Hunting in hiking shoes.

[NMSbowhunter]

I spent several all day sits on rings of steps in them. I can recommend them.

 

[thedutchtouch]

I've been wearing lowa renegade gtx boots this year (found them on sale). Good enough for Eastern whitetail, may want a stiffer boot for our west. I like somewhat minimal shoes in daily life (pumas, onitsuka tigers etc) but want a little more ankle support when hunting, so a flexible boot works well for me.

I used these boots my last trip to Alaska as well, they functioned fine but didnt use them multiple days in a row, switched to rubber boots for fishing days, but successfully hiked up a "trail" (back east we call them streams/waterfalls lol) with them and even accidentally found a boggy patch and they were ok. I'm planning on getting gaiters but will keep wearing them until the leather wears out, so much more comfortable than hiking around in rubber boots, the xtratufs will stay on the boat.


It's been a strange year temperature wise so I'm actually still using these boots at the end of season. I have a pair of heavily insulated rubber boots that are just sitting waiting for a cold day, but since it's been in the 40s or higher a lot, the hiking boots work just fine, with the occasional chemical toe warmers when it dips into the 30s.

 

[2Sloe]

I guess what I am looking for is a small, lightweight pair of hiking shoes that have some flex in the toes. Man. I wish they had those Solomons in my size. Maybe I need some sort of trail running shoe?

If you want to know the most comfortable options for putting on a lot of miles in every condition you should be checking out the Appalachian Trail blogs like https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/ When you plan on hiking over 2,000 miles in one lick you figure out what the most comfortable shoes are. They cover all the different categories from trail runners to traditional hiking boots. IMO Altra is where you should be looking. Altra Lone Peak trail runners are awesome and the go to for most through hikers, but you will probably be looking at one of their ”hiking“ options like the Lone Peak Hikers. https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/hiking/mens-lone-peak-hiker-al0a4vqf Altra shoes are lightweight and have a wide toe box and are oh so comfy. Every pound on your feet is like 5lbs on your back. Good Luck!

 

[Blacksmith]

I wear Keens in nice weather and they r really nicer than rubber heavy boots but if you walk through even 3" of water you are wet the rest of the day.

 

[gcr0003]

I wear Keens in nice weather and they r really nicer than rubber heavy boots but if you walk through even 3" of water you are wet the rest of the day.

The Bridgers are waterproof so you’re not going in deep water but you don’t have to worry about getting wet in 3” of water.

 

[woodsdog2]

I wear Keens in nice weather and they r really nicer than rubber heavy boots but if you walk through even 3" of water you are wet the rest of the day.

Same, I went to the Keens this year too. Love them so far. I can't believe how late in the season I used them..... paired with gaiters and merino wool socks... I was very happy with the performance compared to the wellington style of boots I've worn for so many years. My feet essentially do not get cold and I cut off the "toes" of a pair of old thick wool cabela's socks I had laying around if my toes started to get cold.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

The Bridgers are waterproof so you’re not going in deep water but you don’t have to worry about getting wet in 3” of water.

That's one reason I like to pair them with waders for scouting. The Bridgers will handle the mile or two walk in and some water but if I hit a swamp where knee high rubber boots won't work, out come the waders. The Bridgers are way better for walking than rubber boots.

 

[gcr0003]

That's one reason I like to pair them with waders for scouting. The Bridgers will handle the mile or two walk in and some water but if I hit a swamp where knee high rubber boots won't work, out come the waders. The Bridgers are way better for walking than rubber boots.

I plan on pairing mine with some of those Yoder chap EVA foam boots. You are changing into full waders?

 

[katiesmom]

Dang yall they have womens bridgers also...

 

[gcr0003]

Dang yall they have womens bridgers also...

Yea my wife loves hers too! Haha

 

[Loopwing]

All I hunt in anymore is hiking boots, except when I need to track a deer into a swamp. Then the cheap Cabela's hip boots come out.

 

[tailgunner]

If you want to know the most comfortable options for putting on a lot of miles in every condition you should be checking out the Appalachian Trail blogs like https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/ When you plan on hiking over 2,000 miles in one lick you figure out what the most comfortable shoes are. They cover all the different categories from trail runners to traditional hiking boots. IMO Altra is where you should be looking. Altra Lone Peak trail runners are awesome and the go to for most through hikers, but you will probably be looking at one of their ”hiking“ options like the Lone Peak Hikers. https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/hiking/mens-lone-peak-hiker-al0a4vqf Altra shoes are lightweight and have a wide toe box and are oh so comfy. Every pound on your feet is like 5lbs on your back. Good Luck!
View attachment 80889

This is some real player sh!+.

 

[Rutman]

Up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Iron_llama]

Early season i wear trail runners with mini gators.View attachment 70887

@tailgunner could you discuss your metatarsal guard? Did that come with the shoe or is it something you added? I haven't seen one of those outside of industrial applications, and it doesn't look like your wearing safety shoes.

 

[raisins]

I have a pair of these for this season.

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Wide Hiking Boot

The Nucleo High II GTX Wide is a mid-duty waterproof hiker/backpacking boot. Featuring award-winning Gore-Tex® Surround™ technology with a traditional Nubuck leather look. WIDE FIT.

www.lasportivausa.com

I haven't worn them in mud or a lot of water and have just broken them in walking.

But so far, they are super comfortable and seem well made. They are also very light for their size and construction and the sole has an aggressive tread and a heel that has a scoop to catch mud to keep you from slipping when going downhill.

I'll try to remember to report back at the end of the early part of this season when I'll be wearing them in the field.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I've been wearing a set of Mammut T Aenergy High GTX boots since 2020, early through mid-season AND for turkey season and scouting.

 

[raisins]

I've been wearing a set of Mammut T Aenergy High GTX boots since 2020, early through mid-season AND for turkey season and scouting.

I didn't know Mammut made boots. I like that all the shoe string grabbers are metal and not webbing.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I didn't know Mammut made boots. I like that all the shoe string grabbers are metal and not webbing.

I've beat on 'em pretty hard, although wearing a Jet Step foot ascender was a bit of a mistake lol. I'm probably due for a new pair of something this year, but 3 years for the price point and as hard as I pushed them wasn't bad.

 

[tailgunner]

@tailgunner could you discuss your metatarsal guard? Did that come with the shoe or is it something you added? I haven't seen one of those outside of industrial applications, and it doesn't look like your wearing safety shoes.

I made those.they keep grass seed and thisttles out.its camo cordura with the edges folded and sewn.then i melted lace holes with a soldering iron

 

[tailgunner]