Stalking Boots - Whats the fuss?

[Pontfathew]

Hi All,

At risk of severely offending some people, I'd like to understand whats the attraction of "stalking" boots? They're quite expensive and by all accounts some of them last a year or two at most?

I've been sporting some Scarpa Ranger GTX boots (£180 RRP) for maybe 6 years now which I use for hiking and all shooting related activities (keepering, shooting, stalking etc), and they're still going strong. When it's wet I'll put some gaiters on and when its really wet thats when the wellies come out!

So - What are the attraction of stalking boots that I've missed?

P.S. I'd recommend the Scarpa Ranger boot to anyone!

 

[75]

I don't like wellies - not enough support for me. Fine for plodding around with the dogs but I'm not keen on rough ground or long distances.

I'm a big fan of Scarpa boots, but I prefer a higher legged boot for stalking and picking up (combined with gaiters if necessary) as it allows me to cross burns, wet ground etc without water getting in over the top.

 

[sy247]

Hi All,

At risk of severely offending some people, I'd like to understand whats the attraction of "stalking" boots? They're quite expensive and by all accounts some of them last a year or two at most?

I've been sporting some Scarpa Ranger GTX boots (£180 RRP) for maybe 6 years now which I use for hiking and all shooting related activities (keepering, shooting, stalking etc), and they're still going strong. When it's wet I'll put some gaiters on and when its really wet thats when the wellies come out!

So - What are the attraction of stalking boots that I've missed?

P.S. I'd recommend the Scarpa Ranger boot to anyone!

They look like a very nice boot. I've got some Scarpa Manta Pros for winter walking and Salomon Quest 4D which I use for general walking and stalking.

 

[DamaDama.243]

I too prefer something with more support than the average walking boot. This is mainly because I broke my ankle about 12 years ago and had to have it rebuilt (bloody horses).
I wear mine every day often I will have them on for 8-10 hours, some have lasted well 2-3 years some not 2-3 months. Best I had was a pair of Meindl that lasted 8 years.
The only place I wear wellies now really is one Estate on the Avon that I beat for their Snipe days and most of the time I wish I was in waders even the hills are like bogs!
Most clothing/footwear I have only lasts a year or two as it is used everyday for work, walking the dog, stalking and foxing.

 

[plonker]

My scarpa walking boots are over 10 years old but unfortunately due to not looking after them the leather has split on both boots where they bend when walking, although still waterproof as the gortex liner is still good.
Wont even look at any boot aimed at the "stalking" community, will just buy another pair of walking boots and hopefully if i look after them will get 10yr plus out of them.

 

[Pedro]

Horses for courses. It's true that many so called stalking boots are simply too extreme for what you want. They can reach half way up to your knees, have leather from at least a couple of cows and Gore-Tex everywhere with who knows what other sort of technical fabrics and a special way to do up your laces. All of this is fine for some uses, but is really overkill if the most you are going to do is walk across a couple of well drained fields and maybe explore a bit of a copse in the hope of spying a roe.

To get the ideal boots for what you use them for, by all means don't ignore specific stalking boots, but look at boots from other disciplines/hobbies too. The obvious thing to do is look at walking boots. Let's face it, there's way more walkers than stalkers and the economics of volume often mean you can get better value for money.

But there are limits to what I would wear.

 

[bogtrotter]

Had a few pairs of scarpa's and they are good boots ,but when folks talk of boots lasting 10 years that must be very infrequent
use as in recreational stalking for someone in the job wearing boots daily day even the best of boots will last nothing
like that a coup!e of years would be good most won't last much more than a year some not even that.

 

[Mossypaw]

I tend to think of boots the same as Land Rovers, the less things they have on them the less there is to go wrong. I wear Lundhags shell boots, Forest ll, the series two of boots.
Every part of the boot is replaceable and Lundhags see no reason why they couldn’t last 30 years with proper care.

 

[Alantoo]

I blister easily so wellies are out for beating, stalking or hiking.

Style wise...Meindl Dovre and Le Chameau Mouflon high boots are just right for me from the ankle support required when contour following on a Cotswold scarp or rock hopping...and the height is great for stream crossing and boggy ground, let alone dealing with stingers, thistles an brambles...and keeping your ankles warm up a high seat...

Economy wise...I had some of the Ex-army Cold Weather Condition boots which are similar in spec to the Dovre and Mouflon but 25% of the price...and they work equally well, but just have an irritatingly slow lacing system which I considered a bit of a liability.

If I know the day is just going to be hillwalking trails and footpaths and dry-ish, then a pair of ankle height Brasher Hillmasters or even some Merrell below ankle trainers will do fine.

Alan

 

[404Shooter]

Scarpa for me too. However, if you’re looking for a higher legged boot, Alt-Berg’s military range are fantastic quality, British made and really good value. They’re not stocked in many places but you can buy on-line just by drawing round your feet!

 

[User00025]

Can't get wellies on due to fused ankle but use Meindl or Camel boots with high leg. Even then I can't hobble very far. Used to use desert boots in Summer for Roe and Hogg's half sprung fell boots when hill stalking with canvas gaiters.

 

[Rasputin]

I have some big thick Jakt jakti I think it’s spelt boots for when it’s super cold other than that I wear just my regular Solomon gtx boots. Hate cloddhopping about in thick or unsupportive boots.

 

[opticron1]

As ever, find a pair of boots you're happy with and stick with them. Use a pair of Aigle high stalking boots that I got for a good price a few years back and very comfortable and water proof they are too. Occasionally use my Altbergs, but a new pair are going to be on order as they are reaching the end of their lives. If it's too wet the Grubb's come out to play.

 

[Jelen]

I tend to think of boots the same as Land Rovers, the less things they have on them the less there is to go wrong. I wear Lundhags shell boots, Forest ll, the series two of boots.
Every part of the boot is replaceable and Lundhags see no reason why they couldn’t last 30 years with proper care.

I thought they no longer made these. Brilliant boots! Mine have lasted over 12 years wearing for beating (3 days a week) and stalking. Super lightweight and soft.
They just started to slightly leak at the stitching this January past. They do not give a lot of support for the ankle, though more than wellies do.
Thanks for posting.
Does anyone want my Meindl Dovres?

 

[slider]

Don't know the boots you mention but do they lace up 12"? Strong ankle support is a must on forestry restock sites

 

[jb1]

The down side is without propper "stalking" boots your "stalking" is just going out "shooting" you will also find that you will see less Deer.

 

[jb1]

Left to right,
Scarpa, Scarpa, and Harkila,
I dont expect for 1 minute that the Harkila will last anywhere near as long as the Scarpa will. The pair in the middle are over 10 years old now and still as functional as they were new.

 

[Mossypaw]

Just got a new pair...

 

[Pontfathew]

Just got a new pair...

Are those Darth Vaders boots?

 

[Mossypaw]

Are those Darth Vaders boots?

No...... Skyewalkers