I put out on this thread and read others about what boot I should use and it was one that came up often. I haven't used them yet but they feel good. I use the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme for elk.
So you've never climbed a mountain with a 5 flex?
On your 2026 hunt, are you expected to be overnighting and roughing it?
It matters, because If you're roughing it, and there's any cold storms, sweaty socks from the insulation is a fast way to frost nip or worst. My feet sweat boots, maybe yours don't..idk…
..as far as the flex, some guys do like it extra stiff. It
CAN causes a blisters unless you have a while to break them in VERY well. That's how it's been for me. Though it's softer on my calf's, I feel it more in my knees and back. I have a small tear in my ACL, so I feel it even more in that knee. The cause for the blisters is because your foot is flexing inside the boot while the boot remains stiff.
Just a heads up.
There's a lot of other brands out there too that offer good mountain boots. Schnees, Meindls, Asolo, ect, and a thicker merino wool sock can help with cold feet when static.