Tall boot vs shorter… What do you like and why?

[NEPkaspot]

Not a brand discussion but a boot height question for mountain hunters. Pros and cons of a 10” hunting boot vs 6/7” or low hiker and why you like what you like.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

I was told 30 years ago you need tall, full leather, stiff support boots for mountain hunting. Fast forward 30 years and with an average of 60+ nights in the mountains every year I now use low (running shoe to hiking height) synthetics for most of the year and transition to mid (hiking to 8”) high synthetic boots for late season in the snow. I also trail run in the Cascades logging 500-1000 miles a year. For that I use the low running shoes.

My reasoning:
- Lower footwear with a flex rating of 1-3 flex better in super steep terrain and eliminate heel blisters for me.
- Lower footwear breathes better or at least vents heat quicker which greatly helps in eliminating hot spots/sweaty feet that will then blister easier.
- Lower footwear will dry quicker when wet. I use Graksaw boot dryers run off a battery pack or solar charger when they get wet.
- Lower synthetic footwear designed for trail running/hiking lasts about two seasons, but they also cost less, usually under $200 dollars. Many times I can get them on sale for under $100.
- Lower footwear combined with trekking poles provides more than enough ankle support in the steepest, rocky terrain you will walk on. My kids and I packed out 3 bears, 3 deer and 2 elk this year with distances from 2-7 miles in WA/ID mountains.
- When I am on gravel or areas pine needles will get in my boots I run low gaiters.
- When I will be crossing streams I wear or put on knee high gaiters which keeps water out of my boots.
With all that said, I am a true believer in tossing factory insoles and upgrading to a better quality foot bed. I use Superfeet with a carbon plate (hiking version) and get two to three seasons out of them and can switch between boots.

 

[brancher147]

Most the difference is weight to me. When I am deer hunting in very steep rocky terrain, which is a lot, I prefer a 9 or 10” stiff mountain boot. Run and gun turkey season I wear a lower cut lighter boot. 10” leather boot is nice when in rattlesnake country just a little added protection.

 

[NEPkaspot]

Great points to consider. Thanks for the response!

 

[Fitz]

I was told 30 years ago you need tall, full leather, stiff support boots for mountain hunting. Fast forward 30 years and with an average of 60+ nights in the mountains every year I now use low (running shoe to hiking height) synthetics for most of the year and transition to mid (hiking to 8”) high synthetic boots for late season in the snow. I also trail run in the Cascades logging 500-1000 miles a year. For that I use the low running shoes.

My reasoning:
- Lower footwear with a flex rating of 1-3 flex better in super steep terrain and eliminate heel blisters for me.
- Lower footwear breathes better or at least vents heat quicker which greatly helps in eliminating hot spots/sweaty feet that will then blister easier.
- Lower footwear will dry quicker when wet. I use Graksaw boot dryers run off a battery pack or solar charger when they get wet.
- Lower synthetic footwear designed for trail running/hiking lasts about two seasons, but they also cost less, usually under $200 dollars. Many times I can get them on sale for under $100.
- Lower footwear combined with trekking poles provides more than enough ankle support in the steepest, rocky terrain you will walk on. My kids and I packed out 3 bears, 3 deer and 2 elk this year with distances from 2-7 miles in WA/ID mountains.
- When I am on gravel or areas pine needles will get in my boots I run low gaiters.
- When I will be crossing streams I wear or put on knee high gaiters which keeps water out of my boots.
With all that said, I am a true believer in tossing factory insoles and upgrading to a better quality foot bed. I use Superfeet with a carbon plate (hiking version) and get two to three seasons out of them and can switch between boots.

What low synthetic hiking boots are you running?

 

[dgfavor]

I was told 30 years ago you need tall, full leather, stiff support boots for mountain hunting. Fast forward 30 years and with an average of 60+ nights in the mountains every year I now use low (running shoe to hiking height) synthetics for most of the year and transition to mid (hiking to 8”) high synthetic boots for late season in the snow. I also trail run in the Cascades logging 500-1000 miles a year. For that I use the low running shoes.

My reasoning:
- Lower footwear with a flex rating of 1-3 flex better in super steep terrain and eliminate heel blisters for me.
- Lower footwear breathes better or at least vents heat quicker which greatly helps in eliminating hot spots/sweaty feet that will then blister easier.
- Lower footwear will dry quicker when wet. I use Graksaw boot dryers run off a battery pack or solar charger when they get wet.
- Lower synthetic footwear designed for trail running/hiking lasts about two seasons, but they also cost less, usually under $200 dollars. Many times I can get them on sale for under $100.
- Lower footwear combined with trekking poles provides more than enough ankle support in the steepest, rocky terrain you will walk on. My kids and I packed out 3 bears, 3 deer and 2 elk this year with distances from 2-7 miles in WA/ID mountains.
- When I am on gravel or areas pine needles will get in my boots I run low gaiters.
- When I will be crossing streams I wear or put on knee high gaiters which keeps water out of my boots.
With all that said, I am a true believer in tossing factory insoles and upgrading to a better quality foot bed. I use Superfeet with a carbon plate (hiking version) and get two to three seasons out of them and can switch between boots.

Ditto...except I'm not a trekking pole fan and don't care for the structured, engineered insoles...I use Run619 insoles in my shoes. IME, the less shoe I wear, the less next shoe I wanna wear.

What low synthetic hiking boots are you running?

I've been using Topos and Xeros last two years and happy with 'em.

Above said, I did just order a pair of Lems Brecks which look pretty bootlike. . I was looking for something more winter/snow oriented, I've had multiple Lems in past and liked em. I doubt I'll lace up all the way. We'll see.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

What low synthetic hiking boots are you running?

The three main boots/shoes I am wearing are listed below. The LA Sportiva have been absolutely my favorite boot.

LA Sportiva - Nucleo High II
Altra - Timp Hiker and Lone Peak

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Ditto...except I'm not a trekking pole fan and don't care for the structured, engineered insoles...I use Run619 insoles in my shoes. IME, the less shoe I wear, the less next shoe I wanna wear.


I've been using Topos and Xeros last two years and happy with 'em.

Above said, I did just order a pair of Lems Brecks which look pretty bootlike. . I was looking for something more winter/snow oriented, I've had multiple Lems in past and liked em. I doubt I'll lace up all the way. We'll see.

I agree completely on minimal shoes, however my feet can’t take the sharp rocks over long distance runs through the mountains. On hiking trails they are great. I have found on long distance backcountry hunts that can end in a heavy haul out I do prefer a shoe/boot with more structure. This is where the insoles come in for me. I don’t use them in my running shoes.

 

[ozyclint]

I like 10" and use it for just about everything.

 

[rbutcher1234]

Low barefoot boots (at or no higher than ankle) and gaiters to keep stuff out. Better flexibility, better feeling of the ground, fastest movement.

I am also not in an alpine environment, but I wouldn’t change what I was doing if I was save for the warmth factor.