Boot Reccomemdations

Heading to Montana end of October for an elk hunt and in need of some new boots. Any reccomendations from folks that have been out west? Want to get them soon so I can start breaking them in.

I have a pair of meindl perfekt hikers that I love. Great support when side hilling and stiff enough to really be great climbing up and down. I’m on year 6 with them.

Last year I bought a pair of crispi west rivers 400 gram. Very nice boot. Haven’t worn them much because they make my feet sweat. They’ll be used in only the coldest of days. I tend to run warm and don’t like sitting still for more than an hour hunting.

Hanwag, lowa, kenetrek, etc all make nice hiking boots. Try on as many as you can.

I also have the Meindl. Mine are the taller hunting boot. Comfortable, and not showing much sign of wear. I would get what you decide on soon. And get some miles in them. Get them broken in and make sure they play nice with your feet. Showing up to the mountains in new boots. May not go well. They have excellent support that makes them a little on the stiff side. Oiling them seems to help the break in process.

I just got a pair of Beretta Shelter High GTX, primarily for upland hunting, and spot and stalk whitetail efforts. The initial fit is true, but they’ll definitely take some breaking in. The toe box is perhaps a little snug. I prefer Gore Tex lining, and tall boot style to protect my shins. I would wear them on a western hunt if I were lucky enough to have a tag.
There certainly a lot of good boots out there to look at. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the recommendations. Where in the cities area can you find the boots you guys are recommending? I live in St, Cloud area so will be swinging into scheels. I know they sell kenetric and danner. Most deffinetely getting a pair shortly to get the miles on.

I have used Zamberlan Leopard GTX and Kenetrek Hardscrabble Hiker. The Kenetreks are what I am using currently, and this will be my 3rd fall out west with them. The Zamberlans were a great boot, but when I got into the more rugged stuff, my feet didn’t like them as much, but have been using the Kenetreks without any issue. As others have said, the most important thing is trying on different brands/models, as everyone’s feet are a little different. A couple other brands to look at that buddies of mine use are Hanwag and Salewa, but most guys I hunt with out there wear Kenetrek.

I did a week in Montana last year mid-September in the Danner vitals and don’t have a single bad thing to say about them. They were comfortable from day 1, and super light.

I wore the uninsulated but they also have 400 and 800s.

Whatever you go with, break them in much as you can on hills and stairs. Just wearing around the house or on flat land won’t replicate the mountains (had a buddy learn this the hard way last year).

I’m partial to Irish Setters (Red Wing), and Vaprtreks would be the model I’d look at. There’s Red Wing Shoes store at 3401 W Division Street in StC, or the one in Randall is really good too. The Randall store sells seconds, which have minor defects and are therefore discounted. Can’t wait to hear about your trip bud!

Lowa is another good brand to look at.

I have been happy with my Irish Setter Havoc’s. I like low insulation so those worked well for me. My buddy has been happy with the Vaprtreks that BigWerm mentioned too.

Well I better get to trying on some boots. Pretty dang excited as this will be my first hunting trip out west. I forgot your mother and law did or does work at Red Wing BW. Thanks again for all the reccomendations.

weedis wrote:

Well I better get to trying on some boots. Pretty dang excited as this will be my first hunting trip out west. I forgot your mother and law did or does work at Red Wing BW. Thanks again for all the reccomendations.

She did, but retired a few years ago now so no more boot presents for me unfortunately. I have the Irish Setter Uplander which is an awesome boot, but you probably want something with a heavier tread and lighter boot for out west.

Ditto on the Meindl Hunters, and Hikers, I have both, I prefer the Hunters, water can seep down from the top with the Hikers when in tall dewy grass. Great boots!

weedis wrote:

Where in the cities area can you find the boots you guys are recommending?

Scheels also sells Crispi.

Netguy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>weedis wrote:</div>
Where in the cities area can you find the boots you guys are recommending?

Scheels also sells Crispi.

Will check these out while at scheels. I talked to a buddy who goes out west every year and he has the crispi lapponias, really likes them.

I was at Scheels in Eden Prairie a few weeks ago to buy some hip boots. I asked the salesperson if she could also help me with hunting boots. She said yes. We talked a little about Kentrek and Crispi since I want to get a good pair of boots for upland hunting. We were talking about the waterproof material in each. Of the models on display one used GoreTex and the other used their own material. She said GoreTex was more for windproof than waterproof. I am a GoreTex guy so I’ll be doing more research before going back. At that time it’s more or less trying on different sizes to see which fits best.

I was a danner hardcore supporter for upland and shorter trips out west until my first trip into the mountains. I’m on my feet for work everyday and walk barefoot everywhere and still got blisters from all of the sidehills and climbing. My hunting partners use kenetrek and like them alot. I spent some extra money and bought a pair of custom fit russell moccassin and will never buy another boot for my lifetime. Having a solid shank really helps with climbing as well.
Another important point is your socks are just as valuable as your boots. Get some premium socks and keep extra in your pack. Don’t hesitate to stop pull your feet out and let them dry as well.

Some buddies also used crispi and had comments on premature wear but still liked the boot.

Attachments:

1. 

   foot-scaled.jpg
   

Netguy wrote:

Of the models on display one used GoreTex and the other used their own material. She said GoreTex was more for windproof than waterproof.

She has no clue what she’s talking about. Windproof boots?

Ultimately it only comes down to what fits each person.

+1 on Crispi and Kennetek. Both great brands to try, but only if they work for you.

IMO I’d hit the internet and skip the retail store hassle altogether.
Far easier to order 2-3 different boots in multiple sizes and return what didn’t work than it is to chase around retail stores and hope they have the models and sizes you want.

Grouse

Solid point on the socks. Sounds like I should find that gal at scheels, prolly point me towards some heavy Sorels! Yea no doubt grouse, just need to find the a lair that fits me well.

Those were the days, hunting pheasants all day in Sorels. Glad I stopped doing that in my early 20s.

From the FAQ section of gore-Tex.com:

“ARE ALL GORE-TEX BRANDED PRODUCTS WATERPROOF?
No. GORE-TEX products branded with the black label saying “GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY™” are built and tested to ensure durable waterproofness, windproofness and breathability in a vast activities range. GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ products branded with the white label are the best choice when comfort and performance take priority over waterproofness.”

Infinium has only been around a few years and is easy to spot because it’s a white diamond that says infinium instead of the black one that just says goretex.

I ended up getting some crispi. They were the most comfortable on my feet. Kenetric were very nice and had the better grip but not as comfortable to me. Been wearing them everyday and so far so good.

Congrats hopefully they work well for you. One other thing I did think of as far as mountain climates reminded me of last year when we got 14″ of snow at the beginning of September. If your doing a lot of glassing and with mountain temps being unpredictable bring some boot covers to keep your feet warm. There is nothing more miserable then cold feet in my opinion.

BigWerm wrote:

I’m partial to Irish Setters (Red Wing), and Vaprtreks would be the model I’d look at.

I love my vaprtreks, but depending on the type of elk hunt, I don’t know that I would recommend them for that. Boots that routinely go on sale for around $100 don’t tend to fare the best out west. For milder terrain though they are quite comfortable and fairly stable in the ankle. I go back and forth between my vaprtreks and my keens when I go to the state park to hike with 30 pounds in my pack.

Based on what I’ve tried on and read about so far, I’m down to Schnee’s, Crispi, or Zamberlan for boots for my 2023 elk & mule deer hunts. I’ll probably buy in 2022 so that they are properly broke in.

There’s a footwear sub on the rokslide forum that’s full of really good information and reviews on quality boots for big game western hunting.

gunsmith89 wrote:

Congrats hopefully they work well for you. One other thing I did think of as far as mountain climates reminded me of last year when we got 14″ of snow at the beginning of September. If your doing a lot of glassing and with mountain temps being unpredictable bring some boot covers to keep your feet warm. There is nothing more miserable then cold feet in my opinion.

Good call on the boot covers, will grab some. Tornado chaser, do you know of any places let actually has shnees on hand?

Kenetrek boots here. Lots of miles on them and they feel good. With whatever you go with, wear them for at least 50 miles of walking/hiking before taking on your hunt!