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Minimalist Flexible Boot Thread

Wirrex

Wirrex

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I have been wanting to try out some minimalist boots for hunting. I hate stiff boots! Outside of work, I live that barefoot life as much as possible. It must come from my martial arts days but I like the freedom. Most boots seem to be designed for people with ankles built out of popsicle sticks and old rubber bands. I have honestly never rolled an ankle. What do you guys have experience with?

Qualities I’m looking for in order of relevance:

-Flexible sole
-Available in wide sizes
-Uninsulated
-6” height
-Muted color
-Durable
-Light
 
I’m looking at stuff similar to this:

www.vivobarefoot.com

Tracker Forest Esc Mens

ESCape to connect. The Tracker Forest ESC is designed to work in harmony with nature, allowing you to connect to the most extreme forest and off-road conditions our planet has to offer. Escape the path well-trodden and experience how hiking is supposed to feel. Created in collaboration with...
www.vivobarefoot.com www.vivobarefoot.com

The color of the sole is bad. The boot is pretty ugly overall while also being fairly expensive… I wish I could try something like this on first.
 
Altra Lone Peak or Altra Tushar, Xero makes a few hiker models.

LP is my preferred but the new versions are not in muted colors, so look for an older generation LP4 or 4.5.

Haven't tried the Tushar, look a little bulkier than I want. Have Xero sandals and love them, haven’t tried shoes yet.
 
Lowa Inox GTX if you can find them, my two brothers and I use them for work and hunting.
We have a landscaping and arborist businesses. They are great all year long, I have wear them from 20* while hunting to 98* doing landscaping and tree work and they have been great . Very breathable,light weight and are just a great boot for everything.
 
www.lemsshoes.com

Men's Waterproof Boulder Boot

This boot still maintains the lightweight frame you’ve come to know and love from Lems — even though we’ve added a unique waterproof membrane, these puppies will still hit the scale at a featherlight 12.9oz. We also took some time to rethink the overall construction of this boot, and reinforced...
www.lemsshoes.com www.lemsshoes.com

These are fairly expensive as well but are exactly what you’re looking for I think. I wore mine all season and they worked out well after replacing the insole in them.


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jtw0057 said:
www.lemsshoes.com

Men's Waterproof Boulder Boot

This boot still maintains the lightweight frame you’ve come to know and love from Lems — even though we’ve added a unique waterproof membrane, these puppies will still hit the scale at a featherlight 12.9oz. We also took some time to rethink the overall construction of this boot, and reinforced...
www.lemsshoes.com www.lemsshoes.com

These are fairly expensive as well but are exactly what you’re looking for I think. I wore mine all season and they worked out well after replacing the insole in them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I like those! Another thing about these style of boots is it seems the soles are not very aggressive. Am I right in assuming the flexibility make them slip less?
 
IIRC Boulder boots have some pretty good hiking reviews on YouTube
 
Wirrex said:
I like those! Another thing about these style of boots is it seems the soles are not very aggressive. Am I right in assuming the flexibility make them slip less?
Click to expand...

I’m not sure on that but I haven’t had a problem slipping in them outside of once but that was my fault for not paying attention to where I was stepping.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
jtw0057 said:
www.lemsshoes.com

Men's Waterproof Boulder Boot

This boot still maintains the lightweight frame you’ve come to know and love from Lems — even though we’ve added a unique waterproof membrane, these puppies will still hit the scale at a featherlight 12.9oz. We also took some time to rethink the overall construction of this boot, and reinforced...
www.lemsshoes.com www.lemsshoes.com

These are fairly expensive as well but are exactly what you’re looking for I think. I wore mine all season and they worked out well after replacing the insole in them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I agree with the lems boots. I have wore a pair for two seasons now and they've held up great.
 
djlr55 said:
Altra Lone Peak or Altra Tushar, Xero makes a few hiker models.

LP is my preferred but the new versions are not in muted colors, so look for an older generation LP4 or 4.5.

Haven't tried the Tushar, look a little bulkier than I want. Have Xero sandals and love them, haven’t tried shoes yet.
Click to expand...
I’ve got the regular LonePeaks but am interested in the LP boots. I’m currently on season two with my Hoka Stinson boots and love them for the ample cushion but want something more minimalist for scouting and mobile hunting.
How has the waterproofing held up on your LP boots?
 
KYHunter said:
I’ve got the regular LonePeaks but am interested in the LP boots. I’m currently on season two with my Hoka Stinson boots and love them for the ample cushion but want something more minimalist for scouting and mobile hunting.
How has the waterproofing held up on your LP boots?
Click to expand...

They have held up fairly well, I haven’t had any issues yet, but I rarely hold on to a pair for more than a year. The soles are fairly soft and have worn out faster than the waterproofing.
 
djlr55 said:
They have held up fairly well, I haven’t had any issues yet, but I rarely hold on to a pair for more than a year. The soles are fairly soft and have worn out faster than the waterproofing.
Click to expand...
Yea I’ve had a few pair of other altras and they don’t seem to last too long. Do you hunt on a platform or ROS?
 
Belleville makes some pretty comfy minimalist boots. 5.11 and Nike make some as well that are popular with the go faster crowd. Obviously these are all focused towards the military but they work.
 
I own 2 pairs of the Merrell Ontario 85 mid hiker. They are waterproof so they don’t breathe all that well but comfort they are my favorite turkey and early season archery option
 
I have multiple pairs of the Lems in different colors I love them so much. Just don’t kick a large rock or root or stump with them and they will be perfect zero drop wide toe box for you like a moccasin. Don’t think they will do well in really cold temps. They also do make a waterproof leather version as well. They are awesome.
 
Zero One Actual said:
I have multiple pairs of the Lems in different colors I love them so much. Just don’t kick a large rock or root or stump with them and they will be perfect zero drop wide toe box for you like a moccasin. Don’t think they will do well in really cold temps. They also do make a waterproof leather version as well. They are awesome.
Click to expand...
How well do the lems hold up? I’ve been considering trying them but have read recent Rey where people are complaining they’re coming apart after light use
 
Exhumis said:
How well do the lems hold up? I’ve been considering trying them but have read recent Rey where people are complaining they’re coming apart after light use
Click to expand...

I’ve had some of the boat shoes for 3 or 4 years now with minimal wear and a pair of Boulder boots for a year now that I wore the majority of this past season and they aren’t showing any wear.


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