For those that really walk, what are you wearing and why? Just retired the ones I've worn the last five years. Need something for up to 15-mile days. Soft enough for loose sand. Tough enough for rocks and thorns.

I switched in recent years from American made Danners to Meindls and Salomon's. I have 2-3 pairs of each and switch around depending on what I'm doing. I wore Meindl Perfekt by Cabela's, 400 gram version, last year in 2 states elk hunting, in PA during bear and deer season, in TN during deer season. All told about 30-40 partial/full days. I wear them in combination with Smartwool extra heavy cushion. Nary a blister or hot spot and I covered some miles, carried out 2 elk, and backpacked 5 miles into a Colorado elk spot for several days. This past year I bought a pair of Cabelas Meindl Denali. They are the non-insulated correlative to the Perfekt. I recently replaced the cork footbed with a Sofsole and like it much better. Not real crazy on the cork directly under my foot - not enough cushion for me when I'm putting on miles.

A couple things I've come to know about my feet:
1. The right combination of boot and sock is important. You can adjust nuances in boot fit by changing socks. I've also gone to wearing a Smartwool liner socks.

2. I don't need arch support, I do need cushion. I have a stack of aftermarket insoles on my bench. I'm not crazy about Superfeet, Meindl cork, or about any of the cheap insoles that come with most boots. I recently switch to Sofsole. This will be my first whole year hunting with them.

3. I need several pair of boots to cover my needs. You mention sand to rocks. Assuming you run into both during the day, one pair may work. I tend to be really hard on boots/shoes. I've found a pair of 1000 gram boots, 400 gram, and uninsulated covers most everything I do from turkeys in April/May to late season stand hunts for deer.

4 A toe rand is a must. I find I beat up the toe on my boots. I have to rands on about everything I own now a days.

Bottom line - alot of boots will work. What works best for your feet and hunting styles is a bit if a trial/error game. I bought 3-4 pairs high end boots from a single source with the understanding that I may return all of them. I paid shipping both ways to keep it fair.

Another good option is to go with Lathrop and Sons boot fitting service. It is pricey but they are podiatrists and know boots. In fact they just developed their own boot line. When he Meindls wear out, I'll likely give them a shot.

Boots: The "most" important component of your hunting gear.... Good sleeping bag second! memtb

I don't wear traditional boots. I wear low tops. I haven't worn high top boots in over 5 years. My preference is Merrell Moab Ventilators.

The pluses for me are reduction in weight, ventilation for my feet, and flexibility. Since I switched, I quit having bad ankle sprains. I think the boots had a bad combination of two flaws. First, I came to depend on the ankle support to do the work rather than the muscles to do the work and my ankles and tendons got weaker, more injury prone. Second, the boot heel is considerably higher than a shoe heel which increases leverage against those now-weaker muscles and tendons.

So, IMHO, using boots for ankle support is a solution which amplifies the original problem rather than fixing it.

Back when I was wearing boots, the last pair I had that I really liked were Danners. I don't know what model, I'm not sure they were commercially available. A friend of a friend was a USAF survival instructor and got them for me on base up in Washington. After years of good service, I tore the side out of them .. beyond repair. The replacements were not very satisfying. They were too tight around the ankles and a bit loose around the feet. Could not wear thick enough socks to keep my feet from sliding around without cutting off the circulation around my ankles. I found that in the snow at 0 degrees my feet were warmer wearing low tops, heavy socks, and waterproof gaiters than they were wearing those boots.

That was about the point I stopped wearing traditional boots completely.

Tom

There is a better selection now than ever. And usually two are three are better than one if you hunt varied conditions. I have had good luck with Lowa, Vasque, Garmont, Mendle, American Danners, Red Wing, Schnees, Russell and White's boots. My vote for the most comfortable is the Russell Moccasin Co. PH boot and Cactus hunters.

Best price Alico from Sierra trading post. I have also gotten by well with inexpensive work boots and Milsurp desert boots.

Try them on if you can or if you mail order get two sizes and see what fits best.

Fit is everything if walking a lot. I usually go for a half to one size bigger than my street shoes and use insoles for hot weather then two pairs of socks and a flatter insole for winter use.

In mild or warm weather I wear either my Russell PH's or my Courteney Patrols, these are particularly good in rough terrain. For wet/chilly weather I wear LL Bean's Maine Hunting Shoe (insulated or non, depending on temp). For chilly weather and rough country I wear Russel's Toe Lace Hunter. Great boot.

I really like the Meindls with cork, their perfekt inserts. I bought a 2nd pair. I like the light hunter, due to the way the laces secure heel. Didn't get that with the denalis. They go in at the ankle. They are warm, with support all the way around. But I don't notice it, other than when I take them off and soaked with sweat.

Didn't care for Bean boots, not enough support. Cheap, and American made, which is nice.

I like Hanwags, I think the model is still called the "Mountain Light." Sturdy, not a true lightweight but light enough, good waterproofing.

But most important they fit my feet so they're comfortable over the long haul. Hardly take any break in at all.

I have 8 pair of Danners for various hunting applications from Turkey to Big game. The US made ones in my opinion are the best and most waterproof. I know there are better boots out there but they are probably to pricy for me. I know you say with this many I could of probably bought a couple of the more expensive ones but its to late now as what I now have will last me until "Happy hunting Grounds"

I have Salomon, lowa and Asolo boots to wear in cold/wet conditions. The rest of the time I wear trail runners designed for the mountains. I have 3 models of Salomon and am now trying the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 with Zero drop design that I am really liking. All of my boots fit well and are comfortable over a long days use. However my feet and legs are much less fatigued after a hard day w/ the runners and I give up nothing in traction and stability and they are much cooler.

Modern shoes designed for running in the mountains are worth trying. I will add that I hike and don't run and never carry more than 25#.


mike r

Kenetreks or Asolos here.

Kenetrek Mountain Extreme and Irish Setter Elk Trekers for me lately

I quit Lowa and Danner

I have a pair of Courteneys. They are wide with really hard soles. I would take them on a 5-mile walk. Past that I suspect they would be miserable.

Insoles

Early season I like Merrell hiker style boots. When it's cold and wet I've tried many and after the last pair of Danners I swore them off. Why pay so much for American made boot's that leak, and don't fit the same as the same ones(model,size,insulation) in another pair? The last two years I've been using a pair of Georgia insulated boots. They are much the same as the Irish Setter elk trackers. They were less money, have not leaked, and left me wondering why I kept throwing money away on Danners.

I use various Lorpen wool socks and insoles. They're more/as important to me as which boots.

I've settled on Cabelas Meindls for just about everything.

I walked,, A LOT, whilst after buffalo in Zim a few years ago. No issues but I agree the soles are hard. I do have a Dr. Scholls insert in them though, same as the Russell PHs.

I forgot what brand but the moldable inserts are the best for me. The others just did not match my feet or arch well. I also like the Vietnam style mesh insoles and if the boots are large enough I put these under the moldable inserts. These help to evaporate sweat so keep your feet warmer or cooler as the case may be. Cork insoles like Meindle are good too for shock absorption and insulation. I cut up some cork floor tiles to make insoles and these worked fine.

If you already have a brand of insole you like be sure to try on the boots with them to make sure there is enough room. Some of the better boots have excellent insoles from the factory but many don't.

Mine were super wide and stiff with no support. Not good for my B/C width foot. I gave them to my dad in that he is EE. He said they were still wide without insoles and thick wool socks.

Just ordered some Lowas. Will See how they work.

Danner

These in green. Sierra Trading post had them for $119 last spring, I bought a 2nd pair in brown to put back for when the green ones wear out.

https://www.rei.com/product/881783/salomon-quest-4d-ii-gtx-hiking-boots-mens

I ran Danners for 15 years when I went to get a new pair I thought they were crappy.

Just received my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes from MIDWAYUSA and the free gaiters they are giving with the Kenetrek's. They look good and I hope they last a few years!

Early Danners were good, the last pair I had were American made East Ridge (I think) Switched to Mendl Ultralights and have been happy with them. I'm hard on boots, bought the first pair of Mendl's in 2013 and finally threw them out a month ago-almost no tread left, torn in several places but still waterproof. I average over 8 miles a day, in 2016 I put over 1,700 miles on them (mostly at work and the rest largely on a mix of asphalt and fairly easy terrain).

They made a mule deer hunting to Wyo in 2013 and an elk hunting run again in 2014, if there is anything to complain about with them is they may be a little soft soled under a heavy load but traction and ankle support worked well for me. I guess the best thing I could say is that I bought them again.

I had 2 pairs of the Meindl Perfekt Hunters in the past year and both pair went back due to the rand separating. The first pair saw moderate use while the second pair I lived in for 2 months this summer and probably logged 200-300 miles in them over some nasty terrain. I won't be buying them again.

I also have a pair of Asolos and those have been working out well. A pair of Crispi's is in order before hunting season as I need something with insulation for fall.

For years I used Danner Canadians for western style hunting. Great boots as are the other made in the USA Danners. The over seas made ones are junk, however. Last year I bought a set of Meindl Alaskans. I really like them once I through the crappy cork insoles in the trash. They are a little stiffer than the Danners l, but not overly so. If the weather gets really cold and snowy and im on a horse I use Schneee pack boots. For ice fishing or stand hunting I use the white colored mil surp bunny boots made by Beta. The Chinese made bunny boots suck and bunny boots made by other brands don't seem to be as good as the Beta made ones.

Pretty sure Salomon snuck into my bedroom, made a cast of my feet, put it on a pedestal, then designed their boots around it... but the perfect fit notwithstanding I love my Quest 4's and low top 2's. Flexy where they should be, stiff where they should be. Try a pair on at a minimum.

I have spent some $$$ trying to find the right boot for our style of hunting. We do large scale deer drives as a gang. As a "driver" you want some nimble, almost cat like schit on your feet. Cold feet isn't a issue. While being a "watcher" you're trying not to get so cold where it's a problem considering you just got sweaty "driving" the drive before. Most of us drive one, watch one and so on. Amassing a set of gear that works for me doing both roles was a learning experience for sure. Boots? http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Meindl-Mens-Perfekt-trade-Hikers/748580.uts

Love em.

I bought a pare of Salomon at the advice of Dober via Brad for the early season. I haven't really tried them out yet, but Salomon tennis shoes were pretty comfortable at my last job where I was walking on concrete all day. Boots should be no different.

Brad knows his footwear. I did the first backpack with the Q4's with maybe an HOUR of break-in on mine. Not even a hint of a hot spot when backpacking. The low top 2's are divine. I will buy a non-Goretex pair next summer; it'll be wet here in a couple months so there's no point at this late date this summer. But man are they comfortable and more to the point they are downright therapeutic for my feet.

Meidle Perfekt hunters are what I am using now. Happy with them. Previous pair of Danners where terrible. Leaked down through the tongue and hard as heck to pull on. All of these problems with the Danners could be attributed to skimping on amount material.

I like a lot of the boots mentioned here. But many of them are more suited for rocky, steep, elk hunting in cold and perhaps carrying heavy loads. My Meidle Perfekts and my old Danner Elk Hunters are such boots that work well for these purposes.

But what about a lighter boot, warmer weather, not such hard ground. An upland grouse or pheasant or quail boot?

Needs to be light, probably waterproof, and durable (which the Meidle Ultralights are NOT?) and maybe a good bit less than $300 as a result. For example are the LLBean Kangaroo boots worth a look (~$200)?

Any suggestions?

I use Cabela Meindl Denalis for big game, Danner Grouse for turkey and pheasant. The Danners are not a boot for all purposes, but they are very comfortable and have been waterproof. The Denalis are tough as nails and took a while to break in, but I can go for days in them.

Thanks, that looks like the old Danner Antelopes I think they were called. They were a good American boot years ago. I suppose these are made in Asia, but might be worth a shot.

Most of $300 pluss Danners are made in the US. Though most anything under $300 is imported. Seems F'd up can't make a boot for $200 in US. Some companies can, but not many.

The cheaper boots use injection molding for soles. I am starting to thinking that is more comfortable than sewn bottoms. Ya they are throw away. But by the time the soles are shot often boot is. Worn leather may not give the support either. Sure it is soft. I suspect many of us keep our boots to long. I have a boot fetish and quite a few. Always looking for better.

So far meidl hunters with cork are best hiking. They lock the heel in, unlike denalis. Though I think I need to new cork. I got custom orthotics for work boots. Every year when I get new ones, I think why did I wait. Cheap orthotics are another thing people probably keep to long.

For early season hunting at my farm and bird hunting about anytime I use Russell Mohican Stalkers. I use orthotics in them and they offer pretty good all day comfort.

For late season when it is cold or snow is involved then I wear Pacs. I don't hunt high or in rock and scree environments these days but would have to try the Meindl boots should I do that.

Danners & Redwings for me. The American made ones.

I have started using the Meindl boots as well. Really like them and have not had blisters at all in the last 2 years with them.

I think that you will like the Lowas.

FWIW, I flat out love the fit and feel of my latest pair of boots: Salewa's.

They are now into their second full year of use and I hunt something almost year round, so they get a lot of wearing. They are so comfortable that I seldom switch out of boots into running shoes anymore for the drive home after a hunt. They are so comfortable I would wear them to weddings if appropriate.

A young climber who was a salesman at Second Ascent in Seattle talked me into them. For decades I have stuck to almost seamless leather boots, wrap around, folded bellows tongue etc. with the only stitching and seam up the back. These Salewa's are Goretex lined leather with a cloth tongue, rubber rand, some odd wire bracings--- and they are super light weight and superbly comfortable on steep scree or shopping mall steps, whatever. They are a little stiff for trail hiking but I don't do a lot of that nowadays.

I had never heard of Salewa boots. They are worth a look. Maybe their last merely fits my feet, but for whatever reason, they are the most comfortable or equal to my most comfortable shoe of any kind ever, plus they handle steep rock, snow, wet coastal moss and brush – and so far they have stayed dry inside.

Okanagan:

Which of the Salewas are you wearing?

On the size tab inside the tongue on my boot it says MS Rapace GTX.

I have had Salewas that I wore exclusively on tile and carpet in my school, wore them out in 1/2 a school year . Loved the fit not so much the wear factor. Maybe the heavier duty hikers last longer YMMV.

Kenetreks, Schnnes and LA Sportivas here.

Zamberlan Ibex GT low cut. I have tried most all of them.

I just purchased my second pair of Lowa GTX Camino boots. Great fit, no break in and lots of support. The first pair lasted three seasons of hunting Southern Arizona. The majority of the hiking was for mearns quail with some coues wt and javelina hunting. The landscape is hard on boots with sharp rocks, steep slopes and cactus. The uppers are in excellent shape but the lugs are too worn down to use them for the fourth season.

https://www.lowaboots.com/mens/trekking-hunting/camino-gtx%C2%AE?color=Dark%20Gray/Black

I was told that I can send in the old pair and Lowa will resole them for approx $75. Doubt I'll use them for the serious bushwacking we do for mearns but nice to know they can be resoled.

I have several friends that are fanatical big game hunters who pack in for some of their hunts. They love the Lowa Tibet which is a bit stiffer.

https://www.lowaboots.com/mens/backpacking-hunting/tibet-gtx%C2%AE?color=Sepia/Black