New pair of boots wanted for low desert hot hunting

[stalkincoues]

I have had bad luck with Danners to date and won't buy another pair as of now. Stitching has started to rip within just a couple uses and progressed from there, been ridiculous and an absolute joke. Knew better when I bought my 2nd pair and dissapointed me too! I'm not that heavy either.

 

I have a pair of under Armor Speed Freaks for the lighter and cooler duty and more for archery stalking conditions. I also have a pair of the meindl Perfekt Hunter but with 400Grams Thinsulate I've rarely had the opportunity to use them but a handful of times due to the heat. I have been looking at the Meindl Denali, Perfekt Hiker, Light Hiker, Kenetrek Hardscrabble, Desert Guide (not waterproof and not really considering but taking any suggestions). I do want them waterproof and HATE swimming in my boots.

 

I want these primarily for hot low desert hunting, and even on September Elk hunts but still is hot. Really looking at the Kenetreks but concerned about how hot they may get. Looking for opinions for a good durable long lasting boot without hopefully baking my feet.

 

Really contemplating getting both the Denali and the Hardscrabble. Thoughts or more opions?

[Viper]

I've had the Meindl Perfekt Hiker for 3 years now. Love 'em! Not too hot, great support, waterproof, holding up great. But, I have to wear a set of short gators to keep debris out of them...not a big deal.

[AverageJoe]

Asolo fsn95. They have been great for me. Not sure if you like hiking boots or heavy duty backpacking boots but these have served me well all around. Waterproof lightweight and made in romania. They run narrow.

 

http://m.sierratradingpost.com/mobile/asolo-fsn-95-gore-tex-hiking-boots-waterproof-for-men~p~72552/

 

Sign up for their mailing list and you can get them cheaper. Worth lookin at.

[AZLance]

Lowa boots are top of the line... You won't be dis satisfied!

[Coach]

I've heard great things about Lowa, Kentrek. Best boots I've owned in a long time are the Perfekt Hunters you already have. Do you wear wool socks with them? Might keep the sweat controlled better but if you don't like hot feet, that might make it worse. Personally I love mine in the desert, but don't hunt it much outside Dec - Feb.

 

Those Denali look like a great boot. I'd stay away from anything that is has any part of the upper Nylon/Cordura if waterproofing is a high priority. I've never seen one that could stand more than a couple days of cactus and not break the membrane. My speed freaks leak like a sieve after a couple of Javi hunts. Still like them for light/medium use but they are overpriced for what you get, IMO.

 

IMO all the good boots are a little hot, but experimenting with socks can mitigate that. I find my feet stay much cooler with Merino wool than with cotton. Let us know what you find.

[azslim]

Can't get my favorites anymore, the Cabela's Trophy Series, been looking hard at the 10" Kenetrek Mountain boots, non-insulated. I like tall uppers, especially when there are cactus and shin-diggers around.

[AZLance]

Wool socks are a must for all seasons. I hike for a living in the desert, and wouldn't wear anything but wool socks. You can get thin, medium, or heavy socks. I usually wear the thin, or medium, depending on the boot.

[coueshound]

lowas....tough enough for the desert, quiet enough archery elk. quality boots.

[stalkincoues]

Thanks for the responses guys. How are the hardscrabbles in the heat? Similar to the Meindl perfekt hiker or Denali I assume?

 

A couple of you are saying Lowas....... Which boot or boots in particular? I'll be doing mostly hiking, some backpacking. A lot is in nasty sheep type rocky country. Bruised the ball of my foot something fierce February on my HAM hunt with thinner boots. Hurt for three months, must have bruised to the bone and kept agitating it

 

I'll probably try the Denali, or the perfekt hiker and look at a 2nd pair still up in the air. Kentrek Hardscrabble, Lowas, the Sierra trading post one look like a great deal too. I like the fact that I can try on the Meindls and the Kenetreks locally instead of Guessing. Anybody in town stock Lowas?

 

I wear wool socks, been wearing them more and more lately, even in the summer. I'll have to get some Merino wool, they're just so much more expensive from what I've seen.

[AZLance]

Summit hut are dealers for Lowas, if you don't like them, bring them back no questions asked.

[coueshound]

I think REI carries Lowas.....the renegade gtx has a pretty soft sole .... the ronan gtx is a little stiffer....models keep changing. Another great boot is Gronell.....top of the line stuff, made in Italy, these needed a considerable break in period but are at home in sheep country . look at their websites and you'll probably get a better idea of what would work for your situation. Sierra trading post is probably your best bet for Morino wool socks price wise..............if you locate a quality pair of boots on sierra pull the trigger they go quick.

[Packer]

I also have been wearing Lowas for just over a year and love them. I have the Ranger GTX boots which have a treking sole, which is stiff enough to backpack yet flexes enough to hike all day in comfort. The next ones up that are more comparable to the hardscrabbles are the Tibets. As much as I love the Rangers I may try them next as they have a true backpacking sole. If you don't like the real stiff sole go with the Rangers and you won't be sorry.

 

Aaron

[Coach]

One more thing you are going to have to look at closely, and this is hard because trying on a boot in a store with dry socks, even really good ones, is when your sock compresses with sweat and use, does your foot slide forward in the boot? You have to realistically measure what width of boot you should be wearing.

 

When you are going downhill, over hard terrain, your socks are wet and compressed, do your toes slide foreward into the front of the boot?

 

One of the first things I look for in a boot is whether it is "lace-to-toe". Can you adjust the boot based on the width of the ball of your foot compared to the width at the "gap".'

 

If you're 6' or taller, I can guarantee most boots will be too loose in the heel and too fat in the toes.

 

I've bought a lot of boots over the years. The old style Cabela's Mounain boots were awesome. They don't offer those anymore and the new versions suck for a vareity of reasons.

 

The Perfekt hunter is a solid boot that I'd recommend to anyone. What it lacks is the rock-absorbing ring of rubber you see in the Denali.

[reganranch]

Lots of good info here guys there is a lot of us in the market for new boots this year.

[KeithV]

i too fall into this category i need boots in the worst way.I have looked at the lowas here at gila outdoor and they are nice a friend of mine has meindls its a toss up for me.