Boots ?

16 January 2006, 23:35

muygrande

Boots ?

Good info to have. I did in fact talk to Schnees, even asked if for a fee they would prepare the boots with all the waterproofing, etc and they do not want any part of that responsibility for any price. I for certain do not blame them. I may wind up with a pair of waders that fit over the boots if they do not weigh ten pounds. I just cannot see hiking for days with a pair of waders flopping off the back of my pack.

You can bet the weight of the duct tape, moleskin etc will not pose a problem as I take it and leave a couple of extra bullets at home if one or the other had to stay behind!

I still await some news from my guide as to his recommendations on boots. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

17 January 2006, 06:12

ovis

muygrande,

You might want to look at the nylon over waders that Wiggy's makes.....they're like a stocking foot hip wader made of nylon that you put on at stream crossings....I saw a pair at Wiggy's Alaska in Anchorage....a couple of guys I know use them while sheep hunting and like them a lot...I've also seen some comments from folks on the web that didn't care for them.....I personally have not used them....they would be pretty light to carry. Just a heads up.

Joe

17 January 2006, 06:19

muygrande

Ovis, that is just the info I am looking for. I will check out wiggy's. Thanks.

17 January 2006, 07:16

Marc_Stokeld

I forgot to ad that with my plastic boots, i wear custom orthotic insoles and OR gaitors. I also have the glacier socks from Barney Bob's in Anchorage for creek crossings. I HIGHLY reccomend going to a pediatrist and getting some custom orthotics.THey cost soemthing like $160 and that is dirt cheap when they keep your feet, ankles, knees, and hips in proper alignment. On a backpack hunt, they can make the differnece between literal disaster and a pleasant hunt, especially if you have suspect joints anywhere belwo the waist.

17 January 2006, 07:59

ovis

Marc_Stokeld,

If you're using the glacier socks extensively in fast, gravel bottomed streams, we've had them wear through in several places on 10day hunts especially around the gravel guards and at flex points...we've all gone to nylon stocking-foot hippers or breathable(not very)stocking-foot waist waders....these last a whole season or more....the nylon sf hippers are only thirty bucks from Cabela's.

Joe

17 January 2006, 18:38

Antlers

Can anyone give a comparison in weight for the Wiggy's over-socks, Glacier socks, and the lighweight hippers Ovis refers to?

17 January 2006, 20:20

csutton77(formerly csutton7)

the wiggy's waders weigh in at 8.9oz--here's the link...chris

http://www.wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=5

19 January 2006, 08:28

reelhook

Since I guess that I don't know HOW to apply beeswax to boots. would someone please give me instructions? I would greatly appreciate it.Reelhook

30 January 2006, 12:14

p.e. n' sitka

On the Cabela's Meindl boots,
Are they sized dead on or do they tend to run smaller or bigger than the size label?
Should a guy go a 1/2 or full size bigger for wool sock wear.
Hate mail ordering boots but gotta' due to minimal selection here in Sitka town.
Any thoughts appreciated,
thanks

20 February 2006, 07:00

bulldog563

I ordered a pair of Meindl Perfekts in my usual size from Cabelas and they were a perfect fit right away. I would say order your real size and you can always exchange them for a larger size later. The Meindls are really nice boots. I don't think you will be dissapointed.

21 February 2006, 07:59

twilli

Custom fitted High Country Hunters from Russell Moccasin Company. www.russellmoccasin.com great product and handmade in america. Boots will last you a lifetime!

22 February 2006, 03:50

Kusko

I used Alaskan's by Meindl on a high mountain, early season caribou hunt and last year on a sheep hunt. They treated me very well. No blisters or hotspots.

26 March 2006, 08:56

WPN

Asolo/Scarpa/Fabiano for traditional expedition boots.

Plastic shells are increasingly being used by expedition mountaineers. Their advantages are lighter weight over leather and maintainance-free waterproofness.

http://www.koflachusa.com

22 April 2006, 10:31

Magnum61

I couldn't yell MEINDL loud enought if I tried.

I've written the story many of times on this site about why I bought my Meindl Canada's but I don't feel like adding that again so if you want it PM me and I'll send it.

They are a great boot, most likely the best you can order from a catalog. Once you hunt in Meindl's you'll see how much a piece of junk Danners really are.

18 May 2006, 05:09

djpaintles

I don't have anywhere near the backpacking experience that many here have, I just hunt in Schnee's because they are the most comfortable boots I've ever stuck my feet into. I've been surprised at how much support they have going up hillsides in Colorado etc.. I keep thinking leather boots would be better and may try a pair of the Meindl's but a half dozen pairs of Rocky's, Danner's and the like have yet to approach the Schnee's comfort and warmth.
When I bought my Schnee's the salesmen made the comment that rubber bottom boots kept feet warm slightly differently than leather boots. He said that socks were a much more integral part of how Pac's kept your feet warm so be sure and use the best socks possible.................DJ

18 May 2006, 09:14

scr83jp

quote:
Originally posted by djpaintles:
I don't have anywhere near the backpacking experience that many here have, I just hunt in Schnee's because they are the most comfortable boots I've ever stuck my feet into. I've been surprised at how much support they have going up hillsides in Colorado etc.. I keep thinking leather boots would be better and may try a pair of the Meindl's but a half dozen pairs of Rocky's, Danner's and the like have yet to approach the Schnee's comfort and warmth.
When I bought my Schnee's the salesmen made the comment that rubber bottom boots kept feet warm slightly differently than leather boots. He said that socks were a much more integral part of how Pac's kept your feet warm so be sure and use the best socks possible.................DJ

I saw a prototype pair of Schnees at the SHOT Show in Vegas last Feb, they're Ridgerunners in 6" & 8" that are really light in weight that I wanted for a fall elk hunt but was told they won't be available til 07.

19 May 2006, 00:17

22WRF

I too went from wearing Danners (hurt my feet) to Meindl Canadians (which do not hurt my feet)
My experience with Meindl, and all boots for that matter, is that they are just a bit narrower than what you would wear as a dress shoe size. I wear a size 10e dress shoe and the 10.5 Meindl EE size works for me with an undersock and a pair of Filson Wool socks.
I have been to the Schnees store and had their boots fitted to me by them. They claimed that becasue the boot was a bit narrow it would be "ok" to use a longer boot. That was B.S.
If you need a wide boot do not buy a Schnees as your feet will hurt.

19 May 2006, 13:34

Finley

I went from wearing Meindls to a pair of Asolo Fugitives and have never been happier. Don't over look the the top "backpacker" boots. I've found these to be the best for me. Too stiff a boot is just not required for the most of the hunting I do. I've done several sucessful goat and sheep hunts with the Asolos and can recomend them fully. Good luck to you.

Jf

19 May 2006, 19:47

scr83jp

My best pr of hiking boots are Raichle Lite Hikers that I've been wearing for 20+ years.I've worn them backpacking in Calif and on hunting trips in Colorado and California they've been resoled once.

26 May 2006, 03:07

I've used Lowa Sheephunters for the past several years and found them to be absolutely terrific; probably the best pair of mountain boots I've ever owned. Great support on the steep, in the rocks and schree and going uphill or downhill and very comfortable on the flatter terrain where a plastic boot is pure hell. Throw in a pair of Wiggy's lightweight waders for stream crossing and you have the best all around high country sheep or goat boot going. Also lasted much longer than the comparable Meindels (at least for me).