I have a pair each of 10" Schnee's and 10" L.L. Bean Maine Hunting boots that I use often. The Schnee's are heavier boots for really cold and the Beans are used for spring/fall hunts.
I've always liked the looks of the 16" boots and now that I'm planning an Alaska trip in 2013 am seriously thinking of ordering a pair. Anyone use these taller boots and how have you liked them?
I've got the 13" Schnee Hunter II boots. Put on 7 miles in 12-16" snow today. Boots did great. I've had them now for about 15 years. Had them rebuilt with new rubber bottoms, laces and liners about 6 or 7 years ago. I love my Schnees. If there's at least 4 or 5 inches of snow on the ground, they are my go to boots.
I haven't used the 16", the 13" seems to handle all of my needs.
I love my 14" LL Bean boots. Been using them for years.
I have the tall Schnees but I believe they are 15". They work great for chasing mountain lions in steep mountains and the deep snow. I did a float hunt for Alaskan moose in 1999 and took both hip waders and a pair of 13" Schnees, the waders were not used after the first day. We found the Schnees were quieter, considerably more comfortable, and with minimum precautions we never needed to go above mid calf when entering or exiting the raft. On my brown bear hunt the only time the hip waders were needed was to wade out far enough to reach the rope to the float plane when it did not get close enough to shore. The locals in Juneau wear calf high rubber boots and seldom need or use anything else. I got the taller Schnees when my other pair gave out after 18 years of abuse and three re-soles. Take a good pair of hiking boots if you are planning to hunt away from water or might need to pack a load of meat or gear any distance.
"The locals in Juneau wear calf high rubber boots and seldom need or use anything else." That's what we wore daily. I was one of those locals. Xtratuffs are known as the "Juneau Sneaker". I'll be honest with you, I can't think of one single hunt out of the hundreds I went on in southeast Alaska where I wore Xtratuffs or any other rubber boot. I either needed chest waders or my mountaineering boots. Now, I always took a pair with me to wear in camp, but I never wore them in the field. I'll tell you why.
In southeast Alaska, if you're going after moose or fall bears, you're going to be hunting in areas where you will need to cross rivers, wade through beaver ponds, cross tidal flats, plow through wet brush, etc. If you don't do those things, you'll be severely limited in where you can hunt.
If you're going after Sitkas, spring bear, or mountain goat, you'll be in steep, slippery terrain where you'll need superior ankle support that you can't find in a rubber boot. Just hiking around in those conditions would be tough in rubber boots. Packing out an animal would be torturous and down right stupid. I always wore my Scarpas and had no problems.
The only time I think a rubber boot would work there would be if you were hunting black bear along the beaches from a skiff, and a guide could put you in the right spot.
Up north, things are a lot different. In some places, a boot like Schnee's makes might be ideal. I do think if I were to plan a hunt up there, I'd make sure I had a variety of footwear to take. You don't want to miss out on an opportunity because you're ill-prepared. If you're using a guide, they'll give you some good input. If you're doing it yourself, find some experienced hunters in the area you want to go. Around Juneau, it was very easy to spot novice hunters or outsiders by their choice of footwear and rain gear.
On a trip to Newfoundland (island) we had a pile of torn up rubber boots at the end of the week. I brought the high Schnee's and they were perfect. I did dry and re coat the seams every night with the latex sealer, and oiled them heavily with Montana pitch blend nightly also....but man it did the trick. They didnt leak and the heavy leather took the abuse of those tundra roots and sticks. I was impressed too with the amount of walking I had to do daily, very comfortable.
The guys above obviously know about Alaska...good advice for sure.