Rugged all terrain boot recommendations

After burning through an old set of boots over 10 years, no longer made, I went and read a ton of reviews. I ended up with the "best" and "most rugged" hard hiking boots, rated across a lot of different sites: Salomon Quest 04 GTX. Happy lad, I took to the hills, bow in hand.

On the second hike, off track all fours, shale slips and miles of rock hopping up river, the sole started to give. I repaired it because I needed them in service, didn't want to wait for warranty. Then another grunt, a lot of all fours climbing, skidding, hard yakka descends. Another bit of sole lifted off. Glued it back on with good glue (Aquaseal, awesome). Just back from another overnighter, 20kg on the back, up to shoulder of Mt. Mathews, 600m alt climb through thick bush and shale, skidding and sliding down back again. Now another part of the sole on one is coming off. Boots also look so bedraggled, like they're 5 years old already. It's been that many months.

Feel like I've been sold boots for weekend trail hikers on manicured tracks and the occasional little rock hop. Not boots fit for a true Kiwi bush-bashing grunt.

So I'm looking for recommendations from hard hiking locals for boots. Not truck-to-treestand, not weekend walks, but all-terrain armour for the feet and ankles. Don't have to be "best of 2024". I'll take a model that's years old, if it's tried and true. Synthetic, leather, don't care,

Much appreciated,

Remote

Really liking my Crispi valdres so far. Full leather but really light. 3 hunts done roughly 60ks NI bush and rivers no probs

Looking into them, thanks! See I can get them at Dwights.

See if the lastrite boots made in Nz will fit the bill.
They are not extremely comfortable but they are tough.
Soles sewn and screwed on.
I got them because I was sick of my boot’s talking back to me.

I've been using lowa rangers for the last 15 years. Not as heavy as the Tibets and still take a hiding.

Love my Lowa Tibets. They're not the lightest but I've also never thought they were too heavy. Live my normal life in steel caps.

Andrew Antelao's are super strong, stitched soles rugged as & have been awesome for me.....

BUT the downsides are they are HEAVY & expensive!

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Originally Posted by TimC

I've been using lowa rangers for the last 15 years. Not as heavy as the Tibets and still take a hiding.

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Did you wear tibets as well? I'm wondering what the ankle support compares like between the two

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Originally Posted by Bobba

Really liking my Crispi valdres so far. Full leather but really light. 3 hunts done roughly 60ks NI bush and rivers no probs

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+ one for the Valdres. Comfy too, for my feet anyway.

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Originally Posted by 16Tontovarish

Did you wear tibets as well? I'm wondering what the ankle support compares like between the two

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Yeah I've worn the Tibets. They Def feel stiffer and more ankle support. In saying that, I've never felt I've needed stiffer or more ankle support wearing the rangers.

Thanks a lot for the reco's all. I'm going through these awesome options. Should've known to ask hard yakka types here before trusting posh foreign websites and Amazon reviews.

Iv had 2 pairs off crisps Nevada GTX comfortable but id put the crisps in mid duty range mine only lasted 9 months each time that's been used though the week for fencing & hunting in weekend so they are a 7 day week boot I only end up with a 2nd as I brought a pair off Andrews and they leaked so they replace them with the crisps because I didn't have any in my size or something the same model. Iv gone back to Gronell Annapurna boots only because a pair came up on here at a good price my last pair these I got 1.5-2 years out off that are a proper full shank put so you cannot bend them at all which is what I like for me on steep hill country the crisps where way too flexible but for a hard ass boot I would go with these Gronell Stelvio Boot i get round 2.5 years out these & thats what I was going to buy this time but the others come up on here at a good price the Gronell Stelvio have a good full shank a 4*2 has more flex than these boots lol the leathers thick and tough so you don't need a ran around them if you do go with the these buy them from - what a load of bull - in bulls they have them at a good price

I've just got a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters (they're American, so y'all just need to look past the name!)
Full grain leather, soles are stitched on, I went for the 10" cos I like plenty of ankle support.
I have NOT done any big days out yet but have been out for a few hours at a time over rough steep ground full of rocks, shale, loose powdery soil and clambering in and out of guts etc.
First impression is not too stiff in the sole, good solid snug fit without being too tight (I've always worn two pairs of socks, one for the boot, one for the foot, I really don't get why people insist on taping their feet to prevent blisters when two socks do the job and last for days) ankle support is excellent, they don't feel heavy at all (although in my other life I wear steel capped boots for 10 hours a day)
You can get them in a range of heights with differing levels of insulation, think they all come lined with gortex and on my (admittedly nothing higher than ankle deep) creek crossings, nothings let the water in.
$475 from pioneer outfitters (i think) so far I'm very happy with themAttachment 242685

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Originally Posted by Zedrex

I've just got a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters (they're American, so y'all just need to look past the name!)
Full grain leather, soles are stitched on, I went for the 10" cos I like plenty of ankle support.
I have NOT done any big days out yet but have been out for a few hours at a time over rough steep ground full of rocks, shale, loose powdery soil and clambering in and out of guts etc.
First impression is not too stiff in the sole, good solid snug fit without being too tight (I've always worn two pairs of socks, one for the boot, one for the foot, I really don't get why people insist on taping their feet to prevent blisters when two socks do the job and last for days) ankle support is excellent, they don't feel heavy at all (although in my other life I wear steel capped boots for 10 hours a day)
You can get them in a range of heights with differing levels of insulation, think they all come lined with gortex and on my (admittedly nothing higher than ankle deep) creek crossings, nothings let the water in.
$475 from pioneer outfitters (i think) so far I'm very happy with themAttachment 242685

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Wouldn't suit me with my habit of continually coming inside for a cup of tea. Too slow to get in and out of. :)

Good summary of what these boots are designed for !

Feel like I've purchased (been sold ??) boots for weekend trail hikers on manicured tracks and the occasional little rock hop. Not boots fit for a true Kiwi bush-bashing grunt.

well I still wear my lace up gummies everywhere unless its a stinking hot day or doing a tops trip...my workmate is a mad keen pighunter who seems to be half mountaingoat..... he hunts in thar country...EG often see thar while out chasing pigs with dogs,it struck me last weekend as we following dogs around on STEEP rocky ground just how well these cheap old boots "stick" to rock. yes will concede maybe not best boot for under a heavy pack...but for me at least the pros out weigh the cons by a country mile.

Had a pair of meindls and a pair of lowas fall apart on me pretty early on. Moved to Salewa crows, super light weight which makes a huge difference and they're hard as buggery. Do have synthetic sides but I always wear canvas putties anyway. Pretty narrow fit for a lot of people so best to try on before buying online if you go that way

https://www.pointssouth.co.nz/collections/boots-gaiters

Maybe have a look here, or give them a call. I've found them good to deal with.
Z

I have lowa tibets and some cheaper gri sport boots- I actually prefer the gri sports for my feet and they have held up well over 3 years

There's a pair of gronels for sale, if your the right size and don't mind a heavy pair of boots these are the ones for you. I'm not selling them by the way

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Originally Posted by Hokistag

I have lowa tibets and some cheaper gri sport boots- I actually prefer the gri sports for my feet and they have held up well over 3 years

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What model grisports mate?

Plus 1 for the grisports. Cheap and rubbish for workbooks but they seem to stand up for hunting and tramping, nice and grippy with good support.

Had these ones for a few years, they've only done a yeRs worth of hunting though. Different terrain, sharp shingle, rivers, wetlands, hills and typical nz native Not too slippery on slimy rocks or slippery clay. Probably quite heavy compared to others but I'll get another set when these die.
Attachment 243134 Attachment 243135

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Originally Posted by Lost n confused

Plus 1 for the grisports. Cheap and rubbish for workbooks but they seem to stand up for hunting and tramping, nice and grippy with good support.

Had these ones for a few years, they've only done a yeRs worth of hunting though. Different terrain, sharp shingle, rivers, wetlands, hills and typical nz native Not too slippery on slimy rocks or slippery clay. Probably quite heavy compared to others but I'll get another set when these die.
Attachment 243134 Attachment 243135

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What model grisport is that? I use over ankle ones for work. Use them for hunting as well cos thats all I got

Sent from my SM-T225 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by TimC

What model grisports mate?

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Same as the fella below that posted the photo- arent as rigid and waterproof as lowas but half the price and less unforgiving on my wide feet

I'm not sure what model they are. They're the ones with the most rand that goes all the way around, I think the other options were no rand or half rand.

I’m sure everyone will have their favourites and I think it probably comes down to what hunting you do and more importantly how you treat the boots after each hunt. I wash my boots after each trip (bush, open and tops) and treat the leather probably every second trip. Can’t beat Scarpa GTX (or similar type boot) in my experience as I hunt regularly and my current pair are 5 years old and in great nick.
Personally don’t think weight comes into it at all as I am not doing the coast to coast so want to get out and back with good ankles and ability to handle challenging terrain potentially with 30-40 kgs onboard. Our average overnight trip would have us walk 20kms, sometimes more or less.

those gri sports mohakas are a good boot for easy terrain very comfy sadly the soles on mine got shredded when i moved south and was spending more time on shingle screes and rocks so went with tibets. just replaced my old tibets of 10 years with a new pair.

Meant to also say that being able to try on several makes and models in the shop and then trial them at home inside for a week or so helped me settle on the Scarpa. I wanted to like the Salomon Quest as initial fit was great but taking them home found that they were just too narrow for me, which was unusual as I certainly dont have Hobbit feet.
Craig at Southern Adventure is really good at advice and letting you take them home with right of return - top bloke

Finally caved and got the Crispi Valdres. Thanks for the Crispi recomendations. Seems great so far, well thought out boot, but only taken on short walk on track so can't say yet. Hard in the heel but seems to break in fast and shape to the heel. Should be good for 20kg or so on the back. Traction and tread pattern seems pretty well thought through for the more tricky/technical stuff. Hopping rocks up river will be the test. Going on an all day hunt on Saturday covering a lot of ground so will see how they hold up!

Just done 2 days in Kaharangi in my Salewa Rapace 22km and around 1600m of ascent, this is shale and karst country. I wear these boots on every trip now and a year in they are holding up well so far.

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Just done 2 days in Kaharangi in my Salewa Rapace 22km and around 1600m of ascent, this is shale and karst country. I wear these boots on every trip now and a year in they are holding up well so far.

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I've been very happy with mine, going on 3 years or so and should be replaced now as the tread on the sole is starting to wear down but will get through the roar period first. Definitely getting another pair!!

I just bought some Crispi Dakotas, hopefully they go alright. My Andrews Antelaos were just too heavy for big hike ins.