New Boot ideas

[HankBuck]

Nice guy and accomplished hunter who came to camp a couple days after me.

To his defense: Little bit older guy - in his 60’s. Already had a Tahr from a previous hunt and was trying to improve. End of the day and it was cold and windy. It was the same day I shot my Tahr. I was more worried about my heart grenading with my heart rate at 155 BPM going straight up the mountain trying to beat the sunset… I’m 54, but felt good on this hunt.

I believe he realized he would have a hard time besting his previous Tahr. My guess. He paid the day rate… To each their own.

Part of the reason I hunt alone is I don’t want to affect anyone else’s hunt, I also don’t want to be screwed with. I’m tough enough on myself. I never feel the need to bust a strangers balls. Now, if they try to screw with me first, gloves are off!

@NIGHTHAWK - ok you know I was kidding… heart rate of 155 is good for an older guy, even being able to climb “anything” in your 50s is likely above average! Agree it’s a Hunt and Not a competition

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK - ok you know I was kidding… heart rate of 155 is good for an older guy, even being able to climb “anything” in your 50s is likely above average! Agree it’s a Hunt and Not a competition

I know… I actually felt bad for the guy until he told me he was trying to improve on an already great Tahr! Now, if he was a friend, I would have told him to change is diaper and keep it moving! Truth is, I went on this trip knowing I had pending results for a CT scan that was related to something that, percentage wise, was in my favor, but still an unknown. It since came back negative.

I also screwed up one day about 1/2 way up a 1 mile climb and could not get a deep breath or “catch my breath”. My guide asks “what’s the problem”?. I said I have asthma! Truth is, I’ve had it since I was a kid, but it rarely troubles me as an adult. Guide asks “I hope you have your inhaler?!”. Luckily, I carry one in my Bino pack… Couple puffs and back on my way.

Waterproof alpine Boots, gaiters, trekking poles, good socks, a comfortable pack, all things that are important, but don’t forget the little things - like your inhaler if you have asthma!

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I have the Asolo Fugitive GTX and this is my 3rd pair. BUT, they are slick on wet surfaces (I live in Texas and we read books about what rain is like) and run narrow. If you have a narrow foot and hunt in dry country, there isn't a better boot in my mind. The other brands here all make high quality boots. I agree with others - either order 3 or 4 pair and a couple of sizes or go to a big outdoor store and try them on and walk around a bit in them. Then obviously wear the ones you buy a ton...like daily. I'm wearing my Courtney boots as i type this...in the office.

The sock point is really important. I'll throw in behind my Darn Tough socks. I've been using them (after trying a handful of others) for about 4 years and they are amazing. I have some that have TOO much cushion in them but overall, very good socks. We bought a lab pup to replace an older duck dog and she ripped up like 3 different socks/color/cushioning. Sent back to Darn Tough and got replacements, no questions asked.

In all these cases - Buy Once and Cry Once. Pay for quality footwear and optics. Always.

 

[HUNTROMANIA]

We are heading to Austria in December for the last few days of the year to try for a chamois. I realized on a hunt this year in big rainstorm that my boots I do most of my mountain hunting are not waterproof. I’m assuming the alps will have a good bit of snow that time of year and be pretty cold. I love my boots but I’m going to need something to keep my dry or it will be miserable. I’m a flat lander from the south so my go to boots for elk, mule deer; and ibex have been my ll bean uplanders. The have the wire lace system that be tightened with a dial and I have

Is a big difference if the hunt will be in the snow or just a frozen terrain.
In both situation in December you need metal crampons to be attached on your boots. Be sure your boots are allowing them to be attached. Gaiters are also a very important component.
La Sportiva and Crispy are very good options. A compromise between all weather and snow is very dangerous on the mountain hunting.

 

[yfarm]

One piece leather upper - no stitching to allow water entry
Full rubber rand - seals the most common entry point between sole and upper
Waxed leather- most impervious treatment to repel water
All three contribute to making the most waterproof leather boot.
You choose whether you want a waterproof breathable membrane
Evaluate the degree of stiffness needed
Schnees,Kenetrek, Lathrop and Crispi

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The Courteney Jamesons are my new favourite style of boot. I know that they have been around for ages, but you don't see them often. They are the high ones and come well above the ankle. I wear Courteneys every day, in the bush or the board room. What I love about the higher boot is that your trousers always cover the boot and don't get caught up in the laces and tongue, which is messy. But the main advantage is that in the bush you can use puttees to seal the trousers to the boot - no ticks and a fair bit of snake protection too.

 

[NMAmateurHunter]

The Courteney Jamesons are my new favourite style of boot. I know that they have been around for ages, but you don't see them often. They are the high ones and come well above the ankle. I wear Courteneys every day, in the bush or the board room. What I love about the higher boot is that your trousers always cover the boot and don't get caught up in the laces and tongue, which is messy. But the main advantage is that in the bush you can use puttees to seal the trousers to the boot - no ticks and a fair bit of snake protection too.

I’ve been rocking a pair of Jamesons and some Jim Green AR8’s. The sizing is hard to nail down on the Courteneys but they are the most comfortable boot I’ve found.

 

[RLL]

I like Meindl boots for that type of country. On my second pair of MFS Vaccum hiker in 15 years. The boot has a lot of structure and support for mountain terrain. They are comfortable with little to no break in needed. Only con is they do have some mass to them due to how they are constructed. https://meindlusa.com/

 

[PARA45]

I'm a huge Crispi boots fan and have several different models. I also have very sensitive feet, and not every boot works for me. I suffered during my initial years in the Air Force when we were issued those nasty hard as a rock leather boots.  After some uncomfortable moments in the Eastern Cape with a pair of well used Under Armour boots, I decided to take my Attiva or Laponia Crispi boots this time around. Well-worn and very comfortable. They do run small.

 

[Cucuy]

I like Meindl boots for that type of country. On my second pair of MFS Vaccum hiker in 15 years. The boot has a lot of structure and support for mountain terrain. They are comfortable with little to no break in needed. Only con is they do have some mass to them due to how they are constructed. https://meindlusa.com/

I’m a Meindl guy, they don’t get as much love as they deserve.

 

[Muskox]

Wow in December?

Going to Slovenia in 13 days in June for roe deer in a couple of weeks.
I am hunting in July for roe deer in Tyrol, different place than last years black grouse hunt.

Then back to Slovenia the end of August for Chamois, roe, fallow and stags.

Then back again in November for chamois and mouflon.

December could be anything from the 50's to -10F.

Last year November in Slovenia we were fogged in in November and couldn't hunt the valley for fallow except one day. Mountains were clear for chamois.

My place in Slovenia is on the other side of the mountain from the gunmaking town of Ferlach.

I wear a 14 and I can't find much for boots. I have a pair of Scarpas from Kuiu, and a pair of these Whites. I have been looking for a. pair of Hanwag Alaska wides, but they are never in stock in my size.

Owyhee: White's Boots, Inc.

 

[coreydb]

Keep things simple. Look at the average weather conditions for the time of year you'll be hunting and at altitude. Buy based on the lowest temp and wettest range.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Muskox, have your considered a “Double Boot” design. Scarpa makes them as do many European mountaineering boot makers.

 

[Muskox]

You are talking about plastic boots like Asolo and Koflock for no-shit mountaineering. Yeah this isn't Alaska.

The problem with those, is two of my hunts are during summer weather.

Koflachs usually only come in smaller sizes like 13.5

 

[375er]

You are talking about plastic boots like Asolo and Koflock for no-shit mountaineering. Yeah this isn't Alaska.

The problem with those, is two of my hunts are during summer weather.

Koflachs usually only come in smaller sizes like 13.5

Those boots are also heavy and you won't sneak up on anything wearing them. They do work great for their intended purpose however.

 

[Ralph E. Parker]

I've tried many different brands but about 10 years ago I settled on Kenetrek boots, with which I've had great luck. Mountain Extremes were my first pair and I still use them today. Just clean 'em up and re wax with Kenetrek's wax. Have never had any leaks whatsoever and can't beat their soles for grip. Used the Mountain Extremes in environments such as you describe above (or worse). Use Hard Scrabble Hikers for most hunts here in the dry west and used their Safaris in Africa. No issues whatsoever. Like any good boot, just need to break them in a bit and take care of them before/after hunting season.

 

[Muskox]

The problem is my big honking feet.

We have a running joke when I take the team to buy safety boots annually.

Everyone gets whatever they want to $250.

I get whatever is available. and I end up paying out of pocket for mountain firefighter boots or some kind of logging boot because I can't find a wide safety boot in stock that feels good for my 14's.