Thread: Rugged all terrain boot recommendations

After burning through an old set of boots over 10 years, no longer made, I went and read a ton of reviews. I ended up with the "best" and "most rugged" hard hiking boots, rated across a lot of different sites: Salomon Quest 04 GTX. Happy lad, I took to the hills, bow in hand.

On the second hike, off track all fours, shale slips and miles of rock hopping up river, the sole started to give. I repaired it because I needed them in service, didn't want to wait for warranty. Then another grunt, a lot of all fours climbing, skidding, hard yakka descends. Another bit of sole lifted off. Glued it back on with good glue (Aquaseal, awesome). Just back from another overnighter, 20kg on the back, up to shoulder of Mt. Mathews, 600m alt climb through thick bush and shale, skidding and sliding down back again. Now another part of the sole on one is coming off. Boots also look so bedraggled, like they're 5 years old already. It's been that many months.

Feel like I've been sold boots for weekend trail hikers on manicured tracks and the occasional little rock hop. Not boots fit for a true Kiwi bush-bashing grunt.

So I'm looking for recommendations from hard hiking locals for boots. Not truck-to-treestand, not weekend walks, but all-terrain armour for the feet and ankles. Don't have to be "best of 2024". I'll take a model that's years old, if it's tried and true. Synthetic, leather, don't care,

Much appreciated,

Remote

Really liking my Crispi valdres so far. Full leather but really light. 3 hunts done roughly 60ks NI bush and rivers no probs

Looking into them, thanks! See I can get them at Dwights.

See if the lastrite boots made in Nz will fit the bill.
They are not extremely comfortable but they are tough.
Soles sewn and screwed on.
I got them because I was sick of my boot’s talking back to me.

I've been using lowa rangers for the last 15 years. Not as heavy as the Tibets and still take a hiding.

Love my Lowa Tibets. They're not the lightest but I've also never thought they were too heavy. Live my normal life in steel caps.

Andrew Antelao's are super strong, stitched soles rugged as & have been awesome for me.....

BUT the downsides are they are HEAVY & expensive!

Originally Posted by TimC

I've been using lowa rangers for the last 15 years. Not as heavy as the Tibets and still take a hiding.

Did you wear tibets as well? I'm wondering what the ankle support compares like between the two

Originally Posted by Bobba

Really liking my Crispi valdres so far. Full leather but really light. 3 hunts done roughly 60ks NI bush and rivers no probs

+ one for the Valdres. Comfy too, for my feet anyway.

Originally Posted by 16Tontovarish

Did you wear tibets as well? I'm wondering what the ankle support compares like between the two

Yeah I've worn the Tibets. They Def feel stiffer and more ankle support. In saying that, I've never felt I've needed stiffer or more ankle support wearing the rangers.

Thanks a lot for the reco's all. I'm going through these awesome options. Should've known to ask hard yakka types here before trusting posh foreign websites and Amazon reviews.

Iv had 2 pairs off crisps Nevada GTX comfortable but id put the crisps in mid duty range mine only lasted 9 months each time that's been used though the week for fencing & hunting in weekend so they are a 7 day week boot I only end up with a 2nd as I brought a pair off Andrews and they leaked so they replace them with the crisps because I didn't have any in my size or something the same model. Iv gone back to Gronell Annapurna boots only because a pair came up on here at a good price my last pair these I got 1.5-2 years out off that are a proper full shank put so you cannot bend them at all which is what I like for me on steep hill country the crisps where way too flexible but for a hard ass boot I would go with these Gronell Stelvio Boot i get round 2.5 years out these & thats what I was going to buy this time but the others come up on here at a good price the Gronell Stelvio have a good full shank a 4*2 has more flex than these boots lol the leathers thick and tough so you don't need a ran around them if you do go with the these buy them from - what a load of bull - in bulls they have them at a good price

I've just got a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters (they're American, so y'all just need to look past the name!)
Full grain leather, soles are stitched on, I went for the 10" cos I like plenty of ankle support.
I have NOT done any big days out yet but have been out for a few hours at a time over rough steep ground full of rocks, shale, loose powdery soil and clambering in and out of guts etc.
First impression is not too stiff in the sole, good solid snug fit without being too tight (I've always worn two pairs of socks, one for the boot, one for the foot, I really don't get why people insist on taping their feet to prevent blisters when two socks do the job and last for days) ankle support is excellent, they don't feel heavy at all (although in my other life I wear steel capped boots for 10 hours a day)
You can get them in a range of heights with differing levels of insulation, think they all come lined with gortex and on my (admittedly nothing higher than ankle deep) creek crossings, nothings let the water in.
$475 from pioneer outfitters (i think) so far I'm very happy with them

Originally Posted by Zedrex

I've just got a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters (they're American, so y'all just need to look past the name!)
Full grain leather, soles are stitched on, I went for the 10" cos I like plenty of ankle support.
I have NOT done any big days out yet but have been out for a few hours at a time over rough steep ground full of rocks, shale, loose powdery soil and clambering in and out of guts etc.
First impression is not too stiff in the sole, good solid snug fit without being too tight (I've always worn two pairs of socks, one for the boot, one for the foot, I really don't get why people insist on taping their feet to prevent blisters when two socks do the job and last for days) ankle support is excellent, they don't feel heavy at all (although in my other life I wear steel capped boots for 10 hours a day)
You can get them in a range of heights with differing levels of insulation, think they all come lined with gortex and on my (admittedly nothing higher than ankle deep) creek crossings, nothings let the water in.
$475 from pioneer outfitters (i think) so far I'm very happy with themAttachment 242685

Wouldn't suit me with my habit of continually coming inside for a cup of tea. Too slow to get in and out of.

Good summary of what these boots are designed for !

Feel like I've purchased (been sold ??) boots for weekend trail hikers on manicured tracks and the occasional little rock hop. Not boots fit for a true Kiwi bush-bashing grunt.