I've got to get another pair for the coming season. I've always used low cut hikers "boots"....but really they are almost shoes and I use orthotics. I'm looking at getting something more of a boot and I want top quality. My research is leading me to ...

* Kennetrek
* Hanwag
* Crispi
* Lowa
* Soloman ... for a lower budget yet good boot.

I want a mid height boot....I cannot stand high boots. More ankle support as I'm 53 this season and will be packing out meat if successful. All leather verses synthetic or a blend?

Anyone have experince with brands mentioned or any brand that falls into top quality?

Don't over look Danner Pronghorn very nice boot.

I would add to that list Zamberlan and Salewa. But that isa good list to work with.

I ruled them out over 10 years ago....didn't like the way they felt on me plus while they are decently made they are not in the same category as the one's I mentioned.

Good list, it's really an individual fit preference.

Hanwag and Zamberlan have lasts that fit me well, but I've ran

Kennetrek
Zamberlan
Salwela
Lowa
Schnee’s/gornell
Hanwag

I prefer all leather because I feel they mold to your feet better and are easier to keep waterproof/resistant. I run both waterproof and nonwaterproof. I prefer the leather lined no waterproof/nonmembrane 10-1, breathes better and you can make them pretty water resistant

You could also add mendil and scarpa to your list.

Right now I wouldn't buy any boots from oversees retailers like exxposed. Covid shipping is causing a big bottle neck

Depending on how stiff a boot you are wanting.

Stiff - Zamberlain Vioz GTX
Hiker - Oboz Bridger B-Dry
Meindls - any stiffness

I currently run the Oboz and some Meindl lightweight hunters. Will be getting a set of the Meindl Comfort Fit Hunters this summer.

I hear good things about crispi

I would personally get another pair of Kennetreks myself. But they are stiff and need break-in time

I wrecked my ankle badly many years ago, and need good support in a boot, but like you, I hate high boots. I like an all leather boot that gives great support, is resistant to all the cactus we have where we hunt, and will last a long time to make the investment worth hit.
My son is a HotShot wildland firefighter out here in the West, and they spend 18 hours a day in their boots, all year long. Half his crew have switched to this one now. He got me to try a pair of the Lowa Baffin Pro boots this past year, and I will admit to them being the best I have ever worn. Tough and great support, all leather inners, and super comfortable. I did have them on for this years elk too!

I bought a pair of Lowa Camino GTX boots 2 seasons ago and they are the best hiking boot I've ever owned. Easy to break in, comfortable with good ankle support, pretty cool lacing system, and most importantly, Gore-Tex that actually provides waterproofing. I also like the Kennetrek Hardscrabbles, but I couldn't find one that came in a wide size. Friends have Crispi Nevadas that they like, as well.

I personally do not like Danner's at all. I had a pair of those prior to the Lowa's and they LEAKED like crazy from day 1. So infuriating even though they were supposed to be Gore-Tex.

I wear Asolo GTX almost every day for work in a metal shop, then to hike, backpack, and hunt in. A pair lasts me about 3-4 years, they are not cheap but are great boots for me. Not too soft but not too stiff after break in, great support as well, I have pansy ankles.

I was going to suggest Oboz as well. I've tried some mentioned above and they are just too stiff. I need more comfort.

I've been extremely happy with the Oboz. They're out of Bozeman, MT and are extremely comfortable. Mine are insulated and work very well.

No personal experience, but I have a couple of buddies that swear by their Crispis. I haven't quite bitten that bullet yet, but they seem like a solid boot.

I currently have the Irish Setter Ravine with the BOA system and the Danner Pronghorn 400gram. The pronghorns are just alright for what little I've hiked in them. The Irish Setter Ravines have been pretty solid and stiff for a "cheaper" boot. My ankles need the extra support and have felt the Ravines have held them pretty solid. I'm not super impressed with the BOA system, but it is nice to easily put them on/off. I tend to have to tighten the boa system after a short bit of hiking since theres only one tightening location at the boa knob. Other than having to tighten them at most, twice, no real complaints. I have custom orthotics i wear on a daily basis that fit well in these boots as well.

Where did you purchase the Oboz? Do you wear a wide version? I’m going to Greune Outfitters tomorrow to try on a pair.

I wear a 14 EE in most boots. That size in the Oboz fit me really well. I wear those boots for early season hunts and pretty much anytime I need something more than running shoes.

Bought mine from REI. I wear a 13D and the run very true to size.

I like my Meindls haven't been doing it long enough to go through them. So nothing on any other brands.

I have the Salomon Quest 3D GTX or whatever they're called. I'd give them about a 7 out of 10.
They have an ortholite foot bed, and are comfortable in that regard, but they hurt the tops of my feet.
I don't know if it's the lacing system or just too much material around the tongue but they feel tight across my foot.
Plenty of room in the toe box though. But I only paid $99 for them when the 4D came out.

My next uninsulated boot will likely be the Lowa Renegade GTX.

Camofire usually has Crispi boots on discount.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm thinking of getting a pair of......Hanwag, Crispi, Schnees and lowa and let them all know I'll be returning the 3 I don't like the best. I saw a Utube video where a guy has like 3K of boots he bought and returning all of them except his chosen pair. I'm not going to that extreme but like the idea.

Pronghorns are comfortable but suck when it comes to mountains. I've had numerous spills while wearing Pronghorns from Canada to Mexico. The final straw was retrieving a Coues in Mexico. I kept falling (steep SOB) and nearly tumbled all the way down while my friends had Kenetreks and had no issues getting to the Coues to help with retrieval. As soon as I got home I picked up Kenetrek Mountain Extremes (also now have the Hard Scrabble now).

A true quality pair of boots is less expensive that an ER co-pay.

What size and foot width are you? I’m 12 and Wide so I can give insight on ones that have wider lasts like Zamberlan and Hanwag in reference to how stiff you do or don’t want.

I bought a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 and a pair of Crispi Hunter GTX. They are both tall boots which I understand you don't want. Regardless, though I think the Kenetreks would have been fine I kept the Crispis. Both are all leather which, like Bobo, is my preference. The stiff soles are great as is the overall stiffness and ankle support. Mine are still new with about 80 miles. They'll reach about 100 miles on my next hunt in a few weeks. In remote areas with that kind of distance you don't want to cheap out on footwear.

Get good socks. I always wear the same. Feet - socks - boots. It's a complete system. Your feet and boots each adapt to the other. Don't throw off the relationship by messing with the middle man.

I'm a 12 also but I broke my pinky toe on the side of my foot in high school and took my cast off to early so I could have fun with my friends....it gets sore if any pressure gets to it. If wading in waist deep water duck hunting the water pressure on my boots will start the pain feeling after a while. So I need wider boots.

While a good well built boot is certainly a plus, comfort is the number one thing and for a boot to be comfortable it has to be broken in. I'm not saying wear them for a few days and call it good, I'm saying wear them every day for a few months. I can't think of a hunt I've been on where walking was the primary way of movement that at least one person in camp wasn't battling his boots. Feeling good in the store isn't the same as feeling good after 10+ miles of running the mountains for a couple of days. I've seen bad boots end a hunt. Don't really care what brand a person wears just make sure you get them broken in completely before heading to the hills.

i like my kennetreks. worn them allover. if they had come in goretex i would have gotten that, but i purchased the leather treatment stuff they sold with it put that on, and really haven't had any problems with getting wet.

Best place to start. The “last” is the width and fit design.

https://www.hanwag.com/eu/en-gb/our-story/the-hanwag-fit


This boot(ancash) I just ordered but is caught up in over seas shipping. It's the extra wide straight fit. I can't give a review yet but as soon as I get them ill let you know. I been wearing Yukon Wide(resoled 3x and time to replace) and chillkat. The zaberlan 1013 Leapard gtx WL is another generous wide boot, but not it's not as stiff as the Yukon or Ancash, but probably still stiff enough for anything but Side-hilling in shale.

https://www.hanwag.com/eu/en-gb/collection/trekking/ancash-ii-gtx

On wide in kennetrek and Schnees/gronell’s the heel seems to widen with width and I had bad hill slip, where as hanwag its same hill pocket.