Thoughts on boots for 2nd rifle

catamountsierra said:
I've gotten away from wearing "hunting" boots, as I have found most to be heavier than I like. I am currently wearing Asolo backpacking boots, and with good wool socks my feet are fine in 20 degree temperatures as long as I don't sit still too long. I use good gaiters, and the combination has gotten me across streams without my feet getting wet even when the water depth is greater than the height of the boots. The pair of Asolo boots weighs the same as one of the hunting boots that I had been wearing before; I keep those boots for stand hunting in really cold weather. I want to get some entry-level to mid-level mountaineering boots, which might be a bit heavier than what I have now, but offer more protection from rocks and stiffer soles for climbing.
The most important thing, regardless of the style of boots that you want, is to make sure they fit your foot well. This means width, length (not just overall but also heel to ball of foot so they bend in the right place for your foot), height, etc. The boot needs to be snug enough to support your foot, but also loose enough to allow thicker socks if desired and not limit circulation; it doesn't matter how much insulation a boot has, if it cuts off the circulation your feet will get cold. I wear Asolos because they fit my feet, but the Scarpas are just too narrow for my foot.
Besides fit, I look for good waterproofing, a 90-degree or better mountaineering style heel, good lugs for traction, and a sole that is stiff enough to jam the side of a toe and climb.
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That sounds like a great idea, like what we did years ago. Boots with a hard counter and an edge, adding two pairs of socks. Trouble now is, the orthopedic approach would be handy, but I need to get through the frozen swamps of the South, then sit in a tree! Kenetreks have been suggested but the Everstep isn't insulated, so I guess it's back to the beginning.
 
I've been on sheep hunts, moose hunts, caribou hunts, and several elk/ mule deer hunts. I have wore the same boots on every one cabelas by Mindel with the rock guard around them they are light to walk in have great support and have lasted very well I've had them Since 2010 and have been on a major mountain hunt every year. They would be my recomendation. But my next pair will probably be a pair of kennitrex simply because they make a narrow. When it comes to a good hunt good quality comfortable gear makes all the difference and boots is one place you definitely do not want to go cheap. You will definitely get what you pay for.
 
I've hunted that area 3 times on second rifle & will be back this year. Everytime I've been it gets cold at night but would get in the low to mid 60s during the day. I hunt in Mt.Zirkel wilderness in Clark it's probably 25 miles from Steamboat. I've seen as cold as 5 degrees & as warm as 68. I always bring two pair of boots lol.
 
I work outdoors in Colorado all winter long and never wear insulated boots. I often buy boots around 1 size larger than usual. I swap out the insoles that come with my boots for thicker insoles with more padding. I also cinch up my boots tighter when it's warm out. If it happens to get really cold I will undo the laces a tad so I have room for a little heavier socks.

I usually have more problems with sweaty feet rather than cold feet....especially when doing a lot of hiking. Even when sitting for a long time glassing I still don't have problems with cold feet unless my feet have sweated while hiking!
 
Randy Markus said:
Cabela's discontinued their long tern returns when Bass Pro bought them out. 30 days only now. They told me contact Meindl on my own. So I emailed Meindl ( In Germany), they told me to contact a dealer in Idaho. So I did. they told me , what are we supposed to do, that boot was made for Cabela's. At that point I destroyed my Cabela's Card.
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Fwiw, I bought my Kennetreks from Cabela's in PA, and they said 90 day return policy, no questions asked.
 
I tried Kennetrek Mountain Extremes for 1 day and returned them. With the super thick and tall soles it felt like I was on stilts with high heals. It was literally dangerous on steep, rocky slopes...I was constantly tripping on rocks and twisting my ankles. I replaced them with Lowa Tibets. Tibets are a lot lower profile to the ground. They have been an incredible boot right out of the box. Even though the Tibets are great boots, I hardly ever wear them except in deep snow. The problem with heavier, stiffer, taller boots with thick soles is it's nearly impossible to stalk game quietly.

My preference is a medium weight/height hiker. I've had great luck with a couple different Lowa models.... Lowa Vantage, Lowa Caninos, and also Scarpa Kalaish. I've tried to find boot with the least amount of stitching. From what I've found boots tend to fall apart at the seams once the stitching area gets wet. Full length leather similar to Tibets usually lasts longer than boots with several layers of outer material that is stitched together. I wear my boots every day at work in the field...so I'm super hard on them.
 
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