Without getting too down in the weeds. Mapped rugged protection that would allow for more flexibility because you can use softer material in between the rugged sections. Good deep lugs without the climbing section and little ridges on those lugs. A rubber compound that balances cold sloppy conditions with reasonable durability. More utilization of injection molding but with more flexibility than what we’re used to. Real anatomical shaped lasts, WIDE WITHS!!!!!!!!!!!! More options bigger than a size 11. Everything exists just not widely available in one package, we’re compromising too much.
I'm just not buying into this. There is a huge variety of boots available on the market and many of these bootmakers have been in business for generations.
In terms of "hunting specific", there's just nothing that hunters need that's not available on the market.
The only difference between a backpacker and a hunter is that hunters spend more time off trail and tend to carry heavier loads. Wildlands firefighters also carry very heavy loads and spend time off trail. Off trail is addressed with a full rand which a host of companies offer. There are at least 2 brands that come to mind, Schnees and Crispi, that primarily cater to hunters above other user groups and market their boots as "hunting boots"
When you get into goat and sheep hunting, you may need a mountaineering style boot. Other than that, its all fit and preference.
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Removing the climbing section from the lugs? Have you lost your damn mind? Are you not in fact spending most of your time climbing when Western hunting? This rather undoes your criticism out of the gate. No one on this forum, not one single member is going to levy a complaint about the fact that their lug design features climbing traction under the toes.
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Rubber compounds? I'd say every reputable brand on the market has at least one line of boot that does just that. If you start blending compounds too much, you'll get uneven wear. I can't say I've ever fielded a complaint about any of the compounds on any of the reputable boots I've owned and I live in the Western mountains and use boots, including boots with winter compounds on them, year around.
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More flexibility than what we are used to? That's a personal preference. I personally prefer softer flexing boots, but also own some stiffer boots for burlier situations.
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More options bigger than size 11? Seriously? What brand stops making boots at size 12? I'm a size 13 and have never had an issue finding a design for a boot in my size. I'd say limitations start after size 13, but, like the big fella above, you are getting into the sub 2% of the population when you get into size 14 and bigger.
There's no such thing as putting out the perfect boot for everyone. Feet vary in shape too much and preferences are wildly all over the map. What is the perfect boot for me may be terrible for you. You're presenting this as if we are missing some singular solution. The solution is to offer a wide variety of designs, fit, flex and features and let people find what works best for them and their particular needs. There will always be statistical outliers -people with very problematically shaped feet and with a size 21. While expensive and unfortunate, statistical outliers will often have to resort to custom boots as you just can't reasonably mass produce something that fits them.
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