I need to get some ideas of the type of boot I should be looking for, for rocky mountain elk hunting. Help please! :pray:
Hi I've hunted the rockies for thirty years. I am mostly in my cross trainer athletic shoes because they are comfortable, QUIET, and protect the soles of my tender feet. I do worry some about turning a ankle in them. Also wear the high top boots that I hike in, if the weather is wet or cold.
Joe
Try as many brands as possible but I really like the Asolo 520. They are very sturdy, high quality, waterproof hiker.
My fav boot for Elk hunting when I was in CO was the Danner Pronghorn.
I have lived, worked, and hunted in the west in Washington and Wyoming for 27 years. My work is as a wildlife professional and I love to hunt, so I have worn out many boots over these years. Depending on where you are hunting, hunting elk usually takes you into some pretty rough terrain. My suggestion for boots is to get a good quality boot that supports the ankle well due to climbing mountains (I like the 9" height). If you are bowhunting, you may want the lighter softer soled boots to be quieter. If you are not in really steep terrain, the Maine hunting boot or newer stalking boots are acceptable, but again, if in steep terrain you may want the leather boot that covers and supports the ankles with a fairly aggressibe tread. Others may disagree, but I like the air bob soles rather than lug soles. The traction are round protrusions rather than square lugs. These provide adequate traction but are softer and quieter than heavy square lugs. Many manufacturers make good boots. I like Danner, Cabela's 6 Point boot, Irish setter, etc. Good luck and have fun.
Asolo TP 535 can't count the pairs I have worn out over the years.
Great boot!
You'll get all kinds of specific recomendations. Every boot fits someones feet perfectly, unfortunately it may not be your feet. Try lots of different brands on and eventually you'll get to a pair that says "you're home" those are the ones to buy.
The ones that say that to me are Kennetreks.
"Every boot fits someones feet perfectly, unfortunately it may not be your feet." I'll say amen to that quote. I have been wearing some sort of boot for 50 odd years, and I've probably tried most styles and many makes. I've spent hours walking around the store in a pair of boots trying to determine whether they fit right or not. Most of the time I have settled for something that turned out to be unsatisfactory over time. I'm a surveyor, so I wear boots of some sort 95% of the time, either working or hunting.
I've discovered that if you continually wear boots that don't fit right, eventually your feet will pay for it.
I always subscribed to the notion that a person needed a stiff, heavy-duty boot for the rough, steep, rocky terrain we encounter here in Idaho hunting for elk. However,after having some major problems with my feet due to boots that did not fit right, I finally broke down and ordered a pair of Russells because they custom make them for your feet. I had to send the first pair back because I evidently did not measure correctly. Once I got the right measurements, the result has been very satisfactory. They are moccasin in construction with a very thin sole and are termed "minimal", meaning no arch support and no heel. I have plenty of ankle support, partly because I have strengthened my feet and ankles by running in "minimalist" footwear and wearing them while hiking around in rough, steep country. Balance is better and traction is much better than hard, stiff lug soles.
Just remember, you can keep physically fit in all respects, excercise, climb mountains etc. but if your feet give out you are done for. It's tough to elk hunt without being able to hike.
check the Kenetrek line for top quality and lots of options to fit the conditions.
There are some pretty stark differences in terrain out here in the elk woods. One boot certainly can do it all, but knowing if your terrain is of a certain type would really allow you to better choose your boots.
For example, the boots I use are great for the higher rocky terrain I sometimes see, but I pay a price in noise, and sweating if its hot. I get around this by easing the sole edge to make it rounder and taking them off to stalk. Its a hassle but one I am willing to make given their other qualities. (dry, rugged, well made)I would suggest not gong too heavy with any boot though. Its torsional rigidity (the ability of the sole to resist twisting) that you really want more than anything else outside of gtex or not and style IMO.
Having a boot that protects your ankles from bone bruises from rocks is a big deal for me. Thats why I don't use athletic shoes. I've gotten them using low shoes and they are very tender for a long time.
Joshua
I have had luck with the Mendle perfekt Hiker and the New Balance Rainier. Both are light and are a good all around boot
My Red Wing boots have lasted me 15 archery seasons thus far. I would venture to guess they've seen thousands of mountain miles and have seen every possible weather scenario that Colorado has to offer.. And they're still going strong.
As Italian I would suggest you Asolo,but there are a lot of other really good brands; I like the Russells for early season,or Meindl for wet wheater.
White Smoke Jumper boots.
Danner Pronghorn
So far lots of good suggestions. But are you going to be hunting in the cold and snow? If so, I'd suggest a good pair of pac boots with air bob soles. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either Schnee's or Hoffman's pacs.
QuoteOriginally posted by TOEJAMMER:
White Smoke Jumper boots.
The White's Boot company used to be located in downtown Spokane. Years ago, when I still lived in Spokane, I'd often walk by the store. They had big windows and one could see them making the boots. To this day White's are an outstanding, high quality boot. I have a hunting buddy that has worn them for decades and wouldn't think of buying any other brand. They are far from inexpensive, though.
Danner makes a number of boots, 9-10" leather/cordova and all leather. Try them on, with the socks you will be using. You do not want them tight in the toes, or loose in the heel. Try walking down a ramp at the store to make sure your feet are not sliding forward. 200 Grams of insulation min. 600 in the snow.
If the weather is warm, try a good cross-trainer, or lightweight leather. Cabelas sells a Premier Upland boot which does not need breakin, is very comfortable and offers good support (non-insulated or insulated).
Unfortunately, a boot suited to warm weather and easy terrain won't work in snow or cold climates and vise versa.
I really like the Danner pronghorn too...super fast break in, great support, traction and come uninsulated or several choices of insulated models, light weight and waterproof.
Whatever you decide bring 2 pairs, preferably 3. Feet may get wet, boot might tear, be too close to the fire, whatever.
Another vote for Danner Pronghorns. I was very impressed with them when I was over in Colorado last month. Mine are uninsulated. I had them on for about 4 hours in about a foot of snow back over here the other week. Me feet remained dry and warm. The warmth may have been from the quality wool socks I was wearing though. If you are going to be hunting in snow or colder weather a lot i would suggest a light insulated pair.
I own 3 pair of Danners myself, and have never been disappointed with any of them. They range from 200 grams to 600 grams of Thinsulate, and they have always kept my feet dry.
I like light,well built boots with an aggressive sole. Some terrain can be downright dangerous without the aggressive sole. And they have to fit good or you will hunt less. Gary
Meindle perfekt hunter from Cabela's was the best rough terrain boot I've ever worn. Light, extremely comfortable, very supportive on steep inclines, rugged as a brama bull. Built for hard steep terrain. Great if you are on the move most of the time.
If sitting in cold weather, thats a whole different animal.
Love Schnee's myself for any other type of hunting.
Merino wool socks of different weights are critical. I buy fairly lightweight pairs of different sizes and layer the socks to fit the exhertion level or temperature. I keep 4 lightweight pairs in my pack, 2 large,2 Xlarge. Good to throw on your hands when getting really cold on the way out too.
Hunting in the Rockies requires a lot of steep uphill and downhill walking. So you need boots that fit snugly, but don't bind your feet. In other words, you need boots that fit perfectly. Whereas for walking long distances on the flats, you just need boots that are comfortably loose. There are lots of fine boots that will fit your foot perfectly if your foot is the one they used as a model for the standard last. They definitely didn't use my foot! My foot is wider in the front and narrower in the heel than a standard last. For years, I tried to force it into boots like Lowa boots, that are probably some of the finest boots made, but not for my feet.
Finally, one day I went to the Birkenstock store to get some sandals on sale, and saw that they also make boots. I tried a pair on, and my feet told me they had finally found a home! I can walk miles in those boots, up and down the steepest grades, and never have any pain from the boots (plenty of pain in general, but not from the boots).
My advice to you is to keep looking until you find a pair of boots that fit your feet like the Birkenstocks fit mine.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
Whatever you decide bring 2 pairs, preferably 3. Feet may get wet, boot might tear, be too close to the fire, whatever.
Sorry Bjorn, but this made me chuckle! I don't deny the wisdom, but if I ever start taking three pairs of boots anyplace just shoot me.
Joshua, not an extra boots just in case kind of guy.
I wore Danners for years until they were bought by LaCrosse and the accountants started in on the materials and workmanship. Tried several and ended up loving Lowa Sheephunters for the rough stuff in AZ and WY, with a pair of gaiter for deep snow I am ready from any weather from 90 to well below zero degrees.
Two pair- one lightweight hiker/crosstrainer type, and the other an insulated leather 8 or 9".
I still have my 9", in suprisingly good shape (10 yrs old). Were Redheads (made by???), top of their line back then.
I wear them only when hunting, treat the leather before season and after. Before them I had another long lived pair of Brownings.
Two pair, Assolo Sasslongs are my normal Sept boot but if it gets wet or snowy I use the taller Danner Frontiers.
Kenetrek. Pricey but worth it.
The airbob sole suggestion is a good one. The Cabelas elk hunters (Danner) with the airbob sole are good if you get them to fit right. I went through 4 pairs in 2 different stores and found a pair to fit. All were the same size. Schnees makes good boots. I am currently wearing a pair of Hanwag Alaskans. Depending on the terrain, a good set of the light approach style shoes are the right choice.
Fit is the number one criteria followed by foot protection in my experience. Sore feet are no fun.
Terry
Thanks for all the help guys, I will continue to read and soak in all this advise.
I spent 4 weeks in 2008 and 2009 elk hunting at, below, and just above timberline (10,500'-12,000') wearing the same pair of uninsulated Danner Pronghorns. Have nothing but phrase for them.
Take a look at Russell Boot and Moccasin, they custom build boots from a tracing of your foot. It isn't possible to find a better fitting shoe. By far the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. I bought my first pair 15 years ago and still have them. Not the cheapest option, but they are make good footwear.
Make sure they have good ankle support!
I hear alot of praise for the Danner Pronghorn boots. I have a pair I have only used for hunting. They may be about 7 years old but not a ton of miles or hours in them. They used to keep my feet dry. Now they don't. I called Danner to see if I could get them watertight again. They said no. I feel that they didn't live up to the name or price. Is it that I may have gotten boots made on a bad day? I'm afraid of wasting more money. 1 year warranty. Anyone offer more?