I need a boot that is tough. the leather needs to be tough, the shank needs to be a little flexiable and tough, and the soles need to be Vibram, no insulation! Currently I use logging boots for everything.


I have tried La Sportiva [destroyed them, but loved the fit], Danner [destroyed them, the replacement pair, and the replacement pair's replacement] Redwings [destroyed], Russels [destroyed fast], Merrell [didn't stand a chance], and I have a pair of Scarpa boots {Cerro Torre}now that are tough as nails and they continue to wound me but are not even close to failure.

I work in the woods and the mountains as a profession. I am selecting the right models of boots so this is not an ameature problem. I need you best and honest opinion for boots. They can be leather without water repelant since I treat them often, but they need to be able to take punishment where you travel up 1000 feet in elevation in just 1320 to 1500 feet, and take the punishment of sticks and rocks and not give up!

HELP! HELP! HELP!

Have you tried White's http://www.whitesboots.com/. From what I've heard from western foresters, these are the best.

quote:

Have you tried White's http://www.whitesboots.com/.

I actually have two pairs I tried. One in chaulks and one lugs. I prefer the Wecos because of the lace to the toe feature. Thanks for the idea though.

Have you tried Meindl? I have a pair of "Perfekt's" and they are great. They have a couple other models depending on what you are looking for. Definitely worth a look.

They are the most comfortable Hiking boot I have ever owned.

I will take a look.

I lied. The boots that were destroyed fast WERE NOT RUSSELS. I do not now know who made them, but they were not cheap.

The only boot you mentioned that hasn't failed you is the Scarpa. That model, Cerro Torre, is a lightweight style mountaineering boot. It sounds as if you have a fit problem with them though. All of the other boots you have tried, and have failed for your uses, are of the same welted and upper-stitched designs you call logging boots. You may want to try an expedition-style mountaineering boot with Vibram soles such as those from Asolo, Fabiano, Scarpa, Raichle, Salomon, Lowa, Garmont, La Sportiva or Montrail, for example. Stay with leather construction for flexibilty. Plastic shell boots may not be as good while scrambling on shale slides.

Do a google search and you'll find dozens.

I may actually try Wesco Firestormer boots. The Wesco Jobmasters have worked well, but I was trying more traditional hiking boots. I may need to go back to the loggers.

Ever tried Schnees? Frankly I have no idea if they would stand up any better than the boots you've already tried. I know some people swear by them, but they could be weekend warriors.

I have a pair of custom made Wesco Firestormer boots on the way with waterproof tanned leather, rough out, 12 inch, lace to the toe, with kevlar laces.

La Sportiva Makalu's--they make a couple of grades, the high-end toghest of which has outlasted anything I have yet tried. Not Vibrams but a very good sole. I use my whites alot (5 pair) but for ground pounding, these are the better boot.
Makalus

Spent the last thirty years on the "boot circus" trapeze, myself. Finally broke down and bought a pair of Whites for general all-purpose wear. Satisfaction, waxes and wanes. I, am of the opinion that, "boots", for the most part are "condition-specific". In other words-----Gotta own a bunch of different boots to meet differing conditions.
Good Luck on your quest.

I have used Scarpa Baltoro (on my second pair) and I like them very much but I think the are not made any more. The stiffer and non flexible boots you get, they are more likly to hurt you. I also have a pair of la sportiva that I use for Ice climbing, they are leather and non insulated but very strong, but the down side was that it took me a year to break the in and I used them for work, that is surveying in wetlands and mountains.

333OKH: What kind ofwork do you do? Let me know and I can rececommend a boot for you.

I'm a Big guy and I use Meindl "Canada's" from Cabelas.

IMHO, there is no better boot for a big guy.

The Lowa Sheep Hunters are a great boot for Mountain hunting. You can purchase them at Schnees in Bozeman. BTW the Schnees pacs are great boots for snow and mud, but if you are going through boots that often they probaly wont hold up. They can be rebuilt however. Im a big guy also I work in Danner Super Rainforests. I get about 3 winters out of them.

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La Sportiva Makalu's

I really like these boots too,and owned one pair, but they wore out too and were difficult to rebuild.



I am sticking with my Wescos and have a nice custom pair of the Firestormers on the way. Wesco is my preference over Whites personally...

How about a a true custom pair of boots made to order for you? Such as those made by Charlie VanGorkom.

Boots

I keep saying this over and over.....

Try anything that has Meindl on it.

I'm a big guy also and I have the "Canadas" and lover them, from Meindl.

Just check Cabelas.

Another vote for the Lowa Sheephunters. A truly terrific mountain boot.

I go about 250 and wore Meindl Alaskans from Cabelas on a 10 day sheep hunt and they came back without hardly a scratch and i never even had a hotspot.That sold me.

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I have a pair of custom made Wesco Firestormer boots on the way

I have them and they just went the whole deer season with me with great results! I love them!

I have a pair of Whites hiking boots. This is actually a lighter boot than their Smokejumper(which is made in lace to the toe). Had em 5 years or so and they still look new. Im actually hard on shoes too. They were intended to be oiled,but I do shine them. They take a spit shine and are the most comfortable footwear I have had.(Comparing Redwings to them(---which I have had several pairs)there is no comparison. Another great footwear product is Thorlo socks---cost a little more but are much cheaper in long run---more comfortable too--well worth it.

This is direcrted to all you Meindel boots fans:
does Meindel make boots in 15 4-e or do thay have a custom order shop?

It would seem at least in my case, nature has quite the sence of humor, as I was not lucky enough to be given my fathers amaizing ability to play the piano (he was 100% self taught) nore his brothers artistic abilities, I just got his ( my fathers that is) big damn feet.

I forgot to mention that the Whites Boots are custom made. You trace your foot and give measurements for the places they ask. Art are you listening? Don't know about the mendels but Whites might be able to help you out----if they can find enough cows.

Art ! So your the guy who leaves Big Foot prints everywhere !

I truly enjoy my Russell Sheep Hunters. It took a few dry runs to get them correct, but they feel like slippers on my feet.

I started with a pair of their "off the shelf" South 40 Birdshooters a number of years back and eventually had my Sheep Hunters custom made to my specs. Something I'd never had put into boots was "heel counters" to prevent heel walk over. I didn't realize it at the time but the heel counters, as originally installed, would provide a source of discomfort. Twice, the boots arrived, and twice calls went to Russell trying to describe the problem. And twice Russell sent UPS to pick up my boots at their cost. When they arrived a 3rd time, the problem was "mostly" gone. Well, the elk season arrived and I needed a pair of boots, so I wore the new Russell's, hoping the problem would go away. It didn't! It was a long miserable day, with the heel counter 1st rubbing then seeming to constrict about the top of my ankle.

Upon arriving home, I called Ralph at Russell's and described the problem. He had me send them to him, now at my cost since I had worn them. With in 3 weeks the boots came back and Waa Laa!!! Problem solved. I called Ralph and asked what he did. The heel counter was too tall. So he shaved it down and smoothed out the interior seem which covers the heel counter; at no cost to me. All this, to me, is fantastic customer service.

Some might argue the point it took three tries to get it right. Well, maybe you have a point, but custom is custom and how many times have you gotten something custom done correctly the 1st time.

As far as I'm concerned I have found a boot company for life.

I second that on Russell. I got a pair of the High Country Hunters made and just love them. I really like the way the heel counters work by not letting the foot roll over no matter how hard you try. Great Boots.

I hunted with two guides this fall for elk who had White boots. What a POS when it rained - they soaked up water like a sponge. Also seemed quite heavy to me. One of the guides had been talked into the Whites boot, and he was sorely (literally) disappointed.

I personally don't see what all the fuss is about...

Have you considered Chippewas? I've had great luck with their hikers (Vibram soles, great support, tough leather, very comfortable). However, they specialize in loggers. The super loggers may be good for you. Try chippewaboots.com. All are handmade - some in US, some not. Reasonable prices. Good luck.