Tall Boots or Short Boots?

B

blacklu

New member
May 22, 2017
5
Hi Everybody,


I'm ready to buy a new pair of boots, but can't decide on a taller pair or shorter pair for September hunting in Idaho.  Looking at the Kenetrek Hardscrabblers (7") or the Mountain Extremes (10").  What height do you use?


Thanks!
 
All those years in a downhill race boot has me preferring tall boots. I run 10" boots mostly from mid sept on... I do have a 7" pair of lowa's that are great for day hunts but anything extended I prefer more boot. I absolutely hate getting debris in the cuff of my boots, higher boots help with that. You could look for a happy medium on the 8"-9" range if you're on the fence
 
I like a taller boot, but I've got weak ankles. I need the support, but I think anyone can benefit from it.
 
I have tall boots as well. For ankle support and for wet weather. It seems every few years it is rainey/snowy. My buddy uses short boots though.
 
All personal preference, I use 6' for pre-season (Hot conditions) and 10' later in September. A solid pair of Gaiters are a must for me with both boots. Mainly needed for wet mornings, pack-outs, stream crossings, and if I know I will be bush-whacking it.


You can check out both options here: (25% discount available)


http://www.elk101store.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Boots
   
 
I've never sprained an ankle so I go with short and lightweight, mostly synthetic.  To battle the debris, I got a pair of short gaiters from first lite.  As it gets later I switch to a normal length gaiter.  I actually don't own a pair of 10" boots.
Owned a pair of Hardscrabbles, they are plenty warm, if your worried about that.  Careful with ordering Kenetreks online.  Would recommend you go to a carrier of Kenetrek and order from there.  Getting sized by a professional is critical to that boot in particular. One of the best boots on the market if you get the correct size.  One of the worst if you don't.  Good luck!
 
montanaelk31 said:
Careful with ordering Kenetreks online.  Would recommend you go to a carrier of Kenetrek and order from there.  Getting sized by a professional is critical to that boot in particular. One of the best boots on the market if you get the correct size.  One of the worst if you don't.
Click to expand...


there's a lot of truth to this and not just specific to Kennetrek. I'd go even further that any of the Kenne, Crispi, Zamberlan, Lowa, Schnees, Meindl, Sportiva, etc... make the best boots on the market but the worst if you buy them and don't fit properly. All make premium mountain boots but each one has specifically little quirks that make them very different in terms of foot preference. All are well built and you won't find craftsmanship issues with any... just a matter of personal preference in this price point. Lowa tibets almost always seem to receive high praise from a vast majorty of people, but they didn't work for my feet.... they were flawless and well built, but didn't fit well for me. They have a shorter  hiker however built on an entirely different last that fits me like a glove. Same could be said about any one brand by any one person.... find what works for you.
 
I live in Wisconsin, but by chance a local shop (longrangehunting.com) happens to carry Kenetrek!  So they are the only ones I have actually been able to try on.  I've never hiked in the mountains, so just not sure how much ankle support I prefer.  I think the 7" would be more versatile for using year round and in the mid-west, and they are a little bit cheaper, so I will probably start with those!
 
Go short boots, with a pair of gators, that way you have the short boot when its hot, but can put the gators on in seconds and give yourself a waterproof extension of the boot for crossing streams
 
Speezer, what brand of gators are you using that will make short boots waterproof higher than the boot?
 
jstephens61 said:
Speezer, what brand of gators are you using that will make short boots waterproof higher than the boot?
Click to expand...

The Kuiu gaiters work great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I only wear short boots or moccasins at home or just on a walk...I have real bad ankles after breaking them 40 yrs ago...lol
I wear 8-10" boots mainly. Lowa Tibet GTX now for2 yrs unless I'm wearing the Kenetrek pac-boots hunting.No way I would hunt in a light boot anymore.Not in NM.
The advice on getting the right fitting is gold.
I found the right size for me in stores in various boots then found them on sale.
I lucked out on the Lowas still, half price/NIB & they fit as well and are as good quality as the other 3 pairs of Lowas I have owned in the last 45 yrs...
 
I like the tall boots. Have rolled my right ankle real bad a couple times and it seems to be weaker now due to this. Tall boots give me much better ankle support.
 
Howdy.  I really like my boots!    I'm so glad I took Mr. Mike Eastman's advice for a boot he uses on late season snow covered paradise.  It is a great boot.  There is NO WAY to get  blister with these. In fact, I dare anyone to try to get a blister.  They are NOT the ROCK HARD BRICK of a boot you need to climb sheer rock like you were Sir Edmund Hillary, but they are a pac boot.  Mr Eastman uses Schnee's Hunter II in a 13 inch.  This is the very best cold weather, mountain boot around.  I can and do wear them, on cooler days, to work(H.S. teacher) because they are very comfortable. Buy an extra wool felt liner so you can change it on occasion.

BTW:  THEY ARE HANDCRAFTED IN BOZEMAN, MONTANA!!!    I LIKE TO BUY PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA!      DON'T YOU?????
;D
 
I wear an 8 inch boot with 400 grams of thinsilate and goretex. I thought about trying a shorter boot but like the support of the taller boot and hate getting seeds and stuff in my short boots.
 
Switched over this year to a lower pair for hitting the mountains. Hoping this won't kill me as I have terrible Achilles tendinitis. I'm hoping the change for the warmer weather will help out. If not then back to the taller ones I go.
 
I definitely prefer tall boots.  I like the ankle support on steep ground.
Also not unusual to find one's self crossing swampy areas in the mountains, and taller boots help keep your feet dry.






 
I use tall boots, as where I hunt I have a few creeks to cross.  Not huge creeks, but big enough that my feet would get wet with short boots.  One could take their boots and cross barefoot, but when it is 6 a.m. and below freezing and in the dark, not a fun thing to do.  Been there, done that.
 
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