Tall Boots

Dunno why, but I hate gators, so I'm looking at boots to cover grungy west coast swamp/stream crossing plus wet tussock in canty high country. Something high enough to keep the worst of the wet out. I'd wear gumboots but my feet are well trashed from decades as a tradie and I need more support than they offer.

So far my list is:

Grisport urewera/kaikoura - good price, folks here recommended their hikers as cheap temp boots after my old ones fell apart.
Crispi titan- I know crispi has a good rep, but the moths are holding my wallet shut looking at that price
Irish setter elk tracker- mostly my boots die when the sole gets shredded by scrabbling up and down over bedrock. So something that's designed to have the sole replaced seems like a good idea, I just dont know anyone in nz that's tried these

I know boots are a really individual thing, but anyone got any feedback on any of the above, or anything I might have missed? I'm going to start trying some on to compare how they feel, but I'd also like to hear any feedback about how they hold out long term.

I was thinking along the same lines for my next pair of boots. I don't mind wearing gaiters, but dislike faffing around getting them on in the dark. I wear them to keep detritus out of my boots rather than water.

I have Grisport ureweras. They're ok for the money, but I do get sore feet in a couple of spots after a couple of days in them. I had Lowa's previously which were more comfortable, however the soles eventually fell off. Next time I'll be splashing out on Crispi's or Meindls

I used to hate the trad canvas gaiters with wire etc... then I started using the neoprene type gaiters and think they are great....

And if you hate gaiters in the dark you may feel the same about the extra lacing....

I just went and bought Lowa 8in high tactical/hunters. They have the low rise ones also. From H&F NP. $599. Which was by far the cheapest high end boot there, not that I shopped around much as I needed boots and the options to try something on are limited in a small city.

They are exceptionally comfortable on my gnarly old feet, fantastic support, lighter than any of the more expensive normal height boots and far easier (counter-intuitive I know) to get on and off. Being what they supply as tactical boots to military they have certain design considerations such as no hooks. I love that. Bloody lace hooks catch grass and rushes and shit no end. As the boot wears, I find Hooks pull out of shape. Metal eyelets are brilliant. Obviously I can't give a report on hunting use as havn't taken them out other than range and breaking in walks. With heavy socks they are hot on a summer day. But I'm in love with the format and wish I'd gone this direction years ago. I hate putting gaiters on and off.

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Those the z8s? I'd taken those off my list because I was a bit worried about the suitability for heavy packs.

I had Grisport Urewera's - liked them a lot for day stuff, Nth Is bush hunting. One day the PU midsole cracked up and the soles basically fell off - one day great lightweight boots, next day bin. Not a fault of the boot as per, the PU midsole material has a shelf life and eventually the midsole will fail they tell me. Basically a little shy of 2 years service, relatively regularly but still had the issue. After that I'm looking at boots that don't have the PU sole material as it didn't fall apart in the best of places and it made for a sucky walk out.

That pair of Lowa boots looks OK though, similar to the grisport offering in that they are a taller boot which can help keep the crap out. I tried neoprene gaiters, but found the hook grass etc up here had a field day with them and they look like they had been plucked after a couple of hunts. Not ideal.

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Originally Posted by 16Tontovarish

Those the z8s? I'd taken those off my list because I was a bit worried about the suitability for heavy packs.

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I'm not planning on carrying a heavy pack or traversing scree slopes etc. The very knowledgeable young fella who served me seemed to know his stuff and asked all those questions. If I'd said "yes" to some of them I was looking at another couple of hundy.

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Originally Posted by No.3

I had Grisport Urewera's - liked them a lot for day stuff, Nth Is bush hunting. One day the PU midsole cracked up and the soles basically fell off - one day great lightweight boots, next day bin. Not a fault of the boot as per, the PU midsole material has a shelf life and eventually the midsole will fail they tell me. Basically a little shy of 2 years service, relatively regularly but still had the issue. After that I'm looking at boots that don't have the PU sole material as it didn't fall apart in the best of places and it made for a sucky walk out.

That pair of Lowa boots looks OK though, similar to the grisport offering in that they are a taller boot which can help keep the crap out. I tried neoprene gaiters, but found the hook grass etc up here had a field day with them and they look like they had been plucked after a couple of hunts. Not ideal.

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Yeah, the PU bullshit is really making me lean away from lowa or crispi, if I'm spending that much on something I expect it to last more than a year or two with proper maintenance. What's the point of boasting about how tough and rugged your shoes are if they fall apart because you didn't wear them for a month or two? I didn't know the grisport had that too, their website is a bit skimpy on details like weight and construction.

My Crispi GTX are excellent. I have a brand new pair of Crispi Hunters as well that Ive never worn, will sell as theyre new.
But my GTX are great and I feel the difference at the end of a long day in the back country.

I have a pair of Bestard Coto boots been good still using after 8yrs leather a bit cracked soles ok. Use other light weight boots bush stalking.

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Originally Posted by trooper90

I have a pair of Bestard Coto boots been good still using after 8yrs leather a bit cracked soles ok. Use other light weight boots bush stalking.

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I have the bestard explorer, excellent boots. Were comfy on the feet straight out of the box, and pretty lightweight compared to many. Had mine 5-6 years, the rubber rand is beginning to peel at the edge, but that’s to be expected. Will buy another pair.


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