Elk hunting boots?

[creekwood]

I can testify to the excellence of Asolo snd Zamberlan boots but you really should throw the Schnee boot into your short list of considerations.  Not only do they make an excellent boot, their customer satisfaction guarantee has to be unmatched.

[widowman]

I have used Danner and Vasque both served me well formany years. Never go with just one pair of any kind. Agree with other posts fit is the key thing

[cacciatore]

Elk hunting covers a lot of different states altitudes and seasons. For early high country any good Goretex trekking boot or the Russell Mocassin ad well as LL Bean rubber boots fit the task, light and quiet are very important here. But as the season progresses with colder weather and chanches of snow or heavy rains you need some more though boots, I like the Meindl line but any Italian mountain boot company makes great huning boots for the high country. I would use the Kenetrek and the othe Montana based brands for the really late season or when you encounter some heavy snow fall. Being very heavy those boots are a nightmare to wear for long hours of climbing if not necessary for the weather conditions.
At the end I personally carry 3 different pairs spending most of the season in my hunting camp

[old_goat2]

rmsgear(sponsor) carries mountain boots now, for the life of me I can't remember the brand now and I don't think they are on the website but you can call and ask, they have an 800 number. The biggest key is knowing your foot profile, wide, narrow, normal etc!  Different brands and even models in the same brand sometimes run different widths. I thought I had normal width feet, turns out they are narrow and getting boots that fit properly was probably the biggest game changer for me elk hunting. I feel I was 50% less fatigued at the end of the day with boots that were more than just the right length, but actually right length and width too!

[DarkTimber]

Of the choices you listed, PERSONALY I'd go with the Lowa Tibets.  But that's because I know Lowa's work great for me.  I'm currenly using the Lowa Tech Lite Hunters (Cevedale) and absolutely love them.  They're very close to the Tibets except lighter due to synthetics used in place of leather in certain locations.   It really is very personal though, I tried to stray away from Lowa's last year and try out a pair of Zamberlan and they shredded my heels.  I know they're great boots, they just didn't work for me. Luckily I have a buddy who absolutely loves Zamberlans and I was able to sell to him without taking a big hit.

I also like the looks of the Crispi Nevadas, but a guy can only try so many pairs of $400 boots.

[tracker12]

The Meindl's are very nice and what am using for steep terrain.  If it is not steep I use my Schenee gum shoe bottom boots.  They are the quieter than any boot I own.  I know a lot of western hunters that use them during archery season.

[BrianfromTulsa]

I just resoled my 9 year old Perfekt hikers.  They have been very good boots for me but I will admit they are a bit heavy.  I add gators when hunting in the snow

[amicus]

This past November I was in Kodiak AK. I bought a new pair of boots not sure of the make but they were worthless my first trip out. I took a pair of Keen hikers as backup boots. The Keen boots worked out great. I was really surprised at how well they held up. I will be buying another pair just with more ankle support.

Gilbert

[JohnV]

How much ankle support do you need?  Do you anticipate a lot of climbing/hiking through rock fields where more foot protection is needed?  Will you be carrying a heavy pack?  In general, the more support and protection that you need for carrying heavy loads and rock protection, the more your boot will weigh.  I have done my last few elk hunts using Vasque mid-weight, ankle-high hiking boots and these boots were very comfortable and very light weight.  There are a lot of reviews online for hiking boots.  Check them out.  Hikers put a lot of miles on their boots and you will find good comparison studies.

[Stixbowdrew]

Dennis, I think the area you are headed into will factor into the decision making. I personally hunt a relatively dry area, and have had great success with a lightweight hiker, like a Saloman Quest, and an Asolo Powermatic.
This fall I'm going even lighter and I'll be running a mid height trail running shoe, like the Saloman Ultra mis GtX. Heard an experienced western hunter say a pound on your feet is like 10 on your back.
Good luck on your search

Drew

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by Stixbowdrew:
Dennis, I think the area you are headed into will factor into the decision making. I personally hunt a relatively dry area, and have had great success with a lightweight hiker, like a Saloman Quest, and an Asolo Powermatic.
This fall I'm going even lighter and I'll be running a mid height trail running shoe, like the Saloman Ultra mis GtX. Heard an experienced western hunter say a pound on your feet is like 10 on your back.
Good luck on your search

Drew

Having too light of shoe with not enough support can feel like a lot of weight on your back too, especially if you're older and have crappy feet! Some people have exceptionally strong robust feet and ankles some people don't. Having had to wear crappy poor fitting boots in the Navy for 22 years, I fall into the need a good stiff boot for mountain hunting.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks, everyone. Great info!

[ksbowman]

I hunted elk four years ago on a hunt that we had trouble finding elk. I wore a pair of Danner Pronghorns on that hunt. They are very light in weight boots. We cover 63 miles in 7 days over some pretty rough stuff in 9-11,000 feet. They worked great, with good wool socks I had no hot spots. I got a pair of Meindel ultra lights after that and I like them even better. This year I bought Meindel Denali's and I'm going to give them hell, hope they work as well as I expect them to.

[KentuckyTJ]

Best boot for hunting I've ever owned.

 https://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Oboz-Men-s-Yellowstone-II-Mid-BDry-Boot_10314757_10208_10000001_-1_?cm_mmc=PLA-_-GooglePlusBox-_-Oboz-_-Oboz-Men-s-Yellowstone-II-Mid  -BDry-Boot_GooglePlusBox&utm_source=GooglePlusBox&utm_medium=PLA&ad_id=GooglePlusBox&utm_campaign=Oboz-Men-s-Yellowstone-II-Mid-BDry-Boot&scid=scplp1583407&sc_intid=1583407&gclid=C  KewsvCBhtQCFU5YDQodJw4IvA

Here is the Oboz page

 https://obozfootwear.com/products/mens-yellowstone-ii-mid-waterproof

[medicineman]

I have 2 pair Meindle's.   One pair is insulated and I have worn very little. They are about 5 years old and look  brand new.   The soles on both split the last time I wore them.   I called Cabellas and they said tough luck.    I also have a pair of non insulated that I wear constantly and show the wear, but are holding up.  No way I would go on a hunting trip with only Meindle's.

[ksbowman]

Medicineman, Mine are  uninsulated. Sorry you had trouble with yours. I'm like you I never go on a hunt without a backup set of boots(or bow) that are well broke in.

[Burnsie]

Last season my brother and I hunted Colorado. He wore Kennetreks and I had my Meindles.  We were both equally pleased with their performance.  However, after a couple of days of very wet conditions my right foot started to get wet,  he stayed dry.  I'm using my Meindles again this coming fall.  Going to check them over good to see if I might have a bad seam or something, and going to give them a good application of Obenaufs.

[Tater]

Meindls...great boots.....nuff said
 
  30+ years Elk hunting best boot I have worn and yes I have 2 pair of Russells

[longbow fanatic 1]

Originally posted by Tater:
Meindls...great boots.....nuff said
 
  30+ years Elk hunting best boot I have worn and yes I have 2 pair of Russells

Thanks, Pat! I was going to ask you too! I ordered the Meindl Denali, but wasn't sure if I should choose another boot. Have you used the Denalis?

[Alvey]

I'm with KentuckyTJ, Oboz hikers prolly the best fitting shoe i have found for my feet.dont know why you don't hear more about them,being half the price of top of the line shoes may have something to do with it.