boots that fit

baltz526 · 03-21-2006, 05:27 PM

i have size 8 1/2 f or 9 4eee feet measured on the old foot squeezer. the problem is no one makes them anymore unless your in the $300 plus range. so i try on every brand in every store in the bend area and some times i spend all day looking for boots or hikers that run wide and go home empty handed. rubber boots like knee high insulated all run narrow as far as i can tell. any other foot challenged people out there. and have you found the holy grail, consistant shoe sizing.

pnwcoast · 03-21-2006, 05:42 PM

I HAVE to buy the $300 boots. My feet are picky on what I put them in. Very picky.
I have spent many, many hours, many different days, looking for a boot that I can use. Most over the counter boots do not even come close.
The last pair I bought were Lowa and they fit good and most importantly, feel good.

fishingls · 03-21-2006, 05:48 PM

Will I feel for you. My feet are 6E. Whites are expensive, their counterpart Hawthorne is only slightly less expensive. There is show store in SLC that specializes in wide shoes. I did buy three pair from them at a fair price but it is tought to drive 12 hours one way to buy shoes. I would hope someone out there know where the holy grail is at.

goforchrome · 03-21-2006, 05:50 PM

I have been cursed with tricycle tires on a luxobarge frame.
7.5EE and it won't get better.
I have an excellent pair of boots from Cabelas that I paid 79.99.
Look for Iron Ridge.
They fit great and have been thru hell.

Also, try Redwing.
You should see me try to buy ski boots.....

Maverick Maxcat · 03-21-2006, 06:11 PM

Hey guys, all leather boots will stretch like you wouldn't believe. I also have wide feet, but way back when I found a terrific closout deal on high quality hikers, about $20 for $150 boots. They were 13's, but narrow. I bought 2 pair, and spent the summer wading streams for trout after work while wearing these boots. At first I couldn't lace them, and it was kind of painful to walk. But, the leather softened and stretched, and after a couple weeks I wore them dry for a custom fit. Each pair of those boots lasted many years. They looked a little different, since the sides stuck out way past the sole, but I loved 'em. The boots with the rubber rands don't work nearly as well--trust me!

pnwcoast · 03-21-2006, 06:17 PM

Right about the rands, the boot has to fit before a rand will do you any good.

Bait O' Eggs · 03-21-2006, 07:38 PM

The best fitting boots I have ever worn, I soaked before I put them on the first time, then wore them till they dried on my feet.

Dont know why I dont do that with every pair of boots I buy

sliverpicker · 03-21-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

The best fitting boots I have ever worn, I soaked before I put them on the first time, then wore them till they dried on my feet.

Dont know why I dont do that with every pair of boots I buy

That's how I used to break in a new pair of "corks".

The most comfortable boots I ever bought were Russell's, but they'll cost you 3 bills or more. They fit like a glove!

pnwcoast · 03-21-2006, 07:59 PM

Where do you find your Russels? I wanna see some.

OregonHuntress · 03-21-2006, 09:43 PM

I have shoe problems as well. I am girl with wide feet. The last pair of shoes I got where a pair of Ariats that I found in Texas. That was through Cavendar's they have an online store you may want to check there as well.

sliverpicker · 03-22-2006, 04:17 AM

pnwcoast...they're custom made. They send you a measuring kit so the boot is made to your foot/ankle/leg specs. Had mine for years, I think I've had them resoled twice.

I PM you a link for Russell.

gottafish · 03-22-2006, 04:25 AM

Allready did Ron

pnwcoast · 03-22-2006, 04:53 AM

Thanks for the link guys.

ehunter · 03-22-2006, 06:49 AM

You can break in a good pair of leather boots by wearing them wet but the new boots with Gortex have a booty sewn in and they don't stretch the same. I feel for you guys that have tough time find good fitting boots man without good soles it is a long week of hunting.

snit · 03-22-2006, 07:27 AM

I'm also a guy that "needs" good boots. I've been wearing White's exclusively for 19 years, except when I need insulated hunting boots (and the new Cabelas boots are adequate). I have 2 pairs of White's that I alternate wearing. My first pair in 1987 cost $220.00, but I still wear teme. They've been "totally rebuilt" twice for $150.00 each time. So, in the longrun a custom built boot lasts way longer and gives me much bettter comfort than an "off the shelf boot".

baltz526 · 03-22-2006, 04:48 PM

i have four pair of recent hunting boots. three different brands, all made in china

not intentially but i go shopping and if it fits i buy them. two pair of lacross, one danner, one browning, out of the four, only one pair of lacross's i'm fairly happy with. the other are five hour boots. hike for five hours and wish i had better boots

i'm still breaking in (after two years) danner quarry gtx boots, the squeekers (maybe fixed) so i hope to have one pair of twelve hour boots by next october

Applegate · 03-22-2006, 05:48 PM

Meindel. Made in Germany, sold by Cabelas. Best hunting boot I have ever had. Feel like slippers after a 10 mile day.

If it's really nasty out, reach for you Schnees. A pac boot made for hiking and climbing.

Both can be had in the wide sizes I believe.

baltz526 · 03-22-2006, 06:15 PM

meindl canada at $239.95 plus shipping. in the size discription says d and ee widths sized to accomodate heavy socks. they are the only ones to say that. anyone have a pair of the canada hunting by meindl? do they run wide? long? big heel? before i order some boot shipped, it would be nice to hear some detailed info on the boot.

Yeti · 03-22-2006, 06:19 PM

While I am not as wide as you, I am very particular about what goes on my feet. I finally had custom mocs built for hunting. The best $350 I have spent on hunting equipment. There is a custom builder in Klamath, sorry I don't know the name. One of the best in Oregon is Master Craft Shoes in Ashland. He is a true old world craftsman that can build you exactly what you want. I sent a customer to him who had malformed feet. His big toes were almost 90 deg to his foot, very weird. I met him in the winter and he was wearing customized socks in teva's. Bill at mastercraft built him a pair of boots the I still see him wearing 6 years later. He loves them.

Yeti

Tyee II · 03-22-2006, 06:22 PM

West Coast in Scappoose are expensive but I have found as Snit says in the long run it pencils out. I have worn them for close to 30 years and with rebuilding at about half the price of a new pair it brings the cost down over time.I believe right now they are offering custom measuring at no charge thru the end of March. They keep the measure on file, so there is no additional cost down the road. They make a very wide range of styles and options. The factory is open from 7:30-4:00 Monday thru Friday. They have a nice showroom with a good display of boots. They have a website, google "west coast shoes" and it will find the site.
Good Luck in your boot search.

fishboys · 03-22-2006, 06:51 PM

I think a cobbler can stretch a pair of boots for you. Worth talking to your best shoe repair shop about.

BrianMaguire · 03-22-2006, 11:14 PM

You wear boots hunting? I guess since I don't hunt in the snow, I find no need for boots, I even try to avoid them. I like very light weight foot wear, Gortex, hiking shoes. As for "boots" I think Vasque makes a great boot for outdoor activity, hunting.

TheTexan · 03-23-2006, 06:05 AM

baltz,

The only thing that some do not like about th eMeindl is the stiff sole (shank). Very little or no give (bending) in the sole. I like this a lot, but that is the only complaint I have heard from others.

onstep · 03-23-2006, 07:29 AM

You need to look at Lathrop and Sons hunting boot systems. I owned every boot under the son Danners, Whites, Meindl, Lowas, and even Zamberlans. The best boot for me is the Hanwag. Lathrop builds hunting boot systems based around a custom foot bed they build. You send them a battery of tracings, pictures, and notes about your past footwear and they design a footbed and adjust the boots fit according to those measurements. You will not find a better fitting or performing system. That all being said they aren't cheap, look at spending $500 or more. FWIW it was the best $550.00 I've ever spent on hunting gear.