I transitioned into hunting from an ultralight backpacking background, and I am finding it tough to choose footwear for backpacking hunting. I switched from backpacking boots to lightweight trailrunners several years ago for backpacking and it was one of the best gear decisions I ever made. I totally believe that wearing less on your feet makes your ankles and feet stronger. I can hike more miles, more comfortably, in my trailrunners (currently using Inov-8 Roclite 315's) than I ever could in bulky leather boots. I have had zero injuries, even carrying heavy loads, no blisters, and save the weight on camp shoes since they are so light and comfortable.
But with that being said, the vast majority of my backpacking is on trails and the vast majority of my hunting is off trail, many times in thick stuff that does a number on an ultralight shoe. I keep reading over and over about the importance of good quality hunting boots, but I have yet to find any tough boot that doesn't give me heel blisters on extended inclines, or blisters on the ball of my foot during extensive sidehilling.
Anyone else have this same experience? What did you decide? I am thinking I could either just tape the heck out of my foot before I ever start hunting and use boots, or I could use my trail runners and just buy a couple pairs a year since they will get pretty torn up hunting off trail. What do you think?
But with that being said, the vast majority of my backpacking is on trails and the vast majority of my hunting is off trail, many times in thick stuff that does a number on an ultralight shoe. I keep reading over and over about the importance of good quality hunting boots, but I have yet to find any tough boot that doesn't give me heel blisters on extended inclines, or blisters on the ball of my foot during extensive sidehilling.
Anyone else have this same experience? What did you decide? I am thinking I could either just tape the heck out of my foot before I ever start hunting and use boots, or I could use my trail runners and just buy a couple pairs a year since they will get pretty torn up hunting off trail. What do you think?
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