Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am looking at the La Sportiva Nepal GVO Extreme as a possible boot for hunting sheep in Alaska. Has anyone used them, and have an opinion?

Also, I was looking at the Outdoor Research Crocodile Gators at REI to keep out the snow and stones. Any thoughts?

I've never used gaiters before.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

Everone has a strong opinion about boots because they assume everyone is built the same as they are and therfore after whatever trial and error they went through to find that perfect boot they seem to think they have the answer for everyone.

The reason I post this as I have is because that is human nature to view the world from your own perspective and forget others are up against a differant set of perameters. I whent through this for a long time till it dawned on me that there were reasons that people who should know what there talking about reccomended stuff that I pesonally knew did not work.

A good example of this was when the Koflach boots were so popular for sheep hunting. I don't know maybe they still are but I don't seem to hear as much about them these days. Anyway a lot of guides were reccomending these to their clients to bring.

The Koflach gave super good ankle support and surly this is the attration. From my perspective I don't need ankle support. I've never had the slightest problem with my anckles but what I can tell you is that if I don't have good range of motion in my ankels it transfers all the stress to my knees and I've had real sore knees before.

I like a short boot. Good arch support, Vibrom sole and total freedom of movement for my ankle.

My point is don't come on here and ask everyone what is the best boot because you in the end will know what works for everyone else and still not know for yourself.

You will get a lot of responces here, Copy down what people are useing. Then evaluate your own needs.. Go out on a steep inline with a heavy pack and go up "and" down untill things start to hurt. If your anckles hurt and your knees are fine get a boot that supports your anckle, For this the high top Meindels are really good and Cabela's were selling them for a good price a few years ago. (don't know the current statis of that)

If your like me a short boot is better. My favorite is Vasque sundowners. I'm not famillar with the boot you mentioned I found the ones that work for me 20 years ago and bought three pair so I have'nt kept up with them lately.

I just had to throw all this out at the top of this topic cause I thought it was worth mentioning ahead of time.

The Vasque Sundowners, the ones made in Italy have been very good boots for me. In High snow I just wear good gaiters.

I have hunted in the Sundowners in for many years.

PS the Sundowners are my EVERYDAY wear "shoe".

They are that comfrortable. They are my favorite foot wear.

My wife wears them as well.

I do have a pair of Russell Toe Lace Sheep Hunters that so far seem to be working good.

You won't need the gaiters, I have hunted every mountain range in Alaska for Sheep and never had a use for them, even in the late season. I have never used the La Sportiva Nepal GVO's but have used plastics and Lowa tibets, both have worked well, if you plan on doing alot of shale and sidehilling I would go with the plastics, I would recommend Scarpa Omegas, they are softer With the PEBAX and you still have the support you need for your ankles.

I usually carry gaiters.

I fine them useful if you step in a "hole" full of water, or mare crossing a stream, and step in a "hole", if you step out pretty quick, you do not fill up your boot...

Of course they are great in snow...

Also if it is real muddy, or even if the vegetation is wet from dew, it keeps your pant legs from getting wet.

Works the same when ridding a horse/ ATV or Sno Go as well.

Also if it is cold it helps keep the warm air "in your pant legs"...

In Africa I wear shorter gaiters to keep "stuff" [spiders, fleas, snakes, etc.] out of my boots...

I started the get them out here at the house as we had near a foot of snow yesterday... But I was lazy, and just let my pant legs get wet, while getting firewood and checking on my LLamas...

quote:

Originally posted by Yale:
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am looking at the La Sportiva Nepal GVO Extreme as a possible boot for hunting sheep in Alaska. Has anyone used them, and have an opinion?

Also, I was looking at the Outdoor Research Crocodile Gators at REI to keep out the snow and stones. Any thoughts?

I've never used gaiters before.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

I can't directly address your question but I have a pair of the Makalu style boots. I also can't comment on other brands of boots since these are the only ones I've ever owned.
At any rate, I bought these through Mountain Sports here in Fairbaks and at the behest of the owner. He is one sporting goods store owner that has BTDT so if I need/want advice, I listen to him.
These have been on 2 sheep hunting trips into the Brooks and have held up very well and they'll get used again this year. I wear 1 pair of socks in them and fit is fine if I remove the insert they come with. At first, I was a bit leery of wearing a low cut boot for sheep hunting - in the past, I've always liked a high, 8-10" boot for extra ankle support but these work fine. I'm amazed at the sole gripping ability on slippery rock and how they handle when walking in shale. That stuff is quite sharp and my boots show little evidence being torn up by it.
I will add that I was advised that the Glacier style was a bit more flexible than the Makulu and thus might be slightly better for walking on more level ground. BTW, it's recommended to grease them up using only Nik-Wax. No oils, etc. Also, don't know where you're going but I'd look into getting a pair of light weight, slip-on, nylon hip boots for stream crossings. My partner & I each got ours from Wiggy's for about $80 as I recall. These are not for continuous wear - just stream crossings. I'd talk with my guide & ask his recomendation since he knows the area.
Good luck on whatever you choose. BTW, I think I would stay away from the plastic style climbing boot. You're not going technical.
Bear in Fairbanks

I have a pair of La Sportiva hiking boots, and I can tell you that without a doubt they are the toughest boot I've ever had. The make Danners look soft.

Gentlemen:

Thank you for your input. I'll check out the Makulu's and the Scarpas.

Dear RyanB:

I used to be a Danner disciple, and still have one insulated pair from 12 years ago with the Danner bob soles for medium depth snow, but the new ones are junk.

I have two pairs of Alico Summits, that I use for general hiking and running around.

Nevertheless, I thought it might be time to "step up" to some real boots for a serious hunt in the mountains.

Which model La Sportiva do you have?

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

RE: New Danners are junk! Thats what happens when a long time trusty favorite gets the "Made in China" tag attached! Shitty leather and shittier craftsmanship....then they want to charge you the full $200 for the boots yet. Down the road, they will be just another "at one time" American company. Pick up one of the Outside magazine gear "tested" annuals and check out their boot ratings or one of the mountaineering magazines. They only use the best stuff as in most cases....their life depends on the quality and durability of their gear.

I've used LaSportiva Trangos a bunch and I like them. It seems to rain on me for most of sheep season and the Lowa sheephunters and Meindals end up weighing about 20lbs after a few day soaking. I've never had a problem with support or protection with the Trangos to date. I usually do 3 sheep hunts a yr and these are my boot of choice.

Although I have yet to sheep hunt, I do have a pair of Lowa Sheep Hunter GTX boots. I bought them because after years of playing soccer I have broken my ankles and sprained them more times than I care to remember. As a result, some arthritis is probably inevitable and sometimes my ankles are a little punky. So, I use a high boot that is stiff torsionaly but which has a good flex pattern longitudinally. I never had a break-in period with these and that is likely because they fit me well. I use the Green SuperFeet inserts as well and I think they are awfully good boots.