Guys -

Getting in shape for August, my Dad and I are headed to the Tok area for a sheep hunt. We have never been to Alaska before, so this is special in a lot of ways.

We've hunted PA whitetails (30 years for me, 60+ for him), New Mexico Elk with Muzzleloaders, etc with standard 8" LL Bean boots and leather/fabric sided Cabelas boots. We both have strong ankles with big 'knob' bones coming out the sides and are concerned plastic boots are not a good choice for us. Neither of us has ever twisted an ankle, etc. (both very avid in athletics and outdoors) but knees are another story. Downhill can be painful, so knees would likely give before ankles.

So, what type of boots would you suggest we look at? And, as importantly, where can we buy them?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Ken

Lowas

That terrain can be rough and I get pretty good ankle support from my lowas. Knees, well have a good brace.

Good luck

Congrats on that tag. You are in for an excellent hunt.

Hard to beat http://lathropandsons.com/catalog/index.php

Lathrop custom makes boots for your feet. They will make a difference.

Make sure you train with your boots months in advance. It is hard to over emphasize the importance of a well broken in pair of boots.

Make sure to were sock liners under a quality wool sock. And a trekking pole will really help save some wear on your knees.

I expect pictures posted in a few months. Have a great time!

Han-Wag is the name of the premier boot.

Speak to the outfitter to see what his preference is. Your choices are plastic or leather.

Plastic Lowa Civetta or Scarpa Omega.

Leather Lowa Hunter or better yet Scarpa Liskamm. The Liskamm has a full shank, better stitching, better rubber uppers, and better ankle support. The Hunter has a three quarter shank which makes it better for hiking to the mountain (flat land).

Brett

The most important element is fit! Your boot must fit without causing pain or blisters. Second most important is a good lug sole. I prefer deep vibram soles. The third is a moderate to light weight but still very strong and supportive! And finally, GoreTex lining. When you buy the boot make sure you have proper socks to try them on and wear. Wear them around the store or house first to ensure fit. Then walk, walk and walk some more on uneven ground. You are close on time, break in is everything!

Look no further:
http://www.schnees.com/product...r-Schnees/lowa-boots

Who are you going with?

Matt Snyder and Frank Entsminger have a pretty good track record for clients from back east.

Dennis Campbell from Ovis Grandslam has a pretty
good program for hunters to get into shape.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,
Thomas

quote:

Originally posted by StormsGSP:
Look no further:
http://www.schnees.com/product...r-Schnees/lowa-boots

"LOWA Sheep Hunter made exclusively for Schnee's"...........and anyone else who's a dealer. The Lowa Hunter is normally very comfortable and forgiving on the feet. It's a great boot, but not as good a mountain boot as the Scarpa Liskamm. The rubber upper on the Hunter tends to start coming off after use. Stitching is double for the Hunter triple for the Liskamm. Leather is better on the Liskamm. The stitching is only on the heal of the Liskamm as opposed to the heal and side of the Hunter. The Hunter has good ankle support. The Liskamm has superb ankle support. The Hunter has 3/4 shank which is good for mountain terrain. The Liskamm has a full shank which is that much better for climbing and side hilling. The Liskamm has better craftsmanship and is a superiorly designed mountain boot. The Hunter is a VERY good boot and is popular for a reason, but is a much better all around boot than the Liskamm. The Liskamm is a much better mountain boot as far as leather boots go. The downside to the Liskamm is one it doesn't come in wide sizes and two it's less forgiving and takes a large amount of break in time.

Barney's Sports Chalet in Anchorage is a dealer for Scarpa and Lowa. He sells the plastic Civetta and Omega and leather Hunter and Liskamm. Again I would talk to your guide and get his recommendation for leather or plastic. FYI...Plastic boots hold up much better than leather in sharp shail, but people seem to either love them or hate them.

Brett

While we're at it. One of the biggest mistakes I've seen lower 48 hunters make coming up here is they bring all their whitetail clothes for their hunt. BIG MISTAKE. I grew up in Ohio chasing them too with Cabelas and Redhead gear. NONE of it was even remotely up to standard for up here. Since moving I've totally revamped my clothing and gear. Here's some gear ideas:

Pants: Westcomb Syncro, Mammut Champ, Sitka Accent, Sporthill 3SP

Base Layer: -33 Merino Wool/Polarmax Synthetic

Shirt: Sporthill Infusion(I think?)

Wind Breaker: Marmot Wind Shirt

Rain Gear: Helly Hanson, Sitka Stormfront 3 layer Goretex (under no condition get the light), Otte Hard Shell

Outer Insulated: Barney's Sports Chalet's own Brooks Range Coat and Pant

Socks: Darn Tough makes great Merino Wool Socks, Bridgedale make great sock liners if needed.

Gear: Black Diamond and Lekki make great trecking poles. Kahtoola makes great steal crampons and another product which is great for grassy slopes..micro spikes. The best sleeping pad going is for sure the Thermarest Neoair. Mountain Hardware, Integral Design, and several others make good sleeping bags. Don't forget Nalgeen bottles. Having a good frame pack is important. I'll leave the discussion of internal/external to another debate. Again Barney's Sports Chalet's own external frame pack is hard to beat! Outdoor Research gaitors.

Good Hunting!

Brett

Thanks for the info so far.

Unfortunately, no tag but going to an open area with Matt Snyder.

They do recommend platic boots, but I've been a downhill skier since I was young and had to have everything custom fitted due to the odd shape of my ankles and the severe angle of my bow legs. Even then, I have developed bursa sacks on the ankle bones.

The Lowa's look extremely nice and, not that it's important, but could pull double duty here in NY doing the high peaks.

Also, we're collecting all of the other gear as well, so the suggestions are appreciated as well.

Thanks, any additional recommendations are appreciated.

Thank you.

Ken

I plan on getting the Lowa Sheephunters. For most non Alaskans, a sheep hunt is going to be a one time deal, but maybe you'll go on a caribou, elk, or black bear hunt. The Lowas will work better, and I'd suppose the plastic boots will stay up in the attic somewhere. I've had a sheep guide (no name dropping, but he is known and successful and the guy I'll put on my draw application), talking in Barney's one day in 2006, tell me that the Lowas were his all around boot.

Get in shape, get in shape, get in shape. I've been to Alaska 3 times now and swear each time to get in better shape. I've been to Tok and looked at the sheep on the mountains, the mountain are steep and the weather can be frightful.

Gear - if your pack, ready to go, weighs any more than 50 lbs (and 40 would be better), you are liable to quit halfway up. Each time I head north, I take less and less crap that I never seem to need or wear. On the hunt, I'd only take maybe one extra shirt. Take two extra pairs of under drawers, t-shirts, and socks. Plan on being smelly by the time you come off the mountain and plan on doing laundry.

I love my Cabela's Outfitter Camo microtex shirt (or LL Bean Upland Briar shirt), OR cap, Helly Hansen 3/4 rain coat, LL Bean Technical upland pants (though I'll probably move to a Sitka or Mammut product), Smart Wool socks (they now sell a hunter pack now with a hiker and line combo), a Cabelas fleece jacket with windshear or something (they don't make it any more), Duluth Trading company synthetic t-shirts, and I'm still hanging onto my Kifaru Long-hunter pack (however, I've tried on Barney's external frame pack and it feels great).

In the photos, notice that I'm too fat. However, in the first photo I was within decent distance of an almost full curl Dall sheep and I think I could have made it to him. I'd have been at my far limit of endurance though. The trail we hiked in on was listed as "strenous", but at least there was the trail and I wasn't packing a full pack.

These were from a couple of weeks ago. I didn't get a bear, and man was it hot. Note the t-shirt.

If you will do a bunch of mountain hunting I'd look into a mountain specific boot. If this is a one time deal and you want it for back home I'd have to agree on the Lowas. Comfortable, well made, and you'll get much better use of them in upstate New York.

Brett

I love it when people suggest a particular brand of boot. The fact is that while a certain brand of boot might fit you well, it may not work for someone else. Fit is everything!
I can't wear Lowa's because they don't fit my feet. Scarpa's on the other hand fit quite well. The last time I bought mountain hunting boots was four or five years ago. I tried on every pair of that type of boot in Anchorage until I found the golden slipper. Salomon makes the best boot in the world!
Find a good stiff leather boot or plastic that fits you foot well and you'll be good to go.

I agree with Alasken on this. Ya gotta have something that fits. One other comment is that I definitely DO NOT recommend a plastic boot. Too stiff. My sheep boots are La Sportiva Makali (sp?) and these are almost too stiff as well. I suspect a better choice in the La Sportiva line would be their Glacier style - more flexible. Believe me, you're gonna want a flexible boot - not all of your walking will be on tough shale. Also, one other very important thing is the sole. Not all lug soles are the same and appropriate for climbing on wet/slippery rocks.
I was amazed at the gripping ability of my La Sportiva's on rocks versus the other boots I had previously used. I think that the gripping ability of the sole is second only to fit in choosing a sheep hunting boot. No quality sheep hunting boot is going to be cheap so be aware.
Not trying to push the La Sportiva line here but rather projecting my experiences. In short, fit is most important then gripping ability and finally flexibility in my opinion in selecting a sheep hunting boot.
Good luck. Bear in Fairbanks

German Meindl Canada Pro. Not the ones sold by Cabela's. Meindl has a dealer in Vancouver where you can find them.

That is what many guides wear and I have worn them on 3 sheep hunts and numerous other hunts. Everything I buy should be that good. I have also had them re-conditioned once, just like new or better again, since the leather is already broken in.

You get what you pay for.

I had a mental block. A.J. Brooks is the place to get them.

You will enjoy your hunt with Matt and his guides. They are GREAT people.

I have used many different boots in my many years of sheep hunting. I currently own Lowa's GTX's. They are very comfortable and are great boots. I wouldn't hesitate to check out the scarpa's or like cold zero said, the "real" meindl's. Meindl's from Cabelas are garbage. Best of luck!

I hade great luck with my Meindl boots that I bought at Cabela's. Used them on my Kodiak Mountain Goat hunt. Work great!!!

Guys -

CAN'T THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH!!!!!!

Been back for a little while, feet haven't touched the ground yet.

Went with the Lowa's, they were excellent and worked as advertised. Matt Snyder and the Entsmingers are as good as it could ever get! Selling guns and scopes to start saving for another trip.

Here is the results (more to come later):

Dad's


Mine:

Congratulations to both of you!!!

Brett

A very hearty congratulations. An experience of a life time. Can't over emphasize the importance of properly fitted boots. We had to cut our hunt short due to me getting blisters on both heels and bruised big toes. Turns out I've lost the large toenail on both feet and the Doc said my boots were anywhere from 1/2 to 1 size too small. I thought they were ok since this was the 3rd trip for them but...
Anyway, I gotta get another pair of boots before we go again.
Guys, make darn sure your boots are broken in before you go. Good luck to all.
Later, Bear in Fairbanks

Bear we got to get you some Hanwags for next year.
They survived about 35 miles of Barnard Glacier country without much for scuffing and I had no foot problems whatsoever with the roughest glacial morraine that I have ever seen.

They are triple stitched like Liskamms but they are heavy duty and are ready to go to war again.
They are also strange in that they start off very hard and inflexible and get softer with use.

The price on them isn't bad either.
Sincerely,
Thomas

I love my Lowas. after this falls sheep hunt/camping trip

We spent a week in rain, actually had to break ice to lace them up the last day...you know ...sheep hunting.

Even wet, my feet stayed warm and no hotspots. It took a few days for them to dry out after I got home but now you cant even tell we were running up and down hills.

money well spent.

Congrats on your success

Kaboku68:
Thanks for the tip. One problem tho is that we only have 1 store here in Fairtown that handles these kinds of boots. I'd hesitate in ordering online then, after wearing them around the house, finding out I had to ship them back & try a second pair. Gonna look at 'em tho. Thanks.

Joel:
We spent a week in rain, actually had to break ice to lace them up the last day...you know ...sheep hunting.


Fun, ain't it?
B.I.F.

Bear,
There are two stores that have Lowas in Fairbanks. Frontier Outfitters and Beaver Sports. Beaver allows you to return anything that doesn't work but they cost north of 4 bones.

You have to order Hanwags from Lathrop and Sons.

You actually call them and then you can either fax or mail them an outline of your foot and give them a profile of your arch.

Order the Alaskan Trapper GTX.

Not only do they not leak like Meindls or others but they dry quickly. It snowed every day but one on upper Barnard glacier and those boots took it without a single hotspot.

Barnard is notorious for wearing out boots as it is very tough morraine rock that is sharp as all heck. I found a bunch of obsidian up there.

For a while they were charging nearly 500 dollars for their boots but now they are 328 dollars and I am going to order an additional pair. One for training and one for hunting.

Sincerely,
Thomas

[QUOTE\]Fun, ain't it?
B.I.F.[/QUOTE]

I dont even hunt sheep. I enjoy being up there so I usually volunteer to be the sherpa. Been telling myself for the last 3 sheep hunts that this is the last one.......I might as well put in for some tags.