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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: centaur on February 24, 2010, 07:54:00 AM
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The time has come yet again for a new pair of medium weight hikers. I go through at least a pair a year, and would love to find something that would have a bit more longevity. Anybody out there have any luck finding a boot that will withstand 1000 plus miles in a year in rocky terrain, or am I dreaming? I have ended up buying boots in the $80 range for the last few years, since the $120+ boots didn't seem to last any longer. What are your experiences?
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I used to walk through a pair of Rocky's or Cabela's brand hunting boots each year. Finally in 2003 I bit the bullet and bought a pair of Russell's (the TLC Woodcock all leather boot). These boots have been all over, including elk country in MT several times, British Columbia, Victoria Island in the NWT (nothing but rocks there) and in the Basalt/sand country of Australia. They are also my go-to whitetail boots and I put on LOTS of miles year round scouting. I need to send them in this spring to have them resoled as I've walked them smooth, but the leather is as new, and they only get better with age. I grease them regularly with Montana pitch blend. Bought a second pair 4 years ago (insulated) that I use later season.
They are pricey ($300-400), but my first pair has outlasted $600-700 worth of Rockys and I don't see and end to them.
Ryan
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Centaur,
I have had great luck with Hi-Tec boots. I don't hunt rocky terrian, however, I wear them all spring, summmer, fall, walking fields for work. I also use them for early season deer hunting.
One pair usually last me 3-4 years of hard use (1000plus miles).
I have worn everything from custom made White's, Mendels, and Danners. The Hi-Tec's last as long, at a fraction of the cost of the others.
chris <><
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Danner - I have about 9 zillion miles on mine and have worn through 2 sets of vibram.
Matt
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I usually wear Danner Pronghorns. They are comfortable but I have had trouble with the goretex leaking water after one season. The boots are fine but my feet get wet.
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Cazbelas is discontinuing their Mountain hunter series made in Italy they still have some in stock. $269.00 I believe. These are hard to beat for rocky country. I have three pair of them, dang comfortable. The other good option is Vasque Alpines but they are $400.00 or so. All good boots that should give you years of service if looked after. $80.00 boots and mountain terrain don't go together in my book. In rough country especially carrying a pack you need good ankle support/protection.
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The pronghorns just don't fit my feet well.....AND....they've leaked since day 1.
I've had awesome experiences with Vasque sundowners. I'm on my 4th pair, since 1995.
I'm in the market, also, and I'll be watching this thread. I need to go ahead and get a pair (and get them broken in) for a CO elk hunt in Sept.. I think I've narrowed it down to the Vasque's and the Kennetrek Mtn. Light hunters.
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I have a pair of Mindel's from Cabela's that are doing great after three seasons of mountain hunts plus who knows what in between. I doubt I'm up to a 1,000 miles, but they look like they have plenty more left in them. I wore them all week in Texas this month through mud, rain and snow the entire week and never once had wet feet. Most leather boots won't keep water out very well after the first few uses, but these are doing great.
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I primarily wear Lowa's (Tibet) but I've had a couple of pairs of Montrail Torre's which are less pricey.
Buy the boot that feels good to YOU and assume that some day it will probably wear out.
Good deal on a nice boot (they also carry it in a wide sizing):
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___19440
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got to go with kenetreks, try some on and you will see why they are so much money$$$.
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The cabelas Mountain hunter is made by exact same company as Kenetrek and is $100.00 cheaper. You'll only find them online in sale items but great deal while they last, if they have your size. They come insulated and non insulated.
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Keep 'em coming guys. I tried Danners years ago but they were always too narrow for my feet. Hi Tecs are comfortable, but I destroy them in a few months. Maybe I just need to open up my wallet and drop some serious cash; it does seem that you get what you pay for.
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Ive had good luck with Danner and Lacrosse for rubber my terrain in lower Michigan is probably different than your needs in Wyoming though.
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Just got some ASOLO'S use them in rocky country. and I am picky about boots. they are good ones
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My favorite boot for mountain hunting is the Lowa Ranger. They're a little pricey but they definitely will last and are comfortable. I've been through a lot of boots over the years(Danners, Vasque, Merrill, and Cabelas) and these Lowas are the best for me. The Danner Pronghorns are pretty good boots too. My experience with the gore-tex liner is that they will all leak eventually when they are soaked for extended periods, such as walking through wet undergrowth all day. I think they start leaking when the pores in the gore-tex get full of mud and such. If you have a place where you can put on a few different brands and try them out it could save you some money.
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I've got a pair of the aforementioned Cabela's by Meindl with the "perfekt" footbed and they are very comfortable. I probably have around 300 miles on them and they are hoding up well. I generally prefer a lighter boot and my go to pair for warm weatehr hunting and hiking is the Lowa Goretex Mid. I'm on my 4th pair and they are the most comfortable boot I've ever worn. They wear like a running shoe but hold up like a boot. They're light weight, but I've put crampons on them to get through ice and snow in the spring mountains.
Lots of good stuff out there.
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My fav by far is the Asolo TP535, all leather, non GT so they breathe, and still are quite waterproof. I find if a boot is too long wearing it tends to be noisy and slippery.
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Oakley's. I have had my tactical oakley's since fall of 2006. They made it through lots of miles in Iraq. They made it through bridgeport mountain training. They aren't waterproof, but I absolutely love'em. There still going strong. I wish that I could replace the soles because they are finally wearing out.
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I have had good luck with Danners and I have the same problem with the width.I can't wear their regular's but they come in a wide.That is what I have to use.If you haven't already,you should try the wide.I also have a pair of Asolo's that have been real good.
I have been hearing so much good stuff about Kennetrek that they are definitely going to be my next boot.
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I'm currently breaking in a pair of Danner 453 GTX's. So far they have been handling the snow and mud here in Montana just fine. Took a bow hike yesterday in the Beartooth Mountains and theTFX soles seem to be stout and grippy. No problems with leakage up to this point. They are an all leather boot and they are requiring a decent break in period. So far so good.
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Meindl, Meindl, Meindl .....I bought a pair of Russels and the soles became detached after one 5 day elk hunting trip on easy ground. No better luck with Danners. The Meindl boots are the "Gold Standard".
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Out of curiosity, what have you been buying??
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I had a pair of the Danner (Made in US type) lace to the toe, resoleable that lasted 12 years. Just bought a pair of Pronghorns (13 wide) they are great. I will bye another pair of the US made, resoleable type.
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I have had good luck with lowas. I have a pair of Limmers that I wouldn't trade for nothing. If you buy the danners get the US made ones or you will be replacing them too. It will take some time to break the limmers in but its worth it
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Meindl perfekt hiker. I have used Vasque, Danner, Red Wing, Chippewa, Rocky; none of these compare to the Meindl in my opinion.
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I've done the Danner's, Vasque, and others. The Asolo's hold up year after year, are great fitting and comfortable right out of the box, and have good ankle support. I bought a second pair when they came on sale as backups.
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If you can stand to break in a pair of boots (or have your foot broken in) Hawethorne's made by White's are tough. They are a wildland fire boot that I have been very happy with. I have had them nine years and they got way more than weekend use including fighting fires, mountaineering, and Hells Canyon hunting. I never worried about this boot failing. Not the most comfortable boot out there but it has made up for it in durability.
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What strange names for foot wear, many I have never heard of, where does one find the
"Meindl perfekt hiker" ?
Also, what height boot do you prefer? 8", 10" 12?
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I have allways worn vasque because I like the way they fit my foot. They do wear out faster then most but having something that fits my foot properly and gives the suport I want is more what I want out of a boot. I think that is more important then how long they last. Although both would be great.
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Asolo for me.
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Originally posted by PrarrieDog:
What strange names for foot wear, many I have never heard of, where does one find the
"Meindl perfekt hiker" ?
Also, what height boot do you prefer? 8", 10" 12?
cabelas carries several of the boots mentioned
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I have had great luck with Merrills over the years.
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Just for reference.....if you've had a bad exp. with Vasque's.....which model?
The sundowner is the only one I've tried from them.
I'm on my 4th pair.
Thanks.
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Miendels....that's my recommendation
They are awesome
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Vasque no longer makes the sundowner. I liked them so well that I bought three pair in the nineties. After about ten years they shrunk a little. I got about four miles away from camp and my feet started hurting. I ended up doing nerve damage. That was four years ago. They haven't fully recovered yet. I tried the new version similar to the sundowner and didn't like the fit. I ended up buying danner expeditions. I like the aggressive soul. Gary
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Kenetrec or Meindle. If I had to pick only one the Kenetrec. H
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Sage....
Is this not the sundowner?
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/SearchResultsDisplay?storeId=10208&catalogId=10000001&langId=-1&searchDisplay=1&cmCat=-10020&searchTerm=sundowner
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I don't know the model of Vasque that I last bought. It had an all leather upper. I had two pair, back to back, that I separated the soles on. When I finally went back to REI I put the return toward a pair of Asolo 520's and never looked back. Better support, comfort, over all quality.
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Yes,Italian climbing/mountain boots are very well made with a solid alpine tradiction.
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I live very closw to the mountains and the 3 major peaks of Europe are 1 hour drive from my home.We like to walk in the mountains and I have friends that spend every week-end walking and climbing then hunting on season.If you are in the need of a great traction on rocky,iced slippery ground the best boots don't last more than a single season on the foot of the hardcores 2 or 3 maximum for the dedicated ones and a lifetime for the lazy guys.
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Just throwing this out there. 450.00 is about as cheap as you are gonna get a custom bow. I think that is a great deal. Yet when it comes to spending 30.00 on broadheads or 100.00 on arrows we back up and say wait that's too much! Then we look at boots and try to go cheap on the most important part of our setup. If you can't get there to hunt then you don't need the rest of the equipment. I beleive that the only ones who can afford cheap equipment is rich folks cause it has to be replaced over and over again. Now I have replaced alot of boots until I finally spent some money on the Lowa's and the Limmer's. Ymmv. I hope you find a pair that works for you.
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Hatchchaser makes a great point. Any backcountry type hunts depends on your feet. Why skimp there. I'm breaking in a new pair of boots now for fall. I feel funny wearing big mountain hikers to work - but when Oct. rolls around - sweet! H
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I am on my second pair of Meindl boots. The first pair lasted forever and had the best lace eyes -very rugged.
What I like about the Meindl is they offer a boot with a nice balance of height, non-insulated ruggedness without going to a full on mountaineering like boot (heavy). The gore-tex in both my pairs was excellent. Never a leak. Even after 5yrs.
The current model I hunt with is the one between the Perfect Hiker and the Alaskan boot and I think its a great boot, but the lace hooks are certainly a step down in quality and ruggedness.
If you hook one partially (like when half asleep in the pre-dawn camp) you will bend out the eye hook. For a 250.00+ boot thats unaccepatable IMO. I don't feel you should have to be careful how you lace a boot that is supposed to be top of the line rugged.
Its good points are very good leather, great torsional resistance and offered in wide sizes. They protect your ankles form rock bruises, and allow you to get into about 5 or 6 inches of water before it starts to top over the GTX.
I think its of value to look at the lighter less expensive boots as suggested. A few of them are a great value but there are some dogs in there amoung them! I know 350.00 and up boots are great too, but we all have to draw the line someplace. I don't NEED a boot like that anymore. If I was in the woods 330 days a year it would be different...
Joshua
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Love my shoes and boots unless they don't fit or wear well. The older I get, the more I spend on footwear.
i'm a bit unfortunate because I have narrow feet and most manufacturers do not make shoes and boots in a B or C width.
I've got an old pair of Browning Kangaroo Upland Game boots that I've had for 20+ years. Been resurfaced 3 times and still in VGC. I was a young shoe shine boy at the age of 11 and learned how to take care of my booys.
The last 2 pair that I purchased are from Russell Mocassin and at my age will probably never "HAVE TO" buy another pair.
I don't think you can go wrong with Russell if you do some research and find the right boot or shoe for your particular situation.
The "PROPER" boots on your feet, bow in your hand, quiver where you like it, and arrows on your shelf. Now that's enough to make a good man happy.
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asolo 520 or 535
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i have 2 pairs of meindl's. they are the most rugged, dependable and comfortable boots i've ever worn. i have the makalu pro (8 years old and still going strong. resoled once) and antarktis (1 year old) models. they are worth the $1200 i have spent on the both of them. it's nice to be able to walk all day in the mountains and not think of your feet at all.
i worked last spring bear season with an outfitter in BC. meindl's are the standard boot there.
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Meindl's again. GOOD boots. I have the grand Teton. BILL
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You guys with the Meindl's; did you get them online and are they true to size? I can't find any retailers with them except Cabela's and there isn't one of those close to me.
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I have destroyed the cabelas mountain hunter, two pairs of meindl ibex and one pair of the meindl Alaskan hikers.
I finally said to heck with heavy boots whose soles or outers are too fragile and got a pair of mid merrell hikers.
They feel like a tennis shoe but give plenty of support for heavy loads and thus far after hunting Arizonas sharp and unforgiving rocks the soles are as good as new. Also very much waterproof.
Lots of folks get wet feet not because the boots leak, but their pants get wet and they wick water into their socks, which is why I now always use the kennetrek gaiters.
Goodbluck
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I found the Meindl's from Cabela's to be accurate in their sizing. The toe box seems a bit roomier than other boots I've worn, but I'm good with that. I wear a 10EE and was able to wear them comfortably out of the box.
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I bought my Meindls at Cabela's. I went there to buy the Denali series boot, but after spending sometime trying on them and the Perfekt Hiker, I went with the PH. The saleclerk commented afterwards that the guys that spend any amount of time trying on both boots usually go with the PH. It is a little lighter than the Denali. Cabela's website has the spec on each boot.
My foot measures right between a 11 and a 11.5 D I went with 11D in the PH and I can comfortably wear a liner with a medium weight or heavy weight wool sock. As Bowfiend said, the toebox is roomy. Having spent ALOT of money over the years on hunting boots, I would spend the money for the Perfekt Hikers again.
Good luck in your search,
Gary
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Custom order Danner direct and get the wider size with the good old stiched on soles, when you wear them out Danner has a rebuild service and will replace everything including the goretex liner for a fraction of the cost of the boots. Then you have a "new" pair of boots that are already broken in!! You basically wouldn't need to buy another pair for potentially decades
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Thanks for all the input. I'm going boot shopping today, and will now have lots of good opinions. Once again, TG proves to be a great site. :thumbsup:
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If its worth anything ive had good luck with Rocky and Wolverine boots in the past! I think that their sizing is dead on, and they are comfortable and they work for you! I just bought a pair of the "New" Wolverine Crowley 200gram 6" boots! Well made and light! Im in the process of breaking them in for spring turkey hunting, they go for bout $80 at major retailers.
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Well dad and I have been Rocky nuts, and for good reason. Dads last pair had lasted him upward close to 15 years :scared: , and my old pair is close to 10 years old, they were my brothers and I still use them to this day. We both bought a new pair as his sole was almost gone, and my old pair was just not warm enough. He got another pair, and his are awesome.
My pair on the other hand are not awesome. Actually they are terrible. And we know why. We were cheap, Rocky now has boots that are still made by gore tex like all the boots in the past, but they also have some that just say waterproof? Mine are the Utility Max boots 1000 grams of insulation, and they are just "waterproof". They lie, you need to get them in gore tex. That is a must. That and the rocks cut slits in the insides of both boots, from walking sideways on really steep rocky terrain, and I had the menonite lady, who owns a shoe business fix them for cheap. And now they are better, but before, while walking in snow, my feet were getting soaked, I might as well have just worn socks because they were so wet. So the moral of the story-GORE TEX, lol. BTW dads are like new still, my "new boots" look like they were dragged behind a truck for a couple miles
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Yesterday I tried on several different brands/models and ended up with some Danner Expeditions. They were really comfortable from the start, and yesterday I took a 4 mile hike in rocky, hilly terrain with them; so far, so good. Time will tell, but I'm encouraged as of now.
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I REALLY like the Meindl Super Perfekt's. But, I can't find a US retailer that sells them.
If anyone knows of anyone selling this model.....let me know.
jeff
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Centaur, Where did you find the Danners?
Did you actually come to town?
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My preference over the years for serious hiking and hunting in steep terrain is Vasque. Danners are comfortable but Vasque boots fit more snug around the foot, keeping it from sliding around in the boot on steep terrain.
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Danner Pronghorns have met my needs for the last three years. We have as much dirt here as rock, though.
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P Dog, I came to town alright. We are snowbirding in Arizona! Got my boots at Sportsmans Warehouse in Mesa, Az. How windy is it in beautiful Casper?
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Hi Jeff, Yup those are Sundowners. I went to REI last spring and they said vasque no longer made the sundowner. Maybe they started again. Or maybe REI was full of it. Gary
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Danner Elk hunters, I've had my current pair five years and am just now getting ready to resole them.
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I can not tell you what to where buy I bought a pair of Hanwags to take out west. They were expensive and with that steep drainage I was hunting, they were terrible. With the constant climbing they even gave me some intermittent nerve damage. It took me a while to get over it when I returned home.
The guides were wearing irish setters. I know I will not take the hanwags again. I have been reading this post closely. I want a boot is light and durable. The asolos look like my hanwags. I really do not care about durability as long as they are comfortable. I rather buy a paie everyyear. I have the worse time with boots. My foot is small and wide.
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If Im going to put 400.00 into a pair of boots I'd buy American. just a personnal preferience.
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I walk for a living - or at least it seems like it! I've found a couple of things that work well for me. First, when I find a good brand and size of shoe I buy two pairs and alternate wearing them. Maybe I'm crazy, but this seems to make them last longer. Second, I get boots with removable insoles so that I can put in an insole that can be customized to my foot, and be taken out to dry. Vasyli is the brand of insole that I use - recommended by my physical therapist. Third, the brand of the boot is not so important as the fit. There are many fine brands of boot but the best boot in the world is not good if it isn't right for your foot. Right now I have one model of L.L. Bean hiker and one model of Columbia that fit my foot very well. I put myself an email lists for and get sale notices so that most of the time I pay under $100 per pair. The only thing I hate is "Model upgrades" because then I have go through the trial period again!
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I love my bean boots, "Maine hunting shoes", they are great
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Although nighstalker had a bad experience, I really love my Hanwag light hikers. Give Lathrop and Sons a call, they will help with getting them fitted correctly. I got their high country footbed as well, very comfortable in the steepest terrain. After about 4 years, mine just started to leak this season, but the rest of the boot is sound. I don't put the mileage on them your talking about, but they should last a couple years at least.
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Spence, mine came from lathrop and sons, fine around the house but no good for climbing staight up. They do not have no give
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Buy fit , not just brand.
Lots of good boots mentioned here to choose from, but one very important thing to remember is to choose something that fits YOUR feet. The best boots in the world are useless if they hurt.
Every brand is made on a different last so unless you know a particular brand works for it's risky to buy sight unseen online. The only exception would be to go through the sizing procedures that a custom maker like Russell for example provides. Plus if they don't fit when you get them a custom maker should make good on it. Good boots that fit right are well worth the extra cost.
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Originally posted by Whip:
I have a pair of Mindel's from Cabela's that are doing great after three seasons of mountain hunts plus who knows what in between. I doubt I'm up to a 1,000 miles, but they look like they have plenty more left in them. I wore them all week in Texas this month through mud, rain and snow the entire week and never once had wet feet. Most leather boots won't keep water out very well after the first few uses, but these are doing great.
Same for me (except Joe gets to hunt more than me!) The Perfekt Hikers are great. Way better than the Vasques I have.
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I agree with Elkwhisperer on the Asolo boots. I bought them and went on a very rockey hunt and they were like the proverbial glass slipper. All my hunting buddies have them now.
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Asolo 520s
Jim
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I called Steve at Lathrop and sons about my Hanwags, He told me to send them back and he would adjust my custom foot beds. It was the peroneal nerve it was hitting. I never had blisters or sore spots just that pressing nerve on the superior medial top of my feet. Hope all will be fixed and I have a couple months to get them right.
One young guy from Michigan and one from Wisconsin quit after the first day. I talked the Wisconsin boy into staying and he missed a nice bull the last day. We took the other boy to the trailhead after two days and he drove home. His feet was blistered and bleeding. I bet he will think twice about hunting the high country again. That is a very rough drainage we hunted.
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one and only Meindel, we stalk muleys all day and have never had an issue with wet feet,sore feet, or fatigue. ;)
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Good socks go along way for comfort when your on your feet all day. I carry a change in my pack and there not cotton. Wool and or some of the new technical materials.
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I want to thank all you guys for a VERY informational thread. I appreciate the knowledge and experiences of all of you.
After months of doing online research, I finally decided on a pair of new hunting boots to take to CO (and for future pursuits). I JUST purchased these, this AM. Should be here, next week.
Thanks, again!
http://www.kenetrek.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KE-420-LT2
Good socks go along way for comfort when your on your feet all day. I carry a change in my pack and there not cotton. Wool and or some of the new technical materials.
I would also love to hear more on this.