Best boots for riding/hiking?

[lmorgan]

I'd like some opinions from the guys who spend a lot of time both in the saddle going after hounds and then on foot going a little farther. What kind of boot do you find that works as a nice fit to a stirrup (and can get in and out easy enough) and still give you the comfort and support you need to go on up on foot in tough country? Do you ride with one particular kind of boot and then switch if you need to dismount and hike on out to the hounds, or is there a particular boot that handles both equally well?

[LCK]

Lace up Justin work boots.

[Waterway]

I want the pointed toe and heel of a good riding boot, however I like a good neoprene type sole for better traction when on foot. If a person has weak ankles LCKs' lace up boot makes good sense though I have never used a lace up boot.

Mel

[Mr.pacojack]

Whites Boots are the best I have ever used. I have 3 pair of them and dont' think I will ever buy another boot. I pretty much live in the saddle but need a boot that will give support and have the traction fro the rough country too. Whites get it done

[plottpappaw]

I don't spend anytime in the saddle hunting but i will agree on the whites! I am an a class lineman/foreman for the power company and i have 16'' whites climbing boots and i wouldn't dare even think of owning a different kind of boot for work! So i'd say they make a good riding/hunting boot!

[Big Mike]

I would agree on Whites. I prefer the farm/rancher packer with full vibram sole. Not such a tall heel, easier for me to walk in the mountains.

Another option is to switch to over shoe stirrups, with them I can where any hunting type boot. Might be a cheaper option that $350 Whites!

[Huntintony]

WHITES..

[houndsnmules]

cold weather Schnee's they make a stirrup pack boot

[Brady Davis]

I love whites, I've had them for years but last year I got a pair of Danner boots and they work good in a stirrup and Great walkin!!!

[lionhunterdaves]

Danner or rocky's.

[Mike Leonard]

Paco,

I agree White's are top shelf! I have worn these boots for years and I use their cowboy pack boot in the winter if I don't have to do a lot of walking. The pack boot is pretty dang heavy and I prefer the Schnees for the walking part but the Whites pack boots keep you warm.I like the cowboy packer and once broke in it gives excellent ankle support and that heel really helps when you are climbing.

If you don't want to spring $4-500. bucks for made to order Whites you can buy Hawthorns which is White's shelf boot build to standards for a couple hundred less. Another good Pack boot I like is the Chippewa Elephant hide cowboy pack offered by Cabelas.

[Cole H Willams]

Whites or Hathorn Explorer(for price)

[nvlion_hunter]

Horse Shoes have good ankle support 1/2" heel and are great for warm weather.

[redhoundsman]

I like lacers and have used Danner hunting boots for years to ride/hike, but one thing to consider with any lace up boot is that if you get hung up in a stirrup, the boot is not coming off, and you can be drug a long way, or worse.

[norseman]

White's or Nick's packer boots. Riding and walking in the mountains are exactly what they are designed for.

http://www.whitesboots.com/store/Whites_Boots.php

http://www.nicksboots.com/boots/bootpage.asp?theid=10

Make sure you get them with a FULL VIBRAM SOLE and a spur ledge. And if your tying cowboy boots to your feet (which is essentially what you are doing with a packer boot) make sure you run a set of tapaderos on your saddle.

http://www.valleymulecompany.com/images/tapaderos.jpg

I was mule deer hunting in the Sawtooth wilderness a long while back with my mules and saw the aftermath of a guy that got his foot caught in his stirrup when his horse spooked. Evidently it didn't like the llamas in the trail and went to bucking and kicking down through the blow down in some deep dark hole. The horse didn't come out and the guy was on a search and rescue litter.

Also keep in mind that most packers are not insulated, and you may want something abit more warm and waterproof on the days when your doing less packing and more hunting. (It's just common sense to take two pair of boots with you anyhow.)

Hope that helps!