Boot question

kybuck1

Member
Messages
49
So I live in an area with not a lot of options to try on different brands, but might get a few shipped and then send some back. I'm doing a backpack trip, horses and such in NM end of sept. Done a crazy amount of research and lots of opinions out there. I am getting in narrowed to the meindl perfect hiker, lowa renegade, and solomon 4D. I'm thinking I don't need the big support boots because we'll have a basecamp so probably more just light, comfortable and supportive. Also curious if the sole on these is adequate to ride in on with the horses and stirrups. Thanks
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-16 AT 07:47PM (MST)[p]I would do the meindl of those options. But if you have not checked out already the zamberlan gtx is my favorite with meindl right behind. Again as you said that is my own opinion. But I have tried many different boots. The perfect hiker is defiantly lighter than the other I stated. Also will fit into a gorse saddlet better
 
If you are a big guy the Lowa Renegade is not much of a boot. The Lowa Tibet is a great boot with lots of support.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-16 AT 09:01PM (MST)[p]I've had 2 pair of renegades and a pair of quest's, all had been to NM. Renegades are hikers, Quest's a tad more substantial.
 
I prefer the Perfekt Hunters over the Hikers. For only $30 you will get much better ankle support which you will appreciate when you are sidehilling in elk country.

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-10-16 AT 05:11AM (MST)[p]Is there much of a heel on any of these boots?
 
I was looking at the weight on a bunch of those and the renegades are really light while the meindl hunter and hiker were quite a bit heavier. I guess that's where I am probably getting hung up...heavier and more support or lighter and ok with a bit less support. 6'3 215 and will probably just be carrying around a 20 lb or so pack daily.
 
LOVE my meindl's. They've been through everything from elk and deer hunting to bighorn sheep and desert Barbary sheep hunts. Never once had a blister and they just keep on doing their job.
 
>LOVE my meindl's. They've been
>through everything from elk and
>deer hunting to bighorn sheep
>and desert Barbary sheep hunts.
> Never once had a
>blister and they just keep
>on doing their job.


Hikers or Hunters??
 
I'd rather have too much boot on a hunt that too little. I'd stick with traditional style hunting boots if it were me.

I chuckar hunt a lot and it's probably the best test of a boot in the hunting world. I've found the Lowa GTX extreme to be the best on the market. Kenetreks are nice boots but not in the same class as the Lowa, but they might fit your needs well. never tried the Meindl but they're supposed to be good.















Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
The Salomon's are a solid boot. Super comfortable right out of the box, your foot stays in place all day, good ankle support, no hotspots, they breathe well, but are also waterproof. I used mine for three years and they were a great boot. The only possible knock on them could be that the sole is a little softer, so it will wear a little quicker. However, that softer sole is also what makes it a very comfortable boot. The one thing I said above that no other boot has done before is truly locking your foot in place. My foot never moved in these boots, which is why they don't create hot spots. Typically our September hunts are hot, and my feet sweat, but I never got blisters. For reference, we typically walk 10-20 miles/day in 80+ degree heat.

I recently bought a pair of Scarpa boots to try out. Depending on how these Scarpa boots turn out, I would have absolutely no hesitation in going back to the Salomon's.
 
Another suggestion would be the Lowa Ranger. It is a step up from the Renegade but not as heavy or tall as the Tibit. I have all three and they each have there place but for what your describing the ranger may be a good choice. I have found Lowa's to have a quick break in period and fit true to size.
 
Definately support over weight. When you can't walk any more because your ankles and get hurt so bad you will understand. I hunt in some very brutal country here in utah, and support takes my money all day
Again my opinion
 
due to lack of heel to keep foot from going through stirrup, none of those are great for riding. If you have tapaderos, problem solved. any of those can work fine, just don't let your boot go through stirrup in an urgent situation
 
I'm not sure why you need heals other worrying about stirrups? The higher the heals the more unstable you'll be on steeper slopes and the noisier you'll be while stalking!

I grab my Lowa Renegades if I want to cover gobs of country with super light boots. I also have Tibets but use them almost exclusively in snow. The Lowa Rangers mentioned above might be good intermediate weight hikers. The medium hikers I have used and abused on numerous sheep and mtn goat trips are Scarpa Kailash. You might check out the reviews on them! They are actually my favorite all round boot. If I want to cover lots of country with super comfortable boots where it's not too terribly steep I'll grab my Renegades though! I don't have ankle problems so don't need any extra support other than when hiking on 45+ degree slopes.
 
Lowa Rangers are pretty good, I use a couple pairs as work boots. They have lasted forever. Not as much support as the Tibets though. Never tried the GTX extreme. I buy a size 15 so my selection is limited.
 
>I'm not sure why you need
>heals other worrying about stirrups?
> The higher the heals
>the more unstable you'll be
>on steeper slopes and the
>noisier you'll be while stalking!
>
>


Because the op mentioned horses almost in passing. Most don't have a lot of riding experience, I'm guessin this is the case with the op. An inexperienced rider, on a strange horse, with a heeless boot is a potential recipe for disaster. You're really needin two pair of boots as no boot is ideally suited for both tasks, hiking and riding.
 
There must be a reason if an outfitter asks for healed boots! If you are riding in flat country it likely isn't as necessary as steep, rough country. I certainly wouldn't want to hike in steep terrain with high heels on but it also is important to make it safely to the hunting grounds!
 
>There must be a reason if
>an outfitter asks for healed
>boots! If you are
>riding in flat country it
>likely isn't as necessary as
>steep, rough country. I
>certainly wouldn't want to hike
>in steep terrain with high
>heels on but it also
>is important to make it
>safely to the hunting grounds!
>


They just mentioned to have these for the ride in to camp. I don't think they are a big deal after I get there, I was just thinking of eliminating an extra pair of boots to take in. I'm going to try out the perfect meindl hunters first and see how it goes. I really don't like the added insulation but the support seems to be pretty important. I am taking a pair of lighter Vasque hiking shoes, that look similar to the renegades, as well to alternate or have as another option. We'll see how it goes.
 
Your lightweight hiking boots won't take up much space in the panniers, bring two pair a boots for the reasons already stated. The added reason, if you blow out a hiking boot, you got a back up plan as opposed to huntin barefoot!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-13-16 AT 12:57PM (MST)[p]I have owned 4 pairs of Meindl's started with the Ibex wore them out in a little over 3 years !! I switched to the perfect hunter, Only place I found that carried them was Cabela's 1st pair lasted about 4 years . I got a 2nd pair of Perfect hunters they lasted for almost 5 years. I bought my 3rd pair of PHs & this time it was about 4 months before the seam in the heel came undone as well as some other stitching. I took them back & Cabelas & got a refund , when I talked to the guys in their boot department they told me that the boots I had were NOT the original Meindl's but the Cabela version of Meindl I poked a little more & the guys told me the were made Cheaper than the originals!! I got a new pair of the knock offs & they lasted less than a year before I had heel issues & tread issues !! I was need of a new pair of boots again so I went on to Cabela's website & these knock offs were now almost $300 !!!! So switched & went to the Zamberlins bought the 1012 s . I spoke with several outfitters & boot shops & Lowa Hanwag & Zamberlin were all the top 3 boots mentioned !!!
 
Well I tried the Cabelas perfekt hunters and really wanted to like them, but just wouldn't work. I've got a pretty narrow foot and had heel slip in the right boot, while the left felt ok. Those things are pretty heavy too. In addition just wearing them about the house that 400 g thinsulate still got pretty toasty, so I can imagine an 80 degree day hiking. Anyway, just a quick update from me and my thoughts. Heading to REI this weekend and try on a bunch more and hopefully find a good fit for me. Thanks for the replies.
 
>LOVE my meindl's. They've been
>through everything from elk and
>deer hunting to bighorn sheep
>and desert Barbary sheep hunts.
> Never once had a
>blister and they just keep
>on doing their job.


Me too brother, me too!
Nearly all the same critters in the same variety of terrain and they just work great. I use the Alaska but my bro and son use the perfekt.

Zeke
 
I'm a bit of a boot whore and have tried just about all brands of high quality boots at one time or another. In my opinion, Lowa is the finest boots currently made. I own several pairs and love them all. From your description of your intended use, I would steer you towards the Tibet, Ranger, or Vantage. Although a little more substantial, the Mountain Expert GTX is also an awesome boot, and is lighter than other boots in its class.
 
>I'm a bit of a boot
>whore and have tried just
>about all brands of high
>quality boots at one time
>or another. In my opinion,
>Lowa is the finest boots
>currently made. I own several
>pairs and love them all.
>From your description of your
>intended use, I would steer
>you towards the Tibet, Ranger,
>or Vantage. Although a little
>more substantial, the Mountain Expert
>GTX is also an awesome
>boot, and is lighter than
>other boots in its class.
>
Funny you mention that. Went to an outdoor store today and tried on probably 8-10 pairs Lowa, Asolo, Keen, Solomon, Vasque and maybe a brand or two other. I ended up with the Lowa Renegades. They basically picked me and felt great out of the box. I know it beaten like a dead horse, but you really have to try on multiple boots to see what works for you. I went to the store expecting to really like the Solomon 4d but they rubbed the outside of my foot something awful. Those renegades felt awesome. I was a bit worried about the ankle support, but I shouldn't have a large pack on for this hunt. They didn't carry the tibet or ranger there to compare, but I really think the Lowa is a quality boot.
 
Look at the Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX boot. Thats what I went with this year and I really like them. I had had Zamberlan 960 GT, Kenetreks, Meindels, Lowe, Salomon, etc. So far I like the Scarpas the best.
 
This has a little to do with this thread.

If you have a good pair of boots it is worth putting new soles on them.

Davethecobbler in WA does quality work and it nice to have broken in boots with new soles. I just had him re sole 2 pairs of Lowa Tibets, a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extreme and just sent him a pair of Lowa Rangers. These are size 15, and he has put on soles just as good or better than the original.

At over $300 a pair new, I basically got 3 pairs of good hunting boots back for the price I would spend on new ones. The Rangers are a work boot.
 

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