New Boot ideas

[Redfishga1]

We are heading to Austria in December for the last few days of the year to try for a chamois. I realized on a hunt this year in big rainstorm that my boots I do most of my mountain hunting are not waterproof. I’m assuming the alps will have a good bit of snow that time of year and be pretty cold. I love my boots but I’m going to need something to keep my dry or it will be miserable. I’m a flat lander from the south so my go to boots for elk, mule deer; and ibex have been my ll bean uplanders. The have the wire lace system that be tightened with a dial and I have really liked it. All thoughts are welcome.

 

[Moody808]

If you like easy lacing then take a look at salomon. They have a lot of goretex options in multiple widths and styles. I have a pair a like a lot, but my favorites are my lowa zephyrs, but they have a traditional laces.

 

[Russ16]

I love my Crispi boots. I have the Wyoming and the Idaho. I’ll be wearing my Idaho boots after chamois in Romania in November.

 

[K-man]

If the boots you own are in good shape and comfortable, get a good pair of Gaiters from a company like Kuiu. They are easy to take off and on and are tall enough to keep most snow out and the laces of your boots dry. Not for wading, just deep snow.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Just got back from New Zealand on a 10 day trip.

8 days of hunting which included 3 Days for Tahr and Chamois. Lot of straight up and down alpine hiking and climbing!

I used: Zamberlan 700 Sierra GTX Boots. Virtually no break in. I have a EEE width and Orthotics. Liked them so much I bought a second pair. All the guides I met there wear Zamberlan.

Men's Zamberlan 700 Sierra GTX Boots

The Zamberlan 700 Sierra GTX is built to be an all-purpose, early-season hiking and hunting boot ideal for archery, shed hunting, and everyd

www.scheels.com

Here’s the report:

Thread 'NEW ZEALAND: Lochinvar Safaris - 5/09/25'

Mar 16, 2025

Finally booked a return to New Zealand. Hunting with LOCHINVAR SAFARIS. https://www.lochinvarsafaris.co.nz/
They were at the Sacramento ISE show this season and I was there booking a 5 Day Alberta Duck and Goose hunt. My good friend and hunting partner Steve made the introduction and I’m pleased with the package I negotiated.


Hunting:
500” Stag
Tahr
Chamois
Arapawa Ram
Fallow Buck
Feral Goat - if they have a good one worth shooting.
Cull hunt if opportunity presents.
Maybe a day or two of fishing…

Leave May 9th and return May 21st this year.
Flying out of SFO. Flying Air New...

• NIGHTHAWK
• Replies: 63
• Forum: Hunting reports Australia & New Zealand

• 

 

[mdwest]

Boots are a very personal choice.. what fits one person comfortably might not work as well for the next guy… getting the right insole to match the foot/arch profile of the wearer and having it work comfortably in the boot just adds to the complexity of the problem..

All of that said, there are lots of great options out there… I love my Schnee’s… my wife loves her Crispis… my closest hunting buddy (outside of the wife) is totally sold on kenetrek..

My recommendation would be to try on several and see what works for you..

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Good luck on your hunt. I’d also suggest carbon fiber trekking poles. They helped a lot. Especially in snow, rain, muddy conditions or loose rock. I had to cross multiple streams and they helped keep me stabilized…

 

[Scott CWO]

Crispi Hunter GTX

 

[Firebird]

Have to agree on good gaiters-tall ones since you’ll apparently be in snow. I’ve owned all the above and can’t complain about any of them. Mdwest nailed it-this is a very personal choice and different for everyone.
I am currently hunting in Crispi boots and working in kennetrek and very pleased with both brands-but I’m also not hunting Austria in December. . .

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I used Kuiu waterproof gators and they’ve always worked well to keep rain water, mud, snow, and debris out of my boots… They are tall and have a good gathering system at the top which includes a strap with a clip. I wore them over ripstop water resistant hunting/cargo pants. Those also hold up really well. They are not waterproof, but resistant. Bought the ripstop pants on amazon several years ago. Never ripped. Wore them in Africa several times, NZ, New Mexico, lot of places in Ca in brush and thickets pig hunting…

I also brought Kuiu waterproof pants and jacket for true rainy conditions. My backpack on my NZ trip was not a hunting pack and was the same backpack that I use in lieu of a carry on.

I live 40 minutes from Kuiu Ca store and my GF likes to get me gift cards… Kuiu stuff is good, but pricey. Most of it is made in other countries.

I also like Kuiu Super Down PRO Hooded Jacket

Super Down PRO Hooded Jacket | Valo

Best Use: Cold Conditions The Super Down PRO Hooded Jacket is purpose built for low-level activity when temperatures plunge. It's sized to fit over your base and mid-layers and is insulated with 5 oz of 850+FP Quixdown. Our down is treated with TORAY's DWR, so each individual down cluster is...

www.kuiu.com

 

[Major Bonkers]

Lundhags boots. Get high boots which support the ankle and don't allow it to get twisted. You will probably be crossing streams and bogs, so the higher the boot the more chance of dry feet.
Berghaus Yeti Attack gaiters. The best.
An alpenstock or 'cromach' (shepherd's crook). A good idea is to get a silversmith or metalworker to take the crook, cut it into two or three lengths, and put screw threads in which helps enormously with travel.
Personally I sweat like a pig when I am walking uphill, so I found a gore-tex camouflage jacket was a useful shell, and then I put on a woollen jumper when I reach level ground.
Don't wear cotton: it does not dry on you and is cold. Wool is warming and will dry on you.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

If you are carrying a non-suppressed rifle, I use an Eberlestock pack similar to their gunrunner. My Eberlestock pack has a hydration bladder which is great. I didn’t bring it due to using a suppressed rifle being too long and I didn’t want to take the can off when packing it.

Gunrunner Pack | Eberlestock

The H2 Gunrunner is a minimalist, lightweight rifle pack with patented Backscabbard. It is designed for hands-free hunting and quick access to your rifle, and has just the right amount of stowage for a day’s outing. The top compartment is a good size for range finders, calls, etc., and the main...

eberlestock.com

 

[HankBuck]

If the boots you own are in good shape and comfortable, get a good pair of Gaiters from a company like Kuiu. They are easy to take off and on and are tall enough to keep most snow out and the laces of your boots dry. Not for wading, just deep snow.

@K-man but Gaiters won’t keep any “exposed” parts of his boots dry — the water will soak in from the toe box and where soles attach to boots etc.. Especially if walking thru wet snow - even if that snow is only 2”-3” deep. I like leather boots and goretex if the weather is cold, I can also tolerate wet feet (as long as I’m walking) and can dry out the boots overnight. Most leather (or leather & nylon) Goretex boots start to “leak” in a couple of years from the “flexing” - assuming you walk a lot in them. Rubber seems the only sure waterproof material but they don’t provide the support or comfort of good leather boots and your feet “sweat” in them more. It always seems to be a bit of a tradeoff.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I brought a pair of lightweight waterproof hiking boots too and wore those on the plane, around town, and on a couple off hunting days.

I probably brought more gear to NZ than I absolutely needed, but I actually used all of it and glad I did. Could have gone with one less waterproof jacket, but wanted to test a new lightweight non-gortex hooded hunting jacket. Most of my jackets are hooded and that helps in high wind.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

My boots were wet on several stream crossings. But we feet were always dry. Another guy in camp cut his Tahr hunting day short due to wet feet. Not sure the brand of his boots, but he was miserable with cold and wet feet. He declined to continue Tahr hunting… Although, he continued hunting Stag.

 

[mdwest]

Good luck on your hunt. I’d also suggest carbon fiber trekking poles. They helped a lot. Especially in snow, rain, muddy conditions or loose rock. I had to cross multiple streams and they helped keep me stabilized…

We didnt use our trekking poles in New Zealand (but they would have certainly come in handy)... but we used them extensively in Northern Idaho.. I wont do another steep mountain terrain hunt without them.. super valuable piece of kit to have with you..

 

[HankBuck]

My boots were wet on several stream crossings. But we feet were always dry. Another guy in camp cut his Tahr hunting day short due to wet feet. Not sure the brand of his boots, but he was miserable with cold and wet feet. He declined to continue Tahr hunting… Although, he continued hunting Stag.

@NIGHTHAWK - so a “Hunter” quit because he had Wet-feet?? Hopefully he was thrown out of Camp in “shame”….maybe he could take up “Fishing”.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Nice guy and accomplished hunter who came to camp a couple days after me.

To his defense: Little bit older guy - in his 60’s. Already had a Tahr from a previous hunt and was trying to improve. End of the day and it was cold and windy. It was the same day I shot my Tahr. I was more worried about my heart grenading with my heart rate at 155 BPM going straight up the mountain trying to beat the sunset… I’m 54, but felt good on this hunt.

I believe he realized he would have a hard time besting his previous Tahr. My guess. He paid the day rate… To each their own.

Part of the reason I hunt alone is I don’t want to affect anyone else’s hunt, I also don’t want to be screwed with. I’m tough enough on myself. I never feel the need to bust a strangers balls. Now, if they try to screw with me first, gloves are off!

 

[Firebird]

Has any one recommended to splurge on really good socks? I use several brands and don’t have a favorite but that is the foundation for a good boot-maybe the op has that base covered as well”boots” were the actual question

 

[375er]

Personally in country like that I would look at a mountaineering boot. A stiffer sole and ankle support will be your friend in that terrain. Look at brands like Asolo, Scarpa to name only two.