Boots?

[Tim K]

I'm planning to compete in a cross country adventure race sort of thing next spring. The race itself is 30 miles in rugged terrain in Utah over two days. We'll be out overnight and I'll be carrying a 20lb rifle, sidearm, and ammo. The pack is going to be heavy.

I neither hunt nor hike, so I'm clueless about boots. What do you experienced guys recommend for a warm weather boot?

[gonz13]

Converse make some really light boots! Just under 1lb each. Almost like sneakers but little extra tread. Loved how comfortable they are. Only con is they didn't last very long. Good luck [Beer]

[birddog]

Tell us more about this race, sounds cool.

You will definitely want something with good ankle support and likely uninsulated. I have some LaSportiva glacier boots that I love and are good in all temps.

[Tim K]

Here's the info for the 2012 race. I'm trying to learn now if it's going to be held again in 2013.

http://competition-dynamics.com/24-hour-sniper-adventure-challenge-2012/

There are some good pics in the last few pages of this thread:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3632373&page=14

[banks74]

Sounds kinda like the 24hr SAC Conpetition Dynamics a few months back.

I like the Under Armour Ridge Reaper. They are super light while being supportive, waterproof, and with great traction.

Cons cost and made in china.

[Ronin13]

Converse make some really light boots! Just under 1lb each. Almost like sneakers but little extra tread. Loved how comfortable they are. Only con is they didn't last very long. Good luck [Beer]

THIS! I got some Converse Stealth combat boots when I first deployed to Afghanistan- I did A LOT of walking over there, and these were the most comfortable, light boots I've ever owned! I still own them, and plan on buying another pair here soon! I would say nothing compares (except maybe Oakley, from what I hear, but can't speak from experience). [Beer]

[BPTactical]

A QUALITY pair of heavy backpacking/light mountaineering boots would serve you well. You are going to need good traction/tread, ankle support, sole support(shank)and breathability.
La Sportiva, Raichle, Vasque, Merrill, Asolo, Scarpa are all good quality items. Get ready to drop 2 bills at the minimum.
Take care of your feet.

[Tim K]

Sounds kinda like the 24hr SAC Conpetition Dynamics a few months back.


You move on to the bonus round!

[Hoser]

I am partial to the Rocky S2V.

Light-ish, great support and they breathe pretty well.

[Rucker61]

A QUALITY pair of heavy backpacking/light mountaineering boots would serve you well. You are going to need good traction/tread, ankle support, sole support(shank)and breathability.
La Sportiva, Raichle, Vasque, Merrill, Asolo, Scarpa are all good quality items. Get ready to drop 2 bills at the minimum.
Take care of your feet.

Check out Sierra Trading Post for some of these with good discounts. I just picked up a pair of Kenetrek Hardscrabbles on Monday. Very nice boots that will be used for backpacking and backcountry hunting. Not too heavy and quite supportive. Not cheap, though.

[RonMexico]

60 percent of my unit is wearing the Nike free boot. Wont last and they are Expensive but very comfortable; I typically ruck 30 miles a week in mine and havent had any blister. Stay away from the converse side zip junk
Bates has a cheap boot called the subzero that has good reviews from my team members.

[dwalker460]

I would definitely make breatheable and water resistance key, and wear better than excellent socks.

I like Merrell gear, they fit my feet well. The old Hi-Tec stuff was awesome too, not up on any of their newer stuff.

Have heard great things about the Under Armour and Converse gear as well.

I currently have Nike ACG (not sure these are still available) and Columbia light boots. The Nikes are awesome, have worn extremely well and while not the lightest, definitely have the support and breathe very well. The Columbias are just OK, do not fit my feet as well as the Nikes (a little narrow even though I got "wide" pattern) and do not breathe as well. They may feel better after a little more wear, but have not gotten much because of the higher daily temps.

Whatever you do make sure to put fit and utility above brand/price/coolness.

[loveski]

I work in footwear and the Converse Desert Tactical Boots seem to be pretty good. We dont even have them in store but employees will ask for them ordered. Also, The Under Armor boots are nice. I like the Speed Freak but all UA are pretty similar. Good Luck

[Hoser]

I work in footwear and the Converse Desert Tactical Boots seem to be pretty good.

I killed two sets overseas. While comfortable, they did not last long at all.

And they look like something Napoleon Dynamite would wear...

[Rust_shackleford]

I'm planning to compete in a cross country adventure race sort of thing next spring. The race itself is 30 miles in rugged terrain in Utah over two days. We'll be out overnight and I'll be carrying a 20lb rifle, sidearm, and ammo. The pack is going to be heavy.

I neither hunt nor hike, so I'm clueless about boots. What do you experienced guys recommend for a warm weather boot?
Start getting ready now 30 mile hump is not easy. I always did rippled soles, but be warned they do not last half as long as regular.

[Tim K]

Start getting ready now 30 mile hump is not easy.

Precisely why I'm buying boots now. This event will be at the limit of the capabilities of my fat 47 year old ass.

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

i like irish setter but those are hunting boots I just walked about 15 miles through rough country in gore pass with 70lbs of pack and gun

[skullybones]

Check out Mountain Chalet in the Springs. I ended up going with a set of La Sportiva. Consider the extra weight of the pack. The extra support of mountaineering boots is well worth it.

I competed in the competition. Ended with a stress fractured knee in the middle of the night. We trained by going up and over Pikes Peak, and generally staying at altitude. Body felt great, but knee wasn't having it.

Pack light. Our packs ended up in the 60-70 pound range. Plus a few miles of 100 pound casualty carry equaled bruised shoulders and blisters where my boots had never given them to me.

Shoot me a PM if you would like any more info.

Jared

[Tim K]

Check out Mountain Chalet in the Springs. I ended up going with a set of La Sportiva. Consider the extra weight of the pack. The extra support of mountaineering boots is well worth it.

I competed in the competition. Ended with a stress fractured knee in the middle of the night. We trained by going up and over Pikes Peak, and generally staying at altitude. Body felt great, but knee wasn't having it.

Pack light. Our packs ended up in the 60-70 pound range. Plus a few miles of 100 pound casualty carry equaled bruised shoulders and blisters where my boots had never given them to me.

Shoot me a PM if you would like any more info.

Jared

I want to talk to you on a multitude of levels. PM inbound.

[dwalker460]

I checked out that link, makes me want to enter! Too bad I have no shooting partners that would be interested.

[Zombie Steve]

Wrote a review of my choice here:

http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=51452

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

My dad was wearing a set of la sportivas on our hunting trip and he said he will never wear them again after that but he has really bad feet . He also said they were $350 so he really must hate them now

[hatidua]

I used to be a staunch advocate of rugged hiking boots and dismissed the hordes that were wearing trail-runners. I did 22 14'ers last year and have switched to Brooks "Cascadia" trail runners, my feet have not been this happy since I bought my first pair of Nike Terra-TC's in 1983!

30 miles, in two days, isn't a big deal, no matter how it may look on paper. I'm not trying to downplay your feat but 15 miles a day is just an average hike for your average backpacker. Get something that is comfortable from the moment you try them on, skip anything that requires a "break in" -those basically mean your feet are conforming to the shoe rather than the reverse.

Buy some shoes from REI, if you don't like them, you can return them...as long after you bought them as you like, for 100% of your money back.

[buckeye4rnr]

Salomon Quest 4d GTX

[skullybones]

"I did 22 14'ers last year and have switched to Brooks "Cascadia" trail runners"

I use the Brooks Cascadia for trail running. Very comfortable shoe. I have never tried it with a heavy load though.

How much weight are you normally running?


The event that he is talking about would be at least 30 miles in 24 hours.

[CO303]

You're going to be travelling light and trying to keep a quick pace. I'd suggest a lighter boot with the design benefits of a running shoe. Merrill Moab, Soloman GTX or similar. Remember, not everyone's feet are the same. The shoe has to work for you.

[buffalobo]

"I did 22 14'ers last year and have switched to Brooks "Cascadia" trail runners"

I use the Brooks Cascadia for trail running. Very comfortable shoe. I have never tried it with a heavy load though.

How much weight are you normally running?


The event that he is talking about would be at least 30 miles in 24 hours.

The OP and the competition web site list event as roughly 2 days. What were you reading that said 24 hrs?

[skullybones]

I was there.

I agree with the comments above about trying until you find what fits you.
But durable is usually not cheap.

BP nailed the best brands on the first page.

[hatidua]

How much weight are you normally running?


Entirely depends on the day. Whitney, at 22 miles in one day with no water above 12K' involved more weight than Longs which is only 16 in a day with water all the way to the boulderfield at nearly 13K'. As I carry at least two cameras, a tripod, and five lenses in addition to the other stuff, my pack is never "light".

[Hoser]

The OP and the competition web site list event as roughly 2 days. What were you reading that said 24 hrs?

The name of the match is "The 24 Hour Sniper Adventure Challenge."

[SA Friday]

I was there.

I agree with the comments above about trying until you find what fits you.
But durable is usually not cheap.

BP nailed the best brands on the first page.

I would add Lowa to the list too. The Renegade model is what I wear regularly, have done 13.5 miles to a 14er in one day with them. Pack was about 30 lbs. I've used them with way more weight and have used them in Iraq twice (I wore a lot of civilian clothes over there outside the wire in my old job.) This was wearing 70 lb kit and a couple of guns.

You absolutely MUST get a pair of boots that are made to fit your gait and foot shape. For example, the Nike and Oakley combat boots are horrible on me and give me shin splints. The Rocky and Bellville boots work fine. Also, get inserts for the boots, and spend the extra money for really good ones. It pays off in alleviating hot spots and blisters.

[Holger Danske]

Do we need a sticky on hiking boots? Seems like this comes up every couple of months.

[Ah Pook]

BP nailed the brands.

I would avoid Lowa like the plague. Sorry SA but I blew through a pair of Renegades and cross trainers in less than a year. Stitching failed. The inside padding was in pieces on both pairs. There are better boots on the market.

I have had a pair of Merrill Continuums for about four years now. Fit perfectly the day I bought them. Beat up but still in good shape. These are not water proof or resistant. These have taken the place of my heavier boots.

Vasque Sundowners will last a lifetime.

Like others have said, go to REI and try some on. The return policy is worth it when your dropping $200+ on a good pair of boots.

Don't forget good socks. Liner socks and woolies for long hikes. Take extras. Avoid Smartwool!

[Professor Frink]

Russell Moccasins

http://www.russellmoccasin.com/

Customized to your feet and your requirments. But spendy.

[Tim K]

Went to REI and Sportsman's and tried on everything. Nothing felt perfect, but the Speedfreaks were the best. They feel a little flimsy for use with a pack, but others report good success with them. They are also the gayest looking boot I tried, but I'm trying not to let that sway me.

Next stop is Mountain Chalet in COS.