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There's supposed to be over 9" of snow in the mountains around Tucson tonite down to about 4000'. My grandaughter lives in Ogden and I don't find the mountains there any different. Rocks rock.

You need to come on an elk hunt here with the Russels... you'll curse them. For real mountainous country and snow they're borderline pathetic. Sorry to be so blunt but if the make you happy more power to ya. Hamburger is great until you eat steak.

My favorites are a 20 year old pair of Cabela's Mountain Hunters. For me very comfortable. Used them from Alaska to Southern CA. All leather with a great sole. Not sure what the current ones are but these were made in Italy. Very good quality and fit. Hopefully in 10 years or so when these wear out I can get something as good.

Brad,

Can you give specifics about what is wrong with the Russell High Country Hunters in snow/wet conditions?

Meindl boots from Cabela's. I speak from over 20 years of experiencem something like 18 of those years in the same pair, all of it in the Rocky Mountains. The sole finally came off that pair in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado 2 years ago. Know that by the time I wore this pair out, this model would not be made, I purchased a backup pair and carried them with me. I NEVER had cold or wet feet in that pair, right up to the time the sole came off.

I wore my Russell High Country Hunters on the Grand Mesa in CO for the late rifle season one year. That year the temps were -0 with snow and wind for the entire week. The Lacross pacboots I had would not fit the stirrups so I had to wear the Russells. Although the temperatures were lower than the Russells were designed for my feet remained warm and dry. My feet get cold very easily and the Russells really came through for me.

I've had great service from Asolo uninsulated, Gore-Tex boots. Since they run a bit wider than most boots, mine fit my wider feet perfectly. Coupled with Dalgren socks, my feet have never been cold, even elk hunting in sub zero temperatures. The trick is to select a model that matches your walking/climbing conditions. I don't, for instance, use my GTX 95's for cold steep hunting. I use the next higher grade, the TPS, which is designed for light mountaineering and heavy back packing. On the other hand, I don't use a true mountaineering boot. They don't flex enough for good performance.
Another good trick is the addition of light crampons. Mine are Katoola's. Added to any of my boots, they make any icy, snow slick sloop much easier and safer to handle. E

This year I bought a pair of the Cabela's Meindl "Perfekt Hunters". The boots fit and feel great but I had one problem with them - They Squeak! It would be hard to sneak up on anything the way they are now.
These are new boots and maybe after I put a few more miles on them they will quiet down, I wonder if anyone else has noticed this with the Meindl's and do they in fact quiet down after a few more miles? Thanks.....................DJ

Rub in talcum powder to the affected areas.

Which model of Mindel do you have? There are several Mindel boots that Cabela's sells.

Thanks,

Don

I just got off of the telephone with Schnees of MT this morning. I had a return and they bent over backwards to accomodate me. Their customer service is over the top. I bought a pair of the insulated pacs with rubber bottoms and leather uppers. excellent boots!!!

my return was over fit, not quality.

they sell other brands as well.

best customer service in footwear ever!

Just to add to your good experience:

I recently bought a pair of boots, a gun case, and some thermal underwear from them. The quality of their stuff is absolutely outstanding..

I've got a pair of the Perfekt Hunters too. The brochure that came with them advised to put some snow seal type dressing on the tongue, particularly where it folds under the laceing to stop squeaks. Great boots, just don't get use of them here in southern Kansas

That's the thing that's holding me back from buying a pair of the Mindel's now. Not sure if they'll pay for themselves in terms of use.

Don

Fall of 2002, I ordered a pair of the Russell South 40 Birdshooters. It was a pair of their "in stock" which are not custom made, just my standard size 11, D width. I went to So Dakota for a 4-day upland hunt and my feet felt fantastic at the end of each day when everyone else was limping around.

Two years later I took the leap and ordered a pair of their Sheep Hunters; basically their High Country Hunter on steroids. When they arrived the heel counters I ordered as an option, were rubbing badly against the back of my heel. I called Ralph who promptly had UPS pick up the boots at Russells cost. Back they came. They were better but not perfect. I got busy and let it go for nearly a year with out really making sure they were just right. Early the next summer I started getting ready for the upcoming hunting season and started hiking with a light pack. First morning; blister. I called Ralph, again, he sent UPS to pick up the boots at Russells cost. This time it's a perfect fit and during the Oct Utah elk hunt at between 9000-11,400 feet, in the snow at 16 deg F, they were perfect, day after day even with a full pack of elk meat on my back coming down off the mountain.

I fully agree with those who say "fit" is paramount when it comes to boots. Russells and Ralph were willing to make that fit perfect.