Thread: Lightweight boots

You know the best (most successful) hunter I have ever met/seen - wore bare feet ALL year round
That was Bennydale - central N Island

So - if we suck it up and grit our teeth - we can save a lot of $$

Found aku boots pretty good

All of those light weight options are around the 600-650gr/boot.
Rather than mess around with a synthetic boot of that weight, why not look at a full leather boot? Read on.

Now I'm not as old at Thar or Sarvo (which gives me hope) but I do break the 100 and have two buggered knees, a fused arch in my right foot and a ruptured disc, all done in my teens.
I have real problems getting boots that fit, and detest breaking in new ones.

Well, on Friday I called into Rusty Dog in Pukekohe, and David showed me a pair of CRISPI boots from Italy which he got in for a guy.
They are the Titan GTX CRISPI New Zealand
I have never owned a pair of mid calf boots. Never seen the point, mainly because they would be too hot in the summer. But OMG when I picked one up I could not believe how light they are. Depending on the web site you visit they claim either 650gr or 750gr. Just so happened that the size he had was my size. OMGx2 - they fit like a glove. Would have to be one of the most comfortable boots I have ever worn.
Still not convinced on the extra high boot, but they do the same boot in an ankle high being the Valdres GTX, which is 50gr lighter again. They do a gortex model being the Ascent, but it is the same weight as the Valdres, so what's the point?

If you are looking for a high quality, light weight leather boot, I strongly recommend that you have a look at the CRISPI range before you make your decision.

Trail running shoes are awesome to sneak around in and crazy light, but when you shoot a few meat animals and the pack has meat spilling out the top, then they are terrible. A hiking shoe of sturdy construction would be good, like Bruce says, you don't need ankle support if your ankles are strong.

Originally Posted by hotbarrels

All of those light weight options are around the 600-650gr/boot.
Rather than mess around with a synthetic boot of that weight, why not look at a full leather boot? Read on.

Now I'm not as old at Thar or Sarvo (which gives me hope) but I do break the 100 and have two buggered knees, a fused arch in my right foot and a ruptured disc, all done in my teens.
I have real problems getting boots that fit, and detest breaking in new ones.

Well, on Friday I called into Rusty Dog in Pukekohe, and David showed me a pair of CRISPI boots from Italy which he got in for a guy.
They are the Titan GTX CRISPI New Zealand
I have never owned a pair of mid calf boots. Never seen the point, mainly because they would be too hot in the summer. But OMG when I picked one up I could not believe how light they are. Depending on the web site you visit they claim either 650gr or 750gr. Just so happened that the size he had was my size. OMGx2 - they fit like a glove. Would have to be one of the most comfortable boots I have ever worn.
Still not convinced on the extra high boot, but they do the same boot in an ankle high being the Valdres GTX, which is 50gr lighter again. They do a gortex model being the Ascent, but it is the same weight as the Valdres, so what's the point?

If you are looking for a high quality, light weight leather boot, I strongly recommend that you have a look at the CRISPI range before you make your decision.

The Back Ridge Hunter chap wears the lower ones and praises them. There is probably an element of promotional hype but he likes them and I don't think that he would walk around wearing shit.

Salewa rapace gtx . They are very light but pretty tough. A goretex boot with leather where it is needed,and a rubber welt right around the sole.

Originally Posted by Savage1

My mate uses these:

https://www.wildfiresports.com.au/in...yABEgKV0fD_BwE

He's ex mil and avid hunter, has all sorts of boots but reckon these are the best, apparently a lot of the regiment guys are starting to use them.

Have ordered some.of these via amazon, they look like the go

Originally Posted by Tahr

I use these all summer and into the winter until the mud comes over the top of them. Contrary to popular belief the low cut is good for your ankles because they strengthen them. It has mine. I use low puttees because the stones and shit get into them easily.

Agree low cut can help strengthen ankles.

Broke ankle and detached ligaments.
Wore heavy boots even for short walks.
Trying to be careful and kind to ankle.

After one year specialist advised to not wear heavies any more and make ankle start to do a lot more hard work and gain strength.
Slowly but surely it all improved and despite being one ligament short there now its pretty bloody good.

Using a pair of Salewa as light day hunt boots and around the farm.
I would think any of the good high tech name brand light weight boots will work well.

Just remember what your load might be later in the day when you have an additional 40kg of meat on your back.
Have seen guys in ultra light boots struggle to get back to the truck at the end of the day with only 20kg on board.

Enforcement & Response Archives - Paraflex

I got some lightweight Merrell Polar Rand boots. Awesome boot with excellent grip etc but they have Thinsulate and feet get too hot this time of year. Might give Merrell Moab boots ago as I have these in shoes, which are awesome in the heat.
Interested to see what you think of those boots you have ordered Ryan.

Salomon 4d quest!

Originally Posted by MSL

Trail running shoes are awesome to sneak around in and crazy light, but when you shoot a few meat animals and the pack has meat spilling out the top, then they are terrible. A hiking shoe of sturdy construction would be good, like Bruce says, you don't need ankle support if your ankles are strong.

I wear trail running shoes all year, I hunt in and out of creeks a lot so they are awesome, I don’t seem to need ankle support tho, downsides are I go through 2 pair a year and everyone that goes hunting with me looks at my shoes and puttees and looks at me like you poor bugger and says where are your boots?
Best move ever going away from a massive leather boot

Originally Posted by gonetropo

Enforcement & Response Archives - Paraflex

You'd pretty much have to hate yourself to buy any of those products - the NZDF went away from this brand for a reason!

Originally Posted by nickbop

I wear trail running shoes all year, I hunt in and out of creeks a lot so they are awesome, I don’t seem to need ankle support tho, downsides are I go through 2 pair a year and everyone that goes hunting with me looks at my shoes and puttees and looks at me like you poor bugger and says where are your boots?
Best move ever going away from a massive leather boot

What puttees you wearing with shoes? I'd considered going this way but was worried about the amount of crap getting into the shoe...

i had some good ones i got from farmlands and they had a steel wire running under the foot and lasted ages now i cant remember what the were, now im running a pair of stoney creek ones, they are shit!