first timer

[sccrbllr]

I am heading out to colorado for my first time for elk during the second (rifle) elk season. We will be going on horse back and camping up high. My question is which boot do you all recomend? I need something warm enough for negative temps, and something that will fit in the horse stirrups. I am a size twelve so pacs are out of the question. We should be camping up there for +- a week, so comfort is a plus too. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[hntnnut]

It might be easier/cheaper to use your heavy boots and just purchase and take with you a pair of sturips (sturips are very easy to change out)that are made for winter boots.


Richard

 

[spectr17]

Schnees are the best elk boot I've worn. I've got the Schnee 10 Inch Hunter II . They have several models that fit in a stirrup. Warm and good traction in the rough stuff and snow too.

Two elk ivories up for Schnees

http://www.schnees.com/

 

[arizona hunter]

Schnees makes exellent boots!
Something else to look at: Heated insoles for your boots. This way you do not have to have a lot of insulation to get the warmth you need. Also, Arctic sheild makes a "bootie" that you fit over your boots they keep your feet comfortable way below zero F., (these are more for the person that will spend time sitting alot) and they fold up to easily fit into your pack.

 

[paulc]

Huntnut had a good idea there. I wear a size 15 shoe and i bought a huge pair of stirrups on ebay for my saddle. they cost about $20.

I wear my Vasque sundowners or Schnees packers when i ride my horse and plan on hiking. Both have an aggressive tread. make sure that your foot is not all the way in the stirrup. The ball of your foot should be in the stirrup.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Quacker Wacker]

Has anyone tried these. I've thought about them for my Nov Elk hunts here in Idaho. I use a boot similar to a 10" Danner, which don't fit correctly in the stirrups and trust me, you want to be able to get out of them if things start to go wrong on a back country hunt.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...s&noImage=0

 

[sccrbllr]

Just purchased these, thanks for the advice.
SCHNEE 10 Inch Western ADV
I think they should be perfect for my needs. What do you all think?

 

[paulc]

A good choice. Break them in. They will break in quicker than most boots because of the inserts.

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

I wear a size 15 shoe[/b]

Dang Paul, a 15!?! I guess Bigfoot don't live in California anymore!

Sccrbllr, lots of great advice here. Definitely take some time and break those puppies in. Not just walking around the house either. Get out in the canyons or the desert and do some humping.

Have you done much horseback riding? Just a note there... if you haven't spent any time (or much time) in the saddle, get thee to a local stable and see about taking some lessons. Even if you don't need lessons, the time in the saddle now will save you some potential pain later. Not a lot of time, but a couple of two hour sessions for the next couple of weeks will go a long way toward alleviating saddle-soreness.

Oh yeah.. the rest of that point... take your new boots when you go to ride. See how they fit the stirrups, and how they feel on the horse. My favorite hunting boots kinda suck for horseback riding. There's no rule says you can't toss the hunting boots in your gear and wear some decent riding boots on the way into camp.

 

[sccrbllr]

I do quite a bit of riding, my dad owns, breeds, and sells thoroughbreds. So i am quite familiar with saddles. Thanks for the great advice though. I will definetily try to get many hours in the boots prior to the hunt. I usually do not order shoes from the internet without prior experience with them. Hopefully they will fit alright. Thanks to all who helped.
Sccrbllr