Why do ALL hunting boots hate my feet

[snopro176]

The more money i spend on boots the worse they are. Its not heel rub or a tight foot box or anything, its just a general ache. Ive run scarpas, lowas, hanwags, multiple crispis and no matter what, my feet ache just being in them. Like driving to the mtns does it before i even get hiking. Insoles help but not a full blown cure. I’ve tried everything from super stiff scarpas to crispi laponnias and that didn’t make a difference. I can put on a brand new pair of the same old $140 wolverine work boot and have absolutely zero problems for 16hrs a day. But the second I put on a hunting specific boot, it’s game over. I just took my crispies off after wearing them for about three hours and my feet are absolutely killing me and I did nothing but do yardwork. What in the heck gives you guys???


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[NRA4LIFE]

Have you ever got a good width measurement? That was my problem. Thought I was an E, turns out to be more like 6E.

 

[grfox92]

The more money i spend on boots the worse they are. Its not heel rub or a tight foot box or anything, its just a general ache. Ive run scarpas, lowas, hanwags, multiple crispis and no matter what, my feet ache just being in them. Like driving to the mtns does it before i even get hiking. Insoles help but not a full blown cure. I’ve tried everything from super stiff scarpas to crispi laponnias and that didn’t make a difference. I can put on a brand new pair of the same old $140 wolverine work boot and have absolutely zero problems for 16hrs a day. But the second I put on a hunting specific boot, it’s game over. I just took my crispies off after wearing them for about three hours and my feet are absolutely killing me and I did nothing but do yardwork. What in the heck gives you guys???


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My wife told me when I was trying to find boots that fit my feet, that she's never seen anything like it. Every single pair of boots I tried didn't work.

Until I started trying mountain boots I never in my life owned a pair of shoes or boots that "didn't work for my feet."

Kennetrek Mountain Extremes with Leuko tape on my heels is the answer. Lowa tibets have been good also but not great for me side hilling.

Its a struggle man.

Salmon Quests seem to work for almost anyone, but they arent really waterproof.

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[7mm-08]

I think that if I were you (after having tried like it sounds all the brands you listed) I would consider going to a custom boot maker. I'm not sure who to reccomend to you, but they have to exist and I'll bet there is someone else on Rokslide who has the same issue. Hope they jump in and give you some direction.

 

[ianpadron]

I've worn just about every brand and style of boot made, various crispi options were the best I found but they still beat me up pretty good after a week of hunting.

Started thinking about the fact that my feet never bug me when hiking in the off-season in trail runners...so gave minimalist boots a shot this season. Likely the biggest epiphany I'll ever have gear wise, it was that big of a gamechanger. The thought of wearing a clunky, stiff, "mountain boot" makes me want to puke now.

At least worth reading up on the subject, as you're not alone in your predicament, and many have solved it by going zero drop, minimalist style

 

[snopro176]

Have you ever got a good width measurement? That was my problem. Thought I was an E, turns out to be more like 6E.

I did have them mapped actually and theyre nothing special, wide but not quite E. Trail shoes and gaiters has been a sweet gig but that only works for me during archery for the most part

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[snopro176]

I've worn just about every brand and style of boot made, various crispi options were the best I found but they still beat me up pretty good after a week of hunting.

Started thinking about the fact that my feet never bug me when hiking in the off-season in trail runners...so gave minimalist boots a shot this season. Likely the biggest epiphany I'll ever have gear wise, it was that big of a gamechanger. The thought of wearing a clunky, stiff, "mountain boot" makes me want to puke now.

At least worth reading up on the subject, as you're not alone in your predicament, and many have solved it by going zero drop, minimalist style

I have some altra zero drop running shoes that actually work pretty good but i get an occasional Achilles pain, where i wont get with a 4mm drop shoe. Shoes and gaiters is what got me through bow season last year but i wish i could just make a boot work for me.


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[Wapiti151]

What’s your system look like, are you breaking them in effectively, too thick of socks? Also I’d give Kenetrek a hard look, their mountain boot, and also their new-ish bridger high. Didn’t see them on your list, and they are great boots. Everyone is different and boots are tough, Kenetreks have worked great for me, but they do take a good 25-50 miles to REALLY break on. They kill my feet to for the first 25ish, but after that they start really shining. You could also try Shnees and Lathrop & Son…L&S makes you semi custom boots for your feet and measurements that you send in if I remember correctly, have never tried them personally though. Crispis kill my feet, similar to what you are explaining, even after break in. I have a very wide foot though. After finding the right stiff mountain boot, I’ll never wear anything else in the mountains.

 

[TylerTheTerrible]

Hanwag didn't work for me. Danners were okay. Schnee's are the best hunting boot for me. I'd check them out if you can

 

[khart_6882]

Dude, unless it’s super wet just wear sneakers. One day I forgot my boots when I was packing in salt and cameras in as steep and rugged as country as you can find. I just wore a pair of inov8 trail runners and couldn’t believe how much better my feet felt compared to wearing boots

 

[Seeknelk]

Probably too narrow of boots if they are hurting like that.
So many times after really big, hard days in the mountains, after coming back to the truck it feels SOOO incredible to take off the boots! Even if they didn't really hurt during the day, they are like wearing a stupid cast sometimes!
I thought that it was stupid and backwards, that I couldn't wait to remove these $$$$$$ boots!

I've been wearing vivo trackers quite a while and love em. Occasionally I "need" to wear my crispis so I can use crampons.

 

[snopro176]

Probably too narrow of boots if they are hurting like that.
So many times after really big, hard days in the mountains, after coming back to the truck it feels SOOO incredible to take off the boots! Even if they didn't really hurt during the day, they are like wearing a stupid cast sometimes!
I thought that it was stupid and backwards, that I couldn't wait to remove these $$$$$$ boots!

I've been wearing vivo trackers quite a while and love em. Occasionally I "need" to wear my crispis so I can use crampons.

The set of lowas i had was EE, got em used on here and still ached


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[CorbLand]

If I wear my boots on flat ground they kill my feet. I only wear them for the time I will actually be hiking.

I wear crocs driving to and from the trailhead. There is no way I would wear them for general yard work.

Do they hurt your feet when you’re actually hiking in them or just when you stop?

 

[Jethro]

Wear your comfortable $140 Wolverine boots while hunting.

 

[survivalistd]

Check out Lathrop and sons. They can custom make your boots. I Love mine!!

 

[P Carter]

Why do you keep trying boots that don’t work? There’s nothing magic about hunting boots.

It seems like you’re working this from the wrong end. Find something that works for you, perhaps trail running shoes or your work boots.

In fact, Wouldn’t it be far better if you didn’t need expensive hunting boots to hunt in?

The goal is to hunt comfortably—not to wear a particular type of boots, right?

 

[JasonM]

Lacing too tight? I need to pay attention to my zone lacing personally. For me it can make about anything hurt my feet in different ways.

 

[gtriple]

I have some altra zero drop running shoes that actually work pretty good but i get an occasional Achilles pain, where i wont get with a 4mm drop shoe. Shoes and gaiters is what got me through bow season last year but i wish i could just make a boot work for me.


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You’ve got to wear zero drop shoes a LOT to stretch your Achilles. I wear Whitins from Amazon just around town. They are cheap, wide, and zero drop with decent but not too much cushion.

 

[willfrye027]

Have you tried a less supportive and more flexible boot? I went down the fancy boot rabbit hole only to come crawling back to my Solomon mids. Unless it’s soaking wet or deep snow that’s all I wear..my feet are just not willing yo adapt to a stiff “mountain” I also get foot aches and blisters if I’m not careful with socks and moisture management.

IMO the stiff boot thing is a farce unless you have some bad orthopedic issues or something. Feet are designed to be flexible it feels unnatural to constrict movement for me.

 

[bigbulls]

Wow I'm glad this thread was started. I thought I was alone in this. I have at least 6 pairs of like new higher end hunting boots that I keep thinking I need to get rid of. I keep thinking something is wrong with me or my feet (well maybe there is). I keep going back to my cheaper Merrell that I wear daily and for hunting.