Just thought id put it out there, any recommendations on boots and which to stay away from?
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Just thought id put it out there, any recommendations on boots and which to stay away from?
The best boot is the one that fits you properly. All brands are different so try on as many as you can within your budget and see what feels best.
Personally I am a big fan of Salewas but there are plenty of good brands out there.
Whatever fits and has good tread and won't fall apart
Lots of good deals 2nd hand hardly worn can be 1/2 price or less if you look around
Pretty open ended question. What sort of terrain are you most likely to be in? How much weight are you happy to strap to your feet? What do you consider a reasonable service life? How much do you want to spend?
What's been said above - I try to find a pair that fits and go from there. No point in having brand X that everyone else wears if they don't work for you.
I have owned and worn Skellerup Hikers, Zamberlan, Lowa, and Scarpa boots, although I've probably spent more time walking out in the hills in cheap Hi-tecs shoes. They all worked at the time, but my feet and needs have changed. I thought I'd love the Scarpa boots forever, but my feet have grown wider in the last few years (either due to more barefoot walking, or I've become heavier, or both) and I really need to find a wider pair next.
It really does depend on what you want to do with them - when I was younger and trapping in the South Island I wore 'nailed' soles - they bit into rock and tree roots and kept you on your feet.
Then I moved North and bought 'commando' soles, which were okay for the trapping and hunting I was doing.
Your feet grow as you age, so 'forever' boots don't work. I had Meindl 'wides' I bought extra long to get the width. After a bit I had to 'skinny' my sox as I couldn't get my woollen ones in the boot. Next thing to go were the inner soles, then the sox - I just shoved my bare feet in those boots.
All my magnificent upper body had slumped into my boots.
I now wear Keen lightweight shoes, something I once wouldn't have considered, and I love that they don't weigh anything. They're not a boot, but I don't need a heavy boot any more, I'm not carrying animals or heavy packs, nor am I doing 'river work'. They've lasted quite well, but they're 'slippy' and I've been on my arse more than usual - especially on rock, tree roots and mud. The ideal would be to screw studs in them - and I probably would if I was more active.
It's bloody hard to find a decent boot ............... but the type really does depend on what you want it for.
Salomon are very good but don't last well and are expensive.
I'm currently trying out Salewa .
Mountain trainer lites didn't last well. Have a pair of salewa mountain trainers that seem sturdier. Haven't given them a good thrashing yet though.
I've become a big fan of lightweight boots, the La Sportiva TRK GTX are awesome, they're as stiff as any "proper" leather boot but half the weight and they've lasted me pretty well, I've got another new pair ready to roll when these ones give up which at this rate will be a few years! Also been using the Inov8 Roklite, I had the older model a few years back but managed to misplace them somewhere and have just got the new model, super comfy and weigh nothing.
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Yeah, Ryan got me onto a few years back, grabbed some on a half-price sale. possibly the most comfy boot I've had but didn't last more than 4-5 months of everyday use, and if the grass looked wet, you were getting wet.
The sides let go after a while, but in their defense, they aren't designed for what I'm doing in them.
I've gone back to Salomon for the summer and a Andrew Zebru for an everyday and winter boot.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e2e9b66348.jpg
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I found Lowa too slippery when crossing over damp rocks and ended up dropping the rifle and myself too many times:pensioned them off into street wear. I have a pair of Andrews that are heavy but I trust them. I've just worn out a pair of Kathmandu: cheap, comfortable, light, safe.
I'm about to retire some Salomons and was looking at some Crispi Summits or some trying some La Sportivas, about half the $ of the Crispi and I am not super rough on boots so may give them a go. Just need something somewhat water proof and prefer the lighter more flexible boots as almost 100% CNI bush stalking. Summer I just use old runners.
I had Lowa Tibets. Great boots for SI tops hunting. Tried to save some money and bought Lowa Baldo but not impressed with their waterproofness, I’m going to go back to Lowa Tibets.
@Ryan_Songhurst those Inova8s look alright and not too $pendy. Look to be a good alternative to the Salomons.
Anyone have anything to say about the Crispi Summits?
Ah this is will be a large topic with so many options out there. Having farmed and hunted for last 30 years have gone through a few different brands of boots. As people have said your feet and preference change over time. Generally speaking Ive found the heavier more rigid boot will last longer than the light soft soled stalking boot. But again it depends on what you need them for. Best farming boots in my opinion for durability are gronell stelvios. These are really tough but super heavy. With hunting I'm now wearing a pair of crispi hunters. Had these for a year and good so far. First pair ive had with a higher leg. Took a bit of getting used to but rate the extra support and less water comes in when crossing creeks as the boots keep watertight around your calves better than ankles. Anyways what ever you get all id recommend is looking after them. So many people buy expensive leather boots and let them dry out and crack then complain they didn't last long. I buy a big container of neatsfoot oil and oil them every couple of weeks especially after they've been through water.
Once you’ve found a pair of boots that suit make sure you check on the online stores, they’re generally cheaper and the most competitors will be happy to match the price. Keep a record of your boot size, the size labels will wear off!
I've got a pair of Lowa tibets which are just over 6 years old now. As mentioned they are quite slippery on river crossings and if you ask @Micky Duck noisy as f<ck when stalking. But I still shoot animals so can't be that bad.
My Tibets have just had the sole fall off after 9 years. Great boot but won't get them again. Areas I hunt tend to have a lot of water and these boots get very heavy. Will probably go with La Sportiva, Scapa as a multi purpose boot. I don't do winter tahr trips so I don't see the point in spending $7-800 on boots.
noisy as fc#k when you get tired or are just tramping..when your in mouse mode you could be wearing concrete blocks and still be quieter than most..... one of these days I will tie you down and chuck a pair of ashleys on your pins....them peski fallow would be in BIG trouble then.
I've had soles come away from a pair of Lowas & Gri-sports, ended up not wanting soles that are glued on & went with Andrew Antelao's.
These have been awesome, comfortable and supportive..... Only downside for me is they are bloody heavy!
so what is a good option for someone with bad ankles (too many years of mauy thai) who stalks through wet areas? I need decent ankle support and either waterproof or really quick drying.
I've had my eye on grisport uriweras or kaikouras, or maybe a lowa something. but its pretty hard to cut through the bullshit around them so I'd appreciate some user reviews.
I rate the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400
https://kenetrek.com/products/mountain-extreme-400
https://www.meindl.co.uk/product/men...dovre-extreme/
I have had a pair of these,they were really good and saved them just for reindeer hunting.BUT sitting for 10 months after using them they shrank so I gave them away. I would get another pair .
Talk to bootsandgear.com in Taupo, they have the Bestard range of boots , very good value and stand up to plenty of abuse. Well worth a look, I really rate them having had Lowa's in the past.
Has anyone tried the new updated La Sportiva Trk? Look to be a bit heavier than the ones @Ryan_Songhurst suggested and a different outer. Any thoughts on them as a summer boot?
https://www.furtherfaster.co.nz/prod...-gore-tex-boot
Well the last ones are assumed to have flown off the roof of a truck somewhere so never really got a chance to see how long they'd really last. I'd imagine lots of scree etc would be hard on them but they're made pretty well for what they are and what they weigh, they have some kind of propriety sole material also which is supposed to be super hard wearing