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Planning a backpack DIY hunt out west (Montana). Need to replace my boots and get some broken in before I go.

Looking at Schnee's and Danner Canadians.

Schnee boots

Danner boots

What say you? Are these good or am I overlooking a different brand?

Are you thinking of getting a pac boot and a hiking boot or just one? Pac boot required no break-in.

Take a look at kenetrek's mountain extreme and grizzly pac boots. The mountain extreme will require extensive break-in and mole skin will be your friend. The Kenetrek's have a more aggressive sole compared to either the schnee or danner.

I'd like to just one boot for all.

Should I be looking at a "hiking boot" more so than a Pac? I plan on putting on some miles, if necessary.

-Thanks.

A hiking boot (10") with gators (e.g. kenetrek) and treat the leather with a high quality wax and you are golden. Just be sure to fully break in the boots or you will be hating life. The kenetrek mountain extreme require around 50 miles to fully break them in.

The Cabelas Meidtl boots seem to be quite popular although I have no experience with those boots.

Also a good idea to swap out the original inserts for Superfeet (or similar) insoles.

Also be aware of the fact that you could ask 10 experienced mountain hikers/hunters and you will likely get 10 different answers. Stick with a high quality well known brand and you will be good.

FAIR CHASE;
That sir is the absolute truth isn't it?

There are so many variables when it comes to boots that I for one hesitate to respond.

Some of the variables include the physical condition of the hunter, the age, weight and shoe size of the hunter and of course the conditions of the prospective hunt.

Speaking broadly, as I've aged(51 now), I've found that I like a taller and stiffer boot than I used to use in my 30's.

I weigh 160lbs and typically wear size 8� EE boots, so that means that any given boot style in my size will be stiffer than the identical boot in a 14.

Lastly, any work boots I've bought that didn't feel great in the store didn't improve appreciably with time and that's been the case with hunting boots too.

When hunting our section of BC mountains, I'll wear Meindl Canada Pro boots if I think there's a chance I might be getting into packing meat in the steep and thick stuff.

If I'm hoping to plink a whitetail in a cut block, then my ancient and rebuilt Danner Hood Winterlights are more comfortable for sure, but don't offer the ankle support I might need anymore.

As a broad statement, I find that German boots fit a bit different than Italian boots - which I believe Kentrek and Schnees are and certainly Crispi's are.

While I've got no bad reports to make on the Meindl Canada Pro, from the Crispi's I've looked at and the Kenetrek's I've tried on in the store, I'd be inclined to look at an Italian boot next time - for a stiff boot replacement.

Otherwise I've been way more than satisfied with my US made Danner boots as have friends.

I can't speak to the offshore Danner or Redwing products as we've no experience with them.

Hopefully that was some use to the OP or someone out there this cold winter morning.

All the best to you all this Christmas.

Regards,
Dwayne

R&M, Cannot speak to the Schnees, but I have grown to really like the USA made Danners. Minimum break in, and last several seasons with proper care.

As someone who has a pair of Danner Canadians, I wish I had bought a pair of pac boots and a pair of real hiking boots along the lines of what Dwayne is referring to.

Warren

What time of year do you plan on being there?

I'd reccomend that you get used to living out of a pack in the summer mountains before you attempt a DIY backpack hunt. You'd have a much better notion of what footgear will work for you.

Looking at late October/November if seasons are in the same ballpark as last year.

Plan on getting the boots and working them and my gear out this summer.

Definitely go with a hiking boot. Pick a good boot that fits your foot. Danner's don't fit my feet at all and I like the heavier hiking boots, such as Lowa, Meindle, Hanwag, Crispi, the next cool sounding 400 year German boot family to come out of the woodwork, etc. If you are sidehilling a lot or roll your feet, you ought to try the heavier built hiking boots, IMO better than Danner or other more traditonal hunting boots. After using many, the Lowa Tibet is perfect for me. Meindles and Hanwags were good for me, but Lowa's even better...You can plow thru a lot of snow with these plus good gaitors...

R&M, I have both boots you are targeting, as well as the Schnees Beartooth insultaed. Between these three, all my boot needs are covered for various hunts at different times of year.

Based on the type of hunt you are doing, the locale, and time of year, I'd probably set aside the schnee's hunters. They are a great cold-weather boot and supportive, but I doubt they'd provide enough support for a backpack hunt, just guessing though. If you will be still hunting & stalking, then you could reasonably expect to get away with a boot that has less insulation, like the beartooth. For me, this boot is perfect - tons of support, no real break-in required, and extremely comfortable. I tried miendls on 2 separate occasions, and they just tore up my feet. If you want more insulation, you might check out the kennnetreks as mentioned above (I think they have 400g of insulation vs. the beartooths that have 200g). Guys love these and I myself would like to try them.

I have never done a backpack hunt, and I understand it is a very different hunt. But for me, my feet sweat so much that I cannot wear the same boots every day, I need to rotate & for that...the Canadians & the beartooths are a great combination. As for the Canadians, I really really like them. Like the beartooths, I can do 8 miles or so as I hunt through the day, and my feet are not fatigued at all. The support they provide is different, but I find it substantial and sufficient. I think what I'm saying is that if the Canadians fit you well and are comfortable (as they are for me), I would not hesitate with them. I will say that my canadians are a 10.5EE...and I never wear an EE. But with a full insole and the plastic orthotic that comes with that boot, the fit is great.

Good luck!

If you are looking at pac boots, I love my 12" Hoffman "Outback" pac boots. Laced tightly, they're rock solid for support hunting on steep terrain. With the rubber bottoms, your feet do sweat a fair amount you may want to have an extra pair of liners when doing multi day trips in any pac boot so you have dry feet each day.

The outbacks have an extra ankle strap for more ankle support, when laced tightly and fitted properly your foot is really locked in place. In fact these are more supportive than my stiff hikers I wear during early season, I'm sure the 12" height also helps there. Best boots I have owned, although I have never owned a pair of Kenetrek MTN Extremes, Crispi, etc.

http://www.hoffmanboots.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=13OB

Made in USA.

I hadn't heard of Hoffmans, but those look really nice and the price seems reasonable. There are strong similarities to the Schnees.

I'd do neither those. The Danner's are too soft and clunky as a hiker, the Schnees are strictly for deep snow, not dry-land hiking.

For a "one boot" you need a hybrid.

Here's the type of boot I'd recommend... it's a hybrid between a hiker and the insulated Danner:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Perfekt-Extreme-400-Gram-Hunting-Boots-by-Meindl/1632151.uts?

I have used my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes on CO backpack hunts for the past two years and I have been very pleased. They do required a longer break-in period than other boots I've had but, for support and comfort, I can't image a better boot. Every foot is different but my Kenetrek's fit my foot like a glove. This past year, we hunted for a week in 12" to 15" of snow and they kept me fairly warm and dry.

So what are you going to do R&M...tons of great input here.

Biggs, the Kenne's were pure torture on my feet. Far too stiff for me. Obviously not all will find them so!

Best.

Well�

May have gone the wrong direction altogether, but I bought these:

Danner Boots and a set of Outdoor Research gaiters.

We'll see how breaking in goes and then get some weight on my back and work some hills over. If they don't work I got enough time to correct and you may see a discounted pair of boots in the classifieds