Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Insulated Hunting Boots

I love my Crispi's. I have the Nevadas for the exact type of hunting you are describing. They work well to single digits if moving and about 20-25 degrees or so when mostly still. If it's colder than that and you are still then you will need a warmer boot like a pac boot or something. I wear them up to about70-75 degrees while turkey hunting and my feet do sweat but not ridiculously so. If its warmer than 45-50 degrees in the morning with highs in the 80's or more, I'll opt for a different boot.

I have or have had about 5-6 different Crispi boots. All top quality and really fit my feet well.

Lee

Our styles may differ but I don't usually sit too long when backpack hunting or day hunting mountains. I prefer non-insulated. Those have worked down to 0 F or lower, but a 30 minute calling stand is about as long as they let me stop without getting cold feet. Loosen boot laces very loose immediately when you stop if you know it will be awhile till you start hiking again. For late season and winter hunts usually with less distance hiking, (and some hour long lion stands) I wear heavily insulated pak boots like Sorels.

If I want to sit long between cold hikes, I put something over the outside of my boots instead of wearing insulated boots for the whole hike. Sticking booted feet into a near empty day pack or wrapping an extra clothing item around them works. Put the pad side of the day pack down or put feet on rotten wood to insulate from ice or frozen ground. I have considered making or buying some insulated cloth outer booties that slip on and off like a stocking cap for feet. It's an option.

Thanks, I'm going to try the Guide GTX, which is just a slightly taller version of the Nevada. I'm looking for a step up from my Salomons for those times, albeit rare, when a non-insulated is not quite enough. But unless it's really cold I'll be wearing Salomons. What sold me is the many comments on great breathability.

I think you will find that you have the Crispi's on your feet more than you think. I have multiple pairs of Salomon's and have had the ones you have. Great boots and shoes but I prefer my Crispi's.

I wish you'd try the Lathrop and Sons boots. Then report back 😁

I was considering a pair of their Mtn Hunters but when Cabela's had that 20% off sale, bought a pair of uninsulated Denalis. I have about 8-10 miles on them. I like them. They fit about like the Cabelas Meindl Perfekt rand-less 400 gram. I wore the 400 gram Perfekts in WY and CO for 2 straight weeks last year. They worked well - I dig them. I hope they last for several seasons.

Are the L&S boots available? It appeared like a preorder. At $425 I thought trying the Crispis at $322 seemed prudent. Their custom footbed was another ~$100. If the Guides don't feel good I'll return and look more into the L&S Hunter Elites

I don't think they're available yet. I talked to them last week and sound like they'd be available 'soon'. I think the insoles are $55 and $45 for their fitting service for them. Not sure what that entails - it seems like you put them in and see how they feel.......

I found some after market insoles I'm trying - Mega Comfort Anti-Fatigue Mat. I'm buying Lathrops argument on the only thing most guys need is cushion and blister protection. I've had a bunch of arch support type insoles and will pass. I only have 6-8 miles on the MC but they do feel good.

I run these down to 15 degrees or so if active.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Alaska-Hunter-Boots-by-Meindl/1995551.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dmeindl

If its colder than that or if sitting/glassing/riding a horse for long I use a pair of Schnees pacs.

I have really bad feet due to spending many hours a day walking on concrete and steel grating. I have tried a ton of different insoles, and orthotics with mostly poor results. What I have found works is doubling up two sets of soft insoles. As such I think Lathrops is spot on.

Insoles typically aren't a problem for me. I just put Super feet in if I don't like what they have. What I don't like, at all, are the really stiff boots. I'm not wearing crampons climbing, which is what some seem to be designed for. I want ankle support, breathability and a comfy footbed.

I'm with you 100%. I've tried several pairs of name brand stiff boots and don't care for them for elk hunting.

I have a handful of miles on a pair of Crispi Guide boots. So far so good. Heavier and stiffer than the Salomons, yet comfortable. No hot spots or concerns. Seem to breath well as I walked through a local battlefield yesterday with temps over 70 and a 30-40 lb pack with no problems. The jury will be out until I can try them in the cold as that is why I would use them in place of the Salomons.

I loved my rand less 400 gram Meindl Perfekt's... Always kept my feet comfy and warm down well below zero. I have the Alaskan Hunter now and really like them as well. Not sure which I prefer yet though. I do like the rand. The Perfekt's werent as stiff as the Alaskan Hunter's which doesnt really matter to me but it may to someone else.

On one hand I wanted to try the Meindls, but I like the idea of the rand for what I want this boot for. If the Crispis don't work out the Meindls are next on the list.

I look at it this way; would I wear boots to run a marathon? No. Why? They are heavy and make it harder. What is different when in the mountains? It is still difficult so I want as little weight and resistance as possible, but I want protection from the wet and cold, good traction and resistance to rolled ankles. The Salomons do all of that except for the cold (<~15deg) and with as little weight and walking resistance as possible. I feel many of the 'hunting' boots out there are designed for very steep climbing or use with crampons. That's fine, but not ideal for my mountain deer and elk hunting which places more emphasis on distance than on rock climbing.