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Proper foot wear for back country

I sure would like to see a croc wearer hit the Rockies - not ( I will put them right up there with cowboy boots as the worst footwear for hunting ever). For me, Mendl boots have been the best for a lot of vertical hiking. For flatlands I typically wear Lacrosse aerohunter snake boots.
 
I bought a pair of Danner Pronghorns about a month ago. Very happy and highly recommend them. Been doing a lot of hill country scouting wearing them and they have been great right out of the box with no break in needed. I especially like the extra room in the toe area since most boots are just WAY to restrictive there cutting off circulation and the main reason for cold feet.
 
Picked up a pair of Lowa Renegades at REI several months ago, on sale and with my points I got them for $55. I love these more than my NB tennis shoes, so comfortable! I have to remind myself to not wear them in town because I'm afraid of wearing out the soles on concrete and asphalt. If I was putting in alot of miles regularly I would want a stiffer sole and probably move up to the Caminos or Tibets. As stated before....get a pair of gaiters, they are extremely underrated and an awesome accessory to your footwear. Cold weather I'm in my mucks. Liner socks are a favorite of mine too, cheap BP ones work fine I've found.
 
My stiffest boot I own/wear is a pair of Asolo TPS 520. The break in period is more time than most people are willing to spend but it is hands down the stiffest, so leaning on the edge of platforms and narrow sticks is a breeze and doesn't fatigue your feet. They are also what I use if I am clinging with spurs. Once they are broken in they are extremely comfortable for all day wear.

My go to pair of boots now are Crispi Summit's. Great all around boot and I use it out west and almost on every hunt here in the east.
 
I'm on my 2nd pair of Asolo 520 GTX and I like these boots for backpacking. Looks like the GTX model is no longer on the Asolo site, but they have ones that look very similar. I've never used them for cold weather, stationary hunting so I can't comment on warmth. I added Superfeet insoles which I put in all my boots. Superfeet does improve lateral stability and also really helps rubber boots for support.

One tip I was told by someone that owns an outdoor gear store was to use a wax based treatment for the leather. He said that the oil based treatments soften the leather too much and the boots will lose support sooner.
 
My stiffest boot I own/wear is a pair of Asolo TPS 520. The break in period is more time than most people are willing to spend but it is hands down the stiffest, so leaning on the edge of platforms and narrow sticks is a breeze and doesn't fatigue your feet. They are also what I use if I am clinging with spurs. Once they are broken in they are extremely comfortable for all day wear.

My go to pair of boots now are Crispi Summit's. Great all around boot and I use it out west and almost on every hunt here in the east.
Hey man, I’ve been looking at the summit gtx for awhile. I’m in Tx, cactus etc. any problems with GORE-TEX getting punctured or are they built tough?
 
Hey man, I’ve been looking at the summit gtx for awhile. I’m in Tx, cactus etc. any problems with GORE-TEX getting punctured or are they built tough?
They are built rock solid. I've been to Arizona twice with them and everything in that country tries to stab you. I think you will be pleased
 
I've had the same pair of scarpas for 15 years now. Still going strong and still super comfortable.
 
scarpas and a pair of gaiters is what i use for mountain terrain.. Extra socks are a must and the boots are very warm themselves ive sat in -2 in the stand with just a pair of merino wool socks and my feet stayed warm... But i have to use non scented antiperspirant on my feet and change socks once im in the stand Once my feet get damp forget it!
which model scarps boot are you using
 
Have used both the Hanwag Mountain Light and Alaska GTX models over the last 12 years for early and late season. Put many many miles wear and tear on both models and they have held up.

I’m hunting mountains long distances with heavy packs. Rubber boots don’t work for us on many fronts though we have have dabbled repetitively.

From my experience I would happily tell people to give the Hanwag Alaska GTX’s with Lathrop & Sons inserts ( Mountain Lights now discontinued) a whirl. Depending on your price point and what you are doing I would give Lathrop’s two new self branded boots a hard look as well if you are carrying weight up mountains.
 
Lowa tibet gtx have been bullet proof for me.
 
I sure would like to see a croc wearer hit the Rockies - not ( I will put them right up there with cowboy boots as the worst footwear for hunting ever). For me, Mendl boots have been the best for a lot of vertical hiking. For flatlands I typically wear Lacrosse aerohunter snake boots.
I grew up with a guy that is one of the best hunters out there. He wore nothing but cowboy boots with pointy toes and I've hunted with him in below 20 degree weather in tree stands when my feet were freezing in pack boots. He would climb a tree and sit on a board in a crotch motionless for hours and didn't get cold. My point being: everyone is different.
 
Lowa tibet gtx have been bullet proof for me.
I have been looking at this exact boot for the past few days, do you have the standard Tibet gtx or the “hi” model. I currently have meindls but I’m looking for a non-insulated boot
 
standard. I have 2 pair I like them so much, and rotate between them in case I go over the top and get a pair completely soaked. Lowas and Meindls are both made in Germany I believe so they traditionally have a wider last than say a boot made in Italy. Some of the cabelas meindls are made in china or something I had a pair and they were not the quality of the true meindls made in Germany. There sizing was spot on for me, I got good deals on both pair with shoes.com promo codes, last time I tried they wouldn’t honor the codes on Lowas anymore but if you keep looking online eventually a retailer will have a code that will work, blackovis is good. With darn tough socks I’m good to 10 degrees while moving even uninsulated, they are the best boots I have ever owned. I have a leg and ankle full of metal so cheap boots don’t cut it with me.
 
thanks for the info, I have a lowa dealer close to me so I’ll just go try them on.
 
I've had the same pair of scarpas for 15 years now. Still going strong and still super comfortable.

I ran through 3 pair in 2 years. 1 pair, the lace hook blew out within first to lace ups. Never again for me but glad you got an old trusty pair of boots


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I agree whole heartedly. There is no such thing as waterproof and breathable. It only exists in the marketing department.

I know this is an old thread... but I'm going to disagree with this wholeheartedly. While the extent of breathability is limited & all breathable gear will wet out eventually. I've tried Goretex, EVent, Polartech, Kuiu Chugach, Yukon & probably a few more. Most of them are pretty damn waterpoof & seams are usually the issue. What gear specifically are you referring to?

My current Pnuma 3L I tried a test where I put the jacket over a bucket, made the jacket into a deep bowl shape and filled it full of water. It hold water for hours & it didn't leak.
 
I know this is an old thread... but I'm going to disagree with this wholeheartedly. While the extent of breathability is limited & all breathable gear will wet out eventually. I've tried Goretex, EVent, Polartech, Kuiu Chugach, Yukon & probably a few more. Most of them are pretty damn waterpoof & seams are usually the issue. What gear specifically are you referring to?

My current Pnuma 3L I tried a test where I put the jacket over a bucket, made the jacket into a deep bowl shape and filled it full of water. It hold water for hours & it didn't leak.

Not to speak for @ricky racer but, I don’t think he was saying that there isn’t waterproof materials . I think he was saying that all waterproof material has no or very limited breathability.
 
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