El General
FNG
I am planning an Elk hunt for first rifle in Colorado in mid October in unit 21. Unit 21 seems plenty rugged but is lower in elevation (4000'-8000'). This will be my first western hunt with a tag, but I plan to do one week long hunt for mulies or elk per yer or every other year if possible. I am dipping my toe in western hunting with this rifle hunt, but I am more likely to do archery hunts or early season rifle hunts from this point on in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana. I live in Texas, so I don't have a need for an insulated boot for the whitetail hunting I do here as, generally speaking, if it is too cold for uninsulated boots and a good pair of socks deer movement is pretty poor.
I wear a 10.5 wide. I also have very large calves, so taller boots tend to be a problem. I currently hunt in 6" Danner Pronghorns and they were adequate for my previous elk hunt where I hiked 25 miles in three days, but did not have to pack a bull out so I did not test them in those conditions.
I am looking for an 8" boot that is good for truck hunting (day hikes of not more than 4 miles out and back from camp) or maybe the occasional overnight spike camp and will provide support for packing out a bull.
Waterproof membrane is desirable, but not 100% necessary
I have done quite a bit of internet research and I am looking at the Crispi Wyoming and Dakota, Schnee's Outlook, Kenetrek Hardscrabble, and the Kenetrek Desert Guide, but I am open to suggestion.
I do know from past experience that Asolo's don't fit. I had a pair of Vasque's that I love, but they were purchased more than 20 years ago and am not sure of the current quality of this brand.
One problem is that none of these boots are available in retail locations in Texas to try on. The second problem is that the wide sizes are out of stock and I am beginning to get nervous in regards to break in before my hunt.
Am I looking at the correct boots for my needs? Are there value options that might be better as all of these are quite expensive? What boots would y'all recommend.
I wear a 10.5 wide. I also have very large calves, so taller boots tend to be a problem. I currently hunt in 6" Danner Pronghorns and they were adequate for my previous elk hunt where I hiked 25 miles in three days, but did not have to pack a bull out so I did not test them in those conditions.
I am looking for an 8" boot that is good for truck hunting (day hikes of not more than 4 miles out and back from camp) or maybe the occasional overnight spike camp and will provide support for packing out a bull.
Waterproof membrane is desirable, but not 100% necessary
I have done quite a bit of internet research and I am looking at the Crispi Wyoming and Dakota, Schnee's Outlook, Kenetrek Hardscrabble, and the Kenetrek Desert Guide, but I am open to suggestion.
I do know from past experience that Asolo's don't fit. I had a pair of Vasque's that I love, but they were purchased more than 20 years ago and am not sure of the current quality of this brand.
One problem is that none of these boots are available in retail locations in Texas to try on. The second problem is that the wide sizes are out of stock and I am beginning to get nervous in regards to break in before my hunt.
Am I looking at the correct boots for my needs? Are there value options that might be better as all of these are quite expensive? What boots would y'all recommend.