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.

 

[OldGrayJB]

I prefer taller boots. My feet and calves get fatigued easily when I have a heavy pack on with very flexible shoes. It seems the stiff, tall boots help transfer the work to my quads.

 

[TaperPin]

Lower topped “hiking” boots are all I use, but they do require gaiters in any amount of snow or even vegetation seeds or parts that can get into the tops of the boots. Higher tops aren’t bad, but do add weight and doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate as easily if the weather is hot. Working in the woods, nothing beats a 10” thick leather top of good quality work boots like Whites or Nicks. Most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn, but they are heavy.

 

[persianrug]

8" or 10". Logging style boots (Frank's, Wesco, Nick's, etc.) feel the best on my feet and shorter boots feel like they're cutting into my legs.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

I have some really nice Lowas that are tall, but find myself grabbing my hoka hiking boots everytime I head out the door. If it snows I use gaiters

 

[ThorM465]

I use the crispi hunters for colder hunts and the altitudes for warmer weather and hikes. I wouldn't have it any other way.