Keeping Old Boots Going and Alternatives

I’ve had a pair of Altama Air Force boots for nearly six years, including three years of daily wear, 1,000+ miles of field exercises and everyday use, and numerous hunts across the U.S. and one 2-week safari in Namibia. They were cheap issue boots, but they’ve served me remarkably well.
On a recent western hunt, I was packing about 40% of a large mule deer three miles back to the road on our third day when my feet started burning. Maybe I’m getting older and less active, but it convinced me I might need new boots.
Shopping around, it seems my options are $300+ Italian boots or $175+ outsourced Chinese boots that may fall apart after a few months of hard use. Could new insoles revive my Altamas, or is the discomfort likely from the boots themselves breaking down? The fabric lining beneath the insoles is torn, particularly around the heels.
Maybe I’m just cheap, but spending $300+ on boots for 2–3 weeks of hunting a year is a tough sell when these inexpensive, heavy boots have served me so well for so long.

Man, I understand. I'd buy some insoles first before you buy something you don't want to. I also wouldn't buy the $100 or higher variety either. If you spend $20 on Insoles, and your feet are still burning... It is time to retire those proud warriors.

Personally I don't skimp on my feet. I have had great luck with Asolo hiking boots. 300 + yes, but I have had some foot problems and have no problem spending the money to be comfortable. Happy feet, happy body.

The “cheap” option for me are Goruck MACV highspeeds. But it’s hard to beat the support and comfort of Miendl, Asolo, kenetrek, crispi, some Danners, etc…

Good orthotics are gold and every piece of footwear I have, have insoles replaced.

Altima is still producing footwear. Find an outlet and purchase another pair of mil boots like you used previously.

I GET IT!!!!
I wear a size 14 narrow boot or shoe. I have two pairs of sneakers that actually fit - Rhebok Classics - and they are made about 1 time a year. When I see them, I buy 2 or 3 pairs.
Same with boots.
I have a couple of "go to" boots that never let me down - Danner's made in the USA on a specific "last" and Kenetrek's in 14 medium. I can put these on and never get a hint of a blister.

When the boots wear out and the Danner's have, I get them rebuilt. Sometimes they go back to Danner and sometimes to a custom boot guy in Ft. Worth.

Unless you are the ubiquitous top of the bell curve foot guy - get one or two you love and never never never let them go.

On the converse, if a shoe does not fit right out of the box, get rid of it. I have two pairs of Allen Edmonds that literally crush my feet. They look great but I hate them. I also hate that I paid $400 for them.

I wonder if a cobbler might have some suggestions ?

Do you have a good boot and shoe repair shop nearby? I have my redwings re soled at least once before I pitch them. New soles and insoles make a new pair of boots that don’t need to be broken in.

dogcat1 said:

I GET IT!!!!
I wear a size 14 narrow boot or shoe. I have two pairs of sneakers that actually fit - Rhebok Classics - and they are made about 1 time a year. When I see them, I buy 2 or 3 pairs.
Same with boots.
I have a couple of "go to" boots that never let me down - Danner's made in the USA on a specific "last" and Kenetrek's in 14 medium. I can put these on and never get a hint of a blister.

When the boots wear out and the Danner's have, I get them rebuilt. Sometimes they go back to Danner and sometimes to a custom boot guy in Ft. Worth.

Unless you are the ubiquitous top of the bell curve foot guy - get one or two you love and never never never let them go.

On the converse, if a shoe does not fit right out of the box, get rid of it. I have two pairs of Allen Edmonds that literally crush my feet. They look great but I hate them. I also hate that I paid $400 for them.

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Size 14?
Sound like you need a trip to Abilene, Texas, for a custom fitted pair from leddy boot company

I had a buddy who is 6”9 size 15 and for boots he wears custom fitted

What happens on days when yu don't have 40% of a large Mule Deer hanging on your back ???

pilar said:

Size 14?
Sound like you need a trip to Abilene, Texas, for a custom fitted pair from leddy boot company

James Leddy Boots Abilene | Legendary Crafted Custom Boots

jamesleddyabilene.com

I had a buddy who is 6”9 size 15 and for boots he wears custom fitted

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I contacted Leddy about a pair of boots via the website information and never heard back. What’s the best way to contact them?

cheaper option of the new Jim Greens work pretty well and light weight in Africa. but I'm not sure how they will hold up in North American country. had mine now 5 years just replaced the inner sole and order another.

Rehab the old boots with a cobbler or spend $300-400 on quality new ones. Just don’t go the cheap route or you’ll end up like my friend here 5 miles in to a Wilderness area mule deer hunting. He had a lovely hike back to the trail head. And, no, that paracord didn’t last long. This was his second day hunting in these boots. This was infuriating to me because this was the second trip he had boot issues on and he’s by far the most financially well off of our group. The rest of us wear a mix of Lowa, Kenetrek, Schnees, Meindl, Whites with no issues year after year.

Russ16 said:

I contacted Leddy about a pair of boots via the website information and never heard back. What’s the best way to contact them?

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I don’t know why he didn’t get back to you? I would fill out the paperwork,call or email

t7spoon said:

Rehab the old boots with a cobbler or spend $300-400 on quality new ones. Just don’t go the cheap route or you’ll end up like my friend here 5 miles in to a Wilderness area mule deer hunting. He had a lovely hike back to the trail head. And, no, that paracord didn’t last long. This was his second day hunting in these boots. This was infuriating to me because this was the second trip he had boot issues on and he’s by far the most financially well off of our group. The rest of us wear a mix of Lowa, Kenetrek, Schnees, Meindl, Whites View attachment 805652with no issues year after year.

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Yes cheap boots have zero value in a place that they can’t be replaced without a huge inconvenience, I have some good old redwing elk hunters that have been golden for years, my buddy John bought some Rockies and with in one day he had duct tape on both boots !