Tweener barefoot boot

[dgfavor]

Just buy the Lems summits. They are great. Did about 65 miles in them in 6 days in September. Loved em

Love the Lems for sure but I'll plug the Xero's again - Ridgeways or Scramblers as good tweeners.

 

[jpmulk]

Good picks. I trail run in the scrambler shoe. Loved it it. But I think it’s a bit thin on the bottom for me for a mountain hunting boot. Is the ridgeway thicker bottomed?

 

[dailyherold]

On a side note, anyone find a good pair of minimalist boots that are similar to cowboy boots? I normally wear those when out on the town but even after two weeks I put them on last night and I did not want to wear them. I’d love to find cowboy boots that are zero drops if possible.

Man, I wanna find the same. Nicks boots has the Thurman last which is a wider more natural toe box but don't think any zero drop options. Search for Wellington to see some options there, all real pricey. One day I'll have a pair...or more.

After going the barefoot shape and zero drop shoe route, I'm much more sensitive to pointy toe boxes than some padding or drop. Nearly all daily wears are now Xero/jimgreen/vivo, but for my nicer boots and dress shoes still trying to find replacements.

 

[dgfavor]

Good picks. I trail run in the scrambler shoe. Loved it it. But I think it’s a bit thin on the bottom for me for a mountain hunting boot. Is the ridgeway thicker bottomed?

I haven't worn the Scramblers - my buddy had a pair. My sense is the Ridgeway's have more stack and substance but I do not know for sure. I wore my Ridgeway's in rough, rocky sheep country and only swapped out because of the lack of grip, not a lack of shoe. As in all things footwear YMMV.

Certainly not Western boots but I have the Xero Chelsea's that could probably pass scrutiny of the unknowing...but get your azz kicked at the rodeo beer garden.

 

[elkhunter505]

Just an update for any of yall looking to get into the Tracker ESCs. Find myself wearing them everyday and not wanting to take them off. Did a 3 mile trip to recover a study animal with a bunch of snow and while I was sore the next day, it wore off pretty quick. For context I did lots of work in bighorn sheep territory in rocky s2v boots so I’m guessing my feet are probably relatively strengthened from that time. If it keeps going like this, I’ll likely not need the tweener boot. Only time will tell though.

 

[Radford]

Jim green barefoot troopers for sure. Great boot.

 

[Lamb]

I've been reading a tonne of post on here about barefoot boots for several days now. I've been wearing barefoot style casual shoes for 3 or 4 years now but am required to wear very heavy, stiff boots at work which limits my ability to work on my feet day to day.

I'm my casual shoes I can put a 40lb vest on and walk the dog several times a week. The only issue I get a a bruised feeling (not actually bruised) uner my heel.

My question is with time and the correct pair of boots can this go away. More specifically can you reasonably carry heavy packs for multiple days on a back country hunt? How does side hilling work or feel in barefoot type boots? I'm interested but very hesitant to go too far.

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers.

 

[jpmulk]

I've been reading a tonne of post on here about barefoot boots for several days now. I've been wearing barefoot style casual shoes for 3 or 4 years now but am required to wear very heavy, stiff boots at work which limits my ability to work on my feet day to day.

I'm my casual shoes I can put a 40lb vest on and walk the dog several times a week. The only issue I get a a bruised feeling (not actually bruised) uner my heel.

My question is with time and the correct pair of boots can this go away. More specifically can you reasonably carry heavy packs for multiple days on a back country hunt? How does side hilling work or feel in barefoot type boots? I'm interested but very hesitant to go too far.

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers.

I’m new to the zero drop/minimalist shoe world. Last season was my first with zero drop boots. Where I settled was on a boot that is not a barefoot boot. I went with the Lems summit boot. It is zero drop, flexible, with a large toe box. However it has enough cushion that I was able to protect my feet in gnarly terrain day after day. Highly recommend.

I tried going with a true barefoot boot (vivo tracker) and for me, after one 9 mile hike in rocky terrain, I decided this would not be sustainable. Especially with a heavy load.