Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Limmer Boots

Anyone have any experience with Limmer boots......good, bad or indifferent....??

Limmer Boots

I need a pair of good hiking and early season hunting boots and from what I can see Limmer is very highly regarded. I like the design(height) of what they call their "standard" boot very much. Another good point in my case is that they are just and hour and a half away from me here in New Hampshire so I can easily drop into the factory for a fitting.

Any help is appreciated.

Regards,
Dave

I bought a pair this summer and have been very happy with them -- hope so, 'cus they aren't cheap!!!

They are supposed to be related to Meindl , IIRC.

They do require substantial breakin. I probably put about 75 miles on mine before they were good and broken in and have put another 150 miles on since then. So far so good. I'm very tough on boots and the leather shows, but I'm hoping I get 4 or 5 years out of them. I haven't found a boot in a long time that would give me 2 full years. In fact, I doubt any of the Danners or Vasques that I've been wearing would've survived the miles I put on this year alone.

Muley Stalker,

That sounds promissing. One of Limmers selling points is their toughness and durability in harsh conditions.

Did you order a pair off the shelf or have the boots custom made? Also, when you said the leather shows wear...could you be more specific? Is it cracking, separating from the sole, deeply scratched or does it scratch easily...?

I am also interested in how waterproof the boots are. Have you treated the leather as Limmer recommends? If one can put any credence in online boot reviews Limmers properly treated are waterproof.

Regards,
Dave

Yeah Muley Stalker, tell us more!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Their boots are, or at least were, top shelf. I have not purchased from them for around twenty years. At the time they were very well made and of very fine materials - top grain leather throughout. The old piece outer/uper design is a good one in terms of integrity but it is not quite as functional in terms of fit as some. If the boot fits you well, however, then it is a very good design. The only negative about these boots is the fact that my second pair was a bit noisy. I think it came about after I really soaked them. then the leather began to make significant friction noises - creaks. I don't recall that this happened with my first pair (which didn't wear out - they just got too small so I passed them on.) I think they're worth a look.

DavidC,

I bought an off the shelf pair. Size 13 (grin)! They are the lightweights. There are ultralights, but they were suede and didn't look as sturdy as the lightweights, so went with the heavier leather and glad for it.

My problem with boots is a combination of my size (at 200+ pounds, many boots simply aren't made to handle that kind of wieght) combined with heavy packs. I blow out MANY boots coming off a mountain with a 100 pound pack. The other factor is the amount of "off road" or off trail stuff I do. I spent a bunch of time above timberline this year looking for goats and the shale is simply tough on leather. Primarily the toe gets cut up but after a boatload of time in the crap, they are not close to cutting through. No problems at ALL with construction, cracking, separating, etc.. Every pair of leather boots I've ever owned gets the toe scratched to hell and that has never been the first place that the boot has failed me, so I'm not too worried about it.

As to waterproofing, I have used the limmer leather treatment. Initially, I wasn't impressed but later realized that the problem was really snow and such going in over the top. A lot of my hunting this year was in wet snow and I can't really say how good the leather held it out because I'd soak good from the top down. The lightweights are only about 6" boots. Might have to find a pair of taller ones for snow!

I've had some pretty testing packs out this year. Brought a small bear out whole down some real steep stuff. My bull was an easy pack, but my partners bull was a test. I brought a solid 100 pounds out on the first load. My goat was a long pack and steep initially and my buck was downright brutal. That was 135 pounds for a mile and a half and 120 pounds out down some real steep crap for another 4 miles. Downhill has killed almost all of my boots, which is why i'm stressing that component.

I'd of blown out any of the other boots that I've been using in this one season alone. The Limmers show no sign of wear other than the cuts on the toe and a little less sole -- to be expected!

Those are certainly monster packloads, reminds me of years of packing out "hosecarriers" filled with four, wet rolls of unlined firehose and packing 10 gal. (Imp) steel creamcans full of H2O on Trapper nelson #3s up to fire lookouts. These are great memories, at 58, but, I can't say that this was fun!

Anyway, for the toes of roughout leather boots used in talus, BUT NOT on firelines, simply coat them with about 3-4 thin coats of ShoeGoo; do this before you waterproof and it does really help.

Muley,

Would gaiters be an option to the snow in the boots issue?

Muley Stalker,

Much Thanks for the detailed post! The boots sound like they have done a good job so far....

I intend to look at Limmer's Standard boot which if I understand correctly is rather heavy. I will know better once I get to their shop and ask some questions.

I tend to cut up boots on the toe as well..esp the left for some reason. I have always wondered why more boot companies don't add a "strip of rubber" begining at the point where the sole is sewn to the leather upper all around the boot at a height of an inch or so. I think this would go a LONG way in protecting the boots toe & heal from shale and the like....I have a pair of Herman Surviros "hunting" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> boots that are built in this way and it works like a charm as far as protecting the leather goes.

Regards,
Dave

Home Depot and others sell plastic glue-on toe caps for boots. They are light and protect wear on boot toes very well. Rubber cement does the job of attaching the caps. Also, I seen this stuff used on construction type boots, spray-on cap

Good ideas on protecting the toes!

Bill, gators work well some of the time but in wet sticky snow the (at least on mine) snow balls up on the strap that runs under the boot to hold them in place and makes them a major pain! At some point, I need to do some experimenting with the couple pairs of gators I have and see if I can get them to attach right without that strap.

I have a tall pair of Danners that I should have used, but I hadn't used them enough this year to be confident that they wouldn't cause me more pain than they'd be saving me. At some point if I ever wear them out, I'll likely go the tall limmer route. I prefer the shorter boots for most conditions so the tall ones don't get much use.

In fact, if I know I won't be off the trail and I'm not wearing much of a pack, if any, I wear Nike trail running shoes. I easily put between 150 and 200 miles on those this year and other than being dirty, they look damn near new. Thinking about throwing another pair in the closet for the day when these wear out. Running the trails was my primary way of getting/staying in shape this summer.

I have a pair of Vasque hiking/running shoes like that. Forgot them at home this year. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

It would have been the perfect year for them with all the warm weather. They are a good option for conditions like that.

Hello,

This is a really informative thread. I have been searching for a good pair of boots for a few years now, as my old chukar hunting boots are almost 30 years old and don't provide the support they once did. I have spoken with the bootmakers at Limmer and have researched their boots. I've also spent a great deal of time researching other heavy duty boots. I am "old school" and prefer the old style, wide footprint of the norwegian-welted boots of yesteryear. I feel the Raichle mountaineering boots of the 70s & 80s were one of the best boots made. Where I have a problem is with fit. I have short, wide feet, and as I've aged (51 soon) my feet have gotten wider, and right foot is wider than my left. It's very difficult to find a wide boot in stout hiking and/or mountaineering boots.
I am now using a heavy mountaineering boot made in Italy by Alico. The boot I am using is called the "Guide" model, and if you click on this link (http://www.alicosport.it/prova2.htm) just keep clicking until you find the "Guide". This is the classic old style, heavy mountaineering boot. I am presently testing these boots by hunting chukar in them in the extremely steep rimrock canyons of the Quilomene & Colockum Wildlife Areas, in Washington state.
I also do a lot of rough off trail hiking and find these heavier boots are tremendous for ankle support and stability in steep canyons. You can sidehill all day on these types of boots as long as your ankle and calf muscles hold out. Still, because of my wide right foot I'm having some fitting difficulties, so if my cobbler can't stretch the boot enough to keep it from pinching my right toe I'll have to try something else. I have tried so many boots that if that actually happens I am going the custom boot route. I may try looking at the Limmer Standard again, but before I do that I will look very closely at a traditional boot made by Viberg of Victoria, B.C. They make several logger models but the one I'm interested in is the Viberg Work Boot #148. Very similar to White's but without the extreme heel and weight.

Anyway, I'd be curious to hear more about the Limmers, should you purchase them.

Thanks,

Cliff
Seattle

Salish,

In the next week or two I might get a chance to head up to Intervale and meet the Limmer folks in person. If so I will keep you posted on what I find out. I would like to purchase a pair of their Standards and in the $300 range rather than the $600 dollar version.....unless there is a good reason to wait the 4 years for the higher priced model.

One custom boot maker you might want to check out is Charley Van Gorkum in Smthers BC. He makes best quality hiking boots and is capable of making special orthopedic boots to address specific customer needs. Check out his "letters" section on the webpage and you will see what I mean. Kutenay who posts here metioned him on another forum but, since I am so close to Limmer I will most likely
go with them rather than Van Gorkum.
Van Gorkum Hiking Boots

Regards,
Dave

Dave,

good luck in New Hampshire and I for one would like to hear your impression of the Limmer shop. It's ironic that you mention Charles Van Gorkum because I spoke with him last year about his boots, and received his foot-measurment package. I really like his boots and may still go that route if these Alico's don't work out for me. One of my main goals in this is to get the most supportive, toughest chukar hunting boot I can find, yet also use that boot for other strenuous hiking and hunting outings. I think I'm finding out that the two are not necessarily the same animal. My type of chukar hunting involves searching out the absolute toughest, steepest shale, scree and rimrock country one can imagine. The Alico and older heavy duty mountaineering boots offered that stability and protection for your feet. They are like having your feet encased in concrete - nothing is going to hurt your feet, and the heavy duty thick leather will not abrade or tear. The downside is the boot is way heavy and as I get older that's harder to deal with. The Van Gorkum's would be perfect for all my other hiking and hunting, but for chukar hunting I'm starting to think I need a specific type of boot. Anyway, I appreciate the heads up and would definitely be interested in hearing more about Limmer.

Regards,
Cliff
Seattle

The boots made by Charley are probably the finest I have seen since I started hiking in 1956 and he can and does adjust rocker, stiffness, weight and fit to your specific requirements. I have seen Limmer boots, the older handmade style and I consider Charley's boots to be better.

I have now owned and used boots from most of the big Euro makers and custom N. American makers; due to an injury, I must be very persnickety about my footwear and only buy the best. I also have used so many boots as I spent many years in forest fire suppression throughout B.C. and Alberta and nothing destroys boots quicker than this.

I retired from being the head boot fitter at the largest sporting goods retailer's in Canada's flagship store some three years ago and this gave me an opportunity to compare a great many boots. The wonderful boots of the '70s and early '80s are no more, Raichle, Gallibier, Kastinger, Hanwag, Koflach and so forth are now much different and not as suitable for mountain hunting as they formerly were.

Some Meindle boots are still quite decent ans some Scarpas as well, but, most of them are made for trendy Hikers and dipsh_t yuppies with their "kool" yuppie-puppies. Viberg makes excellent boots and their prices are very reasonable, but, for the finest boot for serious use, I would pick Van Gorkum over anything.

Kutenay .., do you know if he puts any insulation in them ? I have a pair of Miendle Taigas and love the boot for a walking or climbing boot ( I used them on my goat hunt this year. I would like to use them to hunt deer here on the east coast but they have no insulation and my feet get cold to fast. Miendle does not make any boots with any insulation in them at all from what I have been able to find.

As far as I know, Charley does not make insulated boots and Viberg will only insulate one model in 400 gr. Thinsulate. Meindle does make insulated boots, including a model with 800 gr. Thinsulate and the Canada hightop boot with 600 grs.

I hate insulated leather boots with a passion, after using them working on steel barges on the Columbia River at -20 to -30 F, many years ago. The insulation, when dampened by perspiration or external moisture, cannot be dried easily and does not work as it is intended to. I use Schnee's pacboots with removeable liners from snowfall to greenup and keep spare liners handy, these are great boots and good in rough country up to actual mountaineering use.

I noticed $300 and $600 mentioned, are these the prices for these custom boots? And do they really take years to get delivered once ordered?
So far the best I've experienced were Vasq's, wore the soles off and now they don't make that model with the tread mine had and liked so much.

I think Charley's boots start at $725.00CDN, cheap for what you get, IMO; but, it all depends what your needs and budget dictate.