[Rob Red]

Have you looked at the offerings from vivobarefeet? Googled zero drop hiking boots and several names popped up to include some tactical type boots that are zero drop.

Vivo is an awesome company, they fall very much in the minimalist barefoot shoe camp.

 

[bkspyder]

Oboz also seem to have a generous toe box, but not zero drop.

 

[BwhuntingGodess]

Update: I’m working with Russell Moccasin out of Berlin, Wisconsin. They are going to make me a pair of their “Big Cambo” elk hunting boots. They claim that they can do zero drop and also add an extra wide toe box. Fingers crossed! They are a super small company, and they make a lot of custom stuff, so I’m feeling hopeful.

 

[krieger]

Update: I’m working with Russell Moccasin out of Berlin, Wisconsin. They are going to make me a pair of their “Big Cambo” elk hunting boots. They claim that they can do zero drop and also add an extra wide toe box. Fingers crossed! They are a super small company, and they make a lot of custom stuff, so I’m feeling hopeful.

PLEASE keep us posted and update on this thread. I am of the same opinion, although I don't need " zero drop " boots I want something WAY less than most make now. I just don't understand why they can't make a sturdy boot with a protective rand, but not make it look and feel like hooker high heels. Drives me nuts. I think it's a function of making the sole stiff enough, they need the dimension to bridge the instep area of the sole, ...idk..

Lathrop will be no help, I've called them before on this very subject. They are sued to dealing with everything other than folks that don't want high heeled boots.

I have a pair of Lowa Xtreme Hunters that have some age on them, I think I'm going to take a belt sander to the heels of them til they are comfortable, otherwise they fatigue my low back way faster than a set of Keens, for example...thanks for bringing this subject up !

 

[Johnboy60]

I’m a runner and also an elk hunter. Due to an injury, I have to wear shoes with absolutely no rise in the heel (zero drop) and a very wide toebox. I’m a big fan of Altra trail running shoes. Altra and also Lems make shoes that are zero drop and have an “anatomically correct” or “foot shaped” toe box that allow toes to spread out and feel the ground instead of being squished together. The shoes currently available from these companies are fine for running or everyday wear, but their “boots” are more like what most of us would classify as light duty hiking shoes. I’m a hunter. I need sturdy mountain boots. I want boots that are burly and tough with good ankle support for packing out heavy loads of elk meat. But I need them to be zero drop and have an extra wide “foot shaped” toebox similar to what’s available from Altra or Lems. Does anybody have any recommendations????

Limmer Midweights or the Limmer Standard are probably the sturdiest boots out there. They are 6 inch backpacking/hiking boots though, not advertised as hunting boots. That said, if you're on the move and want all day comfort and stability, either of those could work. I use gaiters with mine if there's snow. The Midweights have the most volume for toe room. These are seriously stout boots and require a vigorous break in period but they are fully leather lined and will mold to your feet.

 

[Whitetip Hunter]

Update: I’m working with Russell Moccasin out of Berlin, Wisconsin. They are going to make me a pair of their “Big Cambo” elk hunting boots. They claim that they can do zero drop and also add an extra wide toe box. Fingers crossed! They are a super small company, and they make a lot of custom stuff, so I’m feeling hopeful.

I have a 6E foot. I tried dozens of high end boots. FINALLY I bit the bullet and had Russell Moccasin make me a pair of Bowhunter boots. Best $ I spent in a long time. They arrived 1 week before an Alaskan hunt. I wore them about 6 hours (break in???) before the trip. The first day we walked 9.9 miles (GPS). ZERO blisters/rubs/etc. STILL waterproof today too. Not like the Gore Tex type stuff.

Highly recommend Russell Moc. I am lucky enough to live a couple hours away. I went there to get measure. The guy said I have some the biggest calves he's seen. I didn't realize I had another reason to go custom. Great people.

 

[BwhuntingGodess]

I have a 6E foot. I tried dozens of high end boots. FINALLY I bit the bullet and had Russell Moccasin make me a pair of Bowhunter boots. Best $ I spent in a long time. They arrived 1 week before an Alaskan hunt. I wore them about 6 hours (break in???) before the trip. The first day we walked 9.9 miles (GPS). ZERO blisters/rubs/etc. STILL waterproof today too. Not like the Gore Tex type stuff.

Highly recommend Russell Moc. I am lucky enough to live a couple hours away. I went there to get measure. The guy said I have some the biggest calves he's seen. I didn't realize I had another reason to go custom. Great people.

That’s good to know. I have definitely heard a lot of good things about the company. The question is, can they really make what I’m looking for? “Foot-shaped” boots with a super wide toe box and zero drop definitely aren’t their norm, so this will be going out on a limb for them. I’m hoping they can pull it off!

 

[Whitetip Hunter]

That’s good to know. I have definitely heard a lot of good things about the company. The question is, can they really make what I’m looking for? “Foot-shaped” boots with a super wide toe box and zero drop definitely aren’t their norm, so this will be going out on a limb for them. I’m hoping they can pull it off!

Since you trace your feet on paper they will be as wide as your toes. If your foot was wider than it was long, they will make it.

 

[bkspyder]

Rocky s2v have zero drop platforms for some models at least confirmed.

 

[bkspyder]

Looks like Lems has a winterized boot coming out this year. I will be very interested as I need something to wear in the snow that's less than a pac boot.
I noticed the don't show a pic of this new boot all rolled up like they usually do so there's a chance this boot as a little more heft to it while maintaining the zero drop + foot shaped form.

Men's Outlander Waterproof Boot

The Outlanders with their waterproof uppers and 4mm deep lugs will give you incredible traction, whether you’re snowshoeing through mountain powder or trudging through mucky slush in town. Live somewhere very wet (we’re looking at you PNW)? The gusseted tongue keeps the tongue completely...

www.lemsshoes.com

 

[bkspyder]

Did anyone use any boots this season from this thread and have updates?

 

[Ranchero6247]

Any updates @BwhuntingGodess? Really curious!

 

[BwhuntingGodess]

Yes! Russell Moccasin made a custom pair for me. I flew up to Wisconsin to visit with their manager (Joe) in person to make sure we were on the same page about what I wanted. He built a custom last just for me and then built a pair of their “Big Cambo” style boots using this special wide toe last. I just them in the mail this spring. The boots are awesome! Russell made exactly what I wanted- a wide toe box and zero drop in a sturdy leather hiking boot. It took a long time, and it cost me a lot of money, but overall I am super happy with his work. I’ve been backpacking and scouting for elk and spending a lot of time wearing them in the mountains this summer- so far so good. Looking forward to further testing with elk season opening Saturday! Russells are definitely “a blast from the past”. They remind me of something my grandpa would have worn. They are a little heavy compared to my Altra trail running shoes. They lack any sort of new technology (no Gore-Tex, etc.). But they are hand-made and built very well. I hope that in the future some of the more “modern” hunting boot companies start making what I want. But for now, I’ll be happily wearing my old-school custom Russell Moccasins.

 

[bownarra123]

Go barefoot
didn't bother the indians......