Where to try on some new boots?

gregg

gregg

Member
Feb 16, 2014
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San Diego
I'm looking to get some new boots for the upcoming local season and for an Elk hunt in Idaho and would like to try some on before purchasing. Is BassPro in Rancho Cucamunga or Cabelas in AZ the closest places?

I'm seeing that most online stores allow for returns if the fit isn't good but I'd rather just try them first if at all possible.

What do you guys do, I'm in San Diego.
 
Big five always has some good deals on boots. Bear paw is ok but not very water proof. Hi tech is better. Watch weekly sales.

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Bass pro would have the most selection. My local tractor supply has some nice boots also. Lots of small local places I'm sure as well.
 
Try REI they have good return policy and good costumer service .they have a mini rock inside the store to try your boots. One stop shop from shoes to backpack and camping equipment.
I know there is one in Sandiego.
 
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IMO Bass Pro doesn't have a great selection of boots to try on in store. From what I remember, they have a variety of their Redhead line, a couple Danners (like the Pronghorn) and Irish Setter. None of the higher end stuff like Kenetrek, but worth a look if you're looking for those I mentioned above.
 
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SurfNHuntSD said:
IMO Bass Pro doesn't have a great selection of boots to try on in store. From what I remember, they have a variety of their Redhead line, a couple Danners (like the Pronghorn) and Irish Setter. None of the higher end stuff like Kenetrek, but worth a look if you're looking for those I mentioned above.
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Agreed but probably a much better place to start then big 5 for a good long lasting medium duty boot.
 
Kenetrek has great staff on the phone to help you with fitting, and a great return policy. I suspect the other high end manufacturers do as well, due to limited retail distribution. When I got my first pair of Kenetreks, I returned them for a different size. Other than a little extra time to do the transaction, it was easy. Point is that you don't necessarily need to try them on in the store. Just a thought. Maybe call if you have a brand in mind but can't get them in town.


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Adventure 16, shop local....

Also REI in Kearny Mesa if you can't find what you need at A16.
 
Adventure 16 and REI both sell good hiking boots, but be sure to pay attention to whether the boots have reflective material. A lot of good hiking boots do, but it's not such a good idea in a hunting boot.


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Dicks Sporting Goods will also have a large selection of boots. If close to an REI, try some Keens, not marketed as a hunting boot, but I love mine. I have wide feet and the extra large toe box on those is perfect. Probably have 100+ miles on mine with no complaints.
 
I like trying mine on 1st.....BPS carries Rocky boots, which I've always liked.
 
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Since you mentioned places out of state also, theres sportsmans warehouse at St George UT. In case you don't get to purchase prior to your trip and St George is along the way.

Keep in mind the terrain, distance and load for your trek. As those increase the boot support needs to increase as well.

Good luck
 
Quality boots is all about how much you want to spend (buy once cry once). The best are the most expensive (just like bino's, scopes and rifle's). Give yourself a budget and go from there. For sure a twenty something year old can go to Big Five and buy some Chinese boots and out walk you if you are thirty or forty something. Look around at the boots that are touted as being quality' if you are looking for a long lasting boot that can be rebuilt (and that is important as far as fit and comfort goes as they will fit you forever). Most of the above mentioned are not, Russel, White and Kennetrek are (there are others but I have not personally tried them). In my opinion and I have been at this for a long while buy what seem's best for your style of hunting and wear them, return then if you can otherwise just move on and get the pair that works the best for what you are doing. I have run Kennetrek's for over ten years now and in rough terrain and stepping on loose stuff all the time (steep terrain) to me nothing is better. The are rigid and can uncomfortable if you are not conditioned for them but once you acclimate they are the best in my opinion if that's the life style you lead. If you walk on flat ground and just shoot a couple of dove and and a pheasant or two you don't need them.
 
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I agree with Snake Charmer & Bonejour, do your best to buy the highest quality boot you can afford. And almost every company will take your boots back if they don't fit.

I have Russel's, Kenetrek's and just recently I purchased some Crispi's. All are amazing and by far all of them are are better than anything else I have ever owned.

Contrary to Fred's experience regarding having to brake in his Kenetrek's, mine were like slippers right out of the box!
 
Thanks guys. I've been looking at Kenetrek Mountain Extremes, Danner Elk Hunter, Scarpas and Crispis. I have Danner Pronghorns and they thrashed my feet after days of sidehilling and steep terrain last year in Idaho so I've been looking for a more rigid boot. Sounds like Kenetreks are a local favorite, I might have to try a pair. I'd say 90% of my hunting is in steep terrain so might be worth the investment.

Now to upgrade my glass.....
 
Just my humble opinion, make sure you really need those mountaineering boots before you purchase them. Guys will spend bookoo bucks to shed ounces off their hunting rifles and packs, but then wear ankle weights for boots. If needed... there's no other choice, but the difference between a 4lb set of boots and a 1lb set is huge. The army did studies back in the day and wound up with about a 5-1 ratio for weight on the feet to weight on the back for energy expenditure. So those 3lbs extra in boots is akin to dragging along an extra 15lbs on your back. If that's worth it for you (or if your ankles need it) go for it, but for me personally there are very few occasions that drive me to wear my full size boots, and those mostly revolve around the extra protection, then ankle support. I still bring my full size boots (Lowas) on trips, but more often than not its the lighter mid hiker I wind up wearing.
 
I agree with Fowl Play about boot weight and height, I think the Kennetrek mountain extreme is a bit much for most types of hunting here in the southwest consequently I have gone with their hard scrabble hikers. About twenty years ago I went to wearing boots that are just over the ankle and have found that they give me everything I need without the weight and heat build up that full height boots have.
 
Eric pecan said:
Try REI they have good return policy and good costumer service .they have a mini rock inside the store to try your boots. One stop shop from shoes to backpack and camping equipment.
I know there is one in Sandiego.
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REI all the way. Just got a pair of Lowa's, really like them.
 
Agreed regarding lighter boots. Same as Snake Charmer, I have the Kenetrek Hard Scrabbler. And they are the real deal. I just picked up the Crispi Summit and it's ultra light. An amazing boot as well.

Once you wear the good stuff, you won't look back.
 
I'll take a look at the Hard Scrabbler. I have 2 bigger hunts planned this year in pretty rugged terrain but 90% of my hunting will be local so I'd rather buy for what I'll be using most. The high boot interests me for ankle support for side hilling and steep hiking.

Lowa's look good as well, I didn't realize they had them at REI. Even to get a better idea of fit size I might try REI and decide from there.
 
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