I will be primarily hunting SW PA, OH, and WV this spring. I have been running Salomon Quest 4D Forces 2 GTX EN in the past. I like them but looking for other options.
Hooka lace up hiking shoes/ boots are very nice .
I have terrible feet issues , these seem to be helping .
Danner Vital 8 inch. They are light and it feels like you are walking on air. They come uninsulated and insulated. I hunt Northeast, so I got them insulated. They are waterproof for sure. They have more space in the toe area, most boots are tight there. They figured it out. My last pair of Danners lasted 15 years....Good luck!
Crispi
Russell moccasins I started wearing them 5 years ago
Wouldn't trade them for any other.
Buy once , cry once. And be done with it
I like Crispi.
What Crispi Boot do you guys like for turkey hunting?
Go somewhere and try some on, I bought Crispi on their reputation, first boot I had bought in a long time without trying on first, though they seemed to fit ok something just did not work for me, they torched my heels!
Went back to Asolo, they fit my feet well and hold up, Soloman are super comfy and fit great but I torched two pairs I tried in under a year each, I put a lot of miles on hunting and just hiking, Soloman's are not up to par for off trail abuse.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on March 11, 2024, 09:45:41 AM
Go somewhere and try some on, I bought Crispi on their reputation, first boot I had bought in a long time without trying on first, though they seemed to fit ok something just did not work for me, they torched my heels!
Went back to Asolo, they fit my feet well and hold up, Soloman are super comfy and fit great but I torched two pairs I tried in under a year each, I put a lot of miles on hunting and just hiking, Soloman's are not up to par for off trail abuse.
Good advise here. I try to buy boots from brick and mortar stores.
I was in Montana a couple years ago and went to the Kennetrek distribution center to try on a couple pairs super glad I did because I really didn't like the fit.
I did just by a pair of Chippewa snake boots on line. So far I think I got lucky.
Crispi Thors
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I've been using Irish Setter VaprTrek for a few years now and have been very happy with them. I was thinking about ordering a new pair just this last week and today got a catalog from Sportsman's Guide where they are on sale for quite a bit less than I have ever seen them. If there's interest, take a look at the S.G. online site. I have no clue how they might compare to some of the more expensive boots in terms of comfort and wear, but I have pretty beat-up feet from years of abuse and they fit well, give good support, and have been very good boots for the money. :icon_thumright:
If it's dry, danner hiking boots.
If it's swampy - lacrosse alpha agility.
Quote from: appalachianassassin on March 11, 2024, 08:13:49 AM
Crispi
+ 1 my pair is going on 5 years now and got plenty of life left. This is coming from someone who has done a few elk trips and hunts turkey In very steep terrain every year. By far best boot I have owned!
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Really gonna be no shortcut but just trying the boots on and seeing what you like. Footwear super personal, people's feet and needs very different.
I generally prefer lace up for better support, but of course high rubber boots have their place. Got 10 years out of a pair of Cabela's Meindl . They still sell their comfort fit models under their own website, but you're gonna pay for them. Most recently I bought a pair of Lowa renegades open box for a steal. So far they seem like a nicely supportive and quite comfortable boot. I've also been running a pair of Solomon ultra 4 mid. People seem to really like these , They are crazy light with great traction. I don't think I love them though, not enough support for me. Just cannot have it all it seems.
Good luck and let us know what you end up going with.
JT
Another thought, you can maybe buy a few pairs/sizes if a retailer has a good return policy, eliminate stress of getting the right fit. Some retailers will even let you return footwear after you've worn it a good bit. Carpet testing only takes you so far. I think REI for instance will let you return even if you put some miles in them and your feet were just not happy. You may need to be a special "club " member though.
Quote from: tad1 on March 12, 2024, 08:49:53 AM
Another thought, you can maybe buy a few pairs/sizes if a retailer has a good return policy, eliminate stress of getting the right fit. Some retailers will even let you return footwear after you've worn it a good bit. Carpet testing only takes you so far. I think REI for instance will let you return even if you put some miles in them and your feet were just not happy. You may need to be a special "club " member though.
I can't believe REI hasn't modified their return policy over the years. It's pretty much 1 year no questions asked regardless of wear and tear. And I don't think you need to be a CoOp member.
FYI the membership is a killer deal. I think it's currently $20.00 lifetime. You get a 10% "annual dividend" on everything you spent last year. I got my notification last week that I have a $30.00 dividend waiting. I paid $5.00 for my membership in 1978 :toothy12: I may have gotten my money's worth.
I've got some Danner mountains but I've heard the Salomon's are better.
I also keep a pair of lacrosse aero lites for when it's wet. Hard to go back to rubber boots once you've tried hiking boots. Keep us updated on what you find
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I have started using Hoffman Classic boots for work daily and hunting. They do not guarantee they are waterproof, but I have yet to have wet feet.
I'm also in the market for a good boot. I've been researching Danner and Crispi. My issue is real tho...no one even close to where I live carries them. There's a Sportsmen's Warehouse here but according to the website, they have none in stock at that store. If I'm going to pay over $200 or plenty more (which I would do for a great boot) I definitely want to try them on as suggested. But where?? I am planning on visiting the local SW tomorrow just to see if by chance they have something to try or what they suggest.
Crispi,solaman a solid second..pretty sure there is at least one maybe two places that have Crispi in stock in Pa..i remember looking a while back
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I like my Crispi Nevada great ankle support
I wear crispi when warm and miendl when cooler. I wish I would have bought multiple pairs when I bought these.
Crispi summit is my go to. I have probably a hundred miles across 2 turkey seasons 2 whitetail seasons and a week in Colorado chasing mule deer in some rough country. That trip alone had 40 miles according to onx. They have held up great.
I hunt the same areas! I use the Crispi Valdres boots. The lacing system is odd but they seem to be good boots. I've had kenetreks aswell. If I could do it again I'd lean hard towards the Kenetrek Hardscramble or whatever they're called. Time will tell though as I've only used these Crispis for some hiking and deer hunting last season. I will say I hunt public land for deer and pack everything in and out. I put some miles in a day and they seem really easy on my feet.
Based on conditions: Lowa Ranger, Bean Maine Hunting Boot, or Muck field blazers. I have many others but these are my "go to" boots.
I really like Zamberlan boots with the zbpk last. They are going to fit wider than the Salomon's though.
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Just asking, Do any of these "high end" boots (Crispi, Lowa, Salomon, Meindle, Zamberlan, Kenetreks) come in a tall snake proof model?
For Spring gobbler and early bow season I love Danner Sharptails. This is a moccasin toe style, 8" hook lace up boot. Un-insulated and waterproof, very comfortable, good support, durable and very lightweight. I do believe they make snake boots in this same design family.
Quote from: Gman on March 13, 2024, 08:28:26 PM
Just asking, Do any of these "high end" boots (Crispi, Lowa, Salomon, Meindle, Zamberlan, Kenetreks) come in a tall snake proof model?
I don't think so. I watched some Rose Anvil videos a while back and it was very interesting. He cuts boots in half and reviews their construction. He also does a puncture test or "rattle snake" test and apparently regular full grain leather boots are not snake proof. I always assumed they were. I'm wondering if snake boots are partly snake proof because of their thickness.
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I love my Zamberlan's. Light and fit well. They are expensive, but if I'm walking all over creation, wanna make sure I have good footwear.
REI is an anti gun/hunting company, I stopped shopping there years ago, sucks because they do have some perks!