Thread: New boots... It's time!!

Hi, I've stretched it for as long as I could.. but it's finally time for a new pair - Roar ready!

I'm tossing up these two options below, but leaning towards the Alpina. Anybody running these? Any good or avoid like the plague? Budget of $500. Hunting mainly around Canterbury.

https://www.guncity.com/alpina-nepal-boot-brown-347984

https://www.guncity.com/hunters-elem...lu-boot-343522

Also, I have mates that have recommended these Salomons below but I'm unsure as they have no rand.

https://www.bivouac.co.nz/salomon-me...-gtx-boot.html


Any help would be appreciated

Go try boots on and buy what suits. I was sold on crispis but have 'kiwi' feet so they were too narrow. Stuck with Lowa because they offer wife fit boots.
What size are your feet?

Agree, you need to spend 15 mins in each boot walking around the shop. I wouldn't go near hunters element boots personally. I finally upgraded my beloved scarpas after the soles fell off last year to a pair of these: https://www.bivouac.co.nz/footwear/m...ain-boots.html. Similar spec to lowa tibets, but cheaper, lighter and less bulky.

Originally Posted by bang

Agree, you need to spend 15 mins in each boot walking around the shop. I wouldn't go near hunters element boots personally. I finally upgraded my beloved scarpas after the soles fell off last year to a pair of these: https://www.bivouac.co.nz/footwear/m...ain-boots.html. Similar spec to lowa tibets, but cheaper, lighter and less bulky.

Looks like people have lost interest in this thread, but just in case someone ever comes across it and considers taking my advice..... be advised that a few weeks after posting this, I found that the soles were coming away from both of the boots, after only about 10 days use. I took them back to bivouac and was informed they had seen it before, on about 5 other pairs of the same boot. So, I take back my original advice to buy these.

Originally Posted by bang

I found that the soles were coming away from both of the boots, after only about 10 days use. I took them back to bivouac and was informed they had seen it before, on about 5 other pairs of the same boot. So, I take back my original advice to buy these.

i have the same thing happening with a pair of vasque boots i bought from hamills manukau closing down sale .......ok it was years ago but these sat in the box unused till 2020 and i have worn them maybe half a dozen day hunts. anyway no chance of a warranty claim wont even bother to try ...... so whats a good glue for these soles (basically a thin rubber sole glued to a rubber upper? sole. they dont let water in its almost like this is a sacrificial sole designed to be replaced or they just glue different treads to the same boot depending on the model....
thinkin i might use F2 or polyurethane adhesive sealant

Originally Posted by scotty

i have the same thing happening with a pair of vasque boots i bought from hamills manukau closing down sale .......ok it was years ago but these sat in the box unused till 2020 and i have worn them maybe half a dozen day hunts. anyway no chance of a warranty claim wont even bother to try ...... so whats a good glue for these soles (basically a thin rubber sole glued to a rubber upper? sole. they dont let water in its almost like this is a sacrificial sole designed to be replaced or they just glue different treads to the same boot depending on the model....
thinkin i might use F2 or polyurethane adhesive sealant

@scotty....try Gorilla grip. 10 times better than Ados f2

Cheers. Just back from a trip. Getting the new boot itch. Was leaning towards those Anatoms but based on your feedback I'll pass.

My son has these Salomon boots and he really likes them, finds them comfortable straight out of the box, but we struggle to get 2 years out of a pair - a lot of our hunting is on the west coast where they are wet pretty much all the time and this destroys boots.

I have some Meindl Himilaya’s, but they are very heavy when wet. Have just bought some Crispi Summit GTX. Only been for a couple of 8km walks around the road with my dog (only got them last Saturday), but they are very comfortable. Be interesting to see how they are on hills, but pretty happy so far. Rand is stitched on at the edges so hopefully will last better than the Meindl’s.

Originally Posted by Sauer

My son has these Salomon boots and he really likes them, finds them comfortable straight out of the box, but we struggle to get 2 years out of a pair - a lot of our hunting is on the west coast where they are wet pretty much all the time and this destroys boots.

I have some Meindl Himilaya’s, but they are very heavy when wet. Have just bought some Crispi Summit GTX. Only been for a couple of 8km walks around the road with my dog (only got them last Saturday), but they are very comfortable. Be interesting to see how they are on hills, but pretty happy so far. Rand is stitched on at the edges so hopefully will last better than the Meindl’s.

Crispi are good boots, very reliable, just bit of expensive.

Originally Posted by Black Rabbit

Crispi are good boots, very reliable, just bit of expensive.

Best boot I ever had was the Nevada legends. Unfortunately gone up to $730 from $580 when I bought them, can't justify spending that much on boots.

I've had a pair of Lowa Ticams for the last 8 years and will be getting them resoled after the roar/Winter hunting. They've been a very good boot for me so I don't have experience with anything else. However I like leather as it's waterproof and lasts well if you look after it.

Definitely try a few different pairs on though and pick what is comfortable. Ideally walk around for at least 30min before hand as your feet always swell up a bit when you're walking as opposed to sitting down.

No matter what brand you get make sure you look after it, any (leather) boot will start cracking and pulling stiching if it's sat right next to the fire to dry or left in the Ute dirty after a day in the stock yards.

Also get appropriate boots. Don't get a stiff leather boot if you are a bush hobbit etc

Originally Posted by superdiver

Also get appropriate boots. Don't get a stiff leather boot if you are a bush hobbit etc

Unless your ankles and knees are buggered

I have been wearing an earlier iteration of the Salomons you are looking at. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again except that they just refuse to give up, six years on and they're still an awesome hunting boot. I also run up and down Tauhara in a pair of Salomon trail shoes which I recently used on a hunting trip, if it wasn't for the lack of ankle support I'd wear them instead.
Sold on Salomons!

Yes I have had Alpine Tibet's for about 2 years. Can't complain, they are a good light weight leather boot but not a mountain boot. Have stood up to heaps of river crossings etc. I did get a nice gel inner for them which is super comfy. Just got some light gortex Salewa boots to try for bush. Comfy out of the box.