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Boots, the expensive kind

I got about four years of chukar (and elk) hunting out of my insulated Kenetreks. Very rough ground, rocky, abrasive, steep and up to ten miles a day sometimes. The Kenetreks were marvelous! Fit great (I'm a generic foot size) right out of the box. Finally sent them in with a check for a rebuild and they were too far gone. Kenetrek sent me a new pair for the cost of a rebuild!

Expensive, but can be had on sale. I recommend them highly.
 
A conversation about high end boots isn't complete without mentioning Zamberlan. Hand made in Italy and the best I've owned or handled.
 
I am a fan of Scarpa boots. I have a pair which are about done. I've been wearing them for ten years and probably have 8 thousand miles or so on them. A lot of scree slopes and rough going. I bought a replacement pair last fall then lost them when the RV burnt. I'll get another pair. They fit a bit narrow which is good for me. leather lined and very rugged.
The only pair boots I've ever had, which fit me real well, were issued to me in 1969. Not insulated and nothing special but they surely fit well! WH
 
I will say if you ever find a boot that you absolutely love. Buy two pairs no matter the price. I have a pair of Soloman Quest 2D I bought in 2017. First trip I took with them was Idaho bow elk hunt. 10 miles a day for 5 days and not one blister. Waterproof, lighter weight, best boot I've ever had. I went to buy another pair last year and they discontinued that model made in Europe and only thing they have now is Chinese made trash. I've been wearing those 2Ds since 2017 as daily wear, but to keep them longer I picked up some Lowa Renegades. (2 pair). Lowa appear to still be made with metal and solid stitch.
 
I have a pair of Kenetrek Mountain extreme 400's and 1000's. Your feet will thank you, if you decide to go this route. The 400's have been on my feet for the last 7-8 years, on numerous elk hunts, turkey hunts, pheasant hunts, and deer hunts in various states across the US. They still wear like a new pair of broke-in boots. The 1000's were a Christmas gift from the Mrs, and although I was happy to receive them, I didn't need them since the 400's seem to be on a very long trek. They are nice for those cold PA day's sitting in the stand though. I pretty much run my lighter boots on mountain hunts, turkey season, upland pheasant hunting and archery season. Once the snow gets deep and it gets real cold out, I break out my 1000's. I've purchased many boots over the years, and I was lucky to get more than 2-3 years out of a pair with the miles I'd put on. Most would start leaking... those Kenetrek's are a thing of wonder and definitely worth the price in my book. Weight is also key, aside from the normal things like waterproof, insulation, etc.. and these aren't like wearing a pair of logger or heavy pack boots. Something to consider as elk hunts typical require a lot of miles and every ounce matters.
 
I may be the odd guy out here. I had plantar fasciitis in my 20s and am always on concrete. Sore feet is normal for me. I found the very stiff boots to be overkill for the vast majority of hunting I did. These are alpine boots and most people just are not hunting hard enough to need them in my opinion. I am back to using my salomons that I wear every day for hunting. I think a lot of this is advertising, most people dont need sitka clothes to sit in a deer blind either. Either way you had better try them on and make sure they fit, stiff boots are more prone to heel slip.
 
My two cents for this is , Danner, White, Hathorn or Red Dawg, of course these were what I would wear to work and none were insulated, but my feet rarely get cold, proper water proofing is a good thing, Skidmore's is a good thing to use for that.
 
I like Danner and Lowa. I still have a pair of Danner lights, (first Gortex), that were made in the 70's. Had them re-soled three years ago by them.
 
At least two mentioned White boots. Is that the same White who made most every Idaho woodsman's and logger's boots since before WWII? At one time you sent them a tracing of your foot and they built the boots to that. As I recall they were in the upper midwest.
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Go try on a lot of the different to end boots, which isn't easy to do, but which ever fit you best. Don't give a thought of what brand people feel is best, all the top end boots are good. Get what fits your feet
 
Alex makes a good point. Often, a lighter, softer, more flexible boot is preferable for low country hunting. The problem I find with most of the lighter boots is, they just don't last as long. On the rocky scree slopes and alpine country, a stiffer boot pays off.
Brian, I believe White boots are made in Spokane, are they not? Probably a plan in the works to move to China asap. WH
 
Lived in Switzerland and hiked the alps every weekend . Sharp glacial rock and steep grades. Hiked there for 30 years on and off.
I bought Lowa boots first there ,when they were not even imported into USA. Have been through 2 pair in all this time. Also use them for every day, but different models. What I liked is fit right out of the box and one day breakin period

Renegade GTX Mid-Olive/Mustard | LOWA Boots USA

www.lowaboots.com www.lowaboots.com



Tibet GTX Hi | LOWA Boots USA

www.lowaboots.com www.lowaboots.com

Before Lowa I had American made Timberland until 1979 They were great then, but now??


Search results for | Timberland US

Learn more about Timberland and shop all your favorite Timberland products.
www.timberland.com www.timberland.com
 
Will Henry said:
Brian, I believe White boots are made in Spokane, are they not? Probably a plan in the works to move to China asap. WH
Click to expand...
If you say, I was too lazy to check before posting. But, that may or may not be the same outfit. I'm almost certain a friend of my dad who wore his Whites always, even to church, sent to WI or MI or some such state for them. We lived 90 minutes from Spokane, so he otherwise would have gone to them for fitting. But over fifty years later the original White could have moved out west, or the brand name purchased or recycled.

There were two contants in Idaho lumberjack apparel - White boots and Filson woolen outerwear.
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