My light hikers gave up the ghost this week while stumping and squirreling so Im looking for something to replace them. Three choices Im contemplating are Lowa, Keen or LL Bean Crestas of which neither I have owned. Not looking at Meindls, Asolo or Vasque for various reasons. What are some of your experiences with these boots? Ill be wearing Mucks once the freezing weather creeps in but until then I like light hikers with wool socks. Thanks, Izzy
Izzy,
How goes it? Never seen Keen footwear I didn't like. For LL's I've only used the Maine hunting boot. Don't know much about Lowa, but heard great things. Have you considered Merrils?
The Merrils that Ive seen, seem to lack decent sole tread. By the way Kace, where you moving to.? It was good to meet you anyway, maybe see you on the mountain.
I love my keen targhee 2 goretex. Extremely comfortable, wear great, and really are waterproof. The swamps i hunt tested that.
I have a pair of merrel's that are going strong after 2 years, I love the tread pattern, I'm not sure of the model but I know they are gortex. Chris
EDIT: Just went and checked the model is Continuum.
I have had a couple pair of Keens that were comfortable, but wore out really quickly. I have some HiTecs that I got from Sportsmans Warehouse that are comfortable and have worn really well. They don't cost much, either. I also got a pair of Cabelas lightweight stalkers (I think that is the name, they are camo and in boot height) that are really comfortable, but since they are new I can't comment on their wear.
I like the Lowa and Asolo light hikers. Not quite the performance as the heavier versions but very comfortable.
Check out the HiTecs. I am on my 4th pair now. I usually get 2 years of hard use out of a set.
I bought my first pair before going on a decoy/spot and stalk Pronghorn hunt. I had tried several high dollar pairs, but none of them just felt right. I finally stopped at a small outdoor store that caters to a lot of through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail (the shop is only minutes from the trail). The owner suggested the HiTecs and said he has lots of through-hikers that won't wear any other boot.
Since then, a couple of my shootin' buds have started wearing them as well. The model that I have is the Altitude. Great boot at a great price.
A.S.,
The altitude is the ones that I have, too. I go through lots of boots, and these seem to be the best wearing for the money, and comfortable from day one.
My Merrell Phasers have a really grippy sole pattern. Not the lightest I've had, but they've been durable, dry, and comfortable.
I've got a pair of The North Face GTXthat are starting third year of hiking, hunting, and the general abuse that surrounds that. I am very impressed with their comfort and durability. There was very little breaking in. They were comfortable right out of the box.
I've been wearing Crestas for the past couple years and am happy with them. There was definitely a break-in period since they're all leather, but after some wear they were comfortable and have been holding up to the rocks and cactus of the southwest just fine.
Izzy, out of those three I prefer the Keen's but for my feet Merrell's work best if I will be covering lots of ground. Good luck on your choice.
PS: If you do happen to choose Merrell's get one full size larger than you normally wear if you can't try on first, they run consistently small.
I only have experience with HiTec boots but have no reservations recommending the HiTec Altitude IV WP. Very comfortable (even during the height of an Indian summer) and requires no breaking-in. I have been wearing mine in thorny scrub, swamp and at construction sites since 2009 and they are still going strong. Very strong! For $60.00 they are excellent value for money. Used to keep mine conditioned with Ballistol gun oil but now use Montana Pitch Blend.
I have another pair of HiTec boots (Outlander) that are not as comfortable as the Altitude IV and I wouldn't recommend them.
I have had a pair of Asolo hikers with Gortex for ten years......soles are worn but still going strong and the still don't leak.....one of the best boots I have ever had. I got them at Eastern Mountain Sports.
I have hunted Arizona cactus, California dry and high, Alaska, and Georgia in my Merrill chameleon mid-GTX. They have a sold tread pattern, a deep heel cup that does not move on steep inclines, and are dry.
I love them. Prior I had meindl and a few other brands. After my first backpack hunt with these I bought a second pair.
I will never wear another boot. If it is cold, I have boot blankets and hand warmers.
Scarpa makes some tough boots.
been using them for various climbing activities for years.
My feet like Lowa's but thats because they fit best - for me. Point is try on each of your prefered brands and pick the one that your feet like best.
The Kenetrek Hardscrabble LT is a very nice boot, but not inexpensive.
Allan
I'm a huge Keen fan. I've owned several pair over the years and have been pleased. Their customer service is fantastic. That being said I know that not everyone finds them comfortable and down right can't stand the fit, but they fit me well and I have a wide foot. I have found their size runs pretty consistent. Very little break in required.
Another good brand is Danner. I've had a couple pairs of theirs and they are rock solid. They can be spendy depending on the model but if you keep a lookout you can find some great deals on Danners. Hope this helped.
been working in a pair of hitec altitude ultra boots ($150) and i like 'em - uber light, waterproof seams and highly water resistant overall, super durable and comfy right outta the box.
but it's hard to beat a pair of *modified* llbean 6" boots, $85 direct, w/free shipping, highly waterproof and darned durable. these boots *absolutely require* a home made "ankle biter" insert shield of leather.
Looks like Im gonna try out a pair of Keen and a pair of the Bean Crestas tonight. Got my 1st mountain hunt/hike of the season coming up next weekend and these Rockys are starting to get wet after a walk through backyard grass. I was disappointed with them after 2 years. Not many Hi Tec dealers around here.
I would suggest heading down to the evidence locker and see what you can snag for a couple of weeks (make sure the perp didn't stash some stash under the insole) and then look at the Limmer Lightweight. These are not their made to order but off the shelf almost handmade leather lined boots that should last you 10 years or more. I just got a pair a month or so ago and love them. Have an older pair of the fabric/goretex Bean Crestas and they are very nice for the $, wish I'd gotten the all leather. As others have noted the fit is most important if they are well constructed to begin with. I am a true 9EE and the Limmer 8&1/2 EE fit me perfect.Cresta 9EE fit perfect. Can't begin to get in a Danner 9EE, too narrow.
i was told that the P.R.O. men had feet as tough as nails and didnt need any dam boots
I've had a pair of the LL Bean Crestas since 2000. They are a great boot, warm, waterproof, and comfortable. You can also never go wrong with LL Bean, their customer service and return policy is the best.
QuoteOriginally posted by centaur:
A.S.,
The altitude is the ones that I have, too. I go through lots of boots, and these seem to be the best wearing for the money, and comfortable from day one.
X 3 on the hi-Tec gortex hikers. good to go from day one is what i like about them.
Went with the all leather Crestas. 20% off sale and free shipping. The lifetime guarantee from Bean helped as well. I know they arent all American made but the company has been good to me with customer service in the past. Thanks for all your time.
I notice you wrote off the Meindl's but you might want to take a close look at them. I bought a pair while living in Germany and (way back then) used them to jog in - light comfortable, better support than running shoes. Climbed more than a few hills in the Alps. Had them re-soled twice. 10 years later was going to resole them again, but the seams were starting to go. Still waterproof, though. Bought a new pair from Cabelas a few years ago and they have changed a bit. Took a little longer to break in, but they're like bedroom slippers now. Also waterproof.
Ron
You could have used some break in time on those.