Alpine boots for Chamois hunt

[ru4elk]

I'm a huge Kennetrek fan and love them, if they are broken in! These boots need 50 miles to properly break in, but once they are, you may wear them to bed!!

 

[skydiver386]

As a follow-up w up, Tina gave me a pair of the Kennetrek Mountain Extreme for my Birthday, and a pair of the Crispi Womens Briskdal GTX for herself.

They fit like a glove and are very comfortable, but WOW is the sole stiff! I've never owned a pair of mountain boots like these, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Any suggestions on break in and proper care for boots like this? Before I apply anything to them like wax or neatsfoot oil I figured I would ask what you guys have had the best luck with.

 

[Rimbaud]

I have Crispi 10" guides. They are bullet proof and feel very solid which is good and bad. I'm headed to Carpathians next fall. Much appreciate any insight from those who have been on gear that was used / needed and fitness levels. I'm reasonably fit for a desk-bound guy, but not mountain fit.

 

[Goat416]

As a follow-up w up, Tina gave me a pair of the Kennetrek Mountain Extreme for my Birthday, and a pair of the Crispi Womens Briskdal GTX for herself.

They fit like a glove and are very comfortable, but WOW is the sole stiff! I've never owned a pair of mountain boots like these, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Any suggestions on break in and proper care for boots like this? Before I apply anything to them like wax or neatsfoot oil I figured I would ask what you guys have had the best luck with.

With my Kennetrek boots if I'm going to be in a very wet area I will add a LIGHT coat of Kennetrek waterproofing boot wax. Just don't use it too often or use too much, it will soften the leather. Wear them around to break them in. The stiff sole will help when ascending and descending the ridgelines, in loose rock or even snow you will have much better footing and support.

They are stiff but you will be happy with the choice.

 

[R eight]

As a follow-up w up, Tina gave me a pair of the Kennetrek Mountain Extreme for my Birthday, and a pair of the Crispi Womens Briskdal GTX for herself.

They fit like a glove and are very comfortable, but WOW is the sole stiff! I've never owned a pair of mountain boots like these, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Any suggestions on break in and proper care for boots like this? Before I apply anything to them like wax or neatsfoot oil I figured I would ask what you guys have had the best luck with.

I’m about to state the obvious. What ever the manufacturer recommends would be my pick.

 

[Rule 303]

I've been trying to find a good pair of boots for high altitude hunting and cant seem to find anything in wide sizes. My first pick was Kenetrek, but medium width seems to be all they make.

Meindle is one brand that I'm familiar with and they are available in wide sizes.

Danner has a Pronghorn model that's all lightweight leather, and my regular boots that I wear for deer and small game are Danner, so I'm positive they'll fit, but might not be the best choice for high mountain hunting.

Are there other brands that would be suitable for a Chamois hunt that are available in WIDE width? I normally wear a 12.5 or 13 wide.

Just go with the Meindl's if they are comfortable. Very hard to match let alone beat these.

Having said that boots are a very individual in fitment. What fits, is comfortable and works for one person most likely won't work for another. So my best advice is try on as many brands and models as you can.

 

[Boris11]

Since they fit my feet well, I've had excellent luck with Asolos. The leather version is now called the TPS 520 gv. It features a shock absorbing sole and Gore-Tex.
They are billed as a heavy back packing/light mountaineering boot. Not completely rigid like a mountaineering boot.
I've almost worn them out in the older fabric version. Not very expensive either.

 

[Altitude sickness]

It’s very hard to give or take boot recommendations, not knowing you or your feet, body type, stride, how you walk. Especially mountain boots.

You don’t want true mountaineering boots.

They are made with an even more stiff sole for Crampon use. And for ice climbing and even stiffer yet for front pointing. Using only your crampon points on your toes and ice axes.

As recommended you need hunting versions of mountain boots. Leather, not plastic exterior and not as stiff.

Kenetrek’s are well made. But for me, too tall and tippy. In general I prefer Italian made boots and have landed on Crispi for the last 15 years.

I’ve had $800 and $1500 LaSportiva models, so it makes a $400 pair of hunting boots seem like a deal.

Don’t show up to camp with new boots

 

[capra-capra]

Used Kenetrek Mountain Extreme in Kazakhstan this October and was happy with them. Lot of snow, ice hence i did get some slippage but to be expected with the conditions. I wore Kenetrek alaska socks with the injinji liner socks.Went for the 5 toe design to stop potential blisters. https://www.injinji.net.au/collecti...r-2-0-lightweight-crew?variant=44977188470946

Would be good if you can try as many different boots to see what suits - meindl , crispi , la sportiva , kenetrek, scarpa etc....

 

[Russ16]

Crispi are fantastic take a look at them.

 

[JES Adventures]

Boots are such a specific and personal piece of gear that take time discovering the best solution.

I am flat footed, between 10.5 - 11 medium and have tried just about all of them over the years.

I settled on Lowa;s several years back and have worn them on all Mountain hunts with excellent success.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Lowa’s are a great option also. A very stable platform. Lees tippy than many designs. Less likely to roll your ankle

 

[R eight]

Just go with the Meindl's if they are comfortable. Very hard to match let alone beat these.

Having said that boots are a very individual in fitment. What fits, is comfortable and works for one person most likely won't work for another. So my best advice is try on as many brands and models as you can.

Hey Rule 303,

I can’t argue with what you say.

As you know I’m a Meindl fan club member. I swear by them ( Island Pro, Makalu Pro and Himalayas)

I wouldn’t wear anything else for off the track use. Especially when sidling is the norm.

But as you said you need to wear something that is right for you. As you know I recently did Kokoda. I was going to wear the Island pro but I was strongly advised by the organisers to wear lightweight boots. I reluctantly agreed and purchased some Salomon Ultra. I was a bit sceptical at first. But, I’m glad I wore them. Ideal for Kokoda. But I won’t be wearing them in NZ for chasing chamois.

So, horses for courses .

 

[Rule 303]

Hey Rule 303,

I can’t argue with what you say.

As you know I’m a Meindl fan club member. I swear by them ( Island Pro, Makalu Pro and Himalayas)

I wouldn’t wear anything else for off the track use. Especially when sidling is the norm.

But as you said you need to wear something that is right for you. As you know I recently did Kokoda. I was going to wear the Island pro but I was strongly advised by the organisers to wear lightweight boots. I reluctantly agreed and purchased some Salomon Ultra. I was a bit sceptical at first. But, I’m glad I wore them. Ideal for Kokoda. But I won’t be wearing them in NZ for chasing chamois.

So, horses for courses .

R Eight, what's wrong with you, the Diggers did the Track with leather soled Ankle Boots.

In all seriousness I agree with you.

 

[yfarm]

Lathrop and Sons sell wide and extra wide, I have wides and they are wide.