Several boot questions

[Chad44]

I've had danner pronghorn and cabelas outfitter series boot. Both we're comfy but don't last. I'm looking to step up this season. For one thing I'm going on my first rifle hunt and need advise on insulation. I've always had no insulation in the past while hunting during sept archery. Now there could be snow and I'm thinking of getting 200 grams. My feet keep pretty warm. Any advice here? Next question is where does a guy try all the different big name boots on? Cabelas has meindl but that's it. Everyone's feet are different so I'd like to try on before I buy. Does lanthrop & sons do that? I've heard good things about all the top manufactures. How many seasons can a guy get out of these high end boots? I know it depends on use but I'm out a lot in the summer and hunt all month of archery. I don't live in the mountains by any means. Do you guys prefer a shorter boot with Maybe a gaitor or a taller boot. I have had 8 inch in the past but debating going 6. Sorry for the long post. Thanks for the help
Chad

 

[kodiakfly]

I'm not a big fan of a bunch of insulation unless it's going to be COLD. And I'm talking like teens, into single digits and below 0...and I'm not moving. If I'm moving, I'm good to pretty low temps. You go get a boot with 800 or 1000gr Thinsulate and that's a sweaty boot under a lot of conditions. But if you get cold easily, some insulation may not be a bad thing. I hunted one season in the Meindls with 800 gr insulation and I about died (not literally) on a moose hunt in snow and sleet with sweaty, burning feet. Haven't had more than 200gr since then. But that's me.
As far as trying them on, depends on what you want to wear. I like mountaineering boots, so I hit a couple stores in Anchorage, and even the Evil Empire, REI. Good thing about high end, hand made boots is that they're made on "lasts." For example, I KNOW that a Sportiva Makalu last in 44 or 44.5 fits me like a glove and I can buy a pair unseen on ebay and they'll fit me. That's a good feeling. Find a boot or a last that fits you and you're golden unless you have weird feet. Beyond that, look at what tons of people are wearing and go from there. Lowa Tibets are pretty popular. I've never had a pair on, but with all the guys that wear them, I'd be comfortable buying a pair in 44.5 or 11 maybe and going from there. The Lanthrop guys sound like they're pretty much the gurus on all things boots, so give them a call. I've never gone through them, but I can appreciate how nice a knowledgeable boot source is.
Seasons in a boot? Too many vairables, but I've got a couple pair of Lhotses that are a dozen years old that are beat up, but still intact and huntable. Spend 200 days a year in scree and your boots will last a season or two. I use mine for hunting and trekking, but I'm not in loose shale and scree as much as others are.

I like a shorter boot, above my ankle, but not up onto my shin. But I like a very very stiff and supportive ankle and footbed.

 

[HJ Handy]

I've got a pair of Lowa Sheep Hunter's with 5 hard seasons on them. They have about had it though. I'm afraid I'll have to break in the pair I have waiting in the closet now. They are lightly insulated and do well down to around 32 degrees for me with a good wool sock, they probly have around 200 grams of insulation though mine dont state specifically. Kahtoola KTS crampons fit them well, like they were made for them. Find them around $225.00-$275.00 with some searching.

My dad bought a pair of Danner Full Curl and he likes those a lot, they have a roomy toe box and 400 grams insulation, quite a bit warmer than the Lowa's I currently have. He used them on a two sheep hunts last fall and put about 20 miles on them before the hunts and 50 miles on them during the hunts. They show very little wear and I was surprised at how they held up, enough so that I may consider getting a pair for myself being that they are 400 gram. Dirt, Tundra, Rock, Scree whatever, they held fine. Kahtoola KTS crampons fit those boots well too. There is an older full curl danner boot, not to be confused with their new full curl boot. The newer versions are coming in 3 styles 7'', 8'' and 9'' boots. You con find them for around $225.00 if you do some searching.

I like a 7''-8'' boot with a gaiter for my own hunting. Gaiters aid a little bit with insulation and keep short shallow stream crossing relatively dry, keep pant legs from hiking up in thick brush and crud and keep stuff from getting in. The two boots mentioned here faired well for us with pack loads 40-75 lbs. on extended hikes. I wore mine when I hauled a moose with a few loads I knew for sure broke 100. Insole is important too and often overlooked. Find a good sole for your particular arch with good support rather than just soft cushioning alone, firm support fairs well better than soft cushioning alone. Don't know about the fitting of boots in your area, if your close to Lathrop n Sons I would give them a go.

 

[5MilesBack]

I am of the opinion that any serious outdoorsman absolutely NEEDS multiple pairs of boots. You spend even a couple hours hiking in the snow on a rifle hunt without much insulation, and I don't care how thick your socks are.......your feet are going to freeze. I have used 800gm Thinsulate insulation boots even in mid-summer without any issues, but I always wear a liner sock and then a boot sock. Keeps the moisture away from my feet. Spend enough time in the backcountry and you'll start to see a need for, and appreciate more than one pair of boots to cover your bases.

As for where to buy.......lots of the online places offer free shipping both ways, so you can try them on and if you don't like them....ship them back. I'm really liking my Zamberlan's and Crispi's. Had Kenetrek's and Lowa's too, but sold those. And even more surprisingly are my 11yo Rocky Lynx's which have been great boots and have several hundreds of mountain miles on them and the tread still looks almost new. The uppers are pretty weak at this point, but those are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. And they are still waterproof if I keep them in < 6" of water.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I am of the opinion that any serious outdoorsman absolutely NEEDS multiple pairs of boots. You spend even a couple hours hiking in the snow on a rifle hunt without much insulation, and I don't care how thick your socks are.......your feet are going to freeze. I have used 800gm Thinsulate insulation boots even in mid-summer without any issues, but I always wear a liner sock and then a boot sock. Keeps the moisture away from my feet. Spend enough time in the backcountry and you'll start to see a need for, and appreciate more than one pair of boots to cover your bases.



As for where to buy.......lots of the online places offer free shipping both ways, so you can try them on and if you don't like them....ship them back. I'm really liking my Zamberlan's and Crispi's. Had Kenetrek's and Lowa's too, but sold those. And even more surprisingly are my 11yo Rocky Lynx's which have been great boots and have several hundreds of mountain miles on them and the tread still looks almost new. The uppers are pretty weak at this point, but those are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. And they are still waterproof if I keep them in < 6" of water.

I agree you need multiple sets of boots, but I would strongly suggest to NEVER use 800gm boots during summer or early fall. It may work for some, but that isn't the norm.

 

[Rick Leathley]

I'll Add one thing here. Sweaty wet feet = cold Feet. doesn't matter how much insulation your boots have. I work in Northern Alberta and my boots are rated to -50. I have pretty sweaty feet. Sometimes I get working hard and my feet soak my socks and liners and my feet get cold.

 

[Aron Snyder]

What he said.....

I'll Add one thing here. Sweaty wet feet = cold Feet. doesn't matter how much insulation your boots have. I work in Northern Alberta and my boots are rated to -50. I have pretty sweaty feet. Sometimes I get working hard and my feet soak my socks and liners and my feet get cold.

 

[badkneesbro]

Im just getting into winter hiking. This past fall,(end of October), I was hiking in snow @ about 25* in uninsulated danners, & my feet got cool, but never uncomfortably cold. I was thinking an extra pair of sox would get me down to 0*. What do you guys think? Or should I go with some lite insulation?

 

[ssliger]

If you don't mind the wait for trying on boots,you can use Zappos.com. They offer free shipping both ways. I know a lot of guys who do this if they don't have a good store nearby.

 

[greyghostnw]

i prefer the 8''-9'' range, 6'' feels to short, i think it makes me venerable to the mountain. any taller than 9'' and to me your waisting energy flexing the upper portion of boot with no real benifit to assist you. a boot with a well made lacing system is much more preferred. i prefer a full rand with a shank in my boots. i utilize 3-4 pairs in my seasons for different conditions. insulated has its place as well as non. time on the mountain in different scenerios are the most ideal way to know for the actual user be it that we all are different. i have been really liking the OR expedition croc gaiters, they stay in place, can be found in multicam, coyote brown as well as others. zappos is a great online retailer for boots, free shipping both ways if chosen that route. boots are tough stuff, never ending, good luck.........