Best source for men's hiking & mountain boots - Calgary

GWN · #1 01-17-2021, 04:04 PM

Hi, looking for recommendations in the Calgary area for stores carrying men's hiking and mountain hunting boots.

Suggestions on best brands appreciated as well.

I am looking for something I can hopefully use for general hiking in the mountains and the same boots for backpack hunting in the higher zones of the mountain, looking for elk in particular.

Thanks and have a great day

buckbrush · #2 01-17-2021, 04:35 PM

Irish setter vaprtrek seem like a great boot. My wife ran a pair this year and loves them. They are very light, good traction and light/medium support.

For a pack hunt on anything besides mountains, I have had great luck with Danner or Irish setter.

If you want an actual mountain boot I'd lean towards a techincal light mountaineering boot.

My current prairie/hills hunting boots are Setters and Danners.
I just got a set of Scarpa Mont Blonc pro's for a mountain boot and they are pretty stiff but I am happy with them so far, I only have about 15 miles on them in the hills though.

Going with a quality brand and reding lots of reviews is good but if the boot doesn't fit YOU properly it's all for nothing. I don't have any recommendations on where to shop but keep trying until you find "the perfect fit"

I have bought boots that felt decent and hoped they would stretch it the tight spots and get better but they never did.

Lots of companies offer free returns, I wouldn't fully limit yourself to a "hunting Boot" though.

Just my .02.

Scott N · #3 01-17-2021, 05:43 PM

It's not in Calgary, but a couple of friends talk highly of Monod Sports in Banff for higher end boots.

daveyn · #4 01-17-2021, 06:20 PM

Campers Village has a guy in their shoe dept that is very knowledgable, can't remember his name but if you tell him what you will be using them for he will get you hooked up.
Just a side note on the Vapor treks, I have those boots and love them HOWEVER, they are like having crazy carpets on your feet if you encounter any kind of ice, great in the snow but good luck staying upright if you find an icy patch.

TOG · #5 01-17-2021, 06:44 PM

Not in Calgary but Great North Presision in BC carries Crispi boots. Customer service was excellent for shipping different sizes to get the right fit. Have been very pleased with these boots

dth_ · #6 01-18-2021, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott N

It's not in Calgary, but a couple of friends talk highly of Monod Sports in Banff for higher end boots.

I've bought a pair of Hanwags from Monods. They didn't fit and had to send them back. Easy and painless customer service, they quickly sent me a shipping label and refunded once they arrived back in Banff. They didn't have the size I ended up needing. A bit of a PITA to order and send back to try them on, but Monods made it as painless as possible. Would 1000% deal there again.

Ended up ordering from Valhalla Pure. I've ordered several items from them but have never had to return.

Pathfinder76 · #7 01-18-2021, 09:01 PM

Valhalla Pure is really good as well. Easy to deal with, easy returns, free shipping. No complaints.

Vantage Point · #8 10-15-2021, 08:40 PM

See Mark's is now selling Crispi boots on-line and this weekend [Oct.15,16&17/2021] offering 25% off all store purchases. May be a good chance to get a deal and some models are in wide width also.

270person · #9 02-21-2022, 10:40 AM

I use Altitude Sports and highly recommend their pricing and selection of some great brands.. In the past year I've picked up 3 pairs of boots. Lowa and Hanwag. Hanwag the better boot imo but the Lowa Tibets are good as well.

Wait until lifetime memberships go on sale for half price at $20. Get 5% off anytime + 10% off first order, 20% during major sales, free shipping and returns, advance notice of promos, and a great selection of high end boots. I buy most of my smart wool socks and baselayers through them as well. Very simple buying process plus fast and reliable shipping.

freeride · #10 01-18-2021, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckbrush

Going with a quality brand and reding lots of reviews is good but if the boot doesn't fit YOU properly it's all for nothing. I don't have any recommendations on where to shop but keep trying until you find "the perfect fit"

Lots of companies offer free returns, I wouldn't fully limit yourself to a "hunting Boot" though.

Just my .02.

This 100%

Scarpa, zamberland, hanwag, lowa, danner

They all have great boots. I have had really expensive ones I wanted to love but they didnt fit my feet so I returned them. If the boots hurt you won't hike long. Get the ones to fit you!

dalewig · #11 01-17-2021, 08:58 PM

I would look into the lowa Camino. In calgary Mec carries them , and if you’d prefer to support somewhere else I think there is a smaller store that carries lowa boots (Norseman maybe).

Pathfinder76 · #12 01-17-2021, 09:02 PM

Norseman Outdoor Specialist would be a good place to look.

Rackmastr · #13 01-17-2021, 09:05 PM

I think Crown Surplus is carrying a bunch of the Lowa line right now. Would be worth checking

flyon · #14 01-18-2021, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Norseman Outdoor Specialist would be a good place to look.

I second Norseman - I received excellent customer service and super knowledgeable staff.

dave99 · #15 01-18-2021, 10:48 AM

x3 on Norseman. Great place to check out boots.

Dona · #16 01-18-2021, 05:58 PM

Hanwag - Non Better!

GWN · #17 01-18-2021, 07:56 AM

Hi everyone, thanks for the information and advice, some great ideas on where to look and what to look for, appreciate it, take care and have a great day

LKILR · #18 02-21-2022, 12:52 PM

I just bought a pair of Lowa Tibet GTX for $450 all in from Amazon.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

marky_mark · #19 02-21-2022, 02:07 PM

I got all excited and was searching marks website for this sale
Then I seen the date of the sale lol

teberle · #20 02-21-2022, 03:15 PM

Another vote for Norseman. Bought Hanwags there a few years ago. The guy spent a lot of time with me figuring out what actually fit well.

Jjolg123 · #21 02-21-2022, 03:25 PM

check out Schnees in montana, i have 3 different types now most recent the pack boots and i dont think ill ever go away. I have a set of granites for sale if we have similar sizing but either way i highly recommend them

DiabeticKripple · #22 02-21-2022, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

I got all excited and was searching marks website for this sale
Then I seen the date of the sale lol

they just had it again.

i bought some crispi nevadas on thurday for 25% off. i think the sale ended sunday.

Knotter · #23 02-21-2022, 10:33 PM

Crown surplus carry Lowa, norseman for hanwag and others. They have these at jimbows too. Monods is awesome. Boots are so personal don't let anyone sway you.. let your feet tell you what's best.

Vantage Point · #24 03-31-2022, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

I got all excited and was searching marks website for this sale
Then I seen the date of the sale lol

Marks has sale on this weekend { march 31-april 4/2022}, use code FF22APR for 25% off all regular priced items. Includes Crispi boots available online.

Pekan · #25 04-01-2022, 08:46 AM

That Mark's deal sounds great. Wish I needed boots.

Mec is a good place to look as well. I know they carry Scarpa and Zams.
I'm on my third pair of Scarpas, Kinetics I think they're called. 95% of all my hunting is in these boots. They say Scarpa fits a narrower foot.
Kinetics have a stiff sole for rocky terrain but still flex enough in the middle to make walking a little more natural, compared to mountaineering boots where you're heel-toeing it along.

As for a pure mountain boot, I run the La Sportiva Nepals. Also a very good boot but I've yet to be on a hunt that required a pure mountaineering boot. I use them for other adventures. I suppose if you're looking for a goat hunting boot they'd be a great choice. Also sold at Mec.

I know lots of guys won't support Mec because of their supposed anti hunting stance. I actually took the time and called their head office in Vancouver a few years back and spoke to one of their public relations people about it. He said they have no position on hunting either pro or anti. So good enough for me.

Lastcast · #26 04-01-2022, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vantage Point

Marks has sale on this weekend { march 31-april 4/2022}, use code FF22APR for 25% off all regular priced items. Includes Crispi boots available online.

Wow those are pricey boots! But I guess you have to pay to play...

270person · #27 04-01-2022, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lastcast

Wow those are pricey boots! But I guess you have to pay to play...

Mark's pricing is inflated + lots of other brands out there for $100 - 200 less, equal to or maybe even better. As others have mentioned its all about whats right for "your" feet and no two are created equal. Google hiking boots and you'll find several online retailers selling the higher end brands and given that Mark's is online for Crispi anyways it's same same.