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Boots you liked/disliked 2023

I finally used the Crispi Crossovers from the 70$ sportsmans warehouse deal thread. I thought they were going to be too narrow on the toe but ended up really liking them for early season and hiking in general. Other than those few times I used my uninsulated Kennetreks for the entirety of the season.
 
I finally used the Crispi Crossovers from the 70$ sportsmans warehouse deal thread. I thought they were going to be too narrow on the toe but ended up really liking them for early season and hiking in general. Other than those few times I used my uninsulated Kennetreks for the entirety of the season.

I rolled my ankle 3 times in one day while wearing the Crossover boots scouting a mountain in PA.

They fit me well and are nicely constructed, and light, but probably best for flatter terrain and trails, imo.
 
I rolled my ankle 3 times in one day while wearing the Crossover boots scouting a mountain in PA.

They fit me well and are nicely constructed, and light, but probably best for flatter terrain and trails, imo.
I could agree with that. Didn’t encounter any tough terrain while wearing them. Would prefer a higher boot if dealing with lots of obstacles.
 
I have quite a few... Love my timberlines for turkey, early season, and scouting.
Crispi Wild Rock Plus's are the work horse for when it gets colder.
Gumleafs I use for swamp hunting and if I know I have to cross a creek to get to a spot.
I have a old pair of heavy Cabela's outfitter series boots sized 2 sizes up I use for temps below 30 in rifle season.
I have kenetreks that sit in the closet. I hate them. I have probably over 200 miles on them. But no matter what once I hit hilly terrain they massacre my heels.

I just bought these this year and they're probably my favorite boots ever. They're stiff, and hold my ankles incredibly solid. I don't think you could roll an ankle if you tried. The lacing system allows you to adjust the toe box feel to whatever you want. You can have a tight technical terrain box, or wide thick socks box. They disappear when they're on foot and feel like an extension of me
 
I am 100% a Kenetrek guy. They fit my feet really well with the factory insoles. Support for climbing is great, traction is top notch and the soles/rand are holding up to the rocks like its nothing. I have an uninsulated pair and 400g pair. The best part is I paid less than $300 for both boots. I had some Crispis and they just didn't cut it for me. But boots are also very subjective.
 
I finally used the Crispi Crossovers from the 70$ sportsmans warehouse deal thread. I thought they were going to be too narrow on the toe but ended up really liking them for early season and hiking in general. Other than those few times I used my uninsulated Kennetreks for the entirety of the season.

That’s what I’ve been using. I wore those and Arctic Shield boot blankets. My feet froze in rubber boots last season and they had basically no ankle support.
 
Crispi Shimek - these boots have been a game changer for me. Super comfortable and they're warm for only having 400g of insulation.
 
I hunt in North Georgia temps down to the 20’s is usually lowest we get. Current boots are.
Warm weather snake boots——Danner pronghorn and vitals both are snake boots. Pronghorns are around 15 years old great boot they don’t make in snake version anymore
No snake seasons—- Danner vital 8” boot non insulated
I wear 90% merino wool socks along with toe warmers feet stay comfortable down to low to mid 20 degrees. Have to use toe warmers due to blood pressure meds cause toes and fingers to get cold easily
 
Any chance of rain or knee high water, and temps above 40, chota hippies and simms wading boots.

Above conditions below 40, I pack boot insulators and hand warmers.

Dry conditions above 50, flat ground I wear low top trail shoes.

Dry conditions below 50, or any elevation change or need of more ankle support, I wear lowa Tibet and crispi guides, both gtx. I swap between them to keep them both worn and my feet used to both.


I hate rubber boots as much as I hate climbing sticks and dump pouches hanging off the hips of a saddle hunter.


All of the above 5 or more seasons without fail. Other options have washed out.
 
I have a pair of miendl comfort hikers and comfort hunters. They are very comfortable. The cork footbeds are excellent. The comfort comes with a compromise though. They are a bit bulky.

I have tried a few pair of Crispi and got heel slip in them all. The insoles are garbage. They need to be replaced immediately if you go that route.

I also tried several pairs of schnees thoroughly disappointed in the lack of room in the toe box. Even the wide had less room than my normal width brooks sneakers.

I do want to try lathrop and sons. But… that will wait till these miendls are toast.
 
I have a pair of miendl comfort hikers and comfort hunters. They are very comfortable. The cork footbeds are excellent. The comfort comes with a compromise though. They are a bit bulky.

I have tried a few pair of Crispi and got heel slip in them all. The insoles are garbage. They need to be replaced immediately if you go that route.

I also tried several pairs of schnees thoroughly disappointed in the lack of room in the toe box. Even the wide had less room than my normal width brooks sneakers.

I do want to try lathrop and sons. But… that will wait till these miendls are toast.
“They are a bit bulky” do you know how that compares to the Danner Pronghorn?
 
I switched over to elk trackers 800g this year and haven’t touched any of my others since. Have been a muck boot fan for the last 10 years. Not too warm in the 50’s and warm enough for hunts into the 20’s with two pairs of light merino socks. I wore them in the mountains, swamps, and farm land and they performed well in all situations. I always had a problem with my feet getting cold. Biggest thing that I believed helped me this year was putting antiperspirant on my feet. Stopped them from sweating which lead to warmer feet. I do have a pair of arctic shields if it gets into the single digits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX have been my go-to all season when I don’t need to break out the Alphaburlys to get to my stand. Wore them through the sweaty early season here in VA, a few sits in WI into the teens with the Arctic Shield covers, and now into the late season in VA. Very minimal break-in required and the lace-to-toe really lets you dial in how tight the boots are at different points on your feet. That has also allowed for different weights of socks without having to size up. I will normally tighten them in the ankle/mid-foot for the hike in and then loosen them up for maximum circulation when I’m sitting there.

https://www.salewa.com/en-us/alp-tr...382?c=1516602&number=00-0000061382_0000000037

I’m also giving the Scheel’s exclusive Crispis a try (West River 2.0). 400g insulation, verdict is still out on those. I’m heading back to WI for a week for Christmas (mostly hunting to be honest) and we’ll see how they do.
 
Just the new norm lately.

The cheapo hippers, is what it is I guess. They actually were ok for a season. The summer storing them in my garage, the outer rubbery coating dry rotting in a few places it was folded. My bad there, I guess. Have to rethink how I store them. Probably going to get a set of the Dans or Yoders or whatever next, I guess. Trying to not spend extra money right now though.

The Salomon Quests, I am disappointed in. My last several pair of boots have all broken down at the sole or rand coming apart. Seems the quality of the rubber is crap, and the glues they use now are all hot garbage. Quests and Lowa Renegades. Those two both fit my feet terrifically, but with the quality I may be hopping on the Crispi bandwagon next.

Did both these ghetto repairs last night. We'll see how they hold up, but not expecting much.

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