Best Mountain Boots?

HunterHarry · Feb 12, 2004

Now that I've commited to a full on backpack Dall sheep hunt next year in Alaska,I need to break down and buy a real good pair of boots,I was thinking Danners.
You guys have some Ideas?

Hornseeker · Feb 12, 2004

If you are going to "break down" and buy some great boots, look at some mountaineering type boots. They are generally better built and more suited to sheep terrain than any hunting boot made. I just bought a pair of La Sportiva "Glaciers". They are a $250 boot and they are bullet proof, JUST the medicine for a Dall Sheep hunt.

Another boot I looked at, a little lighter weight, was the Asolo, cant remember the model, but it was like the 535 or something like that. It was incredibly comfortable.

You should also consider buying from REI, as being a member you can return any product, even after heavy use, if you are not satisfied!

Good LUck

By the way, if you are going to go with a "hunting" style boot, check out the Irish Setters too. They are alot like Danners.

joebuck · Feb 13, 2004

Harry, Hornseeker is right. Don't screw yourself on boots for sheep hunting in the north. Remember that August hunts can be really cold and wet. Get some mountaineering type boots. La Sportiva, Asolo, Scarpa, even top end Meindls. Get them early and wear them lots. Good luck.

kilowatt · Feb 13, 2004

Meindls through Cabela's, can't go wrong with this brand Harry.
They have some that are advertised I think for Sheep/Goat terrain. Check it out.

Brian

NVMDF · Feb 13, 2004

Nothing better than a pair of Vasque Sundowners.

NVMDF

cb · Feb 13, 2004

13" Meindls Canada Hunters I think in Cabela's. Exactly what you need for a Dall hunt. Thats what most of the guides wear.

NvrEnuf · Feb 13, 2004

Another vote for Vasques here! Can't beat em'.

NvrEnuf

DeerKing · Feb 13, 2004

Asolo's

Coach Hunt · Feb 13, 2004

Howdy Harry,

Here are my suggestions, in no particular order.
Alaska Hunter Meindl Cabela's TD 81-1490
Winter 800 Meindl Cabela's TD 81-0912
Canada Meindl Cabela's TD 81-0087
Teton II Meindl Cabela's TD 81-1002
Mountain Hunter 400 ?? Cabela's TD 81-0880

The last time I ordered boots, I ordered four pair as I recall. Tried them all out aggressively, and sent them ALL back to Cabela's and ordered the next larger size of one model Meindl. I really like the IBEX, but I don't think it will be good enough for a sheep hunt.

My considerable experience ranks Meindl at the very top, Schnee second, Asolo and Danner next, and Vasque a DISTANT runner up.

Hope this helps,

Coach

Blueoak · Feb 13, 2004

Been there done that Harry. I used my Danner elk hunters 10". Not a problem. Its not as tough as people make out. The fact is, the best guides were in that light wieght high tech tennis shoe stuff! I would not do that, I like my ankles just the way they are.

cb · Feb 13, 2004

I guess that brings up the point of..... what kind of a Dall hunt you going on. Backpack, horseback or a little of both. If your going on a backpack hunt and going anywhere near where I went (McKenzie Mts,NWT).... you'll want no part of anything that resembles a tennis shoe my friend. High tech or otherwise.

It rained and snowed on me for 10 straight days and we were constantly crossing rivers. One of the guys in camp had on some Danners and his feet looked like hamburger at the end of 10 days and he had been wearing them for years. I wear Danners all the time around home..... but was sure glad I didnt have them on then.

Ask your outfitter what he thinks if all else fails.

Hornseeker · Feb 13, 2004

I cant argue with Blueoak too hard, cause I've done some very serious nasty rocky steep hunting/hiking in Danners and Irish Setters, and Vasque and Rocky....BUT I'll tell ya what...those boots are Nothing compared to the La Sportivas I have on right now. My feet feel like they are locked away in a vault and an A bomb wouldnt touch them. IF you can spend 200-250, buy the La Sportiva or a top end Asolo. La Sportiva "Glacier" or "TRX" would be alright, the "Makalu" is a little stiffer and maybe too much boot for what you are doing.

Good luck, Just make sure they fit great before you head up. Like someone there said, buy a few pairs from Cabelas or REI and take/send back the ones that dont fit.

I think Meindles are probably pretty good, dont have any experience other than hearsay.

Blueoak · Feb 13, 2004

cb, your right on. Hornseeker, you sold me. I will get to REI and try some of thoes boots. I am always looking for something better and I don't like buying boots through the mail anyway. Heck, Maybe Harry could drive over to Sac with me, he only lives 20min from me. Maybe stop at the Buckhorn for a beer!

littlebuck · Feb 13, 2004

I have never had a pair of real high $ boots, But I have a pair of Danner's that I have only been using for hunting for about 5 years. 3 years ago we had packed in on horses and it was very nasty weather. Rain and snow for 4 days. Each night everyone would put on my Danners to go out for their mighdnight bathroom trips. They stayed dry and it was nice. Good luck!

saminwy · Feb 13, 2004

while i haven'y had any experience with most of the boots mentioned-on the boot topic i will say this-i have a pair of asolo's and they are great-i dont think they are a sheep hunt kind of boot(the model i have), but they are definetly well built, and very comfortable.

the main topic of my post is choice of stores-i hate to see people buy stuff for a hunt from a store that tends to be anti hunting. i would drive to the rei, because its close and handy, try them all on, were them around, make a choice-then ask to use thier phone and order them from cabelas or somewhere.

sam

HunterHarry · Feb 13, 2004

Thanks for all the input, guy's!
Blueoak, We should get together sometime! We are almost neighbors. I know you had a good sheep hunt with the Dutchik's and took a real good ram there!
I hope to draw a permit,where I could combine a mountain goat too! ( I can feel the burn in the legs amd lungs already!)
It will be all backpack.(Pain and Suffering!)

Jerry · Feb 13, 2004

I bought the Cabela's Mendle Denali hunting boots about a year ago. In my opinion they are the perfect "stiffness". I've had a pair of asolos and they cramped my feet(too stiff). I also have 2 pairs of Danner boots. The all leather boots, not sure of the name, are blister makers. The radical 90's are not much for support, but more comfortable than a pair of sneakers. too me, the mendle's are actually uncomfortable for the first 20 min., But after that are awesome. Last year I switched between my mendles and my radical 90's. I'm not sure what you're weight concerns are (backpacking/horseback) but switching completly different boot types works really well for me.

BeanMan · Feb 13, 2004

One thing to keep in mind is, all feet are not made the same shape and some boots, even if they are great names, aren't going to work for you. You'll have to try on a lot of them and hope you end up with the 'perfect' boot. Sometimes you'll go through a pair to find a better one. I went through a pair of Asolo's and a pair of Danner's before finding a pair of Vasque Sundowners that fit me like a glove and have been great boots. The Asolo's and Danner were good boot but my feet are real narrow in the heels and they just didn't fit well. I don't like the Nylon and goretex boots because sooner or later the goretex will get puntured, or wear out and leak. If you buy a pair that is all leather and goretex at least you will be able to sno-seal them.

BeanMan

cohntr6 · Feb 13, 2004

I just bought my 5th pair of Rocky boots (in 9 years) and wont buy any others. I wear them every where. I realize sheep hunting will be rough but I put my boots through a lot while hunting, looking for sheds, scouting, etc. and really like them. I have had the "silent hunter, pro hunter, and sport utility" styles and havent been let down by any of them.
Jeff

Hornseeker · Feb 16, 2004

One more bit of info from me....If I were leaving for a sheephunt tommorrow I'd take my new La Sportivas AND my Irish Setters. The Sportivas are incredible, but in crappy weather day in day out they will get wet and I'm sure it would be nice to have a dry pair of boots to wear. I'd bring LOTS of dry socks, but I'd still like a nice "soft" pair of boots to slip on everyonceinawhile!

The La Sportiva that is a bit softer is the TRK, not the TRX like I mentioned above.

Waterproof the chit out of any of them with that Nikwax stuff. Its awesome and durable and wont soften your boot leather like oils.