Meindl,  Meindl,  Meindl .....I bought a pair of Russels and the soles became detached after one 5 day elk hunting trip on easy ground. No better luck with Danners. The Meindl boots are the "Gold Standard".

Out of curiosity, what have you been buying??

I had a pair of the Danner (Made in US type) lace to the toe, resoleable that lasted 12 years. Just bought a pair of Pronghorns (13 wide) they are great. I will bye another pair of the US made, resoleable type.

I have had good luck with lowas. I have a pair of Limmers that I wouldn't trade for nothing. If you buy the danners get the US made ones or you will be replacing them too. It will take some time to break the limmers in but its worth it

Meindl perfekt hiker. I have used Vasque, Danner, Red Wing, Chippewa, Rocky; none of these compare to the Meindl in my opinion.

I've done the Danner's, Vasque, and others. The Asolo's hold up year after year, are great fitting and comfortable right out of the box, and have good ankle support. I bought a second pair when they came on sale as backups.

If you can stand to break in a pair of boots (or have your foot broken in) Hawethorne's made by White's are tough.  They are a wildland fire boot that I have been very happy with.  I have had them nine years and they got way more than weekend use including fighting fires, mountaineering, and Hells Canyon hunting.  I never worried about this boot failing.  Not the most comfortable boot out there but it has made up for it in durability.

What strange names for foot wear, many I have never heard of, where does one find the
"Meindl perfekt hiker" ?
Also, what height boot do you prefer? 8", 10" 12?

I have allways worn vasque because I like the way they fit my foot. They do wear out faster then most but having something that fits my foot properly and gives the suport I want is more what I want out of a boot. I think that is more important then how long they last. Although both would be great.

Asolo for me.

QuoteOriginally posted by PrarrieDog:
What strange names for foot wear, many I have never heard of, where does one find the
"Meindl perfekt hiker" ?
Also, what height boot do you prefer? 8", 10" 12?

cabelas carries several of the boots mentioned

I have had great luck with Merrills over the years.

Just for reference.....if you've had a bad exp. with Vasque's.....which model?

The sundowner is the only one I've tried from them.

I'm on my 4th pair.

Thanks.

Miendels....that's my recommendation

They are awesome

Vasque no longer makes the sundowner. I liked them so well that I bought three pair in the nineties. After about ten years they shrunk a little. I got about four miles away from camp and my feet started hurting. I ended up doing nerve damage. That was four years ago. They haven't fully recovered yet. I tried the new version similar to  the sundowner and didn't like the fit. I ended up buying danner expeditions. I like the aggressive soul. Gary

Kenetrec or Meindle.  If I had to pick only one the Kenetrec.    H

Sage....

Is this not the sundowner?

 http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/SearchResultsDisplay?storeId=10208&catalogId=10000001&langId=-1&searchDisplay=1&cmCat=-10020&searchTerm=sundowner

I don't know the model of Vasque that I last bought. It had an all leather upper. I had two pair, back to back, that I separated the soles on. When I finally went back to REI I put the return toward a pair of Asolo 520's and never looked back. Better support, comfort, over all quality.

Yes,Italian climbing/mountain boots are very well made with a solid alpine tradiction.

I live very closw to the mountains and the 3 major peaks of Europe are 1 hour drive from my home.We like to walk in the mountains and I have friends that spend every week-end walking and climbing then hunting on season.If you are in the need of a great traction on rocky,iced slippery ground the best boots don't last more than a single season on the foot of the hardcores 2 or 3 maximum for the dedicated ones and a lifetime for the lazy guys.