new boots

M

mnguy

New member
Mar 16, 2013
18
looking at buying a new pair of boots for the upcoming season. ive always wore danner pronghorns and loved them but since they have changed the style of those boots people really dont seem to like them based on the reviews ive read. Ive been looking at the zamberlan dakota 519 or the 164 elk boots. I guess my 2 questions would be does anyone wear Zamberlan boots and why type of boot do you wear? Any suggestions or insight would be great!
 
Last year I bought the Danner Elk Hunter Boots. I love them. They are rugged and all leather. Easy to break in. Cost was $250 from Cabelas. Haven't tried a lot of the other great brand names out there like Kenetrek and Meindl. I've heard great things about them though. Bottom line...if at all possible, try them on and don't cheap out. Take care of your feet and the hunt will be way more enjoyable and likely successful. Good luck!
 
I wear the zamberlan 519s and they are great. Light weight, great support and good traction.  Not the biggest fan of the ten inch but they work well.  I had to stretch one boot out due to it being a lot tighter then the other side but once stretched out they are comfortable. They do take a while to break in though.
 
I think im going to try the 164 elk. I called zamberlan and asked them about the new boot and they told me that the 164 elk are replacing the 519 dakota they are about 200 grams lighter. They also have a 30 day money back warranty so i can return them if they dont fit me correctly
 
The all leather TPS 520 GV boot from Asolo. The only boot I have found that will make it thru an entire year of guiding and packing in the wilderness without falling apart. Danner, La Sportiva, Kennetrek, Rocky, and every other boot I have tried from the Sportsman Warehouse type places are junk. I recommend boot shopping in a store more geared toward the mountaineering/backpacker crowd.

 
ridgerunner123 said:
The all leather TPS 520 GV boot from Asolo. The only boot I have found that will make it thru an entire year of guiding and packing in the wilderness without falling apart. Danner, La Sportiva, Kennetrek, Rocky, and every other boot I have tried from the Sportsman Warehouse type places are junk. I recommend boot shopping in a store more geared toward the mountaineering/backpacker crowd.
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The TPS 520 is the only boot I will ever use.  So far, everyone I know who has tried it on has bought a pair.  Unbeatable durability, a sole that's rigid enough for the steep slopes but soft enough to cover big miles, and mine are still fully waterproof after 3 years of hard hiking in dirt, snow, rock, sand and pavement.  I realize we all have different feet, but no one I know has gotten blisters in these things - I did a 60 mile backpack trip three days after buying them and had zero problems!  Also, if  you buy them from REI, you'll have a lifetime warranty/return option.  REI doesn't ask questions, so if the boots don't work for you, you're out nothing.  Hard to beat that deal. 
 
I've worn Danner boots before and they're great, in fact any of these brands mentioned are great.  Everyone is different and has a different foot so lots of great boots will work for lots of different people.

But that said I LOVE my Zamberlan boots...http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/index.php?lang=en&pg=prod&idprod=13&idcat=2

I've worn them for about 4 years and they're awesome.  Hands down the best boots that I've ever owned.
 
Have used Danner's for the last 4 year and they were great, but I have switched it up this year and picked up a pair of UA Speed Freeks.  So far I have to say I am more than impressed with their fit finish and comfort, but I haven't had a chance to get them into the field.
 
I have a pair of Asolo hiking boots, not too sure of the model number.  They may be
535's.  They are several years old and still good boots.


But the soles are very hard and in the Ozarks, when things are wet, they are too slippery on rocks.  And if wet and a cover of leaves, they can be down right dangereous.


So, now I need a new pair of boots for a upcoming Elk trip this fall.  I know how the Asolo's fit and last.  I just need to know about the soles on the TPS 520 GV. 


So, what about the soles????
 
For me it's Kenetreks all the way.  They may not be the lightest or quietest while hiking, but they have provided the most support of any boot I have worn, which for me is key for long days hiking, and hauling heavy loads.  They are also the most comfortable boot I have worn and are built to last through everything you can throw at them.
 
I have been looking at the Kenetreks but right now I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the salomon quest 4D GTX trekking boot?....I was thinking of those with a good pair of gaitors to go along with them. Only thing is I am worried about the ankle support.
 
No experience w/ the Solomans but I have an extremely bad ankle, the kenetreks seemed to have good support at first then once then they were broken in it was business as usual w/ ankle problems.  I finally switched to a boot marketed more towards mountaineering.  I went with the Scarpa Fuego, I wear these for hunting and work, they take a while to break in but once they do they are great. Haven't rolled my ankle in over a year in these. Downside = Vibram sole and kinda like walking in ski boots at first.
 
gave and update on the tent and had to as well for this thread on the boots. I went with the soloman boots. really light weight and good reviews with ankle support. Problem I have is how will they be with a loaded pack when I get my bull down ;) . Time will tell and I will be sure to give me review on them
 
I generally like a fairly light/quick boot.  I'm wearing the Salomon Quest's right now and like them.  They aren't quite as light or quick as some other boots I've worn, but do provide a good blend of weight, support and comfort.
 
I have heard great things about Zamberlan. I am going to purchase the 760 Steep GT for a archery elk hunt this Sep just becuase i can get them for 40% off. I read reviews, and talked to the help desk there, and the only main difference between the Steep to the Dakota and the Elk hunting boot is the height. The ankle support is still there near the ankle where as the hunting boots is more flexible but higher up. The only reccomendation they had was to wear gators to keep stuff from falling in the boot if you are going to be walking off the trail all day, i dont know how much of an issue this will be with long socks pulled over a thermal layer.
 
I've been a danner fan for years, I could get about 2 yrs out of a pair when I was guiding a lot. I switched to the Mendel Alaska guides. Great boots love them great support, just switch the insoles, for some reason Mendel thinks we don't like padding when we hunt.
 
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