Elk hunting boots?

[Tater]

Dennis,
  I currently have the Denalis.
  There are a lot of good offerings in boots out there. The problem I have experienced with the shorter hiking boots is if you are not wearing gaiters and walking in damp or wet conditions your socks get wet and it wicks down in the boot.

    My opinion and experience.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Good point, Pat. I think I'm going to go with their the Perfekt Hunters or the Perfekt Extreme. I kinda prefer the full rand on the PE boots.

[dennis502]

Over the past 10 years or so, I've transitioned from robust, heavily-supported mountaineering type boots to a lighter, more flexible hiking style boot.

Typical hunt is 5-7 days at an average of 6-9 miles per day at elevations between 7500-9500 feet.

Started with a couple of pairs of Zamberlans, then the Schnee's uninsulated Beartooth. They performed well. Hunted a Crispi (I believe it was the Idaho?) 2 seasons ago and it leaked like a sieve.

After reading all of the positive reviews of the Salomon Quest 4d's, I gave them a try last season. I was skeptical about hunting with such a low-cut, flexible boot and I even brought an older pair of Zamberlans to stash at basecamp so I could retrieve when needed. The Salomons were awesome. Felt like I was wearing slippers compared to the stiffer, heavier boots. Kept me dry through morning dew and 2 days of fairly steady rain (no snow during archery season this year), and were plenty of support for a fairly rigorous elk hunt with a 30 pound pack.

I will be hunting the Salomons again this season, with no "big boot" backup.

[FoCoBlackWidow]

If you want a mid, I had Lowa Renegade GTX boots and they served me fairly well. The only time they really didn't do well was a hunt we got several inches of snow. They wetted out quickly and never dried out the rest of the hunt. I've got one year in on a pair of Zamberlan 980s (much higher boot) and I have no complaints. They took a lot longer to break in than the Lowas did, but they're a much stiffer boot.

[Bluefeather]

The L.L. Bean Cresta all leather hikers are tough to beat. They are European made, extremely comfortable and take minimum break in time. I've had mine now for close to 15 years and they are still in pretty good condition.

[Mark Colangelo]

i have the meindls and love them...made it through back to back wyoming mule deer camp hunts and an en elk hunt in Utah. No blisters, stayed dry, great traction and support. Highly recommend them.

[Hummer3T]

hanwags...all the way