Why do ALL hunting boots hate my feet

[Fireflyfishing]

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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Altra sells “hiking” boots with Gor-Tex. I used them most of last year in MT rifle season and moved them to the front of the list for my hunting boots. Zero drop. Feels like I can run around the mountain…with no pain. For me, no need for aftermarket insoles. I call them my ninja slippers.
The Timp model has more cushioning.

 

[Buglebrush]

Crispi Nevada Wide a 1/2 size up was the answer after years of searching for me

 

[wind gypsy]

I tried a pile of boots to get to what works for me too. Heel blisters were biggest culprit with most. I've found some that generally work well with minor discomfort spots. Zamberlan 980s are great expect a little narrow by my pinky toe. Hoffman 10" hunter feel great by after a big week of hunting i have numb big toes for months after. La Spotiva trango trek for lighter days with less steeps.

To me boots can be like hockey skates used to be. Might take a little time for my feet to get conditioned to the boot as much as it is boot break in before my feet are comfortable. I dont spend near as much time in the hills/mountains as I used to so it takes some time each year just to condition my feet to hunting boots.. I have bitch feet and really enjoy extra support if doing a lot of off trail walking in rough country.

 

[satchamo]

I’m plagued with bony pointed heels which I found out is something called a haglunds deformity so every boot id try would have a blister on my heel in nothing flat or I would slowly get them at a minimum.

The only boots that have worked for me were the hanwag alverstones and it’s only because of how much flex the ankle has. If a boot is stiff up the heel I can’t wear it.

Solomon quests work IF I Leukotape my heel.

 

[snopro176]

Altra sells “hiking” boots with Gor-Tex. I used them most of last year in MT rifle season and moved them to the front of the list for my hunting boots. Zero drop. Feels like I can run around the mountain…with no pain. For me, no need for aftermarket insoles. I call them my ninja slippers.
The Timp model has more cushioning.

I actually ran the timp 5 trail shoes last year and loved the comfort until i had to come down hill with a pack on, my feet were sliding all over in that roomy tow box, got real unstable. Ill check the boots tho. I was thinking solomon speedcross’s this year


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[HackKickthrust]

Man reading threads like this really make me appreciate never having foot issues it sounds like a nightmare. I even have two different sized feet so if I buy 12s one foot is loose and if I buy 11.5 one is tight. I wear nicks 10" boots for work flip flops or cowboy boots doing stuff. I backpacked and hunted in salomons, danners, xero, Merrell, last seasons pair was the hanwag makra. Ive had like 3 blisters my whole life.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I actually ran the timp 5 trail shoes last year and loved the comfort until i had to come down hill with a pack on, my feet were sliding all over in that roomy tow box, got real unstable. Ill check the boots tho. I was thinking solomon speedcross’s this year


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I have a wider foot than what you listed. That may help me? You might throw in some super feet in soles to tighten them up?

 

[bjork]

Moccasins

 

[theguyfrommontana]

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?

This! For the past 2 seasons ive ran a set of kenetreks and they've torn up my heels and outside toes, ive tried other stiffer boots before with the same results. I'd had enough of it so last year i tried a set of trail shoes and my feet didnt hurt or get torn up. Granted, I didn't feel like i had as much ankle support and maybe sacrificed a bit of waterproofing but i dont think i can go back to stiff boots again after that!

 

[P Carter]

This! For the past 2 seasons ive ran a set of kenetreks and they've torn up my heels and outside toes, ive tried other stiffer boots before with the same results. I'd had enough of it so last year i tried a set of trail shoes and my feet didnt hurt or get torn up. Granted, I didn't feel like i had as much ankle support and maybe sacrificed a bit of waterproofing but i dont think i can go back to stiff boots again after that!

My feet get wet, and they get sore packing out heavy loads. It's a tradeoff I gladly accept. No blisters, no discomfort (other than with heavy loads), less fatigue, much quieter, much less expensive, and multi-use. Probably not appropriate for every hunt...but they've worked for every hunt I've gone on.

 

[snopro176]

Ive got no issues with trail shoes believe me. Being able to wear them a lot outside of hunting is nice too. I just wouldnt mind something more robust at times. Id love to wear work boots but on inclines with s pack on, no way


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[ResearchinStuff]

You gotta try the vivo forest tracker escs. They are all terrain slippers and I love them.