So I am updating some gear this winter. Pack, rain gear, binocs, gloves, ... And boots.

I've been using Asolo hiking boots, which are just okay for this. I can't remember the model but they are one piece full leather uppers, goretex lined. Very comfortable and waterproof, but not tall enough and so seed heads and snow and debris get into the socks when I don't wear gaiters. I like to sneak around as quietly as possible and have found that most of the gaiters are just too loud .

Short hunts (half day or up to 5 or 6 miles) I've been using my Muck Chore boots. These are obviously waterproof.. But very little support and no good at all when side-hilling deer/elk trails. Also pretty poor in snow.

I'll be hunting/hiking predominantly Western Oregon, NE and Central Oregon. Meaning boots absolutely must be waterproof. Uninsulated. Something like 10" or so tall. Have been looking at Crispi, Zamberlan, Kennetreks, etc.

This is made somewhat difficult by the fact that I have size 14 feet. Very few stores that I'm aware of stock shoes in this size or larger. So the purchase will have to be made online.

What do you all recommend?

Schnees beartooths

Will check those out too, thanks

I just got back from Mt Emily, 3rd season and luckily packed a bull out downhill. (steep downhill in places). I have been using La Sportiva Glacier boots for several years now. I also hunt some nasty ground in Wyoming. I love them and have two pair which I rotate. They are not real tall, but I wear gators when necessary. They were recommended to me and I am glad to have them.

La, I kinda had the same deal with a longer foot, but needed a narrow width, when looking at Kennetrek and Crispi. Until you try them on it's tough to know what your foot will think of them. Like said many times, boots are like women, everybody likes something different.

I know Sportsman's WH, even if they don't have them in the store, can bring them in from another store, so you can at least try them on. In the past, I've ordered Kennetrek direct from the company and they agreed to send two sizes so I could see what fit best and ship the other pair back. Not sure if they still do this or not though?

Black Ovis has been good to work with when trying out Crispi and getting advice on boot/model fit. Now that more stores carry the high $ boots, its getting easier to try them on prior to buying, but still can be a challenge when needing a specific fit.

Lonny,
I was just now reading somewhere that the Kenetrek boots are generally wide.. my foot is not. Thanks for the tip.

elkmen1,
Congrats on your hunt!

I've had great service from Hanwag Yukon and Lowa Tibet boots, and I've got a pair of Schnee's to try out now. For a taller boot, you may want to check out the Hanwag Trapper Top, but I don't think you'll get away from gaiters to keep out deep snow, etc. Check out Kuiu Yukon gaiters for a quieter option than some.

Thanks Jordan

I have a couple pairs of the Kennetrek mountain extremes and also have a narrow foot. The two models I have fit like a glove but take a little while to break them in. I am a happy customer because very few boot makers have a model narrow enough to fit me well. I’ve tried multiple ones in the past including schnee’s and crispi. The Kennetreks just fit me like they should but they are a heavy/stout boot that is excellent in rugged, mountainous terrain. Probably could find something lighter and less stiff if your terrain isn’t severe.

Hard for me to imagine a better mtn boot than a Crispi. JME Every foot is different and i wish you the best of luck making those feet happy! Mostly hunt in hells canyon or st joe national forest every where i go is steep and deep. Bone spurs and replaced shoulder I still tagged out on elk and deer again this season. 4 waterproof seasons and now wearing them to work. Sole is gone I might resole them even tho I bought another pair. I hear of a man in Salt Lake city that will resole rand and all for $90. I couldn't be happier.

Get the 12".

After 2 years in my Crispi Summits I'm still happy with them.

With my narrow feet, the Crispi Briksdal fits me good. Talking with Black Ovis, the Briksdal is the one in the Crispi model that does tend to be more narrow.

I consider the Crispi boots that I have to light for the terrain I hunt in. Rock slides and alpine conditions are handled best with stout, stiff heavy soles, lateral support and stiff boots.

I am in the same size boat as you. I ordered 5 different pairs of boots to try. I had to send 3 of them back. I kept some Keens as they made for good yard boots and light wear around town/lease. The main boots I kept were the Meindl Vakuum Hunters. They are what Cabelas used to carry as the Denali. I read a ton of reviews and gave them a shot. They fit very well and I have some "weird" feet. My left foot is a size 14C and my right foot is a size 13.5D. With a lot of boots I have issues with the right boot, but not with the Meindls. They fit like a glove.

They are also waterproof from my field testing. I hunted in Missouri last December and it was raining hard the 2 days before. There was standing water of 3" - 8" in some places. Everyone else was wearing muck boots. I wore my Meindls and had dry feet the whole time. I was pleasantly surprised. This was before I had even treated them. Just the way they came from the factory with a few days of wear over the previous few months.


https://meindlusa.com/collections/hunting/products/vakuum-hunter

+1 on the Menials...

Ordered Schnee Granite 0g boots today. They do accept returns if fit isn't ideal, in which case I'll try another brand.
Appreciate the input

I have crispi Nevada and Briksdal gtx sf love them both. Also got a pair of kennetrek mountain guides this year they fit a little larger than the crispi. I will say that I have sheep feet insoles and I think they were a game changer for me. Overall I think the Briksdal are my favorite so far very lite and perfect stiffness no break-in necessary. Whatever boot you get take proper care of them I've learned the hard way.

Crispi. Guides or Wild Rock for insulated, Summit for noninsulated. The Summit has become my all around boot. I tend not to wear them when its cold and i plan to post/glass somewhere for an extended period. Otherwise, that's what's on my feet most of the time in hunting season. Or scouting. Or simply hanging out.

I have been wearing Crispi Lapona II's the last few seasons. I put on lots of miles in rough terrain elk hunting and these have been up to the task for me. It is dry and hot most of the time so waterproofing has not been tested. I would not hesitate to replace them with the same thing. Not something I can say about all my gear........

I like la sportiva boots. Aequilibrium and karakorum

I sprung for the Crispi Goretex Guide boot, uninsulated, when they were on clearance before Christmas. They are very impressive, and high. But for a lot of hunting I'll still use a lighter boot, such as the Danner Reckoning. But I had to stretch the Danners a bit for my wide feet.

The short, light, leather gaiters often worn by African hunters work great for seeds and debris in the boot. Of course, they're not waterproof at all.

I prefer a tall boot for ankle stability. If not, a shorter boot would have probably been good enough for me. If Asolo made anything that would fit me, I probably would have gone that route long ago.