One item to note on Crispi's is that they have two last widths. As it is an Italian company, they have a narrower European last and a slightly wider American last. From what I could find the models break down as: (of course, I only learned all of this after buying…)
Narrow last Crispi's - Thor II, Briksdal, Briksdal SF, Crossover, Colorado GTX, Summit,

Wider(normal) toe box Crispi - leather Nevada & Guide(tall brother to NV), synthetic Wyoming & Idaho tall(same last as NV & Guide)

Some models of narrow last come in wide E sizes as well. I tried 3 pair of Thor before getting a 12 E when I probably should have just gotten a 12D Wyoming. I wanted synthetic and couldn't find a Wyoming anywhere. I went through Black Ovis and they charge a restocking fee for returned boots but they sent me a return label. That was a couple years ago. Dunno if they still do it that way. Hope this helps!
 
I hunted CO in 2020 and my boots fell apart! So, I went to a store in Steamboat and bought Crispi Wyoming GTX. With no break in and good socks, they were awesome!! No blisters or hot spots. A snow storm brought about a foot of snow, so we wound up sleeping in my truck (front seats laid back) and I didn't take the boots off for 2 complete days, sleeping with them on. Buy them with confidence!
 
Hi All,

My dad and I have an elk hunt planned for the first rifle season in Northern Colorado - we are looking at some higher quality boots and it seems everyone that has Crispi's loves them.

The issue being, I am from PA so there are no Crispi, Kenetrek, etc dealers near us to try the boots on. I am able to find a pair of Crispi Guide GTX's at a local Sportsmans, but they do not have my size. But they seem built extremely well and look durable.

So question being, what model of Crispi boots do you have and are they insulated? I would love to be able to use the boots back here in PA also, so I am leaning towards an insulated pair.

Any insight is appreciated!
Crispi dealer state college in PA
 
Hi All,

My dad and I have an elk hunt planned for the first rifle season in Northern Colorado - we are looking at some higher quality boots and it seems everyone that has Crispi's loves them.

The issue being, I am from PA so there are no Crispi, Kenetrek, etc dealers near us to try the boots on. I am able to find a pair of Crispi Guide GTX's at a local Sportsmans, but they do not have my size. But they seem built extremely well and look durable.

So question being, what model of Crispi boots do you have and are they insulated? I would love to be able to use the boots back here in PA also, so I am leaning towards an insulated pair.

Any insight is appreciated!
Kenetreks in Williamsport PA
 
My $.02 is try a bunch of different brands of boots and buy the ones that fit your feet best. Maybe Crispis, but maybe not. For ~$400, all the boots are good. There was a similar post asking the question more open ended. Some good suggestions IMO. Maybe it's helpful. Enjoy the hunt and planning including buying new equipment is half the fun!

 
I've had 3x Kennetreks, 2xSalomons, 4xCrispi, 2xLowa, Zamberlan, Danner, Keen etc.

I live in the southwest, so cold is not an issue. After trying them all I prefer the Crispis for my needs. They are very comfortable to me and great all around boots. I've always preferred the Nevada's.

The pairs of Kennetreks I have owned have also been great boots, just a bit rigid for me. If I were going up into big mountains, as in Idaho or Alaska or whatever, I would probably enjoy them much more than I do down here in our lower Rocky Mtns and one the desert hills. My kids used to call the Kennetreks my storm trooper boots cause they were so stiff. They hold water pretty well too, if you have to cross a River the hard way ;)

I do buy the Kennetrek seal/wax and keep all of my boots lubed up with it at least once or twice a year.

Lowa renegades are great on the feet, but I've had two pairs where the side stitching separated on the edges where they articulate. Frustrating, but not hard to fix.

Good boots are a blessing when you're hunting or hiking. Keep your feet in good shape and you'll hunt longer and harder.

I catch heck for it, but I have been known to get a pedicure or two during the fall and it sure helps my feet out a lot. There's even a picture floating around of me asleep in the pedicure chair with a Coors Light in my hand and a steamed towel wrapped around my face while my feet were soaking in some juice concauction that looked like a pineapple margarita. Sometimes they even do a ziplock bag full of hot parafin fun wax on each foot and they squeeze it In between my toes, then when it sets up they peel it off. That's what I get for going to a salon owned by my wife's friends, I show up with a 6 pack and a couple bottles of wine in the late afternoon and become the entertainment for the day. Haha its a little awkward but so worth it.

JM
I wish I had a contact like that for a pedi! No shame getting one here either. Living in AZ and wearing flip flops wrecks my feet. The wife and I treat each other to pedis all of the time. Unfortunately there is no drinking involved. If there was I would probably pick a nice blue polish. 😜
Honestly, callouses aren't good for your feet and hiking will feel much better if they are smooth. Plus they won't catch on your socks. The leg massage feels pretty darn good also.
 
After listening to everyone's thoughts, put the boots on and listen to your feet. They will give you constant feedback on your selection. My feet like Zamberlan boots. Kenetreks have a forty mile break in period, crispies have a 4.0/14 reports rating with many saying they leak. Again, listen to your feet and give your selection the care they deserve and you will be happy.
 
Yeah the Kenetrek Mountain Guides are the other option I have considered - seem to be the favorite after a break in period. I just wish I could try them on - literally no one in NW PA carries them. I can at least try on the wrong size of Crispi Guide GTX's.

The other option is to buy one of all and return them, but the return shipping would add up lol.
I bought a set of kenetrek hardscrable, I had my feet sized at a redwing outlet. Once your feet are sized that's it, the kenetrek is a boot of superior quality built into arch and ankle support. As lacing I watched a video about skipping the first hook going to the second and then dropping back down and then back up. Best boots I have ever owned.
 
One item to note on Crispi's is that they have two last widths. As it is an Italian company, they have a narrower European last and a slightly wider American last. From what I could find the models break down as: (of course, I only learned all of this after buying…)
Narrow last Crispi's - Thor II, Briksdal, Briksdal SF, Crossover, Colorado GTX, Summit,

Wider(normal) toe box Crispi - leather Nevada & Guide(tall brother to NV), synthetic Wyoming & Idaho tall(same last as NV & Guide)

Some models of narrow last come in wide E sizes as well. I tried 3 pair of Thor before getting a 12 E when I probably should have just gotten a 12D Wyoming. I wanted synthetic and couldn't find a Wyoming anywhere. I went through Black Ovis and they charge a restocking fee for returned boots but they sent me a return label. That was a couple years ago. Dunno if they still do it that way. Hope this helps!
You didn't discuss the Danners. I have 3 pair of Danner Acadia 8in I've had since 1992, uninsulated and insulated, from my military service. I may only elk hunt in the Colorado Rockies one more time in my life. Last time was in 1994 and it got down to -40F with knee deep soft snow. Would you consider the Danners acceptable, but maybe not the BEST boot for a Colorado elk hunt?
 
Last edited:
You didn't discuss the Danners. I have 3 pair of Danners I've had since 1992, uninsulated and insulated, from my military service. I may only elk hunt in the Colorado Rockies one more time in my life. Last time was in 1994 and it got down to -40F with knee deep soft snow. Would you consider the Danners acceptable, but maybe not the BEST boot for a Colorado elk hunt?
I like Danners too, but there is a big difference in the Oregon Danners and the off-shore. The Danner Canadian might be the most functional boot ever built IMHO.
 
I like Danners too, but there is a big difference in the Oregon Danners and the off-shore. The Danner Canadian might be the most functional boot ever built IMHO.
My Danners are a specialty boot for me. I have the Pronghorns with 800 whatever's of insulation, so I only wear them when it's really cold (bought them when I was in Idaho) or I'm just sitting for a long time. They fit well and have double or triple stitching where it's needed most. In AZ now and doubt they'll be of much use.
 
I too, am in PA, and Sportsmans Warehouse carries Crispi. There is a store in Harrisburg, Chambersburg, Erie, Washington where you could try a pair on.
 
Top