Thread: Which Boots

I have had a pair of Grisport Hiker boots for 20 yrs now and they are still going strong but the sole / grip is getting down.
I am getting well into my middle age and with the passing of Gapped Axe this week it has got me thinking.
I was in hospital this time last year getting my legs worked on .I am more mobile now and while I am I want to shoot a Deer in the South Island / Central Otago.
Today I did a Rece to look at some new country that holds a lot of deer. It was BIG country and I will struggle but am up for the challenge.
So looking at the steepness and size I think it's time for some new boots both for comfort and safety .
I really don't know a whole heap about them and just wondered without spending a fortune what you guys recommend.
Any input would be great.

I've had a few pairs of boots and have just recently gone to a pair of these https://www.outdooraction.co.nz/prod...xoCPJUQAvD_BwE and so far in really impressed with them, all the support and control of a much heavier semi alpine type hunting boot, but a pair weighs less than a single boot from a lot of the more common choices.
Will they last as long as a full leather upper? Provably not, do I care? No. Have had a reconstruction on my right knee twice and left once and making things easier on my joints etc is money well spent for me. I read somewhere that taking 100grams off your boots is the equivalent of removing 2kg from your pack, and I would definately subscribe to that.
Another boot I have and have been very happy with is the Anatom Q5, I've had a pair for a couple years now and they have held up very well, comfortable and work well for South Island hunting, I don't know that I can go back to a "heavy" boot now after using my new ones though!
You're probably going to get the usual "get lowa tibets" suggestion... I've had some, they were very very comfortable, but they fell apart literally from the first day out and there is so many horror stories out there about similar experiences, usually followed up by terrible service from the importer to have the problem rectified (my sister had a pair and ended up going through the commerce commission to have them refunded after a lengthy battle where she was told that her maintenance procedures had destroyed a BRAND NEW pair of boots...) they're a nice boot, if you get a good pair, but seem very hit and miss.
Boots can be hard to nail down something that works for you as it's pretty hard to tell by trying on a pair in a shop!

Learn to use a mustering stick correctly, that will make a big difference to getting around the hills. It makes a difference by keeping balance and not using leg muscle energy to counter the slope of the hill. Combined with your soon new boots, you'll be scampering over the steep stuff

Maybe the best boots I have worn over 55 years of hunting and scrambling. I've worn these in Tahr country and the NI bush. Lasted and lasted. Grippy and comfortable. I have a second pair in a shoe box but my lads might inherit them.

https://www.completeoutdoors.co.nz/s...o-orange-12852

Originally Posted by Tahr

Maybe the best boots I have worn over 55 years of hunting and scrambling. I've worn these in Tahr country and the NI bush. Lasted and lasted. Grippy and comfortable. I have a second pair in a shoe box but my lads might inherit them.

https://www.completeoutdoors.co.nz/s...o-orange-12852

Good looking heel and sole on them
Salewa are a top brand - amoung trampers especially

and Im more than happy with Sarvos cheapies.....they lasting well,not too heavy,fit my K1W1 sized feet ,not too hot and grip well,ALMOST as well as my gummies.....I have found myself wearing them more often than the gummies....and Id sworn off lace up boots after years of sore feet.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

and Im more than happy with Sarvos cheapies.....they lasting well,not too heavy,fit my K1W1 sized feet ,not too hot and grip well,ALMOST as well as my gummies.....I have found myself wearing them more often than the gummies....and Id sworn off lace up boots after years of sore feet.

I live in my Codura panel ones
But if going into more steeper rocky - shaley places a more rigid boot would be more suited - I imagine
But for general mucking around and low level country - yes these are like slippers as so light on - dont let any water in and have very good sole for grip on all surfaces.

I can get those La Sportiva Trango boots too as I just found out
As new - shop tryon's for prob 250 ish and brand new 350 ish

Not so lucky with the Salewa model though - but sure its thee somewhere

yip I do wonder how the winter weight models would go....the extra material in panels surely must make them more ankle friendly/ridgid . might be slightly better option for shale type stuff...

I wear these every day every where .
Wear em for Fencing, Wear em for forestry Wear em for going out for dinner and wear em for hunting, even in the Southern Alps
They aint light but provide good ankle support and once broken in are comfy as
https://www.timbersaws.co.nz/product...-nitro/product

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

yip I do wonder how the winter weight models would go....the extra material in panels surely must make them more ankle friendly/ridgid . might be slightly better option for shale type stuff...

Yes - definatly
They 25-30mm higher up calf too
Giving Free socks now with them to FM guys too :-)
Bloody good military socks too !!!!

You will get lots of different advise, I wore Asolo GTX and Powermatic for 20 plus years, 5-6 years ago, i started having problems, with the soles delaminating of the boot, happened to 3 pr, one with in a few days, I had the same with two other well know boots,
I wear Lowas now (Tibet's and Camino) comfortable, but heavy when wet,
When I started out hunting mid 80's everyone wore bullers or a commando stitched sole boots, I miss the stiches sole boot, with 6-8 Triconies for steep slippery country, and stepping on greasy logs,
After taking 3-4 pr of modern Glue sole type boots, into the Cobbler, all not worth repairing, sole stretches' to miss fit the leather, and cant clean good enough to get a good glue bond.
I am thinking of buying myself a pr of Stitched sole Danners, they have a very good reputation, here in western Canada, USA made, hunting Mate, has had a pr for many years, and was able to send them back, and get leather recondition and a new sole stitched on,

I've tried a lot of the big brand boots over the years and found them all good, I don't just wear them hunting but wear them everyday all day on the farm.
My ankles are pocked so no gumboots at all.
A few years back a mate suggested these and I've never looked back
Very lightweight
Salomon Men's Quest 4d hiking boot.
Very expensive in nz but very good buying on Amazon.

https://salomon.co.nz/products/quest...34487257268375

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by southernman

You will get lots of different advise, I wore Asolo GTX and Powermatic for 20 plus years, 5-6 years ago, i started having problems, with the soles delaminating of the boot, happened to 3 pr, one with in a few days, I had the same with two other well know boots,
I wear Lowas now (Tibet's and Camino) comfortable, but heavy when wet,
When I started out hunting mid 80's everyone wore bullers or a commando stitched sole boots, I miss the stiches sole boot, with 6-8 Triconies for steep slippery country, and stepping on greasy logs,
After taking 3-4 pr of modern Glue sole type boots, into the Cobbler, all not worth repairing, sole stretches' to miss fit the leather, and cant clean good enough to get a good glue bond.
I am thinking of buying myself a pr of Stitched sole Danners, they have a very good reputation, here in western Canada, USA made, hunting Mate, has had a pr for many years, and was able to send them back, and get leather recondition and a new sole stitched on,

I own a pair of Danners powderhorns they last very well and are very comfy mine have had an absolute thrashing and are still going strong.
The Powderhorns are not a full on alpine boot so may pay to look at other models......I'm still dreaming of a pair of meindels one day.....

Thanks team, great feedback . Seems like a trend towards lighter boots and that is something I hadn't considered and will look further into.
My feet kill me on big walks and was part of the reason for last years operation which has improved the problem hugely but they ( my legs ) aren't perfect... saying that I did 21 km hike two weeks ago but I am pretty slow.
The walking pole @Moa Hunter is a great idea mate , thanks for that I will be giving it a go.

I'm another fan of the lightweight boots these days. For me its the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX and around the same price range as other boots mentioned. These were a game changer for me after years of heavy full leather boots. As mentioned may not do as many miles overall as a full leather upper boot but the comfort and feet staying in good condition is a good trade off for me.