Hiking/hunting boot?

[kwgoke]

I’m running Crispi Colorados and really love them! Super comfortable and quick to break in. I tore my ankle up pretty good a few years back, so I really have to have good ankle support. I also run Salomon Quest 4Ds but they don’t keep my feet dry at all and the ankle support isn’t as good as the Colorados, which is fine if I know the hike is pretty flat and I’m not dealing with creek crossing or wet grass.


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[Redoak47*]

I decided I had to make the switch away from muck / lacrosse boots after my first out of state public land hunt in the hill country of SE Ohio... rubber boots really f'd me up. Following that trip I talked to guys frequently heading out west on elk hunts and this was the most frequently recommended boot among those I spoke to. Made a bunch of trips to stores that carried various brands (Kenetrek, Zamberlan, Crispi, HanWag, Salomon, Danner, Lowa, Scarpa, etc... even Keen) and kept on looking until I found a boot that felt amazing to MY FEET.

Ended up with the Crispi Birksdal uninsulated for my go to hunting boot. Only exception is when hunting an area where rubber boots are essential, such as a swampy or marshy areas. I am able to regulate foot temperature with high quality socks and surprisingly, have less issues with my feet getting cold during late season than I've ever had with rubber boots.

I also have a pair of the Crispi Avante Mid (goretex) I use in early season and scouting. Really like them but just don't cut it for late season but are much better than the Birksdals during early season.

Best recommendation I have is to keep an open mind and try as many makes/models as you can find access to. Make notes for comparison, make multiple trips if necessary, and don't settle until you find a pair that feel amazing on your feet and address your needs (support, rigidity/flex, weight, etc)... YOUR FEET may absolute love a lower priced boot and hate a higher priced boot or the exact opposite. Budget matters but don't think a high priced or even a low priced boot will answer your needs just because it fits yiur budget. Everyones feet are different and you may find you get uncomfortable pressure points in a boot that all of your buddies swear by. But if your feet aren't comfortable, long hikes through tough terrain into an all day sit during prime time won't be enjoyable. Just find the boot that works best for you and if it is out of your budget at the time, start saving, and keep rocking the boots you have until you have enough tucked away to buy the boots you want because your feet told you they were the ones....

Originally, I was hell bent on a particular Salomon boot because I thought for sure it was "the one". After finally getting my feet into a pair, they were not comfortable on my feet at all. Ended up taking me two years to finally settle on the Crispi Birksdal boots but after two seasons of use in various types of terrain and over 150 miles of walking, I don't regret it at all. Only have some minor scratches in the leather from thorns but other than that, still in great condition.

Whatever you end up with, just have to take care of them such as keeping them clean after use and conditioning the leather (if you chose leather). If you take care of them, they'll take care of you.

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I hunt the Wayne National Forest of southeast Ohio every year. I have been wearing Danner Powderhorn boots uninsulated for years, work great .When it gets cold I have a pair of Artic Shield I put over them.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I’m running Crispi Colorados and really love them! Super comfortable and quick to break in. I tore my ankle up pretty good a few years back, so I really have to have good ankle support. I also run Salomon Quest 4Ds but they don’t keep my feet dry at all and the ankle support isn’t as good as the Colorados, which is fine if I know the hike is pretty flat and I’m not dealing with creek crossing or wet grass.


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My ankles are my biggest concern. I've broken both of them over the years. I stepped on a root out in my yard last year and my ankle went sideways. I had to crawl back to the house. I would hate for that to happen 2 miles deep on public. That would be a long crawl.

 

[Lucky13]

I've been wearing some Crispi Thor boots the last several seasons. Good boot but it became a great boot after I put insoles in them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPS5R1...olid=3SWCA7DI68BCZ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[raisins]

what's the sizing on crispis like? i wear an 11.5 to 12, but always wides, a lot of wides are barely wide enough (my lowa 12 wides are barely big enough).....love feeling a boot hold in place but able to wiggle my toes in the toe box

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I hunt the Wayne National Forest of southeast Ohio every year. I have been wearing Danner Powderhorn boots uninsulated for years, work great .When it gets cold I have a pair of Artic Shield I put over them.

I've hunted Wayne a few times and I really like it. Those hills are not something I am used too. I'd love to go back someday and spend about a week in November tromping those hills.

 

[raisins]

I hunt the Wayne National Forest of southeast Ohio every year. I have been wearing Danner Powderhorn boots uninsulated for years, work great .When it gets cold I have a pair of Artic Shield I put over them.

this right here....folks love layering and removing layers on the walk in when it comes to their bodies.....but want to be able to wear super insulated boots in (suitable for sitting still for hours) and then want them to not be crazy heavy or sweat boxes during the walk in

 

[Lucky13]

what's the sizing on crispis like? i wear an 11.5 to 12, but always wides, a lot of wides are barely wide enough (my lowa 12 wides are barely big enough).....love feeling a boot hold in place but able to wiggle my toes in the toe box

I have a wide foot too... I always need wide boots.
I wear 12 wide or 12EE Ariat boots everyday.
My Crispi boots are 12.5 Wides. They fit perfectly with thick socks and have wiggle room in the toe box.

 

[kwgoke]

what's the sizing on crispis like? i wear an 11.5 to 12, but always wides, a lot of wides are barely wide enough (my lowa 12 wides are barely big enough).....love feeling a boot hold in place but able to wiggle my toes in the toe box

I found it helpful when buying Crispi’s to ignore the US sizing and pay more attention to the European sizing. Also I recommend swapping out insoles, I like Superfeet greens. My normal shoe US size is a 12 and I’m a 12.5 in a Crispi. I am not quite a wide foot and I found the Crispi to be roomy enough. Not sure how your foot will be


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[NMSbowhunter]

I have narrow feet and usually wear a size 10 to 11 in a boot. I'd probably need insoles.

 

[10essee]

I just got my Asolo hunter extreme in. They are nice and comfortable. Sole is super stiff but the uppers are soft and pliable with no pinch points. I put a pair of Sole insoles in them and man what a difference.

 

[kwgoke]

I recommend always swapping out insoles in boots. The ones they the majority of companies put in are cheap as dirt.


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[BuffaloBill]

Nobody wears Merrell or Keen? I'm looking at getting a new pair of Merrells.

 

[FLYIN_HAYN]

Le chameau lite lcx 10in stalker boots! Hands down best boot I've ever worn. No breaking in... Great ankle support. Light weight. Leather. Waterproof. Made in Romania so you know that **** is quality! Plus it rolls of the tongue nicely

 

[gettingstarted]

Lowa Zephyr Hi TF

This is my go to year round, turkey, spring bear, early dear season and city walk throughout the winter. In late season(Ontario)once deep snow on ground, I switch to winter boots for hunting

This is 3rd year I have those used and abused and over 250k still water proof, light and comfortable as a glove.




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[FLYIN_HAYN]

Nobody wears Merrell or Keen? I'm looking at getting a new pair of Merrells.

I have a pair of marrell moab 2 8" boots for work. They fit great but I love my le chameau boots for hunting... the le chameau boots are ultra ultra light and give superb ankle support in steep terrain

 

[Iron_llama]

Nobody wears Merrell or Keen? I'm looking at getting a new pair of Merrells.

I had a new pair of Merrell hiking boots blow out on a Superior Hiking Trail Hike. The lace loops tore out on a relatively unremarkable section of trail. I've worn them since, but not as a serious hiking boot where I might actually need ankle support or the like.

 

[CooterBrown]

I have narrow feet and usually wear a size 10 to 11 in a boot. I'd probably need insoles.

So you buy these very high dollar boots and still have to change the insole?

 

[Iron_llama]

So you buy these very high dollar boots and still have to change the insole?

For me, at least, insoles are a personal thing. I've had high-dollar boots that were uncomfortable, and cheap boots that felt great. I need more arch and ankle support than the average bear so I expect to put insoles into every pair of boots I buy. I'm not afraid to spend $50-$70 on a pair of good insoles that work well with that particular pair of boots because the alternative is cycling through lots of cheaper insoles that add up to more than I would have spent on the right thing in the first place.

 

[BTaylor]

For me, at least, insoles are a personal thing. I've had high-dollar boots that were uncomfortable, and cheap boots that felt great. I need more arch and ankle support than the average bear so I expect to put insoles into every pair of boots I buy. I'm not afraid to spend $50-$70 on a pair of good insoles that work well with that particular pair of boots because the alternative is cycling through lots of cheaper insoles that add up to more than I would have spent on the right thing in the first place.

This^^ I have to put insoles in every pair of boots because I have high arches. Superfeet green didnt work for me because the arch support didnt fit my foot. Found some I think they are Mastercraft insoles in a ski shop that fit my foot perfectly. Worth 4 times what they cost.