Do Your Research: Boots
There’s nothing that can spoil a mountain hunt sooner than having the wrong boots. And, questioning your choice of boots on a hunt should be the last thing on your mind. Boots are the most essential piece of equipment in your kit. For mountain hunting in steep vertical terrain, there are 5 key elements you need to consider.
5 KEY ELEMENTS
FIT:
Improper sizing of your footwear can lead to hotspots, blisters or worse. It’s better to be slightly too large than slightly too small. With KUIU/SCARPA boots, we recommend ordering a half size larger than your normal shoe size. If you’re between sizes, go up one full size. All boot sizes fit an average foot width.
WEIGHT:
The lighter the boot, the less energy you’ll burn on every step of the climb. The old backing rule-of-thumb is one pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back.
WATERPROOF:
Not all waterproof membranes are created equal. KUIU/SCARPA boots feature an HDry® waterproof membrane that’s laminated to the boot’s upper, ensuring protection from creek crossings, wet vegetation, saturated ground, and precipitation.
MATERIALS:
Full synthetic construction will absorb less moisture and dry quickly while remaining lighter weight and more breathable than traditional all-leather boot materials.
STIFFNESS:
Boots with a mountaineering stiffness only flex at toe and pivot at the ankle to give you more control and support while front-point climbing, side-hilling, and gaining purchase on steep and vertical terrain.
