You've Made the Switch to 0 Drop - Did you go back

[Bulldawg]

I have to get new boots, for the last 12 years I've been wearing heavier, stiffer boots like La Sportiva, and Meindls. I've gotten to the point where the narrower toe of those boots bothers me more and more. I've also been wearing zero drop shoes for my everyday and running, and I've noticed it seems that there is a cult like following building on some zero drop shoes like the vivo trackers.

My question is, for those of you that have made the change from a more traditional mountain boot to a zero drop lighter boot, have you gone back or thought of going back? Did you have any issues in terrain?

My believe my options I'm choosing between are the Altra lone peaks and the meindl air revolution's (These are probably my favorite boots i've had over the last 12 years, they were discontinued from cabelas years ago and now back for the last couple years).

 

[SouthPaw]

No, I can't go back. Traditional shoes/hunting boots now hurt my feet. Every set of footwear I had needed to be replaced. It's an investment but the long term benefits are worth it.

No issues in terrain, even in nasty stuff with heavy loads. Building up your connective tissue and foot strength once out of the casts that are hunting boots, you'll be better able to support yourself on slopes and rough ground. Best part is your feet don't get that end of day sore after long days of hunting in terrain.

 

[Lawnboi]

I did similar to you. Used stiff boots for years, both hunting and at work. Switched to minimal or zero drop running shoes, and now am on the barefoot boot train.

So far my feet have felt better than they ever have in my mountaineering boots. Though it took years to get where I am. My feet feel stronger.

The hardest part is the lack of viable hunting boots in the barefoot space.

 

[LongWayAround]

I love the lone peaks but don't wear them hunting. The new lone peak 9's look pretty solid though.

 

[TheCougar]

Vivobarefoot. This year I’m going to bring both my Crispi Nevadas and my Vivos and see how they do. I think I can get by day hunting with them. I doubt I’ll be packing out a bull with the barefoot boots, though. I’m not ready.

 

[Walkstoomuch]

I've been wearing Schnees Timberlines for the past 5 years. Switched to Altra Lone Peak mids this summer while scouting and training with weighted pack. So far they've been great, durability is a factor. I paired them with the Altra running lightweight gaiters after a couple hikes.