Author Topic: Replacing my Hanwags (Read 9074 times)

Lurch · « **on:** May 10, 2011, 03:00:23 PM »

Replacing my Hanwag Alaska GTX boots and am leaning towards another pair.

Anybody have any thoughts on comparable boots?

Dewey · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:03:33 PM »

I am interested in trying some Scarpa Lisskams and would recommend them based on the Scarpa boots now on my feet. I am also interested in the Lowa Sheephunters, as sold by Schnee's in Montana and would like to try these, as well. Hanwags are fine boots and I wish they still imported the old FGL models as I like these far better than any boot lined with GT.

Lurch · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:05:28 AM »

Thanks Dewey. I have looked at the Lowa's - they just don't fit quite as well.

Who is handling Scarpa boots?

TangoKilo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:28:52 AM »

I have been running Meindel Canada Pro's for the last 4 years. I have nothig but good to say about them!!!

I also just got a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots this week. For the couple km I have on them, they seem like they will be very comparible to the Meindel boots. Similar cost too...

Dewey · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:33:21 AM »

Quote from: Lurch on May 11, 2011, 07:05:28 AM

Thanks Dewey. I have looked at the Lowa's - they just don't fit quite as well.

Who is handling Scarpa boots?
[/quote

I think that there are a couple of retailers in BC, "Backcountry Sports" in FSJ may be one and I spoke with one other about two years ago. So, check the Scarpa website for current dealers and maybe Baker Shoe in Oregon, as well.

Paul · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:36:17 AM »

Say what you want about Rockys, but for the money I have been extremely happy with them and they last forever. The worst boot I ever had were Browning, 2 years and the backs collapsed, total junk.

Lurch · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2011, 06:02:46 PM »

Quote from: Paul on May 11, 2011, 09:36:17 AM

Say what you want about Rockys, but for the money I have been extremely happy with them and they last forever. The worst boot I ever had were Browning, 2 years and the backs collapsed, total junk.

The old Rocky Prohunter's that were built in the US were indeed some of the best boots I have ever owned. I bought a set of the new model to replace them and wore the sides out in one week long Elk hunt.

I loved the old Prohunters.

Waxy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2011, 08:33:51 AM »

I narrowed my search down to the Hanwag Alaska GTX and the Lowa Tibet Pro GTX. They're basically the same boot if you put them side be side, the differences are very minor.

I wanted the Hanwags, but the Lowas just fit me better, so that's what I bought. I've only put a few clicks on them walking around the neighborhood with the kids, which isn't exactly a good torture test, but so far I'm really happy with them. They're surprisingly comfortable and "agile" for lack of a better word, despite being fairly tall and stiff and offering a ton of support, they don't feel clunky when walking.

Definitely the best pair of boots I've ever owned, but then, they were more than twice the price of any other boots I've owned...

Waxy

Lurch · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:50:41 AM »

Quote from: Waxy on May 12, 2011, 08:33:51 AM

I narrowed my search down to the Hanwag Alaska GTX and the Lowa Tibet Pro GTX. They're basically the same boot if you put them side be side, the differences are very minor.

I wanted the Hanwags, but the Lowas just fit me better, so that's what I bought. I've only put a few clicks on them walking around the neighborhood with the kids, which isn't exactly a good torture test, but so far I'm really happy with them. They're surprisingly comfortable and "agile" for lack of a better word, despite being fairly tall and stiff and offering a ton of support, they don't feel clunky when walking.

Definitely the best pair of boots I've ever owned, but then, they were more than twice the price of any other boots I've owned...

Waxy

I know who I am calling to "break in" those boots when I knock a Ram down this fall....

Waxy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:57:30 AM »

Quote from: Lurch on May 12, 2011, 09:50:41 AM

Quote from: Waxy on May 12, 2011, 08:33:51 AM
I narrowed my search down to the Hanwag Alaska GTX and the Lowa Tibet Pro GTX. They're basically the same boot if you put them side be side, the differences are very minor.

I wanted the Hanwags, but the Lowas just fit me better, so that's what I bought. I've only put a few clicks on them walking around the neighborhood with the kids, which isn't exactly a good torture test, but so far I'm really happy with them. They're surprisingly comfortable and "agile" for lack of a better word, despite being fairly tall and stiff and offering a ton of support, they don't feel clunky when walking.

Definitely the best pair of boots I've ever owned, but then, they were more than twice the price of any other boots I've owned...

Waxy

I know who I am calling to "break in" those boots when I knock a Ram down this fall....

LOL, only if I can keep them on the footpegs until last couple hundred yards!

Skinnydipper · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:16:34 PM »

I was going to buy the Hanwags this year as well until Wholesale had a $100 off sale earlier in the year and I could just not walk by the Lowas. They seem a bit stiffer than the very well used Meindels that have served me well for oh so many years. Hopefully they wear as well as they appear.

crazy_davey · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:23:39 AM »

Quote from: Lurch on May 10, 2011, 03:00:23 PM

Replacing my Hanwag Alaska GTX boots and am leaning towards another pair.

Anybody have any thoughts on comparable boots?

Gary, I think you need to explain better exactly what type of hunting you are using the boots for. Do you want the best of the best for sheep and elk in the high country or chasing mulies and antelope on the prairies? I have used many of both and my opinion would vary greatly depending on what your plans are and what your budget is.

Dewey · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:15:42 AM »

Yup, I have several pairs of stiff mountain boots and wear heavy hikers constantly as I require an orthopaedic lift on my right leg, courtesy of a drunk driver and botched surgery 51 years ago, today, actually. But, the boots one needs for climbing a BC RM Goat cliff and quietly stalking a Whitetail in rolling brushland are VERY different. I also like to wear good rubber-bottom pacboots whenever I can as they are quiet and leave no scent trail.

Lurch · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2011, 08:55:48 AM »

Quote from: crazy_davey on May 13, 2011, 04:23:39 AM

Quote from: Lurch on May 10, 2011, 03:00:23 PM
Replacing my Hanwag Alaska GTX boots and am leaning towards another pair.

Anybody have any thoughts on comparable boots?

Gary, I think you need to explain better exactly what type of hunting you are using the boots for. Do you want the best of the best for sheep and elk in the high country or chasing mulies and antelope on the prairies? I have used many of both and my opinion would vary greatly depending on what your plans are and what your budget is.

Sorry Davey
I have several pairs of boots, and the Alaska GTX's I need to replace are high country Elk and Sheep boots.
Hard use - and I don't mind paying for quality - the Hanwags are around 450 bucks.

crazy_davey · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2011, 05:53:46 PM »

Quote from: Lurch on May 17, 2011, 08:55:48 AM

Sorry Davey
I have several pairs of boots, and the Alaska GTX's I need to replace are high country Elk and Sheep boots.
Hard use - and I don't mind paying for quality - the Hanwags are around 450 bucks.

Gary, after owning a sh1t pile of expensive mountaineering boots over the past twenty or so years I have a pretty good idea what good boots are and what they are worth

. $450 is cheap for the most part

IMO one of the best boots on the market right now is the Hanwag Omega. A better boot than the Alaska's but be prepared to pay more as well.

Lurch · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:17:52 PM »

Quote from: crazy_davey on May 17, 2011, 05:53:46 PM

Quote from: Lurch on May 17, 2011, 08:55:48 AM

Sorry Davey
I have several pairs of boots, and the Alaska GTX's I need to replace are high country Elk and Sheep boots.
Hard use - and I don't mind paying for quality - the Hanwags are around 450 bucks.

Gary, after owning a sh1t pile of expensive mountaineering boots over the past twenty or so years I have a pretty good idea what good boots are and what they are worth . $450 is cheap for the most part

IMO one of the best boots on the market right now is the Hanwag Omega. A better boot than the Alaska's but be prepared to pay more as well.

Where do you buy them Davey, and how much?

I can make up the difference pretty easy giving shooting lessons to the Sheep Reaper

crazy_davey · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:35:49 PM »

Your best bet would be to order them through Lathrop and Sons http://lathropandsons.com/catalog/index.php. The Canadian options for these boots are useless and way more money.

The boys at Lathrop are awesome to deal with and will help you out every step of the way with whatever boot you choose. You won't see the above boot on the website but they can get it in no problem. Don't worry about ordering over the phone with them, they will walk you through it and will take them back if they don't work for any reason.

Waxy · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2011, 09:35:16 AM »

I ordered a set of insoles from Lathrop and Sons, and the owner called me twice, to make sure everything was ordered properly and to let me know that they would be delayed a week due to them tweaking the design slightly to make them even better. That's the kind of customer service that will have me buying my next boots there, even if their prices are a little on the high side at times.

I ordered the pair of Alaska GTs I tried on from Monods in Banff, and I have to say they were pretty good to deal with as well. They helped on getting the size close (ended up being about 1/2 to 1 size small, but that was my fault), shipped them out super quick, and were easy to deal with during the return process. I don't have anything bad to say about them.

Waxy

The Sheep Reaper · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2011, 02:28:54 PM »

Quote from: Lurch on May 17, 2011, 09:17:52 PM

Quote from: crazy_davey on May 17, 2011, 05:53:46 PM
Quote from: Lurch on May 17, 2011, 08:55:48 AM

Sorry Davey
I have several pairs of boots, and the Alaska GTX's I need to replace are high country Elk and Sheep boots.
Hard use - and I don't mind paying for quality - the Hanwags are around 450 bucks.

Gary, after owning a sh1t pile of expensive mountaineering boots over the past twenty or so years I have a pretty good idea what good boots are and what they are worth . $450 is cheap for the most part

IMO one of the best boots on the market right now is the Hanwag Omega. A better boot than the Alaska's but be prepared to pay more as well.

Where do you buy them Davey, and how much?

I can make up the difference pretty easy giving shooting lessons to the Sheep Reaper

Thats funny...last time we went out i recall my old Savage 7mm had much better groups than you did with your 300 wthby....

Waxy · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2011, 03:31:31 PM »

So your wife was doing the shooting then?

Waxy