Boots for Backpacking?

[HUAINAMACHERO]

The last LOWA boots I owned lasted me for 6 years. They were a bit stiff, but did a tremendous job while they lasted.
I am now using a pair of Irish Setter, 800 gram insulation, with Gore-Tex. Not in the same price range as the LOWA, much cheaper, but so far happy with them. They are also much lighter than the LOWA.

[ejones338]

I use to wear different boots depending on the hunt or backpacking trip. For a short day hunt with a light load, I tended to wear my danner pronghorns- soft, light, and quiet. Then Whites or a Danner work boot the rest of the time. However your question was about a backpacking boot, and I wondered the same thing a while back and searched for the right boot.

When I go backpacking, the load tends to be heavy and the terrain unforgiving. In that instance I would recommend the Asolo 520 GV. Yes they are stiff and need some breaking in, but with a good medium weight backpacking sock, they are a dream boot with a heavy load. I even wear a pair as my daily footwear now. I use to wear taller boots, but now I use gators in the snow.

[jmden]

I've recently been reading David Long's book: Public Land Muley's: The Bottom Line. He does an amazing amount of solo backback hunting in the high country of the west, mostly Wyoming, I believe. (Great book and comes with a DVD, BTW.) Visit eastmans.com to check it out.

BTW, He's worked out a very lightweight workable backpacking system for him. Convinced me to get a 'bivy-tent' (a Nemo Gogo) for a upcoming solo muley backpacking hunt. (Very good deal with no tax and shipping from northernlightstrading.com right now, BTW.) Much more livable than using my GTX bivy sac and may be lighter, but not nearly as heavy as my Bibler Torre or Marmot Swallow. And, where I'm going, I don't think there's a flat spot big enough for a two man tent. I just hope I can find a flat spot for the bivy.

Through September, his book says he uses Vasque Sundowner MX2's (2006 book on third printing 1/08). Starting in October, he uses the 10" Danner Canadians w/600g insulation and says one of the main reasons for picking this boot is the Danner Bob soles, saying he firmly believes these soles are the best on the market. I've got a pair of the Danner 8" Raptors (w/Danner Bob sole--I really like that sole as well) I use for pretty much for all big game hunting (very similar to Canadians, but with some cordura instead of all leather and 400g insulation instead of 600g). Long says he doesn't like boots that are part cordura and part leather as they tend to split at the cordura and leather seams. He says he goes through a pair of boots every couple of years and I've had mine going on 6 years and they are still in great shape, so that tells you he puts on alot more miles than I do and probably has found a system that works well for him. Just something to consider.

Jon

[jwilson23]

From my mountaineering experience I have learned to approach footware choices on my back pack hunting here in Washington and other places out west from a system approach. For instance I leave Sunday for 8 days in the Alpine Lakes Wildeness for the high buck hunt and I'll be wearing my La Sportiva Nepal Evo's and carrying my approach shoes and camp flip flops. So, for the 6 mile haul in and rough country stuff I'll wear the Evo's. For easier terrain I'll wear the approach shoes, and around camp I've got the super cushy flip flops.

[bradne]

Although I am the new guy on this forum, I will put my two cents in on this since I believe that boots are some of the most important pieces of gear you can purchase. As mentioned before some guys like the Whites smokejumper. I can vouch for those as they are super tough boots. I am personally wearing the Nicks Hotshot which are pretty much identical to the smokejumpers. Many of the posters on this thread mentioned good fit. If you buy either the Whites or the Nicks, you have to submit a tracing of your feet with about 20 different measurements and they will build a boot to fit your foot. They are heavy and you will hate breaking them in, but after that you will love them as they will be the most comfortable boot you own. No doubt the best arch support and ankle support that I have ever found. I have anlkle problems and these are the best boots ever.

[HighCountryCo]

Miendels thru Cabelas with the cork insoles

BEST
LOVE THEM
have had them 3 years No problems (15 trips) mostly 2-3 days High high country off trail, rocks...