Post by: Carcajou on October 05, 2011, 12:38:00 PM
Post by: ermont on October 05, 2011, 12:49:00 PM
Post by: Michael Pfander on October 05, 2011, 12:58:00 PM
MAP
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 05, 2011, 01:30:00 PM
My main complaint was: when walking through tall wet grass my feet wiould eventually get wet. seems as if you get that a lot with new boots these days.
Other than that, very, very comfortable and offered good traction and support.
Post by: Lost Arra on October 05, 2011, 01:32:00 PM
Whatever fits you the best.
For me it's Lowa. Until something changes I'm not shopping around.
My elk hunting boots (Tibets) are not lightweight hikers.
Post by: German Dog on October 05, 2011, 01:38:00 PM
Post by: stykbow67 on October 05, 2011, 01:39:00 PM
Steve
Post by: Bob B. on October 05, 2011, 01:52:00 PM
Bob.
Post by: steadman on October 05, 2011, 02:03:00 PM
Post by: chinook907 on October 05, 2011, 04:29:00 PM
Post by: mmgrode on October 05, 2011, 05:01:00 PM
Past that, I've been wearing lowa boots for years. They fit my foot. I've had both the ranger and tibet and currently wear the tibet for my hunting. I did bighorn sheep work in them (worked great for that!) and use them as my hunting boots. Waterproofing is impeccable. The only complaint 'd have is they're a bit noisy/clunky for stalking. Other than that a great boot.
Boots can make or break a day out in the field. The more miles I put on the more game I see. Get good boots. Just my 2 cents.
Cheers, Matt
PS- get yourself a good pair of insoles. They go a long way comfortin' up a stiff mountain boot. I like the high country synergy footbeds, but have heard good things about superfeet as well.
Post by: YORNOC on October 05, 2011, 05:20:00 PM
Post by: MnFn on October 05, 2011, 05:44:00 PM
I spray them with sealant, use liners and good wool socks. One morning my brother in law was pouring water out of his second pair of boots and mine continued to be dry.
I have very flat feet and can hike/hunt in these comfortably all day.
Post by: Carcajou on October 05, 2011, 09:08:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: eflanders on October 05, 2011, 10:35:00 PM
Post by: Houska on October 05, 2011, 10:38:00 PM
Post by: AkDan on October 06, 2011, 03:06:00 AM
I also own a pair of low GTX's....400 bucks, on my second pair after 5 days. The second pair leaked after ONE ...1....day! Throughly disgusted.
I am moving to kenetreks before sheep 2012.
you're mileage may vary. I liberally applied whites boot grease this year to my lowas and it showed no improvement.
Post by: AkDan on October 06, 2011, 03:07:00 AM
Post by: Dave Pagel on October 06, 2011, 06:57:00 AM
My Meindls served me well on a sheep hunt and a couple of elk hunts, but the sole separated from the boot two years ago and I started my search for a new boot.
D.P.
Post by: Carcajou on October 06, 2011, 07:06:00 AM
Hey Dave, what model Lowas were they?
This is no cheap venture...they are expensive without researching em first..
Post by: Lost Arra on October 06, 2011, 07:17:00 AM
A number of online shoe outlets that carry hunting boots, at least Lowas, (zappos, shoebuy) have free shipping both ways. My wife and daughters don't hesitate to buy shoes/boots in multiple sizes and just send back what doesn't fit. Or send them all back at no cost.
I realize this doesn't work for Kennetrek. With Cabelas you are out the shipping costs but they never hesitate on a return.
Post by: AkDan on October 06, 2011, 07:40:00 AM
The lowas I had to go through some goofy test to 'make sure' they leaked. Well a week later they replaced them...yup they leaked in minutes is what I was told. The last pair leaked in the wet grass. All of this right smack in the middle of a sheep season. Yup I'm whining...for 400 bucks they shouldnt leak after 1 day of hiking, one stream crossing and a bunch of wet grass. The rest of the stream crossings were done barefoot (ie numbing water/sharp rocks painful!!!). Moral, I need to find a better system that is also light weight for crossing creeks.
It was the only perk going with cabelas, the shipping to and fro.
Post by: wahoo on October 06, 2011, 08:03:00 AM
Post by: Carcajou on October 06, 2011, 09:57:00 AM
Post by: calgarychef on October 07, 2011, 03:11:00 AM
Post by: JJB2 on October 07, 2011, 10:13:00 AM
Post by: PSUBowhunter on October 07, 2011, 10:40:00 AM
Post by: Tutanka on October 07, 2011, 10:41:00 AM
As far as comfort I would rate them the following: 1) Baffin, 2) Tibet, 3) Sheep hunter, 4) Meindl. As far as break in period is concerned I was not happy with the Meindl's at all. The Baffin, and Tibet require a little break in period but not too bad. The sheep hunters are a fairly stiff boot that requires even a little more. I really like a taller boot and the sheep hunter is taller than the other two lowa boots but also has 200 grams of insulation and is rather heavy.
I always thought that Lowa was the best of the best for a good hunting boot until this year. This year I was lucky enough to try out a pair of Schnees Beartooth boots. This boot has become my favorite boot big time. A few of the things that I really like about this boot are; they have a more supple leather that does not require hardly any break in period, it's really soft but seems very durable. They are also the same height has the Lowa sheep hunter. On paper they weigh about the same as the sheep hunter but they feel far lighter on my feet. The rubber guard around the boot also wraps further over the toes on the Beartooth, I like this feature, it provides a lot more protection when crawling and hiking. They can also be re-soled.
I have not had the opputinity to try out any of the kenetrek boots, but I have friends that speak very highly of them.
Price wise they are all pretty close.
One other thing to consider is that Lowa made some changes to the design of the Tibet a couple of years ago. At that time you could find a pair for around 200 bucks. You still might be able to find a new pair of the older designs somewhere on the web. It seemd like the common sizes sold out pretty quick, but it might be worth a look.
Post by: Bjorn on October 07, 2011, 01:17:00 PM
Post by: mmgrode on October 07, 2011, 02:09:00 PM
Cheers, Matt
Post by: Bowshot on October 07, 2011, 02:20:00 PM
According to my gps, I have logged just over 300 miles in mine since late August usually carrying 25-30# pack. No ankle issues. Break in period was late season whitetails last year followed by 2-5 mile hikes 4 times a week thrrough out the winter, spring and summer carrying a pack with 20--60#. They were comfortable in the store and just keep getting better.
Terry
Post by: Carcajou on October 08, 2011, 02:19:00 PM
Post by: Eric Krewson on October 08, 2011, 03:33:00 PM
Tried Russell boots, bad fit but they have been very nice about replacing them even though I wore them for a year before I complained. They are building the replacement pair now.
Bought a the cheapest pair of hiking boots Walmart had a few weeks ago, hiked 4.5 miles up to the AT and back in them. No foot problems at all which is strange for me because all shoes hurt my feet.
I hiked up to the top of distant peak in the background on the right side of the picture, a steep, rocky climb.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/Tookahike2011.jpg)
Bottom line, wear what fits and feels good.
Post by: huntnmuleys on October 09, 2011, 08:46:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Bowshot:another vote for the hanwags. ive had mine a couple seasons now and absolutley love them. google lathrop and sons and go from there...
check out the Hanwags as well, appear to be bombproof so far. Only have had mine for a year but no blisters, wet feet etc. Just finished moose camp, rain, wet bush, swamp etc, lots of up and down in the area, they worked as well there an is the mtns chasing elk.
According to my gps, I have logged just over 300 miles in mine since late August usually carrying 25-30# pack. No ankle issues. Break in period was late season whitetails last year followed by 2-5 mile hikes 4 times a week thrrough out the winter, spring and summer carrying a pack with 20--60#. They were comfortable in the store and just keep getting better.
Terry
Post by: SL on October 09, 2011, 11:42:00 AM
This lacing system will go a long way to comfort even in cheap boots.
SL