Looking for boot suggestions. I'm 6 3" 200lbs with high arches. I currently am using the UA boot but rubber is starting to come unglued after 4 years, the boots are pretty comfy. Any suggestions? I'm in the gulf coast of Texas hunting WT and Nilgai but I try to get out West to Idaho or New Mexico once a year and so that's my hardest use case there. Was thinking about the Kennetrek hardscrabble hiker or Crispi Shimek. I know I need to try some on before buying but just wanted to know what others like as a reference.
What do you value in a boot? Sounds like from what you like/have, and do for hunts, you would hate kenetrek, they are the complete opposite of what you are used to… they are clunky stiff boots with almost no flex… I couldn’t wear them
I want the softest boots I can get that still will stay waterproof for awhile (leaking boots here mark the end of their life) but I don’t think you would value waterproof as much as me because of your use vs mine
I hate stiff boots and don’t like ankle support, I want the most shoe like boots that I can find that will hold up, no matter the terrain. I have been hunting in soft boots forever, and carrying heavy packs in them forever and have never had any foot or ankle issues
Most people prefer stiff boots and ankle support, because they have always been told that it’s necessary, and would have to ease into softer footwear now or risk injury. If you are already used to a softer boot, you would be crazy to go to a stiff boot, it would be going backwards imo
My favorite boot would probably look different than yours because our use is a lot different, but something like a crispi lapponia is a very versatile boot
I have been through piles of boots, I buy at least 2 pairs a year, and am always trying different options. The 3 that have reliably held up for me the best are zamberlan, crispi and asolo, crispi have been the best fit for me overall, but there are a couple zamberlan and asolo that fit me well too, but also many that don’t
For warm weather early season hunts, I like a goretex low top and gaiters… the zamberlan salathe gtx with kuiu kutana gaiters is a great early season combo, late season wet hunts I currently like crispi lapponia 2’s usually matched with kuiu Yukon gaiters. I almost always wear gaiters, and I think kuiu makes the best rain gear and gaiters (about all I like from them)
If long term waterproof is not a big concern, that opens up a lot of boot options