Thoughts on boots for 2nd rifle

FrogFire7

FrogFire7

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So I haven't been west for elk before , this year will be the first. Going to backpack in a ways and hunt 2nd rifle.

What about boots?? I'm sure this a "it depends" question/answer. For 2nd rifle, do you guys generally wear uninsulated? I have zero experience but it sounds like it will be quite a bit of walking/stalking. Planning on having my pack on my back, but will have a base camp set up, so I shouldn't have a ton of weight in my pack most of the time.

Insulated? What weight insulation? Non insulated? I'm sure it depends on the person too to an extent. I'm planning to hunt somewhere in the vicintity of Steamboat Springs, if that helps.

I also plan on merino socks with a liner if necessary.

I'm sure everyone has their own opinion on brand, but feel free to throw those out there as well if you want. I'm eyeing up Kenetrek, thought about Schnee Beartooth. Not really sure what I'm doing since I've not needed mountain boots before.
 
my kenetreks are way better than my danners were. i wore dinner for a lot of years but they don't even compare. i have the mountain extremes, i think there 400 grams of thinsulate. they are a stiffer sole and hold your foot back a lot better when going down hills so your toes don't jamb in the front of the boot. plus they seem to be better at keeping water out. with my danners in wet snow it seems like they would always soak through with water.

one thing i would do if you get kennetreks, is get them early and spend some time getting them broke in good. if you don't, you will prob get blisters which makes for some miserable hunting
 
I've worn Miendle and Kennetrek boots, and basically there isn't much difference. Both have an aluminum 3/4 length shank in the sole, which makes them very stiff. It also prrevents foot fatigue. They are both equally waterproof. I currently own 1 Miendle (2000 gram thinsulate), and 2 Kennetreks (a Hardscrabble NI and an Everstep Orthopedic 400).

Last summer I was hand mowing my pasture for fire abatemeent, when I apparently stepped in a divit or a high bunchgrass. I have no idea how or when it happened, but after finishing mowing, my ankle was sore, and starting to swell. X-rays showed an avulsion fracture of the ankle. I was wearing the Hardscrabble boots at the time. The doctor turned me on to the Everstep boots, and I have been wearing them since. That includes upland and big game hunting, and any time I'm outside and not walking on pavement. They give more lateral support than any other boot I have owned. They are not too warm for summer wear. Unfortunately, our winter has been pretty mild this year (yesterday was only 10 degrees), so I can't give a report for use in cold weather.

Needless to say, I recommend the Everstep boots. They will serve you well for backpacking, and transversing the Colorado high mountain scree (been there, done that).
 
one thing to be aware of is the insoles on boots. i on my kenetreeks i bought new ones from them and when i put them in they killed my feet. they had switched from the flat one to the ones with the higher arch as there normal insoles. i just sent them back and got the flat ones and they were back to being a great boot
 
Thanks guys, all good points. I forgot about gaiters. I did plan to buy the boots this summer and put a lot of miles on them before going west.

You guys that do 2nd rifle, do you use the 400 gram, or un-insulated?
 
Uninsulated Zamberlan guide GTX with Marino wool socks. I've not had a problem with cold feet while elk hunting in them. Second rifle could snow or be 70 degrees but I personally don't find insulated boots necessary. Whatever you do don't skimp out on boots. Your feet will be beat up enough.
 
Insulated is o.k. starting October and later. Kenetreks are great boots "if they fit your foot". I've had some issues with them as in loose heel box causing blisters. I have some un-insulated Kenetrek Mountain Extreme that kept my feet dry (except for sweat) for 6 days of backpack hunting in heavy rain first day and snow the rest of the time. No base camp so my boots were in wet snow the entire time. My feet got chewed up due to poor fit but, provided these boots fit, they're pretty awesome.
 
stirner said:
I've worn Miendle and Kennetrek boots, and basically there isn't much difference. Both have an aluminum 3/4 length shank in the sole, which makes them very stiff. It also prrevents foot fatigue. They are both equally waterproof. I currently own 1 Miendle (2000 gram thinsulate), and 2 Kennetreks (a Hardscrabble NI and an Everstep Orthopedic 400).

Last summer I was hand mowing my pasture for fire abatemeent, when I apparently stepped in a divit or a high bunchgrass. I have no idea how or when it happened, but after finishing mowing, my ankle was sore, and starting to swell. X-rays showed an avulsion fracture of the ankle. I was wearing the Hardscrabble boots at the time. The doctor turned me on to the Everstep boots, and I have been wearing them since. That includes upland and big game hunting, and any time I'm outside and not walking on pavement. They give more lateral support than any other boot I have owned. They are not too warm for summer wear. Unfortunately, our winter has been pretty mild this year (yesterday was only 10 degrees), so I can't give a report for use in cold weather.

Needless to say, I recommend the Everstep boots. They will serve you well for backpacking, and transversing the Colorado high mountain scree (been there, done that).
Click to expand...
These are a kennetrek product if I am correct.
 
Look at the Lowa boots also. Try on as many as you can and find one that fits you right. I tried on as many as I could and ended up with Lowa's. Over the course of a week of hunting in Colorado my feet never hurt once. They are the most comfortable pair of boots I have ever worn.
 
I like a light hiking boot with goretex, some kind of wool or synthetic sock and gaiters. A pound on your foot equals 6 pounds on your back. It can be in the twenties am and upper sixties afternoons. Good luck and have fun.
 
I wear non-insulated boots for all hunting other than sitting sub-freezing stands from -4° to 110°+. Just wear merino socks and gaiters to keep the boots dry in snow or wet hunting. Even insulated boots make for cold feet when the outer gets wet and freezes on your feet.
 
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