I have a pair of low OnCloud Cloudrocks. They are really comfortable. It occurred to me that I should consider them (the taller version) for my fall hunting trip in Wyoming.

Crazy?

I've been wearing Meindels for a few years. They've been good but I'm still on the hunt for the perfect boot. After recently listening to a podcast on the topic, the notion of comfortable with soft grippy soles made me consider this.

I bought my first pair recently and they're pretty solid. I'd consider them if I were in the market.

If they're comfortable and have good traction, why not? Debris in the holes on the sole could be an annoying issue. I'd also look at Hoka boots. I see UPS drivers in them a lot.

https://www.hoka.com/en/us/men-hiking/?prefn1=type&prefv1=boots

That's the feedback I was needing. What do you recommend? Also I wear a 12-12.5. What gaiters fit big boots? Any suggestions?

Are you planning on carrying weight or just hiking around hunting? The foam in these types of shoes will be hard to carry weight. They are too soft and will cause stability issues.
Shoe type I think Salomon would be worth a look. Their GTX and Ultra boots might be a good crossover.

I hunt in Scarpas for weight bearing hunts. But do a lot of scouting and trail running in Altra Olympus and Salomons trail shoes.


I have some Sitka and Outdoor Research gators that work well. I have big feet too.

They will probably work fine, I'd want to have gaiters if this fall hunt is at a time that could make snow likely.

I'd also avoid wearing the ones you're taking hunting until it's time to hunt. Lightweight, flexible, waterproof boots/shoes do not remain waterproof very long in my experience. The creases around the toes usually let water in first.

I LOVE the way my OnClouds look but they are the most uncomfortable shoes I own. My arches ache after walking all day in them. I'd make sure you break those in and give them a good test run before your trip.

JeremiahJohnson said:

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Are you planning on carrying weight or just hiking around hunting? The foam in these types of shoes will be hard to carry weight. They are too soft and will cause stability issues.
Shoe type I think Salomon would be worth a look. Their GTX and Ultra boots might be a good crossover.

I hunt in Scarpas for weight bearing hunts. But do a lot of scouting and trail running in Altra Olympus and Salomons trail shoes.


I have some Sitka and Outdoor Research gators that work well. I have big feet too.

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I second this. I bought a pair of the Salomon GTX 4Ds for an aoudad hunt. Super comfortable, excellent support for load carrying, and tough as nails. It was a few days of hard hiking, but I could not complain about my feet.

A bit different, but last year I got some Merrell Moab 3 Low for hunting dry fields. Got sick of boots when hunting dry plowed fields so I got the Moabs and so far so good.

They have ankle models as well.

My Salomon hiking boots have been fantastic. Grip like a billy goat on mountain hikes.

7 day 1x1 pack in hunt. I've always had a heavy pack as I struggle with not "packing my fears" as I heard on a recent podcast. I'm hoping the pack is much heavier on the way out!

I started with Danners 20 years ago. Several pair until they clearly degraded in quality. Now Meindl's

Just wanting to consider any alternatives. I'll look into your / others suggestions.

I wore out a pair of meindl hunting boots and have all but worn out a pair of lowa renegades, been working on breaking in a pair of lowa tibets but I always put on the renegades because they fit so well. The tibets fit great too but are considerably heavier and stiffer so will be a better boot for packing heavy. My feet are pretty wide and the lowa last works for me. All of these are in 10.5 wide

I use Asolo botos on backpacking trips. I don't like the super heavy boots so I have one of their lighter hiking boots. They've held up well so far and are dry!

Fightin TX Aggie said:

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My Salomon hiking boots have been fantastic. Grip like a billy goat on mountain hikes.

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Beat me to it. They're not the most durable, but man I love them.

I'm a big fan of my Kenetreks. Whatever you buy, break them before you get out there. Like, 10-20 miles of walking in them.

Just my humble opinion and advice, but I've been on a couple of dozen early season hunts, say September-mid November and my Lowa Renegades are my go-to hiking/hunting boot. I've worn out a couple of pair of them and they're great!!! Alhough they're not insulated, they're great in rough, rocky country which is typical of the higher elevations in the Rockies as long as it's not too cold and wet. Heck, they're even great on pronghorn and low elevation hunts as well. I'll go with Lowa's every time and will look into the Lowa Tibets for cold later season hunts out West. I've got an old pair of Danner hunting boots that I've had for over 35+ years that are still going strong because I only wear them when its cold and snowy. Plus, they've got air-bob soles which I really like and they're all leather and Thinsulate insulated.

A buddy of mine that lives in CO swears by Scarpa boots and he's hunts all the time out West from turkeys to bighorns. He's the one who turned me onto Lowa's but he believes Scarpa is just a tad better.I haven't tried Scarpa yet but from what I've heard and read about them, you can't go wrong with Scarpa either.

Good luck in your search for a good hiking/hunting boot to go on your WY muley hunt!

Try on everything you can but scarpa and vasque have never fit me well, too narrow/low volume

My 2 cents worth is to go with the most waterproof boot you can find, even if you know you will not be in snow. The early morning dew in tall grass can soak a boot thoroughly in no time. Gaiters can help, but won't keep your feet from eventually getting wet if you don't have good waterproof boots, and you surely don't want to be going up and down hills in wet feet.

Also, get the wide boot and a 1/2 size larger, that way you'll be able to wear a polypropylene liner sock and wool sock and you'll be good to go. The wide and 1/2 larger size will allow your feet to breath and not feel too constricted. But, most of you salty, crusty old hunters already knew that...

I'm looking around for some of the recommended brands. Where do guys try them on and buy them? I'm loath to spend any money at a liberal joint like REI.

Lowa Renegade for me.

Try them on wherever (REI, Whole Earth Provision Co, etc.)

Buy online from https://www.scheels.com !

I got a fit kit from Lathrop and sons years ago. It was pricey but they got me fitted and chose my Scarpa Kinesis for me. It also included an insole. They keep your info so you can buy more down the road.

Looks like they make their own boots now. Not sure if they still sell other brands, but worth a call.

In Texas: Rei or someplace that really hates hunting like whole earth provision
I don't buy boots oversize, I buy boots that fit with good mid weight hiking or trekking socks (darn tough or smart wool). No liners. A lot of people like liners but I don't, just gotta figure out what works for you

I went to Vancouver area for an elk hunt and bought a pair of water proof Merrill hunting boots. I love Merrill products for everything I typically do but I learned real quick they weren't up for the task in BC. I say that to say, if you're using a guide I'd call them up and see what they wear. Buy the same and break it in before you get there.

TX_COWDOC said:

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I'm looking around for some of the recommended brands. Where do guys try them on and buy them? I'm loath to spend any money at a liberal joint like REI.

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Sorry, but REI is the place to go.

I wear Crispi Nevadas. I like them a lot. I got an email from Gear Fool this morning and all their Crispis are on sale

Another vote for merrell Moab 3. I'm also a big fan of Salomon.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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I'm a big fan of my Kenetreks. Whatever you buy, break them before you get out there. Like, 10-20 miles of walking in them.

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Another vote for Kenetreks for me. They are stiff when new and the manufacturer does recommend a good break-in period but I was pleasantly surprised by mine. After about 5 miles they were good, and no blisters along the way.

I have never had blisters in mine either they were just stiff. They're now broken in and incredibly comfortable.

I'm in the market for a new pair of boots as well. I'm considering Zamberlan, Crispi, Lowa.....
Hard to decide and tough to find places to try them on.

do you guys recommend insulated or non-insulated boots for eastern high plains hunt in colorado in November or December?