. Great job Schnee's.