Boot problem

fishhead · #1 01/15/12, 01:25 PM

I've got a pair of tall hunting boots that have started to fold and press on the top of my ankle. The material is synthetic with some leatherlike reinforced areas.

They are so uncomfortable that I can't wear them except for a few minutes around the yard.

Have you ever had that happen with boots?

How did you solve it?

where I want to · #2 01/15/12, 02:05 PM

I know nothing about hunting boots but a lot of english riders keep boot trees in their boot to keep them from developing that problem. I have used rolled newspaper for the same thing.
Boots tend to fold over at the ankle when "unoccupied" which leads the material to break down at the ankle and without this stiffness, the boot collapses down.
I wonder if you stored your boots upside down off of boot hangers with that would help too.
I hope some one here can tell you a remedy as I never found one once the problem happens.

jwal10 · #3 01/15/12, 02:09 PM

If it was leather use a good boot restore or grease. Synthetics need conditioner too. I have 30 year old boots that are just as supple as when they were made....James

texican · #4 01/15/12, 02:47 PM

Synthetics are hard to 'retrain'.... If they were mine, I'd cut a limb about the size of my ankle and wet the boot material a bit, and put the limb inside, forcing it to stretch out/smooth out, like it was originally... and let it dry naturally, and see if that fixed it.

Btw... I picked up some very excellent all leather mil surplus boots off of sportsmansguide.com... some for as little as 7$/pair... wore one pair daily for two years before the stitching broke... now they work great as mud 'slippers'. Got some $20 heavy duty leather hikers that can be resoled over and over.... and fit like an old glove.

good luck... I hate spending good money on iffy boots... unless I can get them at clearance prices, then figure I don't have too much invested, in case they're bum steers...

fishhead · #5 01/15/12, 05:34 PM

I've heard Sportsman's Guide is kaput.

My boots are Irish Setters and almost new. They just started doing this a couple of weeks ago after I walked for about 6 hours one day.

I think I'll stick them on something and hang a weight from the loop in the back to stretch them out again.

blooba · #6 01/15/12, 07:49 PM

Sportman's Guide is still around. http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/Main.aspx

Halfway down the page is their catalog request link. I love browsing through the deals.

**Cabin Fever** · #7 01/16/12, 10:12 AM

I get an email from Sportsmansguide almost every day with a sales pitch.

I am curious of your need for a tall boot in Minnesota? My tallest boots are 10" which is plenty high for ankle support....8" would probably do as well for ankle support. Maybe its for walking thru shallow water and such...right?

**Cabin Fever** · #8 01/16/12, 10:16 AM

BTW, my 10" boots are Irish Setters. They are >30 years old and 100% leather including the buckskin lining. I keep them oiled and they are as soft and supple as kit leather. Never a problem.

fishhead · #9 01/16/12, 02:17 PM

I spend a lot of time on flowages so I need something that can keep me dry if the water looks deeper than it is or I break through the ice.

Every year it gets harder to find a comfortable boot.