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Leather Boot suggestions


wiiawiwb

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9 hours ago, NatFoot said:

 

All of their boots come with heels made for @hiflier!

 

;) :lol:


That’s how logging boots are built. Are you making fun of loggers?

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4 hours ago, norseman said:


That’s how logging boots are built. Are you making fun of loggers?

 

Not at all. I had no idea but figured when every pair was made that way. Now I have to go look up why that would be.

 

But I bet those are a favorite with some groups in Portland. Can see them marching through the streets now....except they couldn't afford them on their own. Would need that old European investment money.

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3 hours ago, NatFoot said:

 

Not at all. I had no idea but figured when every pair was made that way. Now I have to go look up why that would be.

 

But I bet those are a favorite with some groups in Portland. Can see them marching through the streets now....except they couldn't afford them on their own. Would need that old European investment money.


I will save you the trouble! Western Loggers traditionally climbed trees to top them. Climbing spikes are worn with a J hook in the arch of the boot. Like a stirrup with a cowboy boot.

 

 

9A7D7AFF-7917-4A28-802C-2F2C5651EDAB.jpeg

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  • 1 month later...

On wildfire details, the Smoker Jumper's boot of choice was White's.  https://whitesboots.com/   Real expensive though.  My pair lasted a long time.

 

For hiking and in my professional career as an archaeologist surveying for cultural resources in the woods, my all time favorite was Vasque Sundowners with waterproof Gore-Tex liners. I went through three pairs of them over several decades of intense wear. 

 

In snake-infested areas, I'd wear Rocky Mountain High Gaiters from Outdoor Research over my hiking boots.   These made me feel like Superman walking through nasty snake infested areas.

 

 

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23 minutes ago, Anthropologist said:

On wildfire details, the Smoker Jumper's boot of choice was White's.  https://whitesboots.com/   Real expensive though.  My pair lasted a long time.

 

For hiking and in my professional career as an archaeologist surveying for cultural resources in the woods, my all time favorite was Vasque Sundowners with waterproof Gore-Tex liners. I went through three pairs of them over several decades of intense wear. 

 

In snake-infested areas, I'd wear Rocky Mountain High Gaiters from Outdoor Research over my hiking boots.   These made me feel like Superman walking through nasty snake infested areas.

 

 

 

Going to order myself a pair of those snake gaiters. Not because I'm currently going into heavy snake areas....but just in case I ever am.

 

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

Also never heard of Whites Boots. Don't think I'm in the market for a pair, but they look very nice.

 

 

 

 

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I'd be very reluctant to wear the Rocky Mountain High gaiters if snake protection is what you seek. The RMH gaiters are a multi-purpose gaiter that are not designed to repel a snakebite.  OR doesn't even mention the word snake when describing these gaiters. The website says they are for hiking, backpacking and cross-country skiing.

 

https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/mens-rocky-mountain-high-gaiters-243108#eyJvcl9zaXplIjoiNzIifQ__

 

There are a number of gaiters that are designed specifically for snake protection. The lightest is made by Turtleskin. I have a pair of these gaiters for use most of the time and also have a pair of Turtleskin chaps that I use when going off trail in an area where there are steep inclines.  I've been in contact with several herpetologists and not one was aware of a bite from a Timber Rattler (the snake I deal with) in the wild above the knee. They thought it could be possible if the snake was above your feet, as with an incline, or if you were sitting down on a log. That's where the chaps come into play.

 

https://turtleskin.com/default/outdoor-snake-protection/snakearmor-snake-protection.html

Edited by wiiawiwb
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5 hours ago, wiiawiwb said:

I'd be very reluctant to wear the Rocky Mountain High gaiters if snake protection is what you seek. The RMH gaiters are a multi-purpose gaiter that are not designed to repel a snakebite.  OR doesn't even mention the word snake when describing these gaiters. The website says they are for hiking, backpacking and cross-country skiing.

 

https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/mens-rocky-mountain-high-gaiters-243108#eyJvcl9zaXplIjoiNzIifQ__

 

There are a number of gaiters that are designed specifically for snake protection. The lightest is made by Turtleskin. I have a pair of these gaiters for use most of the time and also have a pair of Turtleskin chaps that I use when going off trail in an area where there are steep inclines.  I've been in contact with several herpetologists and not one was aware of a bite from a Timber Rattler (the snake I deal with) in the wild above the knee. They thought it could be possible if the snake was above your feet, as with an incline, or if you were sitting down on a log. That's where the chaps come into play.

 

https://turtleskin.com/default/outdoor-snake-protection/snakearmor-snake-protection.html

 

Thanks for pointing this out. Glad I saw this. 

 

Plans changed. 

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  • 1 month later...

For those who may be looking for a really good leather boot, Schnees is having a 20% off sale on all of their boots. I have a pair of their Timberline and love them. I just ordered a pair of the Kestrel and Absaroka (this one is 40% off). 

 

Their Sitka clothing line is on sale for 20% as well.

 

The boots only go on sale like this once or twice a year.

 

https://schnees.com/

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Speaking of sales...I have a size 13 Zamberlan Tofane with less than 5 miles on them for the low, low price of 290+ship.

Apparently the US received a shipment because one can find them here/there in low numbers but when I was looking they were only to be had from across the pond. Shipping was no fun, waiting nor paying... Ordered 2 pairs, the 12 fit better than 13--my typical size so if interested, use the sizing chart on their page, it was accurate for me anyway.  Pics on PM request.

https://www.zamberlanusa.com/product/9789385/1025-tofane-nw-gtx-r-rr-men-s-norwegian-welt-hiking-boots-waxed-brick

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, the two pair of boots mentioned two posts ago arrived and I've had a few days to wear them indoors.  The jury is still out with the Kestrels.  Good stiff leather and reasonably lightweight but there is heel lift which may correct over time but I'm not sure I want to take that chance. They will probably find themselves in a journey back from whence they came.

 

I quickly came to a conclusion about the Absarokas the minute my foot slipped into them. Beautiful leather that hugs my feet and are so darn comfortable. No slippage, no hot spots, just conforming leather that will get better over time. They, and the Timberline, are the two most comfortable pair of footwear, of any type, that I've worn in my life.

 

The irony is that when in the woods I've worn nothing but trail runners all my adult life (and running shoes before there were trail runners). I will continue to wear INOV-8s in areas where there are no Timber Rattlers but all of my areas of interest are in snake territory. My leather boots and I have now become best friends!

 

I can confidently recommend Schnee boots of any type and in particular the two I have found that are keepers.  I lucked out with the Schnee sale with the Absarokas as I jumped on it the day it launched and now few sizes are left. Their outdoor boot sale is only going on for another 4 days.

 

https://schnees.com/absaroka-mens/

 

https://schnees.com/timberline-mens/

 

 

 

 

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I have owned a pair of Zamberlan boots for about 3 years now.  Best boots I have ever owned.  A Navy Seal told me about these boots.  His pair had been with him on 10 deployments and were on their 8th resole.  The only thing I don't like about them is that I don't have an excuse to buy another pair - these will last me the rest of my life. 

 

https://www.zamberlanusa.com

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  • 11 months later...

My favorite boot for about 20 years was the Zamberlan 620 Cibetta (size 12).

I owned 4 pairs and they provided good ankle support during backpacks and I never got blisters.

 

Then in 2017, Zamberlan discontinued it and replaced it with the  960 Guide GTX.

While Zamberlan claimed it had the same sole construction and fit as the Cibetta, it did not fit and led to blisters right away on the toe box.

REI tried stretching the toe box, but it did not solve the problem.  I returned the pair to REI and instead bought the Asolo TPS 520 GV.

 

The Asolo pair worked as good as the Zamberlan with no blisters and good ankle support.

Nonetheless, I read in the reviews that many people complained of the sole's coming off while backpacking!  I did not experience that issue.

Apparently the quality control on their glue is not good.

 

Thus, I am looking to replace them with something new this year (my boots only last about 5 years).

I like the idea of using doubled stitched soles and trying something like the Zamberlan Tofane.

However, I rather order it from a place that I can return it if it does not fit.  Unfortunately, REI does not carry it.

 

@Kiwakwe Are you still happy with your Zamberlan Tofane?

 

@wiiawiwb BTW, I did not see the Schnees Absaroka available in their website anymore?   It appears that it has been discontinued.

 

Maybe I should try the Schnees Divide Mid, which is the closest design to what I had before but better quality.

 

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