Mountaneering/hiking boots vs popular hunting boots

[rcdinaz]

Asolo have been very durable and comfortable for me.

 

I have been wearing these as well as a pair of Zamberlan's. It really is all about fit. I have a slightly narrow foot so the U.S. mfg's always end up too wide. I tend to also stay away from insulated boots unless it is very cold. My feet sweat which is miserable in an insulated boot and actually ends up making them colder than a boot that breathes really well.

 

I think I am going to give the Salomon's a try for just hiking and general outdoor wear. They are kind if a cross between a boot and a running shoe so we will see how comfortable they are.

[PRDATR]

The girl at RW measured my foot and said I was a 9 regular. I went to REI and tried on some KEENS and they are wider than most shoes by design and the 9 1/2's fit well but I have always bought 9.5 EE or EEEE shoes or boots.

I ended up picking up a pair at BP on the way home and have been wearing them around the office. The fit is OK but I wish they were a boot for more support.

I'm trying to get used to the irregular pattern on the sole. The lugs on the outside of the shoe forward of the arch are a tad higher that the rest of the sole and fatter so it makes my feet want to cant inward and it feels like I have something stuck to the bottom of the shoe.

That may be OK and unoticeable in the field though.

[Viper]

Fit first, brand last.

 

I use both Vasque and Meindls. The Meindl Perfekt Hunters I use are the only bested by the Cabela's Meindl Winter 800's now called "Ice Norther Explorer" I use for really cold weather hunts. I only use the Meindls for hunting to make them last while I rotate the two pairs of Vasuqes Summits I own for my conditioning hikes. The Vasques are good for a couple of years, but the older ones were better as they had rubber covering on the toe box. I have put "toe guard" on all three pairs of boots and so far so good. Either Vasque or Meindl is good in my opinion, but I would go with the Meindl's if I could only own one pair of boots.

 

I use Vasque because they fit me so well and are only bettered by the Meindls. The Vasques are less $$ so they are fine for work outs and so I can save my high $$ boots for the real thing. The most important thing is the fit so try a bunch of brands on and don't skimp on the cost as you do get what you pay for. I like Keen's for around town, but I bet the desert would kill them fast. I like Danners, but my foot is too wide or their toe box too small for me. YMMV

 

Kennetrek sounds like something worth trying as they have an uninsulated model that is like my Meindl Winter 800's with a rubber surround. If I wear out my Meindl's I'll give the Kennetreks a serious look.

 

Good luck and let us know what you chose and why.

 

I've worn the Meindl Perfekt Hiker for several years...many miles on them off-trail. I still give them praises almost every time I put them on. The cork bed molds to your foot for a perfekt fit. It's the first pair of "low tops" I've had for hunting, and really like them. The heat escapes out the top, keeping my feet cooler. I wear a low gaiter with them to keep out the debris. I noticed on the deer hunt, a small portion of sole is starting to separate, and there's not much tread left. I will just "shoe goo" it and start the shopping process. I'd buy the Meindls again if they still fit the same, but am open to others. My feet have grown particular so I know it won't be easy. I wear Keen light hiker on a daily basis and really like the wide foot bed.

[rcdinaz]

The girl at RW measured my foot and said I was a 9 regular. I went to REI and tried on some KEENS and they are wider than most shoes by design and the 9 1/2's fit well but I have always bought 9.5 EE or EEEE shoes or boots.

I ended up picking up a pair at BP on the way home and have been wearing them around the office. The fit is OK but I wish they were a boot for more support.

I'm trying to get used to the irregular pattern on the sole. The lugs on the outside of the shoe forward of the arch are a tad higher that the rest of the sole and fatter so it makes my feet want to cant inward and it feels like I have something stuck to the bottom of the shoe.

That may be OK and unoticeable in the field though.

buy some really good inserts and the support will be better than what is any off the shelf boot. REI has a few brands or checkout Lathrop on line.

[BirdDog20]

My dad and I bought these work boots back when Montgomery Wards was closing in the early 90s. His boss are not nearly as beat up since I do all the deer carrying. Also like to do a fair bit of trail making do it's easier to get in/out.

 

Anyway these are 20+ years old. Super durable and the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. I wish we got an extra pair or two, but these were the last ones the store has. I keep these in Tucson ... I've tried several brands here in Texas, but I can't find a pair that doesn't create a pressure point on my feet where the eyelets are.

 

Hopefully those boots will last forever. My dad had a pair of Browning's before, but the rugged terrain ate the soles up.

[Hulkster]

Quite a few of us wear the Danner Desert TFX Rough Outs. Gore-tex lines and a really light weight boot. Super comfortable and easy to break in. These boots don't get chewed up either like a lot of the others have in the rough country here. Great Boot!

[Avid Hunter]

Check out Hanwag.. I have the Alaskas and will never go back to Danner.