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The Best Hunting Boot (Isn't What You Think It Is) - The Experience Project [EXP001]
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- čas přidán 14. 08. 2024
- Exo owner, Steve Speck, discusses what he has learned about the best footwear for hunting. With decades of experience in the field, and dozens upon dozens of shoes and boots tested, this is an in-depth look at what so many hunters overlook about the performance of their footwear choices.
For more information, including links to the footwear Steve shows in this video, visit: the-experience...
0:00 - INTRODUCTION
3:20 - A BIG MISTAKE
4:46 - THE PROBLEM WITH DURABILITY
5:49 - WEIGHT MATTERS
8:03 - DON'T SETTLE FOR DISCOMFORT
8:37 - FEATURES TO LOOK FOR
13:17 - FLEX vs STIFFNESS
15:04 - GRIP & TRACTION
18:02 - SIZE & FIT
19:03 - WATERPROOF LINING
20:35 - ANKLE SUPPORT
21:16 - IMPACT & CUSHION
22:06 - PRIORITIZE COMFORT
24:13 - SYNTHETIC vs LEATHER
26:50 - RECAP
29:26 - SPECIFIC COMPARISONS
41:22 - CROCS
44:20 - LOWS AND MIDS
47:00 - INSOLES
52:11 - FINE-TUNING
52:50 - SOCKS
53:30 - INSULATION & WARMTH
54:53 - YOU NEED EXPERIENCE
Our goal with The Experience Project is to provide practical, experience-based, and unbiased information to help you thrive on backcountry hunts... The-Experience...
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Why aren’t you making boots? You guys could make the best backcountry hunting boots on the market. I understand you want to stay a small business but I think you should consider it. You clearly have a better understanding of what hunters need than any actual footwear company out there.
That's an insane amount of knowledge shared on boots.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share that!
Glad it was helpful!
Great information and thanks for sharing! I think a liner polypropylene sock under your hiking sock is key. I always wear one and have never got blisters or hot spots. They also wick the sweat away from the wool outer sock. Interesting to hear the mention of no thinsulate, I’ve worked in -47c and always wore wool/bama socks with Dunlop boots, no thinsulate and warm feet.
Great information! Thanks for taking the time to put this together & share it. Much appreciated! - Sean R. -
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great information, for sure.
It is the most comprehensive review of footwear that I have seen.
Another way of looking at the footbeds is to not consider them a insoles, but as foot liners.
They are only in there to get you out the door. 😀
As you mentioned at the start of the video, one should look at the last of the boot and shape of your foot.
It would be challenging at best for the boot manufacturers to make a true insole for all foot types and lasts, out of the box.
I do agree with you completely that lack of information around these topics is mind boggling.
This information that I learned with boots 15 years ago, I applied to running shoes 10 years ago.
Keep the great content coming!
Im about halfway through and Im really learning a lot! Im a relatively new hunter also in Idaho and you're making me rethink the whole stiff vs flexible boots. Seems like everyone hypes up super stiff boots and you seem to be more level headed with the advice. Looking forward to seeing what's next in the experience project lineup!
The hunting industry is as susceptible as anything and maybe even more so to a lack of critical thinking and just accepting “passed down knowledge” even when it becomes clear that isn’t the best choice. I think boots fall smack in the middle of that faulty logic. - Steve
@@ExoMtnGear True! Also wanted to mention something on the boot lasts. A lot of nice dress shoe companies will mention what lasts each shoe is based on so when you find a last that fits your feet you can find all their other shoes that are based on that last. It would be great if these boot manufacturers adopted that.
I hike every single day. I have the all leather stiff Asolo Hunter GV and i barelly grab them for all the reason mentioned here. Ive worn Asolo Fugitive GTX for 20 years and of recently Salewa Mtn Light. I bought into he whole Crispi style boot and they are not my go to boot.
Watching from australia. Brliant breakdown. Much appreciated. Bravo
Great explanation on the insoles! I have Crispi Nevada’s and kept getting blisters on my hikes and hunts. After listening to your podcast I gave the superfeet trailblazers a go and instantly the boot felt better, and the blisters disappeared.
Glad to hear that helped!
Great information! I ran the Crispi last season and after a 10 mile day, my feet were absolutely destroyed from the lack of cushion. I only did short hikes pre-season, and didn't realize how the crappy insole was affecting my feet, i had to switch to my trusty kennetreks, which were much heavier and stiffer, but way more comfy. Lessons learned, do a long hike with your boots pre-season and upgrade the insole.
Really good info. I try to go light on my shoes just like my running shoes I go 6 ounces per shoe.
I haven’t found the boot that gives me lightness or stableness.
I really been loving my underarmour. Haven’t really had a problem with them.
Bros. I can see your passion and knowledge, lots of good information for a novice or experienced hunter/hiker alike but one criticism. Try not to repeat so much… video could have been 20 minutes shorter. Great video though.
I enjoyed watching this. Similarly, I was encouraged to get Dannars too. After they gave up the ghost, I purchased a very stiff boot I was not sure footed in. I dumped them because I thought it was literally a safety concern. I landed on the Lowa Caminos. I enjoyed watching this while handing/inspecting my boots. Thanks for making such an informative video. I might be looking at synthetic boots in the future.
Thanks Steve I can relate to pretty much half of what you talk about. I’m moving away from the stiff leather to more flexible type boots.
Let us know what you end up liking.
Great video! Excited for the rest of the Experience Project!
Appreciate that!
Awesome stuff gents! The podcast was a great in depth discussion and appreciate the video as an addendum.
I had an Achilles issue a few years back and defaulted into the 4 Flex route.
But earlier this year converted to low top trail runners for training weighted hikes and don’t think I’ll go back.
Much like heavy hiking develops hip stabilizing muscles, I’ve felt that in my ankles as well. I’m looking forward to testing some different socks to cater the fit of my Altitudes a bit more to see if they work well.
Love my Salomon's but agree about durability and waterproofness. Going to check out a couple of the other brands you highlighted though.
Salomon definitely has the magic sauce on fit and comfort. Whatever Last they use to design around seems to work very well for a very wide range of people. They remind me of the Prana Stretch Zion pants, they just seem to work for a lot people. If they could only improve their Gore Tex construction and durability they would have an excellent boot.
Can’t wait for the rest of the project.
Might be worth mentioning that most of the boots on the table are listed by the manufacturer as 6” boots, regardless of actual measurement.
Also maybe reinforcing that this is great advice for everyone, even though it’s coming from someone who essentially employs himself as chief product tester for a pack company, and perhaps has stronger feet than most 😊
Great video / podcast. I agree with most of it however I have found the exact opposite with stiffness. I used to use soft trail runner type shoes and high flex boots but I’ve transitioned to stiffer shoes and my feet couldn’t be happier! Soft flex shoes kill my feet quickly particularly on heavy pack outs. I find a shoe that flexes a little while hiking but maintains its rigidity most of the time is my favorite for endurance hunting 4+ days. (Crispi flex 3.5-4).
Thanks as always for the great content !
Yeah I have certainly ran across guys that prefer stiffer boots and if you’re feet like them you can’t argue with that.
Any plans to try the HOKA Kaha 2 GTX? Interested in your thoughts on them. Thanks for the great content!
No current plans. We have worn some Hoka shoes/boots, but haven't used them for hunting due to the stack height and lack of ground feel once you get off-trail.
What’s your thoughts on the new kenetrek bridgerton?
The Bridger High is too stiff and heavy for me but I do think it has a lot going for it: a good waterproof membrane, good tread pattern, some synthetic materials, decent shock absorbtion at the heel and appears to be built off a good last shape. I could certainly see some people being very happy with that choice.
Crocs for a pack out!?! You’re flipping the entire backcountry packout boot paradigm on its head, lol! 😂
Good video with a very different perspective than 95% of ‘backcountry boot review’ vids out there
Great content in both the video and podcast. Hunting in lighter weight footwear is something I have been preaching for 20 years. I wrote an article for Successful Hunter Magazine in 2008, and one of the photos showed my hunting partner elk hunting in LaSportiva Raptor trail runners and MicroSpikes. The editor forwarded me a letter from a reader that reamed me out for being irresponsible in showing someone hunting elk in "tennis shoes".
Steve or Mark, have either of you tried the Aku Selvatica Mid GTX? I'm going to probably try a pair out and hope they aren't too narrow.
Keep up the great work!
I did try the Selvatica briefly a few years ago and it didn’t work for me. I don’t remember exactly why. AKU does make very high quality products. - Steve
I tried the Selvatica as well. From what I recall, they were pretty sloppy in the upper. Since you mentioned low-top shoes (Raptors), I do like the Aku Flyrock as a hiking shoe. -Mark
Great info on fit. Thank you for the wisdom. Have you looked at xero shoes scrambler boot? Not sure about durability, but I really like their training shoes.
Have gone through 5 pair Solomons. Keep saying i wont buy again. I think i will. My most recent pair was likely worse than previous. GoreTex failed and material separation. I still wear em. They fit do well with green super feet insoles
Yeah Salomon’s fit is outstanding for a large portion of users. I just wish they could clean up their Gore Tex construction and inconsistency in durability across shoe designs. - Steve
Luckily, they have a 2 Year Warranty. I’ve had two pairs replaced at around the one year mark. Warranty process is pretty easy.
Durability is the only issue I’ve ever had with Solomon which is obviously a huge issue. It sucks that some of them can’t even make it a full year of heavy use. I just picked up a pair of Crispi Nevada GTX and so far I’m really liking them and they’re not really broken in yet
@@clarkansas6590glad to hear that. Bought my first pair after I moved to Alaska a year ago. They were also my first gortex footwear in years. They were great. Didn’t even have to break them in. First time I wore them I rucked 18 miles and they were fantastic and all winter they kept my feet dry and warm but a couple weeks ago I was on a hike and the gortex failed. Hope I can get them fixed.
Great video. Always value your experienced information. I would recommend trying sheepfeet. Game changer for my feet.
2 things i have noticed with boots is I always wash them off when i get home it really helps the gore tex to breathe and my feet sweat less. Just like your rain gear. And I wear 8" tall lightweight boots and I rarely lace them all the way up. Most of the time only to the ankle or one lace lock up, that way they are more like hiking shoes, then if I get into a place i need extra ankle support I can stop and lace them all the way up.
Good point on cleaning. That will certainly prolong the life and performance of the boot.
What would you recommend to someone who has/does roll their ankles really easy? Knowing that from my past and being bigger at 220, I'm really not interested in rolling an ankle hard in the middle of a hunt, or miles deep in the backcountry. So I've always preferred taller/stiffer boots. The Lowa Tibet Hi was like armor for the foot/ankle but the complete opposite of what you're talking about. I'm now using a Crispi Guide, yes it's leather and 10" but much softer and more flexible than the Lowa Tibet. I want to believe...
And "yes please!" on the Exo Mtn Boots. I had the same thought right away while listening to the podcast....
There are some boots that are higher, but aren’t overly heavy or stiff. Schnee’s Timberline would be a good example.
Often a stiff boot will limit ground feel and mobility, making someone even more prone to missteps that can cause the roll of an ankle.
Great review. Lathrop & Sons does exactly what you described they do a foot 3d model before recommending any boots, whether it’s their custom made boots or another brand.
Yeah they do a great job with that. I know Stephen Lathtop personally and he is a great guy who is genuinely interested in helping and making sure you are happy. I think the only fault in their logic is falling into the “you need a stiff boot to hunt” category as evidence by the two boot models they developed are very stiff. - Steve
I agree with that they do a great job fitting but, don’t have choices for different boots/shoes.
At 47 minutes in I hear something that rings so true. None of these "high-end" manufactures make an insole worth walking on. Nothing worse than buying a $350 dollar boot just to have to buy insoles too.
Insoles are just as individual specific as the boot. Then you'll be buying a $400-450 boot with a fancy insole that doesnt work, and have to buy insoles.
@@thedaventure Agreed. The problem, in my opinion, is the boot manufacturers don't tell you the stock insole is basically garbage and that to get the best performance out of them the customer needs an aftermarket insole.
I'd rather do it this way, as it means my 350 went on the boots rather than 250 for the boots, 100 for the wrong insoles for my feet.
The problem is, no manufacturer ever says, now go get the right IS for your boot!
Have you tried using logging boots from companies like Nicks, Whites, or jk? They offer costome fit boots that are handmade. They're also resoleable and rebuildable.
Love it! Looking forward to this new content adventure!
Thanks! We're looking forward to it as well.
Would love to see a similar video about insoles alone. Boots are made generically to fit the most type of feet to my understanding but no two feet even left and right are the same. I find insoles can help a good bit.
Yep, insoles can completely change how the boot performs and generally almost all boots will do better with a quality aftermarket insole than the stock ones. We talk about it a lot more in depth on the podcast we recorded. - Steve
Have you tried the Crispi Briksdal MTN GTX Boots? I really like them. A little bit more flex would and they would be perfect.
I have not tried them, they do look promising in some aspects but based off their flex rating I would guess they are stiffer than I would like.
Great video and great podcast! Really appreciate the work you guys put into this topic. Ive definitely found myself in the camp of preferring to just buy a $150-200 'no break in' and super comfortable new pair of boots every year, instead of spending $400 and 50 miles trying to break in a pair of stiff heavy boots thatll 'last forever' only to find out they arent right for me. I've personally found Oboz Bridger to be the best for my foot. I absolutely love them. The problem is they're not very waterproof, and I always end up at some point in the season with them soaked through unless I treat them literallly before every single trip. I currently use Kennetrek wax to treat them. It works, but again, I have to treat every trip. My question is, are there any other waterproofing treatments that you'd recommend? Id really like to keep using the Oboz because other than that theyre perfect.
I honestly have not played too much with different waterproofing options as they are just band aids to poor gore Tex performance and like you mentioned something you have to constantly reapply.
Thanks for sharing all of your experiences and insight on boots its invaluable considering trying multiple different ones each year is not financially practical for most with what they cost these days. My 1st western boot was the quest 4d thanks to a podcast of yours years ago and happy to say i have never had a blister....but for sure wet feet as you said the gortex Salomon uses is garbage ha
Sounds like a pretty standard experience for Quests! Super comfortable out of the box, and through almost all conditions, but you'll end up wet at some point.
I just keep going back to the Crispi Nevada Legends. I spend 52 weekends a year in boots and they've been my favourite to date.
What's causing you to leave them if you have to keep going back to them?
@stevespeck4704 never left them mate. I'm just saying once I've worn a pair of Legends out, I get another pair of the same boots 🍻
@@tonygillahan Roger, I read that as you keep trying other boots but then come back to them as you haven't found something you like more.
@stevespeck4704 my apologies mate. I've tried other brands over the years but once I put my feet in the Nevada's I haven't changed since.
Do you find they get better with time, like as they wear?
Great Video full of great information.
Why didn't you talk about the Dioni special on the far right side of the table? 🤔
Great information. If you wouldn’t mind maybe taking a look at Under Armour HOVR Dawn 2.0 boots, and let me know your opinion, I would really appreciate it. I have a pair and I like them so far, but I’ve been debating whether to maybe get a more expensive pair of boots. Thanks
If you are liking them and they are working for you, that's what matters.
So if boot fit was not an issue, what are the top 5 boots on the market that are built to your liking. The crispi altitude seems very close, but you just said the fit wasn’t good.
I will work on getting a list together and we’ll post it up next week the Experience Project website. - Steve
I love you so much! I recently just found your kislux and i’m in love!! Your videos are so fun and you energy is just MWAH! keep living your life
Thank you for this tremendous content. So if you’re consistently hunting in ankle deep to knee-deep snow, do you continue to wear a synthetic boot but just wear a thicker sock? Of course, wearing a gator in these conditions is necessary.
Absolutely, I will continue to wear a synthetic boot and I'll just wear a thicker wool sock if the shoe allows room for it. A big mistake though would be put on a really thick sock and have to stuff / jam your foot into the boot causing a really tight fit. You need an air gap between your foot and the inside the shoe to create warmth.
Perfect. Thanks.
FYI- I wear the Solomon Quest 4Ds and they do everything for me. I like a low volume running insole from Curex to add a little arch support and add cushion.
Great info, really appreciate it. Assuming that footwear companies are keeping the price down because of the crappy insole, I actually prefer that because insoles, like boots, are so specific for a person's foot. So, I'd rather get the perfect insole for my foot. Again, assuming that the price is lower than if the manufacturer spent more money on a high quality yet still generic insole.
Yeah I agree with you, the only problem is that they don’t tell you they are putting a cheap insole in there and most people don’t know that you can greatly improve the performance with a good insole. - Steve
Have you considered trying the zamberlan salathe in the high top version? I'm trying them out now as an early season low elevation option.
I ran the Zamberlan Baltoro on a few different hunts and they had some promise but ultimately they didn’t work for me. Lack of what I would call a technical fit was my biggest complaint. Going downhill the sloppiness inside the boot allowed my feet to slide to the front of the boot and my toes were jammed into the front of the toe box which was very uncomfortable. - Steve
You mentioned climbing zone slippage. At one point in the video, you also mentioned siping. I have a comfortable pair of boots that you can feel that 90% of the time slippage from the climbing zone smoothness. Have you heard of anyone siping the climbing zone? If so, was it a success?
I have tried to do this myself with very limited luck. I haven’t researched this further to see if there is a company out there that would do it. - Steve
Thanks for the response. Appreciate it and the video.
Awesome, thank you for taking the time to make this video! Theres several videos out there trying to cover this topic, but none are as detailed and experience based as this one. I'm still on the hunt for the right boot myself, and there's a lot of great information in here that will help a lot.
Hopefully some of the information will help! - Steve
Good job. Great information.
Awesome vid, how many different boots do you tend to keep in your boot quiver? Or do you just run a couple different pairs? Asking for western mountain hunting but I know the answer will differ deopending on how many different types of hunting you do.
We’re in a unique position to be constantly testing and evaluating, so we always have far more boots than we need. Most hunters should be able to have just one or two boots for everything.
I got bunion’s till January I’m in for a painful days
Meindl hit a home run with the Euro Light Hunter. Too bad they don’t get more air time
Thoughts on waterproof socks like Sealskinz? ShowerPass? I'm an AK guy and we're always wet. Ugh.
I ran some from Showers Pass last year and really liked them. Was able to run a trail running shoe in wet / boggy elk country and stayed dry. - Steve
Would be nice if hunting boots would hot mold to my feet like good hockey skates are built. My CCM Jetspeeds are amazing, and I wish my hunting boots were as comfortable.
I like La Sportiva aequilibrium's for early season
You’re the only person I’ve seen on CZcams that pronounces it Hanvag (correct) instead of Hanwag. Nice
Insoles are my mortal enemy. I have very high arches and most high arch insoles only account for the arch support needed. They ignore how the high arch changes the way my forefoot contacts the ground and carries weight differently. The best ive found are the footscientific type 3.
I'm used to using as stiff a boot as possible for sheep, but after this, I think I might try a middle of the line flex scouting this year. I am scared about encountering really steep country. But honestly, I'm usually more scared of hurting myself when I hike up and down creeks with an ultra stiff boot
We have hunted sheep and mountain goats several times without a super stiff boot. Listen to the podcast and we go into even more on this, including the aspect of “fear” as an unnecessary justification for super stiff boots.
I would also add and I believe I mention this in the video but don’t make to big of a jump from stiff to super flexible too quickly . Based off a lot of conversations with friends who have transitioned to more flexible boots it takes 3-4 years of doing it incrementally to see the best results. Too much too soon and your feet / ankles won’t like it. -Steve
I can attest to this. Went from super stiff mountaineering to a trail runner in one season and have an ankle issue I’ve been dealing with since…
Do you have any experience with Inov-8 boots, specifically the Roclite 400's?
I have worn the Roclite’s before and they quite possibly have the best rubber compound / grip I have ever seen. I had some major wear issues after about 40 miles and contacted their customer service and never got a response so I moved on. - Steve
Awesome info. What insole do you prefer to run with the Tecnica Plasma?
The Superfeet Hike Max works extremely well in them for me. - Steve
Thank you for confirming that the perfect boot does not exist yet!
I wear Crocs, as close to bearfoot as I can be.
Damn, this was a great synopsis!
Thank you. We will do follow up conversations on this as well. After listening back to it I have a handful of things I wish I was more clear on. - Steve
@@ExoMtnGear , I think you would enjoy the La Sportiva Spire if you prefer a more flexible sole with an extreme outsole/grip. It IS a low cut, but, as you said, I purchased three pairs once I had determined they were for me. I have boots and shoes from Scarpa, La Sportiva, Asolo, Inov8, Dynafit, Zamberlan, Crispi, Schnees, and the Spire, but I LOVE the Spires. They're not mountaineering boots (which I have plenty of) but for climbing 14's even here in Colorado where I live, they will get you there on a clear day.
This kind of video is interesting but it's so difficult for one person to say "avoid this, look for that" It's super individual based. I like stiff boots. My feet swell. Steve and I aren't buying the same boot or using the same sizing strategy.
Correct. We talk about that even more in the podcast. At the end of the day, the goal is to find what works for your preferences and needs.
Hoffman boots. Best in my experience. Not into the trendy instagram hunter boots out there. I use what works for me
They definitely make a quality boot just not what I’m looking for in a boot for almost all the reasons mentioned in this video. But I absolutely will not argue with you, if your feet and happy and not sore at the end of a long hard day of hunting then I wouldn’t change a thing.
I think I smell a EXO Mtn Boot coming to market soon. Maybe just wishful thinking.
Wishful thinking ;-)
Dude… you need to start making boots
Dudes got like 3k boots right there. Maybe more not even shown.😅
Wish this guy would get to the point.
The point? What's your point? There wasn't one other than to discuss the pros and cons, features and benefits of several different types of boots and to help people understand there isn't a 1 boot for everything and they're a personal journey. Comprehensive presentation takes time. Did you really need to comment?