Mountain gear help....

[kadbow]

For a taller boot with more support, I am quite happy with my Meindl Perfekt Hikers.  Last season due to a herniated disc I lost a lot of strength in my left ankle.  The boots saved my season. Comfortable and kept my feet dry.

[stykbow67]

For boots I really like my Asolo 520's for packing in and out, when I'm hunting I wear a pair of Keen Tarhgee's (sp). The 2 most used items in my aresonal are my Sweet Water filter pump and Jet Boil. Lots of good advice here!  

Steve

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Are the Meindl boots the same as Cabelas sells...

,,,Sam,,,

[Biathlonman]

Yes and no. They used to me but several folks on some other forums I frequent have been having a lot of trouble with the cabelas Mindel coming apart prematurely.  I'mLike the fella above, Ive gone to ultralight trail runners and don't see myself ever going back to a heavy "mountain" boot.

[NBK]

Only been on one week long elk hunt but it was at 10000 feet, unguided, temps from 74degrees to six inches of snow and everything in between including packing out one bull over three ridges.

My lesson learned was...

-merino underwear and undergarments are a MUST.  If nothing else because you won't stink as bad as your buddy in his underarmour.

-my midheight midsupport level Vasques were great for hiking all day.  One day my GPS tracked us 11.2 miles and my feet were fine.  However, when it came to pack the bull out, side hilling got tough as the boots wanted to "roll".  Next time I'm leaving a stout pair of boots back at the tent with my framepack.  

-Your daypack needs to ride effortlessly with 12-15 pounds of essentials and water and also be able to carry out the first load of meat.  It would suck to have to go all the way back to camp roundtrip just to get a capable pack.

Like I said, I'm not as experienced as some, but these were the lessons I learned.
Good luck.

[hockey7]

Cabelas Meindl's ARE NOT the same as The Meindl boots.

[V I Archer]

I went with Hanwag Yukons, an all leather, tough, well designed boot for caribou, sheep and goats.

I have tried a few different brands of merino base layers, but always come back to IceBreaker.  I have not yet tried Firstlite, but am desperately wanting a pair of the new kanabs!

Most essential piece of gear - hands down, my SPOT.  The piece of mind it affords my wife is priceless.

[STEVE R.]

I'm gonna throw my two cents in. I like merino wool underware and socks. I will try out firstlite pants and shirt this year. I have an asat bowhunter jacket that is great.As far as boots there is a ton of good ones out there I have a pair of danner prong horn 8 inch leather and nylon. This will be the 9th trip to co. with these boots. Believe me they have some miles on them. They look bad but havent given up yet,I will put some new insoles in them this trip. For $180.00 they are worth the money. You can spend a lot more, but you will get more than you need.

[kadbow]

I can't imagine trail running shoes (I trail run) being comfortable in a foot of snow. My meindls are from cabelas and have been great so far.  Boots are like bows, they don't all work for everybody.

[Hummer3T]

Sam use this post and others to screen what boots you like, are in your price range, fit your application, then go to a shop and try them on.  Don't ever order boots over the internet or use others opinions unless you have tried them for yourself.  I have internet ordered boot I have owned before or tried on. even been a little burnt on this as models change over time.  You don't want to learn this the hard way with one or several 400.00 pairs of boots.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Thanks for the info everyone..
Been doing a lot of walking with a 60# pack and getting gear in order. Think I'm going with a tarp an bivy this year. Need to get my boots and get them broke in and do a few test trips with everything.

,,,Sam,,,

[Jim Wright]

Concerning a "must have item", one that would always be with me is a good packable, breathable set of rain gear. I know global warming can't be real but you are a lot more likely to get rained on in Sept. hunting Elk these days than snowed on and wet is a bad thing to be up at altitude and away from camp any distance.

[bucknut]

FYI the meindls listed so far are all cabelas sold boots.  However, I would only buy the ones that are made in Germany and sold by cabelas.

[bucknut]

   Lots of luck on your trip by the way.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

I have a Cabelas an hour away and will go look and see what they have. I might end up heading into the Ragged Wilderness area for my elk hunt in Colorado. Anyone ever packed back into that area for an elk trip....

,,,,Sam,,,